The Gophers walked out of Washington with more than a 27-24 upset and a 1-0 start in Big Ten play. They also delivered a moment that took over the internet.
After Minnesota knocked off No. 23 Washington on Saturday night, P.J.
Fleck and linebacker Maverick Baranowski shared an on-field celebration that turned heads fast. Fleck was moving around the field congratulating players after the win, then found Baranowski, who finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception.
The two embraced, and Baranowski had blood on his face. Fleck then swiped some of it with his hand and smeared it across his own face.
"That’s my blood brother," Fleck said. "When NFL scouts ask me about Mav, I say if you could take Blake Cashman, Robert Spillane and have a baby, you’d produce Maverick.
The kid loves the game, plays the game the right way. He is the heartbeat of our defense.
Back in the day I’m sure that’s what they did, frontiersmen out west, just throw a little blood on there I guess."
Baranowski said, "It’s a great moment. Winning is hard in the Big Ten.
When you get to win at a place like this, it’s just so exciting. My head coach having my back for the last five years, I love that guy.
Such an awesome opportunity to share that moment, he’s a crazy man."
The performance that set up the celebration was built on a defense that never let Washington get comfortable. Minnesota sacked Demond Williams seven times, kept pressure on him throughout the night and forced two interceptions. Washington finished with just 279 total yards and went 1-of-10 on third down.
Drake Lindsey helped Minnesota seize control early, throwing for 204 yards and three first-half touchdowns as the Gophers took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
Special teams also played a major role in the win. Tom Weston pinned four punts inside the 10-yard line, and his final one was downed at the 1-yard line with three seconds left to help seal it.
Luke Drzewiecki was perfect, making all three extra points and both field goals. His 51-yarder with 7:28 remaining was a career-long and stretched Minnesota’s lead to 27-17.
Minnesota is now 3-1 overall and turns right around to host Michigan next Saturday at 11 a.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Little Brown Jug will be on the line, and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show will be on campus. The Wolverines are coming off a walk-off loss to Iowa.
In Other News...
Vikings Win Came With A Bigger NFC Twist Fans Will Notice
The Vikings left Week 3 with a win, but the result carried a wider NFC ripple after Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was knocked out late in the fourth quarter. He injured his right thumb while throwing and was replaced by rookie backup Jalon Daniels, a late-game shift that immediately added another layer to a game Minnesota had already controlled enough to close out.
Mayfield is expected to miss time and will get an MRI to determine just how serious the damage is, which matters far beyond Tampa Bays sideline. For a Vikings team trying to build momentum in a crowded conference race, the injury to a familiar NFC opponent is the kind of development fans notice right away, especially with the playoff picture never staying quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Are Sending A Clear Message On J.J. McCarthy
The Giants latest quarterback move says plenty about how the market is viewing Minnesotas depth chart. With Jaxson Dart confirmed out for the rest of the regular season, New York is lining up a trade for J.J. McCarthy, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings in a deal that would give the Giants a more stable backup option behind Jameis Winston.
For Minnesota, the move is another reminder of where McCarthy stands after arriving as a 2024 first-round pick. He remains under contract through 2027 with a fifth-year option for 2028, so the Vikings still have control for the long haul, but this kind of interest also underscores how other teams are still willing to invest in him as a quarterback worth developing. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings May Need DeeJay Dallas Fast And His Rise Says Plenty
DeeJay Dallas went from the Vikings practice squad to the active roster in a hurry after Jordan Mason landed on injured reserve, and the timing makes his arrival feel a lot bigger than a routine depth move. Minnesota has already gotten a taste of Dallas in the first two games of the season, where he has chipped in on offense and special teams, and the teams thinning backfield has only raised the importance of having someone who can be trusted in multiple roles.
What stands out is how quickly Dallas has taken to the Vikings offense and how familiar he already is with the organization and coaching staff. In a season where injuries have already started reshaping the running back room, that kind of comfort can matter just as much as raw ability, and it gives Minnesota a player who may need to be ready for a much larger role sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]