Gophers coach P.J. Fleck criticized for decision to punt late in UCLA loss

John Autey / Pioneer Press By Andy Greder / St. Paul Pioneer Press Today at 10:16 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Many Gophers fans in the announced crowd of 43,841 left Huntington Bank Stadium after quarterback Drake Lindsey threw an interception as Minnesota trailed eighth-ranked UCLA 31-20 with seven minutes remaining. Some of those who stuck around later expressed their displeasure when, with 2 minutes and 42 seconds left on the clock, head coach P.J. Fleck opted to punt on fourth-and-7 from their own 28-yard line. ADVERTISEMENT Heckling could be heard through the glass of the U’s enclosed press box, and the Gophers — trailing by two touchdowns — never got the ball back in their 34-20 loss. Fleck was asked why he made that decision. “We’re down 14 points, still got (two) timeouts,” Fleck said. “If we don’t get that fourth down, they’re going to score another touchdown, and there’s no way we get a chance. … Punt it, use timeouts before the two-minute warning, get the ball back, and give it another shot with downs. It’s exactly why I did it.” Was there enough time? “Absolutely, because you still have the two-minute warning plus two timeouts,” he said. “You stop (them) on runs, stop on third down, punt, they get the ball with two minutes to go. Either way … if you don’t get (the first down) there, then it’s a three-touchdown game and then there’s no chance. “You give everything you possibly can to give yourself the best chance. And I felt at that point with (fourth-and-7), what we just did the first two plays of it, or the first three plays of it, that’s exactly why we did it.” MORE COLLEGE SPORTS: UND beats No. 5 Western Michigan to complete unbeaten weekend 8m ago Jansen, Bison sweep UND in volleyball 1h ago Jamestown sails past Dragons in volleyball 2h ago On that series, Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey completed a pass to Darius Taylor for 3 yards on first down, followed by two incomplete passes. ADVERTISEMENT After the punt, UCLA running back Wayne Knight rushed for 15 yards and the U called a timeout. After a Knight 6-yard gain, the Gophers called their last timeout. Knight finished with 109 rushing yards (6.1 per carry) and a touchdown. With the timeouts used, UCLA got a first down and was able to end the game in victory formation. Fleck has stated his philosophy is to not “chase points” until the fourth quarter, but he said Saturday that belief didn’t apply at that point in the game. “It has nothing to do with that scenario,” Fleck said. “Not one thought process ever came through my mind on whether we chase points, don’t chase points.” The Gophers’ pass defense allowed two 75-yard touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to put Minnesota in that 14-point hole. Bruins backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while Aidan Mizell caught only those two TD passes and finished with 150 receiving yards. Fleck’s decision to punt was lambasted on social media. “You lose the game with pride!” said former Gophers cornerback Coney Durr on X. “Go down fighting!! I’m more (ticked) about that 4th down punt than any part of that game.” ADVERTISEMENT John Autey / Pioneer Press Text Example ____________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags MINNESOTA MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS FOOTBALL Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next College Wartburg knocks off No. 16 Cobbers women in basketball 2h ago · By Forum staff College Cobbers volleyball earns spot in MIAC playoffs 2h ago · By Forum staff College Concordia men light up new floor with 3-point record 2h ago · By Forum staff ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads College Jed Klang nears Cobbers TD catch record to help spark home win 5h ago · By Eric Peterson Business Sisters developing Kindro app to help users find their chosen family 16h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson College Dragons keep Jimmies winless after road victory 3h ago · By Forum staff Moorhead How will vacant Moorhead City Council, Moorhead School Board seats be filled? 17h ago · By Ingrid Harbo