Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck gave a hilarious explanation for smearing linebacker Maverick Baranowski's blood on his face after Saturday's 27-24 upset win over Washington, saying he took inspiration from legendary pioneers.
"The theme of the week was being frontiersmen: be the Daniel Boones, and the Davy Crocketts, and the Lewis and Clarks. Head out west and be explorers. Davy Crockett killed 105 bears. I'm sure he got a little blood on his face," Fleck told On3's Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman.
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is FIRED UP after beating Washington 😭 pic.twitter.com/qBOgZHk39d
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2026
Baranowski made the final tackle of the game to clinch the victory for Minnesota, sustaining a cut to his face from a cleat in the process. During the Golden Gophers' on-field celebration, Fleck hugged Baranowski and then wiped the linebacker's blood onto his own face.
"You're just caught in the moment, man," Fleck added. "It's just one of your best players and your hardest workers, and somebody who exemplifies what it means to be a Minnesota Golden Gopher just made the game-saving play.
Baranowski finished the game with a team-leading seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. Minnesota held Washington to just 1.5 yards per rush, the fewest the Huskies have recorded since a November 2024 game against Oregon, according to TruMedia.
Minnesota (3-1) faces Michigan (3-1) on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
