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P.J. Fleck has epic response to question on critical 4th-and-1 call
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There’s a saying in politics that says, “if you’re not on offense, you’re on defense.”
Logically, the same can be said for football. And for Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, the concept of staying on offense paid off early in the Gophers season opener with Ohio State.
On 4th down with 1-yard to go, the Gophers opted to go for a first down at their own 29-yard line rather than the customary punt. A call like that is going to go one of two ways — either it’ll be a crazy call or a gutsy call.
After running back Mohamed Ibrahim broke from the line of scrimmage and scapered to the Ohio State 15-yard line for a 56-yard gain, it’s safe to say it will likely go down as one of the gutsiest calls in Gopher history.
A few plays later Gophers QB Tanner Morgan hit Dylan Wright in the endzone to put Minnesota on the board.
When asked at the half about making the call to go for it on 4th down, Fleck was clear they came to win, not just play.
Quote: On his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from own 29-yard line, #Gophers coach PJ Fleck to @jgkfan on KFAN halftime interview:
"We didn't come here to lay up."
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) September 3, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.