Here’s everything that Minnesota Football coach PJ Fleck had to say following the Gophers victory over UCLA.
Minnesota Gopher Football: Coach PJ Fleck’s Remarks After Defeating UCLA
Opening Statement from PJ Fleck
PJ Fleck: First of all, we have to give UCLA a lot of credit. What an incredible football game! This shows what the Big Ten is all about—there are no easy games here. I’m not saying it was easy for us or them; it never is.
As we review the scores this week across different conferences—SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC—it’s amazing. Like Jim Tressel said, you never know who will win. Today was a back-and-forth battle.
Honestly, the first half was one of the roughest I’ve experienced as a head coach. We have to remember those moments, but what’s important is that you have 60 minutes to play. It’s akin to 60 years of life, all condensed into three hours of football.
Our players learned many life lessons tonight. They possess resilience and resolve, which will make them great husbands, fathers, uncles, and grandfathers. This program focuses on life skills.
I know many will evaluate our success based on wins and losses, but I’m genuinely proud of our team, especially when we were trailing 17-14. I was walking around noting in my notebook how proud I felt of their effort.
We went into this game knowing we were up against a solid team that had faced other top opponents. The analogy we shared was that sometimes you have to keep swinging, just like in boxing. We knew UCLA would hit hard, but we had to support one another.
At halftime, I delivered a very straightforward talk to the team. I wanted to pump confidence and belief into everyone, including the coaches, because the first half was subpar.
That’s the essence of college football. How many coaches are going to say, “We didn’t play well”? It’s cliché, I know, but it’s true—we didn’t utilize our opportunities.
In the second half, we played better, although we didn’t reach our full potential. I love this team because they’re committed to improving. Winning the turnover battle—three to none—was crucial to our victory.
I’m also grateful to our administration, especially Mark Coyle, for ensuring we traveled effectively. It’s a big undertaking, especially in today’s climate, and it helped us in the second half.
A huge thank you to our fans—over 15,000 strong—who made the journey to the Rose Bowl. We even gave them a game ball! While I can’t hand out 15,000 game balls, we’ll keep one as a tribute to our fans.
I hope those who came for family memories and moments had a great experience, even if it wasn’t a bowl game. This experience was special for us all.
I’m proud to be the head coach of this team. Our officer, Mark McElroy, shared an inspiring story during our captain’s breakfast. It’s remarkable to have such connections within our organization.
This victory counts as one win—it’s 1-0. It may not mean a championship, but it was a one-game championship, and there are no bad wins. Hard losses teach valuable lessons, making this a significant win for our program. UCLA deserves recognition for fighting hard too.
Now, I’m open to your questions.
On the final drive with Max and the offense
PJ Fleck: I felt confident about opening up our offense. We moved into our two-minute set where Max feels at ease. Some people wonder why we don’t play that way the entire game; it’s just not our style. But when he’s in that mode, he excels. Our wide receivers did their jobs well, and we remained composed even with penalties.
On that last play, Max displayed remarkable skill—going through four reads while facing pressure. He found Darius, who executed well.
In the first half, we struggled with execution—dropped passes, false starts, and a missed field goal didn’t help. It was frustrating.
On the flat performance in the first half
PJ Fleck: I wouldn’t say I was harsh at halftime, but I was intense. If I had the answer for our sluggish first half, I’d have addressed it beforehand. I must ensure the team is prepared for every game.
We plan meticulously, and while it’s challenging to get everyone fired up for 60 minutes, our players showed resilience. UCLA started strong, and we didn’t capitalize on our chances, which falls on me. I reassured the team of my commitment, and I take responsibility for our first-half performance.
On UCLA’s Defense and Challenges Faced in the First Half
PJ Fleck: UCLA had a strong defensive strategy in the first half. We also made several mistakes that we need to address since we can only control our performance. They employed some unusual formations, overloaded certain areas, and utilized various blitzing techniques, which created some negative plays for us. We committed drops and penalties, and the crowd definitely influenced the game.
UCLA played their best first half that I’ve seen based on film. They executed well defensively, while we struggled to match up. Offensively, UCLA found a rhythm, effectively mixing their run game with play-action and utilizing their quarterback’s mobility.
We had to prepare for two quarterbacks and had no clarity on their injuries. Based on their last game, I thought we’d see their backup quarterback, but their starting QB had a fantastic day.
On Preparing for Different Quarterbacks
Why did you think you’d see the backup quarterback?
PJ Fleck: Because he played in their last game and was able to move the offense well. With their record, I thought he might give them a spark. We were preparing for both quarterbacks without insight on their injury status, so it was a bit of a guess.
On Daniel Jackson’s Performance
Daniel Jackson had 10 catches out of 13 targets, including two crucial third-down conversions. What did you think of his game?
PJ Fleck: I believe Daniel Jackson will be remembered as one of the greatest receivers in Gopher history. We have a deep roster of talented receivers, but he stands out as a game-changer.
Tyler Johnson, now with the LA Rams, was also here which adds to the legacy we’re building. Daniel excels under pressure and has made key plays for us, like in last year’s Nebraska game. His ability to perform in high-stakes moments is remarkable.
He’s also grown enormously in his leadership and teammate qualities over the past two years. I’m very proud of him, and his family should be proud as well.
On Koi’s First Interception
PJ Fleck: Koi is impressive; he’s incredibly confident. I’ve never encountered someone with as much self-assurance as he has. He’s a dynamic player, and every time he’s on the field, you expect something exciting to happen.
He showed promise during the Army All-American game, even when there were doubts about him. While he’s still developing and not perfect, he’s a true freshman, and I’m grateful he’s on our team. The other players appreciate him, and that’s significant—especially when he’s contributing at such a young age.
When I played varsity as a freshman, there were mixed feelings from my teammates, but no one feels that way about Koi. The team is supportive because they all want to succeed together, and they value Koi not just for his playing ability but for who he is as a person.
On the Significance of Defeating LA Schools Consecutively for Future Recruitment
PJ Fleck: I’ll be back here next week, right? You know that song “California Dreamin'”? I’ve had it on repeat this week, even pregame. The Mamas and the Papas, right? I’m definitely listening to it on the way home too.
Winning these games is a big deal for us. We’re aiming for national recruitment as we expand beyond Minnesota. No offense to my buddy Bob Motzko, but while we embrace Minnesota as the “State of Hockey,” we recognize the need to reach out to players beyond our borders.
We’re seeing more players from Minnesota commit to us than ever, particularly from the top tier. Look at Koi—he had offers from all over but chose us. Our coaching staff has strong connections, and while we change coaches frequently to help them achieve their goals, we’ve developed ties in regions like Las Vegas, allowing us to bring in players like Jordan Howden, who now plays for the New Orleans Saints.
This area is crucial for us, and with the Big Ten’s reach, we’ll be here often. I love California! Sure, the flight is longer and pricier, but there are plenty of talented players. I’m excited about the prospects we’ll meet next week.
Getting these wins in California is a major boost for us, especially in the LA area.
Thanks to our fans, donors, and boosters for supporting us. It was a special evening, and a fantastic comeback!
Row the boat, Ski-U-Mah, go Gophers! Thanks for everything!
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