Watch: P.J. Fleck has bold call on fourth down

P.J. Fleck was not conservative on a fourth down. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck has bold call on fourth down

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 9/2/21

P.J. Fleck had a bold call during his Minnesota Golden Gophers’ game at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Thursday night.

Minnesota was down 10-0 early in the second quarter and was facing a decision that most conservative coaches wouldn’t think twice about. But not Fleck.

He had a 4th-and-1 from his 29. A stop would have put Ohio State almost in the red zone with a chance to go up by three scores. But a conversion would give Minnesota some confidence and momentum. Fleck went for it and it worked.

Mohamed Ibrahim broke out for 56 yards to the Ohio State 15 on a big run.

MOHAMED IBRAHIM

What a run by @GopherFootball's @_MoIbrahim pic.twitter.com/gVtfg50ZsS

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 3, 2021

Two plays later, Minnesota scored a touchdown. It followed that up with an interception and then another touchdown to go up 14-10.

“That is Minnesota football. We live and die by those plays,” Fleck said at halftime of his decision, via Fox's Jenny Taft.

The Golden Gophers probably would have been toast if they didn’t convert that. Instead, they did, and it sparked them to eventually take a lead entering halftime. What a bold call.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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