It’s safe to assume that Minnesota head football coach PJ Fleck had an out-of-body experience after his Gophers earned a 27-24 win on the road at Washington on Saturday night.
Minnesota dominated much of the first half and took a 21-10 lead into the break before the Huskies managed to get back into the contest in the fourth quarter. Despite managing just two field goals in the second half, the Gophers held on and passed their first road test of the season.
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After the final whistle, Fleck celebrated with his players on the field, but things went from routine celebration to absolutely insane when he crossed paths with linebacker Maverick Baranowski. The Gophers’ leading tackler busted his lip during the game, and with blood still streaming down his chin, Fleck decided to wipe it with his hands and smear it across his cheeks.
Head coach P. J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers reacts after defeating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images) (Kevin Ng/Getty Images)
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Fleck was already known as one of the more intense and emotional coaches in all of college football, but this is absolutely insane stuff. Even the Fox Sports announcers were stunned at what they had just witnessed.
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In a college football world turned into nothing but all about the money and coaches mimicking statues more often than not, it’s honestly refreshing to see Fleck let out all the emotion.
Maverick Baranowski #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates after the game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) (Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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By no means do coaches around the country need to start wiping blood from other humans across their faces – that move is reserved for Fleck and Fleck only now – but raw emotion such as this is what makes the sport so great.
Minnesota welcomes Michigan to town this upcoming Saturday in what will be a huge spot for both teams, with the Wolverines coming off of a stunning loss at home to Iowa in Week 4 and with the Gophers looking to make legitimate noise in the Big Ten.
Jalen Smith #8 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates after a touchdown scored by Javon Tracy #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) (Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
We can go ahead and predict that Fleck will be wearing a tie on the sideline and be dialed beyond belief ahead of the kickoff.