
After negative recruiting dust-up, Gophers’ P.J. Fleck compliments Badgers’ Luke Fickell
The rivalry between the Gophers and Badgers football teams was stoked soon after Luke Fickell became Wisconsin’s head coach last November.
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck had accused Wisconsin of negative recruiting toward Prior Lake defensive lineman Martin Owusu before national signing day in December, citing text messages.
“We Axed that,” Fleck said as Owusu signed with the Gophers.
Fickell refuted the claim later that day.
On Monday, Fleck told the Pioneer Press that issue has not been revisited with Fickell, and Fleck was complimentary of Fickell’s work at Wisconsin and earlier in his career, which included a College Football Playoff appearance with Cincinnati.
Fickell and Fleck worked on the same coaching staff at Ohio State in 2006, when Fleck was a graduate assistant and Fickell was the Buckeyes’ linebacker coach and co-defensive coordinator.
“I only worked with him for five or six months,” Fleck said. “I have a ton of respect for him. He is a wonderful football coach. I got to watch him in his craft. I ran the scout team offense, and there were only two GAs back then. So, I got to watch him work and watch how his linebackers played.”
The Gophers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) need one more win to reach bowl eligibility against the Badgers in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4) reached bowl eligibility for a 22nd straight season with a comeback overtime win over Nebraska last Saturday.
Minnesota is looking to win three straight games against Wisconsin for the first time since 1984-87.
Response to Coyle
Fleck responded to Athletics Director Mark Coyle’s comments Saturday that Coyle is “absolutely convinced” Fleck is the “right guy” to lead the Gophers football team into the future.
“Obviously always appreciate positive support,” Fleck replied Monday. “Mark has always done that, since Day 1. We talk all the time and we always talk about why — academically, athletically, socially. and serving and giving — everything inside our program. He is very involved in it. And I appreciate his comments.”
Fleck, who is signed through the 2029 season, said “hard times are truly what bring your character forward. There is always going to be hard times. It’s just what kind of hard time is it. Then, what does that expose about you. That is what our team is learning right now.”
Kramer to walk
Backup quarterback Cole Kramer will participate in Senior Day festivities at Saturday’s game.
The Eden Prairie native is finishing his fifth season at the U and has one year of eligibility remaining for 2024. He might come back to the U for his final season next fall or explore other options.
There might be more players with eligibility for next year who walk on Senior Day, but that inclusion doesn’t mean they are leaving the U, Fleck said.
Behind starting QB Athan Kaliakmanis and Kramer are two freshmen, Drew Viotto (on scholarship) and Max Shikenjanski (a walk-on).
The Gophers have a verbal commitment from Drake Lindsey of Fayetteville, Ark., for the 2024 freshman class.
What about Jackson?
The future for Gophers leading receiver Daniel Jackson in 2024 is up in the air. The fourth-year player has emerged as one of the best receivers in the Big Ten with 48 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Jackson has one more year of eligibility for next season, but might pursue his boyhood dream of going to the NFL.
“Throughout the year, I talk to guys constantly, so it’s more of an open discussion and it’s constantly evolving, than: ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ ” Fleck said when asked about Jackson on Monday. “You always try to have a sense of where your players are at. I appreciate that about them, and hopefully they appreciate that about me. They can have open dialog even in-season, so we’ll see.”
Briefly
The Gophers list 14 players in their final year of eligibility this fall, but two of them had seasons cut short within the time frame for a medical redshirt (running back Bryce Williams and defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies). … The Gophers are looking to possess the Axe and Floyd of Rosedale trophies for the first time in the same season since 1990. Since beating Iowa in October and Wisconsin last November, the two pieces of hardware have been prominently displayed in the Larson Football Performance Center, when they aren’t being toured to events around the state. … As the Gophers have been forced to go deep down the running back depth chart this season, they have not turned to true freshman Marquese Williams. It sounds like Williams is in beginning stages of his development at the collegiate level.
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Gophers AD Mark Coyle stands behind football coach P.J. Fleck