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Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-27 · by Luke Olson The Associated Press
analysis
After Minnesota’s road victory against Washington, coach P.J. Fleck wiped blood from linebacker Maverick Baranowski’s mouth onto his own cheek in a moment described as “blood brother.” The incident occurred after Baranowski was hit by a cleat on the final play of the game and embraced Fleck post-game. This unique display of camaraderie highlights the intense relationship between coach and player, with Fleck referring to it as a traditional act akin to frontiersmen bonding.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Saturday night, P.J. Fleck, the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, celebrated a 27-24 road win against Washington in an unusual manner. During postgame celebrations on the field at Seattle's Husky Stadium, linebacker Maverick Baranowski was bleeding from his mouth after being hit by a cleat during the final play of the game. Coach Fleck wiped Baranowski's blood from his face and smeared it across his own cheek, calling it a "blood brother" moment reminiscent of frontier traditions.
The incident occurred as Minnesota secured their first road win since November 29, 2024, against Wisconsin. Both players and media described the coach’s actions as intense and emotional, with Baranowski expressing deep appreciation for Fleck's support over the past five years. Receiver Javon Tracy echoed similar sentiments about Coach Fleck’s unique and energetic style.
Written for “Fleck Blood Moment” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
“He’s a crazy man,” Golden Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski said of Fleck.
asserted
Baranowski → ’ → Fleck
In the aftermath of the 27-24 win, Baranowski — who said he was hit by a cleat on the last play of the game — was bleeding red from his mouth.
asserted
he → say → mouth
After the two embraced, Fleck grabbed the senior linebacker’s head with two hands then aggressively wiped the blood from Baranowski’s mouth, and brushed it on his own left cheek.
asserted
Fleck → embrace → cheek
“Blood brother,” Fleck said, who’s coached Minnesota since 2017.
asserted
who → say → 2017
Back in the day, I’m sure that’s what they did — the frontiersman out West.
asserted
they → ’m → what
Little blood on there I guess.”
asserted
I → guess → ?
Blood, sweat and tears helped the Gophers (3-1) get their first road win since a 24-7 victory at Wisconsin on Nov. 29, 2024.
asserted
Gophers → help → Nov.
“It’s a great moment,” Baranowski said.
asserted
Baranowski → ’ → ?
“Winning’s hard in the Big Ten, and when you get to win at a place like this, just so exciting and get to enjoy that with all my teammates and my head coach always having my back for the last five years.
asserted
teammates → ’ → years
I love that guy more than anyone and an awesome opportunity to share that moment with him.
asserted
I → love → him
Receiver Javon Tracy, who had seven receptions for 41 yards and score, witnessed it firsthand.
asserted
who → have → it
“I would never do that, but P.J. — he’s different, man,” Tracy said with a smile.
asserted
Tracy → ’ → smile
“Like, he’s crazy.
asserted
he → ’ → ?
He’s very energetic.”
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Baranowski, who’s spent his entire career with the Gophers, recorded seven tackles, one sack and an interception.
asserted
who → spend → tackles
Anthony Smith’s hit on UW quarterback Demond Williams Jr. forced into an errant throw into the hands of Baranowski.
asserted
hit → force → Baranowski
The following play, Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey found Quayd Hendryx in the back corner of the end zone for a 15-yard score to put the Gophers up 7-0.
asserted
Lindsey → follow → Gophers
Fleck cleaned himself up, but had remnants of blood stains on his right white sleeve during postgame.
asserted
Fleck → clean → postgame
Baranowski is one of Fleck’s favorite players he’s coached.
asserted
he → coach → players
“If Blake Cashman and Robert Spillane had a baby, you’d produce Maverick,” Fleck said, who coached all three players.
asserted
who → have → players
“The kid loves the game, plays the game the right way.
asserted
kid → love → game
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