P.J. Fleck
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz talks with Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm, right, before an NCAA college football game in Iowa City, Iowa. Purdue offensive coordinator Brian Brohm went through his usual practice routine this week. He met with his older brother, Jeff, about game planning and the initial play-calling script as he prepared for Saturday's long-awaited season opener against Iowa. Less than a week after the Boilermakers fourth-year head coach tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced into isolation for 10 days, it's the other Brohm taking charge this weekend.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, FIle)
COVID-19 remains biggest opponent for Big Ten football teams

By Tom Canavan Nov. 26, 2020 01:22 PM EST

Purdue running back Zander Horvath (40) tries to stay in the field of play against Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Late INT helps Minnesota hang on for 34-31 win over Purdue

By Dave Campbell Nov. 20, 2020 11:28 PM EST

Iowa defensive lineman Zach VanValkenburg (97) sacks Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. Iowa won 35-7. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Gophers going through growing pains, as Boilermakers up next

By Dave Campbell Nov. 19, 2020 06:16 PM EST

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
This year's Big Ten title chase shows defense still matters

By Steve Megargee Nov. 19, 2020 12:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, right, celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) after Johnson caught a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill. Fleck has never lacked for clever ways to connect and motivate his players. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)
Light reading: Fleck regaling Gophers with pregame kid books

By Dave Campbell Nov. 16, 2020 12:25 PM EST

Iowa offensive lineman Justin Britt (63) lifts running back Tyler Goodson (15) in celebration after Goodson scored a touchdown against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa drubs Minnesota 35-7 for 6th straight win for the pig

By Dave Campbell Nov. 13, 2020 10:36 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Ibrahim's 4TDs carries Minnesota past Illini 41-14

Nov. 07, 2020 07:35 PM EST

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota at Illinois 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 05:37 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers, Illini square off looking for first win of season

By Terry Towery Nov. 05, 2020 09:51 PM EST

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) is congratulated by running back Jake Funk (34) after scoring a touchdown run against Minnesota during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 45-44 in overtime. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Maryland shocks Minnesota 45-44 in OT on missed conversion

By David Ginsburg Oct. 30, 2020 11:39 PM EDT

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is sacked by Northwestern defensive line Adetomiwa Adebawore during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota, Maryland look to rebound in Friday night clash

By David Ginsburg Oct. 29, 2020 03:19 PM EDT

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton passes against Minnesota in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
No. 18 Michigan tops No. 21 Minnesota 49-24 in Milton debut

By Dave Campbell Oct. 24, 2020 11:22 PM EDT

Michigan and Minnesota prepare to play their first match of the season at an almost empty TCF Bank Stadium in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Michigan at Minnesota 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 07:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh huddles with his players on the field during a time out in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. Jim Harbaugh enters his sixth season as Michigan's coach with just two years left on his contract, adding another layer of interest in the 18th-ranked Wolverines as they kick off the season this week at No. 21 Minnesota. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
No. 18 Michigan faces difficult opener at No. 21 Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 05:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2018, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh leads his players and fans in singing "Hail to the Victors" after a practice session by the NCAA college football team at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. Jim Harbaugh enters his sixth season as Michigan's coach with just two years left on his contract, adding another layer of interest in the 18th-ranked Wolverines as they kick off the season this week at No. 21 Minnesota.(AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
Michigan visits Minnesota in virus-delayed Big Ten opener

By The Associated Press Oct. 22, 2020 03:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) carries the ball as Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien (12) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)
Getting Bateman back could be game-changer for Gophers

By Dave Campbell Oct. 14, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Bateman has decided to opt back in to the 2020 football season in light of the Big Ten’s resumption of fall competition. That's contingent on the star junior gaining the necessary eligibility clearance. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Bateman back for Minnesota, but no Parsons for Penn State

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 30, 2020 04:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Bateman has decided to opt back in to the 2020 football season in light of the Big Ten’s resumption of fall competition. That's contingent on the star junior gaining the necessary eligibility clearance. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Minnesota star WR Bateman wants to opt back into 2020 season

By Dave Campbell Sep. 22, 2020 03:20 PM EDT

Real Salt Lake fans wearing masks wait for the team's MLS soccer match against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Latest: 2 South Carolina football players test positive

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 05:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) turns upfield against Auburn during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football gam in Tampa, Fla. Bateman has opted out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the coronavirus, forgoing his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Gophers WR Bateman skips season amid virus worries, goes pro

By Dave Campbell Aug. 04, 2020 02:51 PM EDT