Fleck's Good Wins at Minnesota

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IceBoxGopher

IceBoxGopher

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I know we had the bad losses thread so let's do a reverse.
  • 2017 Vs. Nebraska, won 54-21. Largest margin of victory against the Huskers since 1945.
  • 2018 Vs. Wisconsin, won 37-15. Snapped losing streak against the Badgers and reclaimed the Axe, first time since 2003.
  • 2018 Vs. Georgia Tech, won 34-10. First bowl win for Fleck.
  • 2019 Vs. Penn State, won 31-26. Defeated No. 4 opponent.
  • 2019 Vs. Northwestern, won 38-22. Clinched first 10-win regular season since 1905.
  • 2019 Vs. Auburn. First New Year's Day bowl win since 1961, clinched first 11+ win season since 1904, win Vs. No. 12 opponent.
  • 2020 Vs. Nebraska, won 24-17. Defeated the Huskers with a Covid-depleted roster.
  • 2021 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-13. First home win Vs. Badgers since 2003, Badgers were ranked No. 14.
  • 2021 Vs. West Virginia, won 18-6. Fleck's third bowl win.
  • 2022 Vs. Michigan State, won 34-7. First win against Spartans since 2009.
  • 2022 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-16. Defeated Wisconsin in back-to-back seasons for first time since 1990s.
  • 2022 Vs. Syracuse, won 28-20. Fleck's fourth consecutive bowl win.
  • 2023 Vs. Nebraska, won 13-10. Fifth consecutive victory against Huskers, longest win streak since 1940s.
  • 2023 Vs. Iowa, won 12-10. Defeated No. 12 Hawkeyes, first time in Fleck's tenure.
  • 2023 Vs. Bowling Green, won 30-24. Defeated Falcons earning Fleck's fifth bowl game.
  • 2024 Vs. USC, won 24-17. Defeated No. 11 Trojans, first win against USC since 1955.
  • 2024 Vs. Illinois, won 25-17. Defeated No. 24 Illini, first win against them since 2020.
  • 2024 Vs. Wisconsin, won 24-7. Defeated Badgers on the road to reclaim Axe, 3-2 record since 2020 and tied overall series.
  • 2024 Vs. Virginia Tech, won 24-10. Sixth consecutive bowl win under Fleck and eighth consecutive bowl in overall. Clinched winning bowl record for first time in program history.
 

All wins are good wins.

Some of what you have on here are not highlight reel wins, program defining wins, or stepping stone wins.

A lot of these are wins against average to below average teams that are milestones wins. The milestones are good. The wins?

All wins are good, but if we're documenting beating a really bad Bowling Green team in the GPA bowl. In Detroit. As a "Good" win, Fleck has a long way to go to make this program "Elite".
 
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IceBoxGopher said:
I know we had the bad losses thread so let's do a reverse.
  • 2017 Vs. Nebraska, won 54-21. Largest margin of victory against the Huskers since 1945.
  • 2018 Vs. Wisconsin, won 37-15. Snapped losing streak against the Badgers and reclaimed the Axe, first time since 2003.
  • 2018 Vs. Georgia Tech, won 34-10. First bowl win for Fleck.
  • 2019 Vs. Penn State, won 31-26. Defeated No. 4 opponent.
  • 2019 Vs. Northwestern, won 38-22. Clinched first 10-win regular season since 1905.
  • 2019 Vs. Auburn. First New Year's Day bowl win since 1961, clinched first 11+ win season since 1904, win Vs. No. 12 opponent.
  • 2020 Vs. Nebraska, won 24-17. Defeated the Huskers with a Covid-depleted roster.
  • 2021 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-13. First home win Vs. Badgers since 2003, Badgers were ranked No. 14.
  • 2021 Vs. West Virginia, won 18-6. Fleck's third bowl win.
  • 2022 Vs. Michigan State, won 34-7. First win against Spartans since 2009.
  • 2022 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-16. Defeated Wisconsin in back-to-back seasons for first time since 1990s.
  • 2022 Vs. Syracuse, won 28-20. Fleck's fourth consecutive bowl win.
  • 2023 Vs. Nebraska, won 13-10. Fifth consecutive victory against Huskers, longest win streak since 1940s.
  • 2023 Vs. Iowa, won 12-10. Defeated No. 12 Hawkeyes, first time in Fleck's tenure.
  • 2023 Vs. Bowling Green, won 30-24. Defeated Falcons earning Fleck's fifth bowl game.
  • 2024 Vs. USC, won 24-17. Defeated No. 11 Trojans, first win against USC since 1955.
  • 2024 Vs. Illinois, won 25-17. Defeated No. 24 Illini, first win against them since 2020.
  • 2024 Vs. Wisconsin, won 24-7. Defeated Badgers on the road to reclaim Axe, 3-2 record since 2020 and tied overall series.
  • 2024 Vs. Virginia Tech, won 24-10. Sixth consecutive bowl win under Fleck and eighth consecutive bowl in overall. Clinched winning bowl record for first time in program history.
Click to expand...

Great list, thanks so much for posting this. I'd add that some of these wins are actually better than good (the word you used). Wisconsin in '18, Penn State and Auburn in '19. USC and Illinois in '24.
 




IceBoxGopher said:
I know we had the bad losses thread so let's do a reverse.
  • 2017 Vs. Nebraska, won 54-21. Largest margin of victory against the Huskers since 1945.
  • 2018 Vs. Wisconsin, won 37-15. Snapped losing streak against the Badgers and reclaimed the Axe, first time since 2003.
  • 2018 Vs. Georgia Tech, won 34-10. First bowl win for Fleck.
  • 2019 Vs. Penn State, won 31-26. Defeated No. 4 opponent.
  • 2019 Vs. Northwestern, won 38-22. Clinched first 10-win regular season since 1905.
  • 2019 Vs. Auburn. First New Year's Day bowl win since 1961, clinched first 11+ win season since 1904, win Vs. No. 12 opponent.
  • 2020 Vs. Nebraska, won 24-17. Defeated the Huskers with a Covid-depleted roster.
  • 2021 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-13. First home win Vs. Badgers since 2003, Badgers were ranked No. 14.
  • 2021 Vs. West Virginia, won 18-6. Fleck's third bowl win.
  • 2022 Vs. Michigan State, won 34-7. First win against Spartans since 2009.
  • 2022 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-16. Defeated Wisconsin in back-to-back seasons for first time since 1990s.
  • 2022 Vs. Syracuse, won 28-20. Fleck's fourth consecutive bowl win.
  • 2023 Vs. Nebraska, won 13-10. Fifth consecutive victory against Huskers, longest win streak since 1940s.
  • 2023 Vs. Iowa, won 12-10. Defeated No. 12 Hawkeyes, first time in Fleck's tenure.
  • 2023 Vs. Bowling Green, won 30-24. Defeated Falcons earning Fleck's fifth bowl game.
  • 2024 Vs. USC, won 24-17. Defeated No. 11 Trojans, first win against USC since 1955.
  • 2024 Vs. Illinois, won 25-17. Defeated No. 24 Illini, first win against them since 2020.
  • 2024 Vs. Wisconsin, won 24-7. Defeated Badgers on the road to reclaim Axe, 3-2 record since 2020 and tied overall series.
  • 2024 Vs. Virginia Tech, won 24-10. Sixth consecutive bowl win under Fleck and eighth consecutive bowl in overall. Clinched winning bowl record for first time in program history.
Click to expand...
Love it...though sadly the bad loses thread will probably get more traction because people love to complain way more then they love to remember the good things on message boards.
 

caliGopher said:
All wins are good wins.

Some of what you have on here are not highlight reel wins, program defining wins, or stepping stone wins.

A lot of these are wins against average to below average teams that are milestones wins. The milestones are good. The wins?

All wins are good, but if we're documenting beating a really bad Bowling Green team in the GPA bowl. In Detroit. As a "Good" win, Fleck has a long way to go to make this program "Elite".
Click to expand...
See now I would argue that what Fleck has done here is elite....by Minnesota standards. Fleck has had more success and sustained success here than any coach since the 1960s. That might not be good enough for some fans but in this college football landscape where we are unlikely to be a true contender on that National level no matter who the coach is.....I'm thrilled with the job that Fleck has done here.

There is always room for more and I have no doubt they will keep striving for it but compared the past Fleck has this program in a great place for the present and future.
 


Great list. I've been a fan since attending the first game in the Metrodome vs. Ohio. 80's and most of the 90's me couldn't fathom such a list.
 




Unregistered User said:
Was on the field for this game. Before the game I made a deal with my freshman son to meet on the “M” At midfield after we win and storm the field. He was in the student section and obviously, I was not.

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Had to upgrade this to love. Shout out to the stadium PA guy!
 

IceBoxGopher said:
I know we had the bad losses thread so let's do a reverse.
  • 2017 Vs. Nebraska, won 54-21. Largest margin of victory against the Huskers since 1945.
  • 2018 Vs. Wisconsin, won 37-15. Snapped losing streak against the Badgers and reclaimed the Axe, first time since 2003.
  • 2018 Vs. Georgia Tech, won 34-10. First bowl win for Fleck.
  • 2019 Vs. Penn State, won 31-26. Defeated No. 4 opponent.
  • 2019 Vs. Northwestern, won 38-22. Clinched first 10-win regular season since 1905.
  • 2019 Vs. Auburn. First New Year's Day bowl win since 1961, clinched first 11+ win season since 1904, win Vs. No. 12 opponent.
  • 2020 Vs. Nebraska, won 24-17. Defeated the Huskers with a Covid-depleted roster.
  • 2021 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-13. First home win Vs. Badgers since 2003, Badgers were ranked No. 14.
  • 2021 Vs. West Virginia, won 18-6. Fleck's third bowl win.
  • 2022 Vs. Michigan State, won 34-7. First win against Spartans since 2009.
  • 2022 Vs. Wisconsin, won 23-16. Defeated Wisconsin in back-to-back seasons for first time since 1990s.
  • 2022 Vs. Syracuse, won 28-20. Fleck's fourth consecutive bowl win.
  • 2023 Vs. Nebraska, won 13-10. Fifth consecutive victory against Huskers, longest win streak since 1940s.
  • 2023 Vs. Iowa, won 12-10. Defeated No. 12 Hawkeyes, first time in Fleck's tenure.
  • 2023 Vs. Bowling Green, won 30-24. Defeated Falcons earning Fleck's fifth bowl game.
  • 2024 Vs. USC, won 24-17. Defeated No. 11 Trojans, first win against USC since 1955.
  • 2024 Vs. Illinois, won 25-17. Defeated No. 24 Illini, first win against them since 2020.
  • 2024 Vs. Wisconsin, won 24-7. Defeated Badgers on the road to reclaim Axe, 3-2 record since 2020 and tied overall series.
  • 2024 Vs. Virginia Tech, won 24-10. Sixth consecutive bowl win under Fleck and eighth consecutive bowl in overall. Clinched winning bowl record for first time in program history.
Click to expand...
How many of these were upset wins? I think that would be a reverse corollary to the "bad losses" discussion. My perception, which may or may not be factual, is that Fleck averages about a loss a year to a team he should certainly beat, does ok against evenly matched opponents, and only very rarely has an upset win.
 

swede2 said:
How many of these were upset wins? I think that would be a reverse corollary to the "bad losses" discussion. My perception, which may or may not be factual, is that Fleck averages about a loss a year to a team he should certainly beat, does ok against evenly matched opponents, and only very rarely has an upset win.
Click to expand...
Not going to go research this myself, but here is PJs record against the spread as of 2023:
www.minnesotabets.com

Where Does P.J. Fleck Stand Among Big Ten Coaches Against The Spread?

MinnesotaBets decided to look at which Big Ten coaches have historically had the most success against the spread.
www.minnesotabets.com www.minnesotabets.com
 
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swede2 said:
How many of these were upset wins? I think that would be a reverse corollary to the "bad losses" discussion. My perception, which may or may not be factual, is that Fleck averages about a loss a year to a team he should certainly beat, does ok against evenly matched opponents, and only very rarely has an upset win.
Click to expand...
If we aren’t double digit favorites it’s hard for me to say we should have certainly won. I don’t know the numbers, but I doubt we’ve lost one of those every year. Bowling Green is the only one I know for sure off the top of my head.
 



MNVCGUY said:
See now I would argue that what Fleck has done here is elite....by Minnesota standards. Fleck has had more success and sustained success here than any coach since the 1960s. That might not be good enough for some fans but in this college football landscape where we are unlikely to be a true contender on that National level no matter who the coach is.....I'm thrilled with the job that Fleck has done here.

There is always room for more and I have no doubt they will keep striving for it but compared the past Fleck has this program in a great place for the present and future.
Click to expand...
Spot on! And, someday, hope exists that we could land a once in a life time Unicorn like a Cam Newton type player that pretty much literally carried Auburn, admittedly with other very good players, to a National Championship. Who knows? Keep the faith!
 

MNVCGUY said:
See now I would argue that what Fleck has done here is elite....by Minnesota standards. Fleck has had more success and sustained success here than any coach since the 1960s. That might not be good enough for some fans but in this college football landscape where we are unlikely to be a true contender on that National level no matter who the coach is.....I'm thrilled with the job that Fleck has done here.

There is always room for more and I have no doubt they will keep striving for it but compared the past Fleck has this program in a great place for the present and future.
Click to expand...
We've had some great wins under Fleck. The program, with the exception of the Tim Brewster era has been pretty stable since 1999. Fleck has taken that up a small notch, but up it has gone. If the measurement is we're stable and slightly better than before? sure that list make sense.

The Duke's Mayo Bowl and the team VaTech fielded was a joke. Neither Mason nor Kill coached in a bowl game against a team that had players sitting out or moving en masse via the portal. At least Marshalltown bowed out when they couldn't field a team. VaTech did not. So we played them and we won. Not unhappy about that, but it proves nothing about where this program is or headed.

@RememberMurray 's list is a list of GREAT wins, things that are steps in the right direction, program building wins, and stepping stones to consistency. I'm looking forward to more of those games.
 

I like PJ as our coach. Having said that, I'm surprised he is the #2 coach in the Big Ten against the spread, as of 2023...is he still number 2 now?
The Iowa and Rutgers losses in 2024... we may have fallen short?
 

— The enthusiasm in the student section these days is wonderful to see.

— I love the fact that we can now look forward to each new season with real hope of seeing something special.

— Year after year, the players conduct themselves well. They get good grades. The U can be proud of these student athletes.

— Fleck's teams take very few penalties. They protect the football. This shows disciple and a team-first attitude.

I can't wait for the season to start!
 

RememberMurray said:
— The enthusiasm in the student section these days is wonderful to see.

— I love the fact that we can now look forward to each new season with real hope of seeing something special.

— Year after year, the players conduct themselves well. They get good grades. The U can be proud of these student athletes.

— Fleck's teams take very few penalties. They protect the football. This shows disciple and a team-first attitude.

I can't wait for the season to start!
Click to expand...
Yep. Time to beat someone and be relevant outside the 5 state area.. It’s ok to raise expectations.. PJ has been good time to be better.. apparently the Gophers have had talent as you look at guys making NFL rosters or getting invited to camp.. we keep hearing about the recruiting.. Let’s beat somebody and be relevant .. bored with NIT bowl games…which IMO it’s a good sign to be bored.. the non conference schedule is trash usually so let’s beat someone relevant in conference..
 

swede2 said:
How many of these were upset wins? I think that would be a reverse corollary to the "bad losses" discussion. My perception, which may or may not be factual, is that Fleck averages about a loss a year to a team he should certainly beat, does ok against evenly matched opponents, and only very rarely has an upset win.
Click to expand...

Amen brother!
 

Roland Brooks said:
Yep. Time to beat someone and be relevant outside the 5 state area.. It’s ok to raise expectations.. PJ has been good time to be better.. apparently the Gophers have had talent as you look at guys making NFL rosters or getting invited to camp.. we keep hearing about the recruiting.. Let’s beat somebody and be relevant .. bored with NIT bowl games…which IMO it’s a good sign to be bored.. the non conference schedule is trash usually so let’s beat someone relevant in conference..
Click to expand...

We haven't beaten anybody? That's your premise?
 

Oregon, Michigan, Ohio st and Penn St are somebody… beat one of those teams and you have a chance to take the next step and be relevant.. What is our record against those teams? 1-7 vs Iowa? Beat Iowa at least we would be champs of the 5 state area.. what is the best non conference win? Not bowl win!

Fleck has done a good job time to be better and be relevant… They have had chances to step up and pissed it away.. if I could get credit for a win for every time I have heard… “ This one is on me “… I would have 10 wins..
 

swede2 said:
How many of these were upset wins? I think that would be a reverse corollary to the "bad losses" discussion. My perception, which may or may not be factual, is that Fleck averages about a loss a year to a team he should certainly beat, does ok against evenly matched opponents, and only very rarely has an upset win.
Click to expand...
USC last year certainly felt monumental at the time.

Especially after the really sad Iowa game two weeks before. Then something clicked and changed at halftime vs Michigan. Almost could have had two top 15 (at the time) ranked wins in a row.
 

Roland Brooks said:
Yep. Time to beat someone and be relevant outside the 5 state area.. It’s ok to raise expectations.. PJ has been good time to be better.. apparently the Gophers have had talent as you look at guys making NFL rosters or getting invited to camp.. we keep hearing about the recruiting.. Let’s beat somebody and be relevant .. bored with NIT bowl games…which IMO it’s a good sign to be bored.. the non conference schedule is trash usually so let’s beat someone relevant in conference..
Click to expand...
What is your issue with the non conference schedule? Plenty of P5 opponents. They've had Oregon State, Colorado, North Carolina so far. Bad timing a couple of those teams were ass but you can't control that when you schedule them. Have Cal or Mississippi State the next 4 years. Alabama in the horizon potentially.

What else would you like?

You seem to be trying really hard in this thread to find disappointment. It's odd. No one is saying we're world beaters currently but this is the best sustained Gopher football I've seen in my 45 years on the planet and can appreciate everything PJs has accomplished while hoping for more.
 

pharmacygopher said:
What is your issue with the non conference schedule? Plenty of P5 opponents. They've had Oregon State, Colorado, North Carolina so far. Bad timing a couple of those teams were ass but you can't control that when you schedule them. Have Cal or Mississippi State the next 4 years. Alabama in the horizon potentially.

What else would you like?



You seem to be trying really hard in this thread to find disappointment. It's odd. No one is saying we're world beaters currently but this is the best sustained Gopher football I've seen in my 45 years on the planet and can appreciate everything PJs has accomplished while hoping for more.
Click to expand...

I am just asking to raise expectations and take the next step.. Yes that is a loaded power 5 non schedule….
 

This thread is more depressing than the "bad losses" thread because it has been hi-jacked by people who think demanding us to be like Ohio State will actually get us there, or think it adds anything to the conversation. I get hoping for more but and PJ deserves some critique but that is what the bad losses thread is for. This thread should be about what good has happened and what may be possible.

Programs are built and PJ is building a program that for decades was irrelevant. We are on the border of being a yearly top 25 team. We would be considered this already if we had previous historic success like Nebraska, Iowa or Wisconsin. Overall PJ beats the teams he should, if we are within a six point thread we typically win (except against Iowa) and we are competitive against the top national teams. PJ has put us in a spot where we can realistic see ourselves in the playoffs with a few breakout players in any given year.
 

balds said:
Great list. I've been a fan since attending the first game in the Metrodome vs. Ohio. 80's and most of the 90's me couldn't fathom such a list.
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80's and most of the 90's you might not have been paying attention.....

Great Wins In My Gopher fandom (since 1987):

Gutekunst Era
1989 @ Iowa 43 - 7, Iowa wasn't great that year, but beating a rival at home by that score was awesome

1990 vs. #20 Indiana 12 - 0

1990 vs. #13 Iowa 31 - 24

Wacker Era
1993 vs. Wisconsin 28 - 21, the only loss suffered by the Badgers as they won the B1G and beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

1996 vs. #23 Syracuse 35 - 30

Mason Era

1999 at #2 Penn State 24 - 23 in (un)Happy Valley, end season #18 in the Final AP Poll

2000 vs. #24 Illinois 44-10

2000 at #6 Ohio State 29 -17

2002 Music City Bowl vs. #25 Arkansas 29 - 14

2003 Sun Bowl #24 Gophers vs. Oregon 31- 30, end season #20 in the Final AP Poll

2004 Music City Bowl vs. Alabama 20 - 16

2005 @ #21 Michigan 23 - 20 (gave Mason a win against all of the B1G teams at that time)

Tim Brewster Era

2010 Vs. #24 Iowa 27-24 with Jeff Horton as the Coach after Brewster was fired.

Kill Era
2013 vs. #25 Nebraska 34 - 23

2014 @ Michigan 30-14

2014 vs. Iowa 51 - 14

2014 @ #21 Nebraska 28 - 24

Claeys Era
2016 Holiday Bowl vs. Washington State 17-12, say what you will about Claeys' HC career, very few coaches could have held a team together and stifled that offense under the circumstances.

Fleck Era
2019 #13 Gophers vs. #5 Penn State 31 - 26

2019 #16 Gophers vs. #9 Auburn 31 - 24

2021 vs. #18 Wisconsin 23 - 13 extra credit as it the upset ends the streak

2022 vs. Wisconsin 23 - 16 beat them @Wisconsin to end that streak as well

2023 @ Iowa 12-10 Watching Iowa lose in excruciating fashion is fun, to boot.

2024 vs. #11 USC 24 - 17

2024 @ #24 Illinois 25 - 17 ending Brett (Summer's Eve) Bielema's personal win streak vs. Gophers
 

caliGopher said:
80's and most of the 90's you might not have been paying attention.....

Great Wins In My Gopher fandom (since 1987):

Gutekunst Era
1989 @ Iowa 43 - 7, Iowa wasn't great that year, but beating a rival at home by that score was awesome

1990 vs. #20 Indiana 12 - 0

1990 vs. #13 Iowa 31 - 24

Wacker Era
1993 vs. Wisconsin 28 - 21, the only loss suffered by the Badgers as they won the B1G and beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

1996 vs. #23 Syracuse 35 - 30

Mason Era

1999 at #2 Penn State 24 - 23 in (un)Happy Valley, end season #18 in the Final AP Poll

2000 vs. #24 Illinois 44-10

2000 at #6 Ohio State 29 -17

2002 Music City Bowl vs. #25 Arkansas 29 - 14

2003 Sun Bowl #24 Gophers vs. Oregon 31- 30, end season #20 in the Final AP Poll

2004 Music City Bowl vs. Alabama 20 - 16

2005 @ #21 Michigan 23 - 20 (gave Mason a win against all of the B1G teams at that time)

Tim Brewster Era

2010 Vs. #24 Iowa 27-24 with Jeff Horton as the Coach after Brewster was fired.

Kill Era
2013 vs. #25 Nebraska 34 - 23

2014 @ Michigan 30-14

2014 vs. Iowa 51 - 14

2014 @ #21 Nebraska 28 - 24

Claeys Era
2016 Holiday Bowl vs. Washington State 17-12, say what you will about Claeys' HC career, very few coaches could have held a team together and stifled that offense under the circumstances.

Fleck Era
2019 #13 Gophers vs. #5 Penn State 31 - 26

2019 #16 Gophers vs. #9 Auburn 31 - 24

2021 vs. #18 Wisconsin 23 - 13 extra credit as it the upset ends the streak

2022 vs. Wisconsin 23 - 16 beat them @Wisconsin to end that streak as well

2023 @ Iowa 12-10 Watching Iowa lose in excruciating fashion is fun, to boot.

2024 vs. #11 USC 24 - 17

2024 @ #24 Illinois 25 - 17 ending Brett (Summer's Eve) Bielema's personal win streak vs. Gophers
Click to expand...
And sub .500 seasons for most of the 80's and 90's.

www.sports-reference.com

Minnesota Golden Gophers College Football History, Stats, Records | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out the Minnesota Golden Gophers College Football History, Stats, Records, Polls, Bowls and More College Football Stats at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com www.sports-reference.com
 

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