What P.J. Fleck said during his weekly presser as Minnesota prepares for Illinois
Minnesota is coming off a 41-14 drubbing of Northwestern on Saturday and that has people starting to think that the team can get to Indianapolis.
The Golden Gophers are 6-2 overall (4-1 in B1G play) and have 4 very winnable games on their schedule the rest of the way. They control their own destiny and that’s all that the fans can ask for.
They host a struggling Fighting Illini team this Saturday and even though the former will be without their top 3 running backs, this is still a game that they should win comfortably.
Here’s what head coach P.J. Fleck had to say about his team going into that matchup during his Monday presser.
P.J. Fleck on Minnesota's offensive line: I think when you're in the B1G, you win games up front. That has stayed tried and true throughout the years.
These guys have played together for a very long time. The comradery with them is incredibly close.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck says some of Minnesota's best players are offensive linemen. Wanted to build a team around that, but it's been a bit tougher because of injuries.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck on the RB situation: I told the entire team — if any of you ever carried a ball in any part of your career, if you have a picture on a button from the YMCA with a ball in your hand, you are going to be available, possibly, to run the football for us this year #Gophers
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck on Illinois: This is a team that a few weeks ago beat Penn State in Happy Valley. They're a good football team.
When you look at the depth and experience, they have a lot. It really helps your football team.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck says Illinois' greatest strength on offense is the offensive line. Says Bielema wants to run the football, always has.
Says they've won a lot of close games and some big games. Minnesota has to be at its best.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck says some guys at Minnesota were complaining because they "only got 40 snaps" in a recent game on the defensive side.
"It's good for us to only have 40, cuz sometime we're gonna 90. But that's what I love about this team. They want to play."
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
P.J. Fleck on getting complacent: The price always goes up if you want to be a champion. It never stays the same. The price always goes up.
We're always talking about that.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) November 1, 2021
