Emotional football game underway as Gophers host Michigan

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) - The Minnesota Gophers are playing for the first time without Jerry Kill as their coach. Kill announced his retirement Wednesday in an emotional press conference.

SEE THIS: Coach Kill retires

Gophers are playing against No. 15 Michigan and hope to keep the Little Brown Jug. The game started out with a tribute to Jerry Kill with a “Jerrysota” flag on the field.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys is now the Gopher’s interim head coach. The gophers are going into this game with a 4-3 record.

The game also had a moment of silence for Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders, he passed away on Sunday after a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

MORE: Flip Saunders passes away at age 60

Gophers new alternate jersey:

Halftime tribute to Jerry Kill: