November 7, 2019 - Gameday Special Issue vs. Penn State

GAME DAY PREVIEW

Shannon Brooks carries the ball at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Gophers defeated Maryland 52-10 bringing their record to 8-0. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)

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GAME DAY

PREVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Game Day Preview Fall 2019

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Daily Breakdown: No. 13 Gophers have to rise to the occasion against No. 5 Penn State

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Depth charts for the Minnesota Gophers and Penn State Nittany Lions

Quick Hitters: Gophers take another step forward with victory over Maryland

Notes from the last time the Gophers faced off against the Nittany Lions Fleck signs a seven-year extension to remain with the Golden Gophers

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EDITORIAL BOARD

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Thursday, November 7, 2019

the Daily

BREAKDOWN

Minnesota vs. Penn State: Daily Breakdown When the Gophers and the Nittany Lions take the field on Saturday, it will be arguably the biggest game in TCF Bank Stadium history.

The Gophers are 8-0 coming off a 52-10 drubbing of Maryland, a game they dominated from the start. Meanwhile, Penn State is coming off a game against Michigan State where the Nittany Lions went into East Lansing and took care of the Spartans on the road 28-7.

The Gophers and Penn State will both be healthy and prepared, as both had bye weeks in preparation for Saturday’s game.

When the Gophers run the ball The Gophers have finally got the run game going. Minnesota is coming off a game against Maryland where they had 321 yards rushing. Senior Rodney Smith has been a terror for opposing defenses for the last five games, averaging 135 yards in each game.

Having a healthy Mohamed Ibrahim and Shannon Brooks has been big for this Gopher offense. Ibrahim is averaging 4.65 yards per carry this season with six touchdowns. Brooks is averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

Penn State has one of the toughest defenses in the nation in terms of stopping the run. They are No. 1 in opponent yards per carry allowed, giving up only 1.99 yards per rush. They are No. 2 in the country in terms of total rushing yards allowed per game, giving up only 68.4 yards per game.

Advantage: Penn State Matchup to watch: Running back Rodney Smith vs. linebacker Micah Parsons When Penn State runs the ball: Just like Minnesota, Penn State has a group of running backs who can rush the ball successfully. The Nittany Lions have three running backs who average over five yards per carry.

Freshman running back Noah Cain started the year off hot, averaging 5.1 yards per carry for a total of 350 yards and six touchdowns. However, in the last two games he only has 11 carries for 40 yards.

Freshman Devyn Ford and sophomore Journey Brown are averaging 6.5 and 5.8 yards per carry, respectively. Penn State has even gone to a fourth back, sophomore Ricky Slade, who is averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

The Nittany Lions appear to ride the

hot hand, but all four backs should see touches throughout the game against Minnesota. Penn State ranks No. 61 in the country averaging 170.1 yards per game.

Minnesota has vastly improved its run defense since the beginning of the year.

They currently rank No. 26 in the nation, only giving up 117.4 yards per game and are holding their opponents to 3.61 yards per carry.

Advantage: Minnesota Matchup to watch: Linebacker Thomas Barber vs. running back Journey Brown

Wide receiver Tyler Johnson carries the ball at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Gophers defeated Maryland 52-10 bringing their record to 8-0.

(Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)

When the Gophers pass the ball Tanner Morgan is still one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football.

He is No. 7 in the country in passing efficiency and No. 27 in completion percentage, completing 65.3% of his passes.

Morgan has a bevy of weapons that he can throw to. Sophomore wide receiver Rashod Bateman continues to shine in an offense that prefers to run. On the year he has 644 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Senior Tyler Johnson has 43 receptions on the year for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. Minnesota also has a pretty good No. 3 wide receiver in redshirt sophomore Chris Autman-Bell, who is averaging 16.9 yards per catch and has four touchdowns receiving.

The Nittany Lions have the No. 49 passing defense, allowing 1,693 yards through the air on the season. They are only allowing opposing quarterbacks to throw for 211 yards per game. Despite their success, they take on their most formidable passing opponent this season in the Gophers.

Advantage: Minnesota Matchup to watch: Tyler Johnson vs. cornerback John Reid When Penn State Passes the ball: The Nittany Lions haven’t had much trouble replacing now Ravens backup quarterback Trace McSorley. Sophomore Sean Clifford has filled McSorley’s shoes quite admirably. On the season Clifford is completing 62% of his passes, with 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Clifford has one of the best wide receivers in the country to throw the ball to in K.J. Hamler. He has 37 receptions on the season for 620 yards and eight touchdowns and is regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft class if he chooses to enter.

The Gophers defense has had a lot of success against the pass this year. They

are currently ranked as having the No. 9 passing defense in the country, allowing opponents to throw for 166.4 yards per game. Gophers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is tied for second in the country with five interceptions.

Like Penn State’s defense, this will be the best passing offense Minnesota has faced all year.

Advantage: Minnesota

Matchup to watch: K.J. Hamler vs. cornerback Chris Williamson Prediction: 35-24, Penn State wins Ever ything else you need to know: • Start time: 11:00 a.m. CDT • Network: ABC • Radio: KFAN 100.3 • Line: Penn State by 7

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MINNESOTA’S DEPTH CHART MINNESOTA COACHES

OFFENSE

P.J. Fleck Kirk Ciarrocca

QB

Joseph Rossi Rob Wenger Kenni Burns Rod Chance Brian Callahan Joe Harasymiak Jim Panagos Clay Patterson Matt Simon

Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers Coach Special Teams Coordinator Outside Linebackers Coach Assistant Head Coach Running Backs Coach Cornerbacks Coach Run Game Coordinator Offensive Line Coach Defensive Backs Coach Safeties Coach Defensive Line Coach Tight Ends Coach Passing Game Coordinator Wide Receivers Coach

TB

TE

WR WR

WR LT LG C RG RT

2 14 15 1 24 4 21 3 80 42 85 88 13 17 7 82 83 6 18 73 79 77 67 64 60 51 65 78 74

Tanner Morgan (6-2, 210, R-So.) Cole Kramer (6-1, 195, Fr.) OR Jacob Clark (6-5, 220, Fr.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 210, R-Sr.) OR Mohamed Ibrahim (5-10, 210, R-So.) OR Shannon Brooks (6-0, 215, R-Sr.) Bryce Williams (6-0, 205, So.) OR Cam Wiley (6-2, 205, Fr.) Jake Paulson (6-4, 260, R-Fr.) Ko Kieft (6-4, 250, R-Fr.) OR Bryce Witham (6-4, 255, R-Jr.) OR Brevyn Spann-Ford (6-7, 270, R-Fr.) Rashod Bateman (6-2, 210, So.) Seth Green (6-4, 240, R-So.) Chris Autman-Bell (6-1, 215, R-So.) OR Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 195, R-So.) OR Harry Van Dyne (6-5, 215, R-So.) Tyler Johnson (6-2, 200, Jr.) Clay Geary (5-10, 200, R-Jr.) Sam Schlueter (6-6, 325, R-Jr.) Jason Dickson (6-6, 320, R-Jr.) Blaise Andries (6-6, 325, R-So.) OR Nate Umlor (6-5, 300, R-So.) Conner Olson (6-5, 305, R-Jr.) OR John Michael Schmitz (6-4, 300, R-Fr.) Chris Dunlap Jr. (6-5, 345, R-So.) Axel Ruschmeyer (6-4, 305, R-So.) Daniel Faalele (6-9, 400, Fr.) Kyle Sassack (6-7, 315, R-So.)

DEFENSE DE DT DT

DE

LB LB

DB

DB DB DB DB

46 9 90 19 18 52 91 45 12 34 41 55 21 8 14 16 4 7 25 31 6 26 11 1 23 27 22

Winston DeLattiboudere (6-3, 250, R-Jr.) Esezi Otomewo (6-6, 260, R-Fr.) Sam Renner (6-4, 270, R-Sr.) Keonte Schad (6-3, 295, Jr.) Micah Dew-Tredway (6-4, 315, Grad.)

Jamaal Teague (6-3, 305, Fr.) OR Noah Hickox (6-4, 295, R-So.) Carter Coughlin (6-4, 245, Jr.) Tai’yon Devers (6-4, 245, Sr.) OR Boye Mafe (6-4, 260, R-So.) Thomas Barber (6-0, 240, Sr.) Mariano Sori-Marin (6-3, 240, So.) Kamal Martin (6-3, 245, Sr.) Thomas Rush (6-3, 230, Fr.) OR Braelen Oliver (6-0, 225, Fr.) Coney Durr (6-10, 190, R-Jr.) Terell Smith (6-1, 195, Fr.) OR Philip Howard (5-11, 195, R-Jr.) Benjamin St-Juste (6-3, 200, Grad.) OR Kiondre Thomas (6-0, 195, R-Jr.) Chris Williamson (6-0, 205, R-Sr.) Justus Harris (5-10, 185, Jr.) Antoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 204, R-So.) Calvin Swenson (6-1, 210, R-So.) OR Jordan Howden (5-11, 185, Fr.) Tyler Nubin (6-2, 205, Fr.) OR Benny Sapp III (6-1, 205, So.)

24 82 11 47 46 14

Mohamed Ibrahim (5-10, 210, R-So.) Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) Antoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 205, R-So.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Jr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 205, R-Jr.) Casey O’Brien (6-1, 175, R-Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS K P LS KR

38 34 47 46 37 39 1

Michael Lantz (5-11, 180, Fr.) Brock Walker (5-10, 200, R-Fr.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Jr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 200, Grad.)

Brady Weeks (6-0, 215, Fr.) Michael Vojvodich (6-3, 220, R-Fr.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 210, R-Sr.) OR

KR PR H

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Thursday, November 7, 2019

PENN STATE’S DEPTH CHART PENN STATE COACHES

OFFENSE

James Franklin Brent Pry

WR

Ricky Rahne Joe Lorig Tim Banks Tyler Bowen Gerad Parker Matt Limegrover Ja’Juan Seider Terry Smith

Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterback Coach Special Teams Coordinator Defensive Assistant Co-Offensive Coordinator Safeties Coach Tight Ends Coach Wide Recevier Coach Outside Linebackers Coach Running Backs Coach Assistant Head Coach

TE

LT

LG

RT

SPECIAL TEAMS 92 K 98 FG 98 93 P 98 98 98 K 92 KO 90 91 LS 94 42 1 KR 4 3 93 H 15 98 1 PR 5 29

Jake Pinegar (So./So., 6-2, 195) Jordan Stout (Jr./So., 6-3, 205) Bradley King (So./So., 6-2, 199) Blake Gillikin (Sr./Sr., 6-2, 196) Jordan Stout (Jr./So., 6-3, 205) Bradley King (So./So., 6-2, 199) Jordan Stout (Jr./So., 6-3, 205) Jake Pinegar (So./So., 6-2, 195) Rafael Checa (So./So., 6-2, 201) Chris Stoll (Jr./So., 6-2, 245) Joe Calcagno (Jr./So., 6-0, 279) Austin Sullivan (Fr./Fr., 6-2, 237) KJ Hamler (Jr./So., 5-9, 176) Journey Brown (Jr./So., 5-11, 206) Ricky Slade(So./So., 5-9, 198) Blake Gillikin (Sr./Sr., 6-2, 196) Michael Shuster (Sr./Jr., 6-2, 210) Bradley King (So./So., 6-2, 199) KJ Hamler(Jr./So., 5-9, 176) Jahan Dotson (So./So., 5-11, 175) John Reid (5th/Sr., 5-10, 181)

RG

C

WR

WR

RB

QB

6 11 81 87 83 82 86 53 75 72 74 73 72 71 75 79 69 73 55 62 73 68 1 12 85 5 88 23 21 4 3 28 14 7 9 13

Justin Shorter (So./Fr., 6-4, 235) Daniel George (So./Fr., 6-2, 220) Cam Sullivan-Brown (Jr./So., 6-0, 194) Pat Freiermuth (So./So., 6-5, 256) Nick Bowers (Gr./Sr., 6-4, 260) Zack Kuntz (So./Fr., 6-7, 243) Brenton Strange (Fr./Fr., 6-3, 233) Rasheed Walker (So./Fr., 6-6, 324) Des Holmes (Jr./So., 6-5, 315) Bryce Effner (So./Fr., 6-5, 297) Steven Gonzalez (Gr./Sr., 6-4, 341) Mike Miranda (Jr./So., 6-3, 295) Bryce Effner (So./Fr., 6-5, 297) Will Fries (Sr./Jr., 6-6, 313) Des Holmes (Jr./So., 6-5, 315) Caedan Wallace (Fr./Fr., 6-5, 333) C.J. Thorpe (Jr./So., 6-3, 322) Mike Miranda (Jr./So., 6-3, 295) Anthony Whigan (Jr./Jr., 6-4, 301) Michal Menet (Sr./Jr., 6-4, 313) Mike Miranda (Jr./So., 6-3, 295) Hunter Kelly (Sr./Jr., 6-2, 309) KJ Hamler (Jr./So., 5-9, 176) Mac Hippenhammer (Jr./So., 5-11, 182) Isaac Lutz (Sr./Jr., 5-11, 193) Jahan Dotson (So./So., 5-11, 175) Dan Chisena (5th/Sr., 6-3, 202) Weston Carr (Gr./Sr., 6-2, 202) Noah Cain (Fr./Fr., 5-10, 206) Journey Brown (Jr./So., 5-11, 206) Ricky Slade(So./So., 5-9, 198) Devyn Ford (Fr./Fr., 5-11, 194) Sean Clifford (Jr./So., 6-2, 216) Will Levis (So./Fr., 6-3, 229) Ta’Quan Roberson (Fr./Fr., 5-11, 192) Michael Johnson Jr. (Fr./Fr., 6-2, 199)

DEFENSE 18 28 20 DT 54 53 90 DT 97 77 51 DE 99 34 49 OL 11 40 10 ML 36 13 40 OL 6 12 45 17 S 26 48 CB 5 2 24 38 S 7 37 CB 29 19 8 DE

Shaka Toney (Sr./Jr., 6-3, 243) Jayson Oweh (So./Fr., 6-5, 255) Adisa Isaac (Fr./Fr., 6-4, 241) Robert Windsor (Gr./Sr., 6-4, 285) Fred Hansard (Jr./So., 6-3, 316) Damion Barber (Jr./So., 6-3, 290) PJ Mustipher (So./So., 6-4, 311) Judge Culpepper (So./Fr., 6-4, 284) Hakeem Beamon (Fr./Fr., 6-3, 259) Yetur Gross-Matos (Jr./Jr., 6-5, 264) Shane Simmons (Sr./Jr., 6-3, 259) Daniel Joseph (Sr./Jr., 6-3, 260) Micah Parsons (So./So., 6-3, 245) Jesse Luketa (So./So., 6-3, 247) Lance Dixon (Fr./Fr., 6-2, 213) Jan Johnson (Gr./Sr., 6-2, 231) Ellis Brooks (Jr./So., 6-1, 234) Jesse Luketa (So./So., 6-3, 247) Cam Brown (Sr./Sr., 6-5, 233) Brandon Smith (Fr./Fr., 6-3, 240) Charlie Katshir (So./Fr., 6-3, 229) Garrett Taylor (Gr./Sr., 6-0, 198) Jonathan Sutherland (Jr./So., 5-11, 201) C.J. Holmes (Jr./So., 6-0, 216) Tariq Castro-Fields (Jr./Jr., 6-0, 197) Keaton Ellis (Fr./Fr., 5-11, 190) DJ Brown (Jr./So., 5-10, 183) Lamont Wade (Jr./Jr., 5-9, 199) Jaquan Brisker (Jr./Jr., 6-1, 210) Drew Hartlaub (Jr./So., 5-11, 183) John Reid (5th/Sr., 5-10, 181) Trent Gordon (So./Fr., 5-11, 188) Marquis Wilson (Fr./Fr., 5-11, 173)

*Depth chart accurate as of November 6 Courtesy of Penn State Athletics

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Thursday, November 7, 2019

Quick Hitters

Gophers take another step forward with 52-10 victory over Maryland

Minnesota put together another complete performance, improving to 8-0.

BY NICK JUNGHEIM njungheim@mndaily.com

Final: Minnesota 52 - Mar yland 10 Minnesota scored the game’s first 28 points and never let up, remaining unbeaten in 2019 to arrange a matchup of undefeated teams as Penn State comes to Minneapolis this week.

The 42-point margin of victory was the Gophers’ largest of the season as they improved their overall win streak to 10 games. Relying on the ground game, Minnesota picked apart the Terrapins, as seven different rushers combined for 321 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Despite featuring a talented backfield, Maryland’s rushers could not keep up, totaling less than 100 yards on the ground.

After falling behind early, the Terrapins had to lean on passes to get back in the game, but three quarterbacks combined for a stat line of 10 completions in 23 attempts for one touchdown and two interceptions.

It was over when: Less than four minutes remained in the first half when Maryland found themselves with their best chance to put points on the board. Trailing 21-0, the Terrapins faced a third and 11 at the Minnesota 30. Maryland would not convert; instead, quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome’s pass bounced off his receiver’s hands, landing in the lap of redshirt junior Coney Durr who returned the interception 72 yards for a Gophers touchdown.

Key play: Minnesota set the tone of the game on the second play from scrimmage. Redshirt sophomore Antoine Winfield Jr. intercepted his fifth pass of the season at mid-field and returned it 30 yards. The turnover set up the game’s opening touchdown four plays later.

Five Obser vations: 1. Rush defense continues to impress.

When the two teams met in 2018, it was Maryland that dominated in the run game, out-gaining the Gophers 321 yards to 132.

This year, just like against Illinois and Nebraska, Minnesota’s rush defense proved

it was a dramatically improved unit compared to a year ago. The Terrapins averaged 3.4 yards per carry on Oct. 26, compared to 8.5 yards per carry against Minnesota last season.

2. Third down success helped Gophers dominate time of possession.

One of the most important ways an offense can help its defense is to dominate time of possession. That’s exactly what Minnesota did against Maryland. The Gophers offense was on the field for almost 43 minutes. When needed, they had no trouble extending drives, converting 7-11 third downs.

3. Rodney Smith making histor y in final season.

Redshirt senior Rodney Smith had another productive afternoon, recording his fifth consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. On the scoring play, he passed Darrell Thompson’s program record of 5,109 all-purpose yards. Smith also eclipsed 3,000 career rushing yards against Maryland. He ranks third in school history in that category.

4. Gophers remain among nation’s least penalized teams.

Against the Terrapins, Minnesota was

Right, Wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell signals to his team at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. Left, Shannon Brooks carries the ball. The Gophers defeated Maryland 52-10 bringing their record to 8-0. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)

penalized just twice for 15 yards. On the season, the Gophers have committed 32 penalties, tying them with Iowa State for the fourth fewest penalties per game in the nation. Take away a seven penalty performance against Fresno State and Minnesota has only committed 25 penalties in its other seven games.

5. Big Ten West title within reach.

At 5-0 in the Big Ten, Minnesota has a two game lead in the Big Ten West over No. 16 Wisconsin and No. 18 Iowa, both 3-2 in conference. The Badgers and Hawkeyes face off this Saturday, meaning one of those teams will have three Big Ten losses after this weekend. Even if the Gophers can’t defeat Penn State, they are in a favorable position to reach the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis if they can earn at least two victories in their final three games.

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Minnesota’s last match against Penn State A Penn State overtime victory helped save head coach James Franklin’s job.

BY JOHN MILLER jmiller@mndaily.com It has been three years since Minnesota last faced Penn State on the gridiron. Entering the game, the Gophers held a 3-0 record, while the Nittany Lions sat at 2-2. That game took place on Oct. 1, 2016 in University Park, Pennsylvania.

It’s a game that a lot of Penn State fans are happy they won for one big reason. Head coach James Franklin was in the hot seat, and many thought losing to the Gophers would be the final straw. However, Franklin and the Nittany Lions pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat with a 29-26 overtime win.

Since then, the team has gone on to have a lot of success with Franklin at the helm.

Minnesota got out to a 13-3 lead going into halftime off of two Emmit Carpenter field goals and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Leidner to wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky.

However, Penn State didn’t go down without a fight. Current Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Trace McSorley completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Irvin Charles with just under ten minutes remaining in the third quarter to cut the Nittany Lions’ deficit to three.

Penn State went on to score the next 10 points thanks to a 27-yard field goal from kicker Tyler Davis and a six-yard touchdown run from McSorley to give the Nittany Lions a seven-point lead over the Gophers, 20-13, heading into the fourth quarter.

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, Minnesota struck back and tied the game up on a 37-yard touchdown run from Shannon Brooks.

Things were looking good for the Gophers as the game wound down. They drove the ball down the field on an 11-play, 58-yard drive to set up a field goal and take the lead with 54 seconds remaining in the game.

But they left too much time on the clock, as Penn State drove 53 yards into Minnesota territory and hit a 40-yard field goal to send the game into overtime tied at 23.

Minnesota got the ball in overtime first, but couldn’t get much going so they were forced to kick a field goal to take a 26-23 lead.

After holding future star NFL running back Saquon Barkley to just 19 attempts for 38 yards all game, on the first play in overtime for the Penn State offense, Barkley took the ball 25 yards to the house to win the game for the Nittany Lions, 29-26.

Quotes from the game “It’s pretty obvious it hurts,” Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys said to the media

Head Coach P.J. Fleck prepares to run onto the field with the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Gophers defeated Maryland 52-10 bringing their record to 8-0. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)

after the game. “We’ll be up in the morning and we’ll be back and ready to go.”

“That is what you live for,” Barkley told the media after his touchdown run.

“I’m pretty sure they blitzed and the offensive line picked up the run blitz so well and got so much movement. It parted like the Red Sea. When I got through, I got on the safety and I was kind of running to the left and I was like, ‘oh I’ve to got make

him miss somehow no matter what.’ I was fortunate to make him miss and get in the end zone and be able to score the go-ahead touchdown.”

“That was big and [the players] are having a great time in locker room,” Franklin told the media after the game. “They are partying in there. Have you guys ever seen the movie ‘Soul Plane?’ That’s what it looks like in there. They’re going crazy.”

FOOTBALL RESULTS

VS MINNESOTA 26

PENN STATE 29

SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM WHEN: October 1, 2016

WHERE: Pennsylvania

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Thursday, November 7, 2019

P.J. Fleck signs seven-year extension The Gophers are off to their best start since 1941, and have won 10 straight under the direction of Fleck.

BY NICK JUNGHEIM AND JOHN MILLER njungheim@mndaily.com, jmiller@mndaily.com

Ahead of its meeting with No. 5 Penn State on Saturday, the University of Minnesota announced a contract extension with football head coach P.J. Fleck, pending Board of Regents approval.

The University officially announced the seven-year extension on Tuesday afternoon, ensuring that Fleck will remain on the sidelines at TCF Bank Stadium through the 2026 season. Fleck’s base salary will increase to $4.6 million with a $10 million dollar buyout. “[I’m] thankful for the support of the university and our entire community,” Fleck said. “The contract is really the result of tireless effort of so many people,

not just the head coach. The head coach is only as good as the people around him.”

Late Monday night, details began to emerge about the possibility that the University and Fleck were nearing an extension, according to the Star Tribune.

“This has been a few weeks in the making,” Fleck said. “You have other people doing it for you, so I wasn’t really dealing with it. It never takes away from your game plan, focus or vision.”

It’s no surprise that the Gophers decided to give Fleck a new deal to remain with the program. Speculation emerged that linked Fleck to other coaching jobs at high-profile programs such as Florida State, which fired head coach Willie Taggart earlier this week. However, Fleck said he never gave any thought to departing. Instead, he says he wants to continue building a culture within the program.

“You look at what Kirk Ferentz and Hayden Fry did at Iowa, that’s what I feel like the University of Minnesota is missing,” Fleck said. “And I feel like somebody has to do that. We came here because we

felt like it was our mission, because we were called to it.”

Fleck earned his new contract by leading the team to its best start in almost 80 years, going 8-0 heading into their game against Penn State.

Since coming to Minnesota in 2017, Fleck has lead the Gophers to a 20-13 record, their first win over Wisconsin in 15 years and victory over Georgia Tech last season in the Quick Lane Bowl. They have won their last 10 games in a row, dating back to the 2018-19 season.The University of Minnesota’s Athletic Director Mark Coyle said he has been impressed with Fleck’s ability to achieve the goals he set for the program when he was hired.

“He laid out a very specific plan for what he was going to do at Minnesota,” Coyle said. “He has not missed any of the things he’s talked about.”

With contract negotiations completed, Fleck’s next goal will be defeating Penn State on Saturday, an opportunity that has him and his players excited.

“It’s really cool when you have the

whole state and across the nation excited about Gopher football,” said quarterback Tanner Morgan. “It means a lot for our fans and this tremendous university.”

“We came here because we felt like it was our mission, because we were called to do it.”

P.J. FLECK

Gophers football head coach