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Gophers Coach P.J. Fleck Criticized for Decision to Punt Late in UCLA Loss
Fleck said the punt was meant to preserve a chance late, but UCLA closed out the win after Minnesota used its final timeouts.
- On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, Minnesota Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck opted to punt on 4th-and-seven from his own 28-yard line with 2 minutes remaining in the 34-20 loss to UCLA at Huntington Bank Stadium.
- Fleck explained his strategy was to stop UCLA on runs and third down, then use two timeouts before the 2-minute warning to regain possession, despite the Gophers trailing by two touchdowns.
- Bruins backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Wayne Knight finished with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Former Gophers cornerback Coney Durr criticized the decision on social media, saying "Go down fighting!!" while many Gophers fans heckled from the press box.
- Although Fleck stated his philosophy is to not "chase points" until the fourth quarter, he said that belief did not apply to this late-game scenario.
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Perham Focus+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck criticized for decision to punt late in UCLA loss
‘Go down fighting!!’ former Gophers cornerback Coney Durr posted on social media
·Cloquet, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left0Leaning Right5Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Center
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
58% Center
C 58%
R 42%
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