P.J. Fleck

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Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck claps after his team scored against Indiana in the first half during an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) **FILE**

Coaching stability separates Big Ten from other conferences

By Steve Megargee - Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looks at his bench during an NCAA college football game with Michigan in Minneapolis. Minnesota is among 10 of the 14 Big Ten football teams sitting at two wins entering the final weekend of the regular season. The statistical anomaly begs the question of whether it's difficult for those teams to stay motivated in a season that brought unique challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)

What’s my motivation? Stakes low for 2-win Big Ten teams

By ERIC OLSON - Associated Press

Minnesota linebacker Josh Aune (29) holds the ball after he intercepted a Purdue pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Virus forces Gophers to cancel game vs. No. 16 Northwestern

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck hugs defensive back Chris Williamson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, in Minneapolis. Fleck has never lacked for clever ways to connect and motivate his players. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

Light reading: Fleck regaling Gophers with pregame kid books

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

Iowa offensive lineman Justin Britt (63) lifts running back Tyler Goodson (15) in celebration after Goodson scored a touchdown against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Iowa drubs Minnesota 35-7 for 6th straight win for the pig

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

Minnesota tight end Bryce Witham, left, congratulates running back Mohamed Ibrahim after he scored a touchdown run against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Gophers, Illini square off looking for first win of season

By TERRY TOWERY - Associated Press

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is sacked by Northwestern defensive line Adetomiwa Adebawore during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) **FILE**

Minnesota, Maryland look to rebound in Friday night clash

By David Ginsburg - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Bateman initially opted out of the season on Aug. 4, citing concerns about playing amid the coronavirus pandemic, instead signing with an agent and focusing on the NFL draft. But he changed his mind when the Big Ten returned Sept. 16 with daily testing and earned special reinstatement from the NCAA. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

Getting Bateman back could be game-changer for Gophers

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P. J. Fleck looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, in Piscataway, N.J. The coronavirus outbreak and the Big Ten's cancellation of fall football stood to hurt Minnesota as much as any team, with the Gophers finishing 10th in the 2019 postseason Associated Press poll and most of their offense coming back. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)

Fleck, Gophers dismiss momentum loss: ‘Kind of make-believe’

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson reaches for a pass that he caught for a touchdown late in the second quarter against Auburn in the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Tyler Johnson lifts No. 16 Minnesota over No. 9 Auburn in Outback Bowl

By Fred Goodall - Associated Press

Minnesota running back Rodney Smith (1) runs past Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Johnson lifts No. 16 Minnesota over No. 9 Auburn in Outback

By FRED GOODALL - Associated Press

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck right, celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota won 38-22. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Minnesota tests progress against Auburn in Outback Bowl

By FRED GOODALL - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo,Minnesota fans gather on the field reaching toward the Governor's Victory Bell after Minnesota beat Penn St. 31-26 during an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis. Fans of Minnesota's Golden Gophers are enjoying football success the team hasn't seen in decades, and daring to dream of a trip to Pasadena. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs,File)

In Minnesota, everyone’s aboard the Gophers boat

By AMY FORLITI - Associated Press

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa, top, sacks Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)

Minnesota QB Morgan uncertain for next game with concussion

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

Minnesota wide receiver Seth Green (17), left, runs the ball as he is tackled by Iowa defensive back Jack Koerner during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)

No. 23 Iowa hands No. 7 Minnesota its first loss, 23-19

Associated Press

Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman, right, jumps up in celebration with teammate Tyler Johnson after Bateman scored a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

No. 7 Minnesota seeks new era for long-languishing program

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) holds onto the ball against Penn State cornerback Keaton Ellis (2) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

No. 13 Minnesota stays unbeaten vs No. 5 Penn State, 31-26

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Fleck believes keeping an open line of communication is the key to allowing him to redshirt a player without resistance, and avoid having an athlete make the decision himself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Minnesota coach PJ Fleck gets contract extended through 2026

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press

A general view of game play during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Minnesota and Rutgers Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier)

Four-time cancer survivor O’Brien plays for No. 20 Minnesota

By EVERETT MERRILL - Associated Press

Georgia running back Logan Wright (2) breaks the tackle of Minnesota linebacker Thomas Barber (41) and gets free for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Johnson lifts Minnesota late to beat Georgia Southern 35-32

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press