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PJ Fleck lauds Minnesota seniors on leading Gophers to finish strong, go to Pinstripe Bowl
By Andrew Olson
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P.J. Fleck says the 2022 Minnesota squad was a special group.
The Gophers went 8-4 in the 2022 regular season and are set to face Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 29. Tuesday, Fleck talked about his team on a YES special promoting the Yankee Stadium game.
“I’m so proud to coach this particular football team,” Fleck said. “They’ve taught me so much. A lot of these guys are sixth-year seniors. They were brought in year one, either committed to another place, offered them here, they came along sight unseen. It’s a really special, special group.”
The on-field accomplishments were plentiful for Fleck’s group.
“This is an opportunity for us to win another bowl game, which is huge,” Fleck remarked. “But this team has accomplished something that’s really special. This is eight straight full seasons — three straight full seasons of eight-plus wins for the first time since 1903 to 1905. That is historic for our program as we keep knocking down a lot of nevers and firsts. There’s a lot more to accomplish.
“Our defense averaged 13.3 points a game, which is the least amount of points since 1967. That’s critical for us. We have guys like Mohamed Ibrahim, the second time being first-team all-Big Ten since Laurence Maroney. Bob McNamara back in 1952, 1954. Tanner Morgan, our quarterback for most of the year and really the majority of the time since I have been here, a Wuerffel Trophy finalist. John Michael Schmitz is on every single award it feels like. For us, back-to-back Axes by beating Wisconsin for the second straight year since 1993, 1994. A lot of highlights for this particular group.”
For Fleck, though, it’s more about rewarding a special group.
“Those stats don’t compare to what type of people they are,” the head coach said. “I’m just grateful to be their football coach. It’s so fun. When your football team teaches you more than you’re teaching them, you got the right group of young men. I’m excited to share all of them with you. I know they can’t wait to be there.”
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.