MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – P.J. Fleck has developed a light-hearted banter with the media following the Big Ten Conference’s requirement for teams to issue injury reports ahead of games.
“You’ll see the injury report two hours before kickoff,” he quips frequently.
Every Monday, Fleck meets with the media, and if a key player hasn’t been participating or was absent the previous week, a reporter inevitably inquires about their status. His response is consistently the same, accompanied by a smirk directed at the reporter.
Before North Carolina, running back Darius Taylor was declared out just two hours prior to game time. Recently, it was defensive back Justin Walley and safety Darius Taylor once again.
“They’re both practicing and making good progress to return. But remember, the injury report is released two hours before kickoff,” Fleck stated with a smile.
He then engaged in a playful exchange with KFAN’s Justin Gaard, the Gophers’ sideline reporter.
Gaard commented, “That’s one of the best jokes in the Big Ten right now. You’ve got to keep playing it!”
Fleck responded, “That’s the rule, right? You have to have the rule so you can say that. But everyone is curious. It’s similar to how NFL coaches handle questions about injuries—they announce it right before kickoff due to the mandate.”
Gaard challenged him, “Can you say ‘two-hour availability report’ without smiling? Not now, but next week when injuries come up.”
Fleck then tried his best exaggerated dramatic delivery. While NFL teams disclose inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff, they also announce who’s out on Fridays for Sunday games. Essentially, the media must inquire about any starters or key players, while Fleck isn’t obliged to provide additional details.
Noise Complaints from Nearby Residents? During his weekly radio show on Tuesday, Fleck mentioned that residents living near the football facility have lodged complaints about noise during this week’s practices. The Gophers are preparing for their first true road game of the season against Michigan, facing a crowd of over 100,000 fans.
To acclimate his players to the environment, Fleck has been playing the Michigan fight song, “Hail to the Victors,” at maximum volume.
“We’ve definitely made it louder than any previous game. They know ‘Hail to the Victors’ by now, that’s for sure,” Fleck noted. “They’ve probably heard it a billion times, along with our student population across the street.”
Adding to the challenge is the fact that the Gophers recently suffered a 31-14 defeat to rival Iowa, getting outscored 24-0 in the second half.
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