When P.J. and his Gophers Football team look back at the 2024 opener against North Carolina, the same thought will pop into all of their brains. That was the one that got away. Leading most of the way, the offense just was not productive enough in the second half and the defense had some costly lapses and missed tackles that told the tale of the loss. Even then, the Gophers could have won the game, save for a missed field goal by their outstanding kicker Dragan Kesich.
All of this of course all led to their 19-17 loss to the Tar Heels. So, in the press events this week, Gophers’ coach Fleck, some of his assistant coaches and an assortment of players discussed the game, needed improvement changes, and their prep for this Saturday’s Rhode Island game.
This writer recorded these comments from the three events. Other than the opening statements, the questions of the Gophers personnel were questions asked by this writer.
Fleck Reflects on the Game-Post Game Comments
Here is an excerpt from P.J. Fleck’s opening statement immediately after the North Carolina game. “You’ve got to give North Carolina a lot of credit. Those are two really evenly matched teams, in my opinion, went back and forth, back and forth. That’s the type of game you wish you could play just 60 more minutes, because it’s such a great game. I told our team at the very end; this is a team loss. Period. This isn’t lost by one person. This isn’t lost by one play.”
“We had a lot of opportunities on offense and defense and special teams, just like they did. There’s going to be a lot of plays that North Carolina want back. We want back.”
TA: Their defensive coordinator, their new one, they did stunt a lot. Was that a surprise at all? PF: They created some issues for us, and I thought we made some really good adjustments. But we need to be able to throw the football, and that last drive, I was really proud that we were able to do that and get the ball down the field. Just too many things that, if you do, you’re going to get beat, and uncharacteristic things that we did tonight that allowed us to get beat.
Gophers Coach Fleck’s Press Event 9/2/24
Excerpts from his opening statement: “Disappointing that we lost the game. Simple as that. It was a really good football game, when you look at an opener. Two teams that are pretty equal, and even when you go to the stat sheet, pretty equal in terms of how that game went. Somebody had to win, somebody had to lose, and we had every opportunity to win that football game and we didn’t. They took advantage and we didn’t. Very simple.”
TA: Is communication on the offensive line a particular focus this week? PF: “With the drop back pass game, just in terms of protection, everybody’s role in that in terms of attention to detail. And then being able to score touchdowns inside the green zone, period. Everybody wants to do that. I want to make sure I make that very clear. It’s not like I enjoy field goals more than touchdowns. Nobody does. But there’s games we’ve won here that were 12-10 and that’s what was required to win the football game.”
Gophers Players and Assistant Coaches Press Event 9/4/24
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TA: What’s impressive about Rhode Island’s defense? Offensive Coordinator Greg Harbaugh: “Jim Fleming and Chris Lorenti do a great job. Chris is the defensive coordinator there. I thought they did a really good job against Holy Cross of making the plays needed when the times come. They stopped the run really well against them at times and they were able to stop the pass. That’s ultimately what put them in a position to win the game, but they’re very active. I think Chris does a really good job.”
TA: What have you guys been emphasizing this week in practice to prepare for Rhode Island? Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman: “Now that Farrell, (quarterback Devin) has won the job, we just have to execute first the quarterback run. They do a lot of things, whether that’s the stretch pullers, nose guard or three technique. They’re going to do the counter read with our ends. We got to make sure the perimeter run game, and they do a really good job of giving him a run pass option.”
TA: Last year, (Brosmer player with New Hampshire against Rhode Island), you had some yards on the ground including a 20-yard run for a touchdown, is that something you will look to exploit this weekend? Quarterback Max Brosmer: “I think it just goes back to taking what the defense gives you. In that specific moment, in that specific game, that is what the defense gave us.
And ultimately the offense did a good job of executing plays throughout the whole game. We were on the same page and that is what ended up happening. I don’t think it’s a thing where we are just going to focus on me going to do that one specific thing, it’s more about what the defense gave us.”
Next
The Gophers try for their first win of the season this Saturday against the Rhode Island Rams at Huntington Bank Stadium. Kickoff time is 11 am CST.
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