Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck capped off a 27-24 road win over Washington on Saturday night with a startling on-field moment, wiping a bloodied player’s blood across his own face during postgame celebrations.
The Gophers built a 21-10 lead at halftime after dominating much of the first half. Washington clawed back in the fourth quarter but could only manage two field goals in the second half, and Minnesota held on for the win, its first road test of the season.
After the final whistle, Fleck was celebrating with his team on the field when he crossed paths with linebacker Maverick Baranowski, the Gophers’ leading tackler, who had busted his lip during the game and still had blood streaming down his chin. Fleck wiped the blood with his hands and smeared it across his own cheeks in full view of players and cameras.
Fleck has long had a reputation as one of the more emotional and intense coaches in college football, but the moment stunned even the Fox Sports broadcast team calling the game.
Minnesota now turns to a matchup against Michigan this coming Saturday. The Wolverines are coming off a stunning home loss to Iowa in Week 4, while the Gophers are looking to make a serious push in the Big Ten standings.
