5-yard TD reception for Bucs, his first NFL score.

Summarizing with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said following Saturday's 23-16 win over Wisconsin:

- Was hired to win this game. Rivalry is for both fan bases. The game is for the players

- Said Wisconsin's defensive line, particularly the two DT's were the best they've seen all year

- Said decision not to play Tyler Nubin was a family decision and they supported that. Thought Michael Dixon played well. Moved Beanie Bishop to nickel and he got people on the ground.

- On final drive: That's why you coach in the Big Ten. One of the more chaotic environments they've been in and they found a way to win it. They broke through that wall today. Very proud of the players.

- On AK and Daniel Jackson connection: It's going to be special in the next couple of years. Mentions older vets helping them recruit the younger guys you are seeing make plays. There are a lot more tandems that will be attached to AK, some we've redshirted that we haven't unleashed yet.

- Said he's going to smoke his father's cigar when he gets home

- Going to meet with their players and see where everybody is at. Mentions the portal opens on Dec. 5th. Need to get healthy. Want to get the young players going - that's what bowl prep is all about.

- A huge win for them

in transferring from Iowa to Purdue. Last season with the Hawks he had 21 receptions for 323 yards and 3 TDs.

This season at PU he had 93 catches for 1056 yards and 11 TDs, and made it to the B1G title game. I think his transfer and play put him into the NFL draft.

Game story from Saturday's big rivalry win for Minnesota over Wisconsin

Post your pregame, in-game, and postgame thoughts on today's game here

Huskers make a solid hire

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Hey, gather around and get out your note pads. 55 feels like teaching today. If you know Fleck, pass him this note. I can help his career. Unlike Kill, Fleck you are a good man with a good heart. A little ego but I’ve got a ego too so we good there.

You have a playmaker issue and it’s bad. I feel like I’m watching a Boy Scouts version of Big 10 football. All you want are good little boys. However, you can only win with men. Grown men with attitudes that will fight you from time to time because they are Alphas too. Not bad kids, just alpha men in development that will stand up and speak their mind from a good place because they want to win. Please get that, they want to contribute to a victory.

Playmakers are at the top of the alpha food chain. We are showboats, love to perform and want to make plays to contribute to victory. And know, if you get me the rock we will win, because this guy can’t guard me coach.

You need several playmakers on a team and your job coach is to keep them all happy and in line….but happy. Not sure how you don’t get that. If they don’t get the rock they pout, scream and act up in the locker room and other places or transfer to a place that appreciates their playmaking skills. You had Bucky in your program and you lost him. For one reason, you didn’t get the Diva enough touches…..so he had to leave.

A true playmaker will get attention one way or the other or die trying. If I’m recruiting a playmaker against Minnesota….easy victory. Check the stats young man…..they are so conservative you may fall asleep on the sideline. Come play for me, I’ll get you touches and use you out in space.

Enough of the Boy Scouts Fleck…..your staff totally needs to rethink your approach to playmakers. If Dylan Wright gets to touch the rock and contribute he’ll be like a dawg getting a bone. Now you got some nitwits thinking he’s a bad kid. And that ain’t right. He’s a playmaker sir just like Bucky and needs touches like a crack head needs crack.

I am thankful for another year of Gopher basketball. I have seen 4 games where we won 2 and lost 2. I have a few concerns, as a fan, that I hope to see corrected by the beginning of the calendar year.

AS A TEAM - Rebounding in general, exterior defense, overdribbling by the point guards, FT shooting. Awareness is the smallest part of the equation. We need to develop a little attitude and hard work to begin with, and make certain things a priority on the court.

COOPER AT THE PG - I have not seen Cooper in a defensive stance, yet. You cant move your feet quick enough if you are not in a good defensive stance. Quickness may be a problem but that is even more reason to get in a stance to somewhat compensate. The team does need to provide better help defense as defenders on the ball have to create angles towards defensive help, which is not always there. PLUS Cooper dribbles WAYYY TOO MUCH. Gotta get the ball moving through passing. Not impressed with his experience he is supposed to provide for us.

TREYTON THOMPSON AT C. If he continues to play like this, he will drop in the depth charts next year when Dennis Evans comes in and Parker Fox comes back, Isaiah Ihnen will set him back farther, depending where Ben plays Isaiah. Treyton is not adding a lot to our team right now. He could find a future role if he would start hitting that 12-15 foot jumper with any consistency. He could come in at the high post and we could almost run a 5 out offense, if he hits that jumper with consistency. He needs to rebound and defend much better, as well. Probably needed a redshirt season and he still may get one next year.

DAWSON GARCIA - I say be patient as fans. He needs to get confidence right now and he has little to start the year.

HENLEY - Needs to defend better and maybe better in shot selection. Has a lot of natural gifts in length and athletic ability. A long ways to go in learning how to play the game at the Big Ten level.

PAYNE - He is learning but I think he will be the stud of this class. Lots to like about this kid.

OLU JOSEPH - has a BIg Ten body already but he could really sculpt it in the off season. I would like him to get more minutes but he needs to grow as a player as well.

I could offer criticism of all the other players as well but I think these are guys that we could accelerate the process if they decide to listen to coaches and be smarter/more confident on the floor.

It's my understanding this is a PWO offer for Jacob Kilzer out of Osseo (MN). Good size at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. Completed 85-of-135 passing attempts this season for just over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also had 1,228 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Wouldn't be shocked if they look at him with that size as more of a wide receiver perhaps as a walk-on.


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Bodey McCaslin out of St. Charles East (Ill.) was recently on campus for a visit, he recaps it at the link above

Gophs trail 10-6 at about the 15 minute mark. Garcia (2) and Battle(4) have all the MN points.

That was the greatest called game
I have ever seen at a gopher football game. The players and fans both enjoyed that game. I could had cared less if we won or lost, that was fun to watch.

Matt Simon needs to have more say on play calling. He is clearly not influencing the offense as much as he should. No way he wants his guys to just block.

Be careful what you wish for those of you who that are down on Coach Fleck. Coach Fleck and his staff have averaged the most wins per season in the history of Golden Gopher football (the shortened pandemic season is not included). This staff will be at an exact average of 8 wins per season, if they beat Wisconsin, and at 7.8 wins if they lose to Wisconsin, either way the best seasonal win average of all-time. Feel very lucky to have the winningest Coach and staff of all-time leading the Gopher football team. More great things are still to come.

Our 2x AA and #3 ranked Pat McKee is participating at the All-Star Classic tomorrow night, streamed live on FloWrestling.com!!

This is a distinguished honor for Pat, and I expect that he will make short work of his opponent from Iowa State University!!! Tune in if you want to watch a little guy hammer like Pat, that does a lot of damage!!!

Here's the article on the All-Star Classic from Gopersports.com:

Patrick McKee Preps for NWCA All-Star Classic​

https://dbukjj6eu5tsf.cloudfront.net/gophersports.com/images/2022/11/20/221120_19I3027.jpg

Gophersports.com
11/21/2022
Wrestling

MINNEAPOLIS - Golden Gopher 125-pounder Patrick McKee will head to the Lone Star State this week for some exhibition mat time, as he receives the nod to compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, November 22.

The event returns after a four-year hiatus from the sport and showcases some of the best wrestlers that collegiate wrestling has to offer to make for one of the premier wrestling events of the season.

McKee is slated to be the first bout of the evening at 125 pounds, as he will square off against Iowa State's Kysen Terukina in what will be the two lightweights that have squared off in their careers. McKee was originally slated to wrestle Arizona State's Brandon Courtney in a rematch of last season's NCAA fifth-place match, however Courtney withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons.

It will be the 34th time the Maroon & Gold has been represented in the All-Star Classic dating back to 1967, with Gopher grapplers tallying a 16-16-1 record. McKee's appearance on Tuesday night will be the first time Minnesota has competed in the All-Star Classic since 2016, when Brett Pfarr used a late takedown in the third period to clinch a decision win over Princeton's Brett Harner.

The NWCA All-Star Classic will be broadcast live on FloWrestling at 7:00 p.m. CST, or fans can follow along for live updates for McKee's match on Twitter at @GopherWrestling. Tickets for the event were not made available to the public.

Following McKee's quick trip to Austin, he will return home to join the rest of the Gopher squad as they prepare for a road contest with South Dakota State on Sunday, November 27 at 1:00 p.m. CST.

Gophers at the NWCA All-Star Classic:
1967 - 115 lbs: Glenn McMinn (ASU) dec. Jim Anderson (MINN), 3-2
1976 - 118 lbs: Mike McArthur (MINN) maj. Dec. Shawn Garel (OU), 17-8
1976 - 190 lbs: Evan Johnson (MINN) maj. dec. Mike Bull (CSUB), 15-3
1977 - 118 lbs: Mike McArthur (MINN) tech. fall Joe Gonzales (OU), 19-4
1977 - 190 lbs: Evan Johnson (MINN) maj. dec. Howard Harris (ORST), 12-3
1979 - 158 lbs: Kelly Ward (ISU) dec. Dan Zilverberg (MINN), 11-5
1980 - 142 lbs: Jim Martinez (MINN) tied Lee Roy Smith (OKST), 7-7
1980 - 158 lbs: Dan Zilverberg (MINN) dec. Dave Musselman (ARIZ), 9-3
1982 - 142 lbs: Lenny Zalesky (IOWA) dec. Jim Martinez (MINN), 7-5
1984 - 177 lbs: Duane Goldman (IOWA) dec. Mike Foy (MINN), 10-5
1990 - 177 lbs: Marty Morgan (MINN) dec. John Kohls (BYU), 9-5
2000 - 125 lbs: Leroy Vega (MINN) dec. Steve Garland (UVA), 9-4
2000 - 184 lbs: Cael Sanderson (ISU) dec. Brandon Eggum (MINN), 6-1
2000 - 285 lbs: Brock Lesnar (MINN) dec. Bandele Adeniyi-Bada (PENN), 5-4
2004 - 285 lbs: Steve Mocco (OKST) dec. Cole Konrad (MINN), 2-1 TB1
2005 - 133 lbs: Darrel Vasquez (POLY) dec. Mack Reiter (MINN), 6-3
2005 - 165 lbs: Matt Nagel (MINN) dec. Johnny Hendricks (OKST), 6-3
2005 - 285 lbs: Cole Konrad (MINN) dec. Steve Mocco (OKST), 4-1 TB1
2006 - 149 lbs: Dustin Schlatter (MINN) dec. Matt Storniolo (OU), 3-0
2006 - 184 lbs: Jake Herbery (NW) maj. dec. Roger Kish (MINN), 10-2
2007 - 125 lbs: Paul Donahoe (NEB) dec. Jayson Ness (MINN), 5-2
2007 - 133 lbs: Lou Riggirello (HOF) dec. Mack Reiter (MINN), 6-0
2007 - 149 lbs: Dustin Schlatter (MINN) dec. Josh Churella (MICH), 3-2
2007 - 184 lbs: Jake Varner (ISU) dec. Roger Kish (MINN), 2-0
2008 - 133 lbs: James Kennedy (ILL) dec. Jayson Ness (MINN), 7-5
2009 - 125 lbs: Zach Sanders (MINN) dec. James Nicholson (ODU), 7-5
2010 - 125 lbs: Anthony Robles (ASU) tech. fall Zach Sanders (MINN), 20-2
2012 - 133 lbs: A.J. Schopp (EDIN) dec. Chris Dardanes (MINN), 2-1
2012 - 184 lbs: Robert Hamlin (LEH) dec. Kevin Steinhaus (MINN), 5-3
2013 - 197 lbs: Taylor Meeks (ORST) dec. Scott Schiller (MINN), 6-4 SV1
2013 - 285 lbs: Tony Nelson (MINN) dec. Mike McMullan (NW), 2-1 TB1
2014 - 197 lbs: Scott Schiller (MINN) dec. J'Den Cox (MIZZ), 5-3 SV1
2016 - 197 lbs: Brett Pfarr (MINN) dec. Brett Harner (PRIN), 7-4
2022 - 125 lbs: Patrick McKee vs. Kysen Terukina (ISU)

Post your thoughts/reactions to tonight’s game here

When we think about how important these bowls are for the extra practice sessions and recruiting exposure, what was your favorite spring after a bowl game?

Minnesota is 119th out of 131 NCAA FBS teams in passing. Three of the teams ranked lower are service academy schools Army, Navy and Air Force.

Minnesota is 9th in the country in rushing.

Not surprising, but it shows how imbalanced the offense is.

University of Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week today after rushing for a career-high 263 yards and one touchdown on 39 carries against Iowa. This is the second time that Ibrahim has received the honor in his career as he was also honored once in 2020.

His 263 yards led the nation last week and they were also the fourth highest in program history and the most since Chris Darkins' program record of 294 against Purdue in 1995. It was also the most rushing yards against Iowa since Northern Illinois' Leshon Johnson's 306 yards in 1993.

Ibrahim also set a Huntington Bank Stadium record for rushing attempts (39), and his 263-yard effort was the most in stadium history for a Gophers player, topping David Cobb's 220-yard performance versus Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 6, 2014.

Ibrahim, who has played in 10 games this year, leads the nation in rushing touchdowns (19), rushing yards per game (152.4) and ranks second in rushing yards (1,524).

Ibrahim has rushed for 100 yards in 19 straight games, which is the longest by any FBS player since 2000, and he has also rushed for a touchdown in 11 consecutive games.

On Saturday, Ibrahim passed Gary Russell (18 in 2005) for Minnesota's single-season rushing touchdown record with 19. Ibrahim and Russell are now tied for Minnesota's single-season records for total touchdowns (19) and points scored (114). Ibrahim also passed Darrell Thompson (23 during 1986-89) for Minnesota's school record with 24 career 100-yard rushing games and extended his school single-season record to 10 games with at least 100 rushing yards.

This season, Ibrahim has rushed 277 times for 1,524 yards and 19 touchdowns. His rushing total this fall ranks second on Minnesota's single season list. He needs 103 yards to break David Cobb's 2014 school record total of 1,626 yards, while Ibrahim's rushing attempt total is tied for fifth most at Minnesota.

Ibrahim now has 824 rushes for 4,527 yards in 39 career games and needs 128 yards to pass Thompson (4,654 yards during 1986-89) for Minnesota's all-time rushing yards record. Ibrahim's average of 116.1 yards per game is on pace to break Laurence Maroney's school career record of 109.3 yards per game. Ibrahim's school-record 52 career rushing touchdowns ranks sixth in Big Ten history.

Of the teams tied in the West Division, Minnesota has the toughest road to go. Especially when Purdue holds the tiebreaker against us with their win against the Gophers.

Illinois will probably lose to Michigan but will most likely beat Northwestern.

Iowa plays us and then Nebraska.

Purdue has, seemingly, the easiest path as they play Northwestern and Indiana, which means they are MOST LIKELY going to win the west.

We have the hardest way to go as we need help against Purdue and then for us to beat Iowa and Wisconsin, both rival games.

There is a new Coach's Corner out:

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We have a full slate of D1 Wrestling action this weekend, including a home dual with Binghamton tomorrow at 1pm. And 13 Gopher non-starters will also be participating in the Daktronics Open tomorrow at 9am in Brookings, SD. The dual will be streamed live on B!G+ and the Daktronics open will be streamed live on Jackrabbit All-Access at https://gojacks.com/watch/purchase.aspx#register

Our match vs. the Binghamton Bearcats should be an easy win, I have it at 27-6!!!

Here's the article on the dual from Gophersports.com:

Gophers Set to Host Binghamton for Regular Season Opener​

Gophersports.com
11/18/2022
Wrestling

MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 11 Golden Gophers (0-0) are set for a busy day of wrestling this Sunday, headlined by their regular-season opener as they play host to the Binghamton Bearcats (0-1) at 1:00 p.m. inside Maturi Pavilion.

The dual will act as Community Day for the Apple Valley and Arden Hills communities, where fans from each community can purchase tickets for $5.

The Gophers will also host a Pre-Match Youth Clinic, as registration to that event will include a technique session before the dual as well as a ticket to the event.

The remaining Gophers will head to Brookings, S.D. to compete in the Daktronics Open beginning at 9:00 a.m., as teams such as South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Nebraska, and Iowa State are slated to compete in the day-long tournament.

Sunday's home dual will be streamed on B1G+, while fans who want to tune into the Daktronics Open can purchase a one-day pass to Jackrabbits All-Access here.

Fans can also follow along on Twitter at @GopherWrestling for live match-by-match updates of the Binghamton dual, as well as round-by-round updates of the Daktronics Open. A complete recap of all the action will be provided on GopherSports.com at the conclusion of both events.

Tale of the Tape - The Bearcats

Binghamton comes into the contest with three wrestlers in the InterMat polls, led by four-time national qualifier and 2021 NCAA All-American Lou Deprez. The Bearcats are led by head coach Kyle Borschoff, who holds a 35-32 career record in his sixth season at the helm.

Binghamton kicked off their 2022-23 slate last weekend, dropping their home opener to Northern Colorado by a score of 22-16. They also hosted their annual Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open, ending the day with one finalist and four placewinners.

The Series with Binghamton

This Sunday's matchup will be just the second time in program history where the "U" has squared off against Binghamton. The last meeting between the two programs dates back to December 30, 2017, where Minnesota put on a 45-6 rout of the Bearcats, winning nine of ten matches with eight bonus-point victories.

Potential Matchups

Sunday's dual could feature up to 11 ranked wrestlers in the InterMat polls, eight of which donning the Maroon & Gold, with the potential of three ranked matchups in the contest.

The Gophers could have as many as five weights with wrestlers making their first career starts, as Troy Spratley, Quincy Hulverson, Aaron Nagao, Vance VomBaur, Sebas Swiggum, and Keaton Kluever have all yet to appear in the starting lineup for Minnesota.

At 125 pounds, either Troy Spratley or Quincy Hulverson will make their career dual debut against 2021 NCAA qualifier Micah Roes. Aaron Nagao is set to appear in the lineup for the first time in his career following a dominant showing at the Bison Open, as he will square off against Anthony Sobotker. Sobotker faced off against fellow Gopher teammate Jake Gliva last season at the Cliff Keen Invitational, where Gliva took a 4-3 decision.

The first ranked matchup of the afternoon would come at 174 pounds, as No. 21 Bailee O'Reilly could face off against No. 33 Brevin Cassella. At 184 pounds, No. 10 Isaiah Salazar is set for a top-25 matchup against No. 22 Jacob Nolan.

The feature matchup of the night would take place at 197 pounds, as No. 28 Garrett Joles is set to toe the line against former NCAA All-American and seventh-ranked Lou DePrez. Joles is coming off a Bison Open title last weekend, where he rolled to a 7-0 decision over then 27th-ranked Owen Pentz (North Dakota State).

Daktronics Open Preview

For those not competing in Sunday's dual, the Gophers will also be sending 13 wrestlers to the Daktronics Open, where the Gophers will look for their first champion since 2019. The last time the Maroon & Gold competed in the event was last season where the Gophers came away with seven placewinners, including Marcos Polanco and Vance VomBaur, who both reached the finals.


Up Next

Following this weekend's action, Minnesota will head back to Brookings, S.D. to compete in a dual against South Dakota State on Sunday, November 27. The dual is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start time and will be broadcasted live on FloWrestling.

MN vs. Binghamton

My predictions:

125: Troy Spratley (2-0) major decision over Micah Roes (0-1) (MN 4 - BU 0)
133: #21 Aaron Nagao (3-0) major decision over Anthony Sobotker (0-1) (8-0)
141: #3 Jake Bergeland (2-0) / Vance VomBaur (2-1) major decision over Nate Lucier (1-3) (12-0)
149: #18 Michael Blockhus (4-0) wins over Michael Zarif (4-2) (15-0)
157: #2 Brayton Lee (0-0) / Sebas Swiggum (2-0) wins over Connor Decker (3-3) (18-0)
165: #27 Andrew Sparks (2-1) wins over Will Ebert (4-2) (21-0)
174: #21 Bailee O'Reilly (0-0) wins over #33 Brevin Cassella (0-1) (24-0)
184: #10 Isaiah Salazar (3-0) wins over #22 Jacob Nolan (1-0) (27-0)
197: #28 Garrett Joles (3-0) loses to #7 Lou Deprez (1-0) (27-3)
285: Keaton Kluever (2-2) loses to Cory Day (2-1) (27-6)
Final Score MN 27 - BU 6


Minnesota Daktronics Open Lineup:

133: Jake Gliva (3-1)
133: Jager Eisch (2-2)
141: Theo Cha (1-2)
149: Drew Roberts (0-0)
149: Marcos Polanco (4-2)
149: Blaine Brenner (2-3)
149: Ben Lunn (1-2)
157: Tim Stapleton (2-1)
174: Devin Wasley (1-2)
184: Michial Foy (2-1)
184: Sam Skillings (3-1)
197: Gabe Nagel (4-1)
197: Rowan Morgan (2-2)

I am frustrated.. This was probably our best chance to win the west with all the experience we had at O-Line and skill positions. Dont know what the future years hold but it cant be set up any better than it was for our team, this year.

WE GOTTA FINISH DRIVES WITH POINTS!! Does not matter what we dominate statistically if we cant score TDs on long drives... AND DO IT AGAINST CONFERENCE TEAMS, ESPECIALLY ARCH RIVALS!!! I do agree with everyone that says we need better balance on offense, in the future. In the case of Mo's fumble, we were rolling pretty good with him so it is hard to fault going to him again and again. I still cannot believe he had over 250 yards rushing against that defense. BUT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SCORE AFTER MOVING THE BALL WELL, BETWEEN THE 20s.

I feel like cussing up a storm but I know I need to show a bit of restraint. I just dont know if we ever will have the chances to be in the position that we want, again. We had the perfect setup this year.. Super experienced and quality players on offense and defense. But could not finish the deal!!