PJ Fleck on Sports Huddle 10-22-17

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Gopher FB Coach PJ Fleck appeared on the Sports Huddle with Sid, Dave and Max on Sunday. (oct 22nd)

Sid: How important was it to get that win?
PJF: it's the next game. you prepare every week like you're going to win. every game in conference has come down to last minute. good for everyone to come back for Homecoming, crowd was wonderful.

Sid: McCrary kid had big game.
PJF: Great feet for a big guy. hard to bring down. that TD run at the end of the game was a great run. he finds way to get into the end zone. he's
earned more playing time. we have depth at that position. if one guy goes down, other guys rise to the occasion.

Sid: Illinois playing 8-man line (on defense). Your O-line must have been playing good.
PJF: the FR played really well. Donnell Green and Garrison Wright led well. we didn't play well in passing game. did what we needed to do to win game.

What about Croft? (note - Fleck mis-heard question - thought Sid was asking about Coughlin)
PJF: Carter is getting better at DE. gaining confidence. he's got a lot of years ahead at MN getting better and better, having success. a hard worker. proud of his progress. Coach Paup doing good job of developing.

Mona: Sid was asking about Croft.
PJF: Oh, sorry. Demry - played really well for 10 min at MSU. that changes when you're the starter. he'll get the chance to make it right. we're evaluating the QB position going forward. I'm not one to give up on a player who didn't play well. he'll get plenty of opportunities. process of learning - failing is growth. for his development, even if you fail, got to have chance to make it right.

Mona: Croft's footwork didn't seem right.
PJF: he was Jumpy in the pocket. like a horse in the chutes before a race. all over the place. got to get feet settled down. when feet are quiet, he's a really good QB. hopefully got 1st start out of the way. got to get right.

Sid: Johnson only caught 2 passes. was that the game plan?
PJF: No. we weren't throwing the ball with success. got to make adjustments. went back to the running game.

Sid: offense Finally moved the ball. a good start.
PJF: the 1st drive is exactly what our offense can look like. then we started beating ourselves - threw interceptions. we lack consistency, execution all the time. look at the best teams in B1G, they execute all the time, do it all the game. we'll get to that point.

Mona: Punt return. new body out there.
FR Drew Hmielewski - plays baseball and football. this is all going to pay off in the future. he had opportunity for another one - his head got in front of his feet. got to get growing pains out of the way.

Sid: Defense had good game.
PJF: done tremendous job. we were thin in secondary. proud of Rob and defensive staff, put players in best situation to be successful. had to keep things simple. they played incredibly hard. couldn't be more proud of Jon Celestin. Intercept a ball, end game that way. very emotional.

Mona: Coughlin - play through whistle. doesn't give up on play, came back and got hit on QB.
PJF: we're very young. how can you measure success? best thing - I want them to inspire people by how hard they play. I consider this a successful year because of how hard they play. our culture is being set that way. one day all 22 will be playing at that level. this team has had opportunities to quit, but they've never done that. amazing - every game in B1G has come done to final possession. small margin for error in this league. have to continue to grow.

Sid: Barber - leads you in tackles.
PJF: played through injuries. toughest guy on our team. going to lead team into the future. happy with way he's playing. got to get better. needs to stay disciplined, not bite on fakes. getting better every week.

Sid: Celestin. one of most important players on team.
PJF: he's had 3 head coaches in 3 years - he's a senior. loses his father before the season- very emotional time. didn't know him well at that time. you have to step in and be that father figure. amazing FB player - one of most elite young men I've ever coached. his dad was right there with him. gave him wind beneath his wings. deserves everything that comes his way.

Congratulations on big Victory. Murray's certificate.
RTB. Ski-U-Mah.
 

Thanks SON.

That first drive was nice...but not much different than other possessions.
 

Thanks shorty. Great comments on Celestin.
 

Got to figure out where those Murray gift certificates go.
 

Thanks Son for the recap. Very nice. Yes I believe Croft will get better. Quarterback can't be nervous yet I understand perhaps why he was. As to Murray gift certificates. Maybe he gives them to his assistant coaches.
 





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