Minnesota’s first real stress test of the season arrives Saturday, and P.J. Fleck is leaning into it.
When Mississippi State comes to Huntington Bank Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff, the Gophers will be staring down a Power-4 opponent, a fast-moving offense and the kind of setting Fleck thinks college football ought to celebrate. The Bulldogs opened with a 62-13 win over UL-Monroe, and the Gophers coach made it clear Monday that he sees this matchup as a big-stage moment.
Fresh off Minnesota’s season-opening victory, Fleck started his weekly news conference by saluting the crowd that showed up early and loud, especially the students.
“That was absolutely awesome for game one,” Fleck said. “I’m incredibly thankful to be their head football coach because that was an incredible atmosphere they created.”
He believes Saturday could top it. With a Gold Out planned, Fleck expects Huntington Bank Stadium to feel different.
“Mississippi State coming in to Huntington Bank Stadium, Gold Out, should be an elite environment,” Fleck said. “This is what college football is all about.”
The Bulldogs’ offense is the part that demands the most respect. Fleck called Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor one of the most gifted passers Minnesota has seen during his time in charge, and he pointed to the Bulldogs’ 762 yards of offense in the opener as proof that this is no ordinary opponent. Taylor’s mix of throwing and running ability, Fleck said, forces Minnesota to prepare in a way that goes beyond normal practice reps.
“You can see the growth from last year to this year in every area,” Fleck said. “He’ll be one of the best quarterbacks we’ve ever played since I’ve been here.”
That has led Minnesota to split the quarterback look in practice among multiple players, because no one body can fully imitate what Taylor brings. The pace is another headache. Mississippi State plays at a speed Fleck said Minnesota has been preparing for since spring, and he didn’t mince words about how difficult that can be to simulate.
“We’re doing everything we can to make it harder in practice,” Fleck said. “They might be one of the faster teams in the country.”
Still, Fleck came away encouraged by what Minnesota showed on its own side of the ball, especially in the run game. He didn’t frame the opener’s numbers as the main story. Instead, he focused on the buy-in across the roster.
“Everybody takes ownership in it,” he said. “Offensive line, tight ends, running backs, wide receivers. What I saw was everybody willing to make the run game better.”
He also pushed back on any easy comparison to Minnesota teams built around Mohamed Ibrahim. Different personnel, different approach - that’s how Fleck sees it. The point now is simply to get the ball to the right playmakers in whatever way works best.
One of those players is Javon Tracy, whose rise has caught the staff’s attention. Fleck said the receiver took a major step after a full offseason in the program and compared his development to former transfer Elijah Spencer.
Tracy’s focus and consistency stood out to the coach, and his opener only added to the buzz. He set Minnesota’s single-game record with two punt return touchdowns against Eastern Illinois, taking back an 87-yard score in the first quarter and a 69-yard score in the third.
He also caught five passes for 98 yards in the first half.
“I think watching him from January all the way through training camp, it was a completely different kid,” Fleck said.
Quarterback Drake Lindsey also earned praise. Fleck said the freshman showed one of the strongest competitive mindsets he’s seen from him going into the opener, and the message now is to keep that same mental edge no matter who lines up across from Minnesota.
“I don’t care who we play,” Fleck said. “The mind space and the head space you were in prior to that game, that’s where you need to live.”
Roster churn is part of the modern game, and Fleck addressed that too. Minnesota brought in 50 new players this year, while Mississippi State added more than 60. In his view, the challenge is bigger than simply assembling talent.
“You start with a group. You earn the right to be a team,” Fleck said. “The job of the head football coach is maximize the resources you have and create the best team possible.”
Saturday will show where Minnesota stands when an SEC opponent arrives in Minneapolis for what Fleck hopes becomes one of the season’s premier non-conference games.
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