Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota's goal to upgrade its nonconference football schedules has taken a hit with two games against Texas canceled due to a disagreement over video rights.
The Gophers athletics department confirmed the cancellation Wednesday. The Longhorns were scheduled to play at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 19, 2015. The Gophers were slated to visit Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 17, 2016.
"It's extremely disappointing," Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi said. "The kind of agreement we could not come to is the same agreement every other school on our schedule agreed to. Every other school in the Big 12 agreed to this."
The video rights issue is complex, related to wording in contracts that protects the networks televising the games regarding how and when footage can be used. Minnesota's commitment to the Big Ten Network is part of this issue.
Still, Maturi and university officials were upset about the impasse. They learned earlier this month that Texas was backing out.
"We have a signed agreement," Maturi said. "If we wanted to go to court, we'd win. But that's not our style."
Texas officials declined immediate comment.
The schools have not met in the sport since 1936.
In a statement provided by the school, head coach Tim Brewster also expressed his displeasure.
"Our fans and our team were excited to play Texas. Obviously, they weren't as excited about playing us," Brewster said. "We plan to fill that slot in our upcoming schedule with a quality BCS opponent."
The Gophers still have plenty of major-conference opponents to play in the future. They host Southern California on Sept. 18 and travel to USC in 2011. North Carolina is scheduled for 2013 and 2014, and Oregon State is on tap for 2017 and 2018 and Colorado is on the slate for 2021 and 2022.
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Buffaloes' QB shuffle: Colorado enters preseason workouts without a starting quarterback for the third year in a row.
For the second straight year, the contenders are Cody Hawkins, coach Dan Hawkins' son, and Tyler Hansen. Hawkins started the first five games last year but was replaced during the Buffs' worst offensive game of the year -- a 38-14 loss at Texas. Hansen started the remaining seven games.
Dan Hawkins said the coaching staff planned to decide about two weeks before the Sept. 4 opener against Colorado State in Denver.
If last year's stats are any indication, it could be a split decision. Colorado was 1-4 with Hawkins as the starter, 2-5 under Hansen. Hawkins, a senior this year, threw for 1,277 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Hansen, now a junior, had 1,440 yards with eight TDs and seven interceptions, including three in a season-ending loss to Nebraska.
The Buffs were last in the Big 12 in total offense and 10th in scoring in 2009.
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