STrib: Gophers special teams improving, but P.J. Fleck seeks more consistency

[BleedGopher]

per Marcus:

P.J. Fleck has seen improvement from Gophers special teams after the unit struggled mightily last season, but the coach still described last week's performance in a win against Nebraska as "just inconsistent."

Too many mistakes in any phase of the game can be difficult to overcome for a Minnesota team with a small margin for error, but special team plays can also be the difference in close games.

"It wasn't our best performance," Fleck said about special teams in the 30-23 win against the Cornhuskers. "We need to be better in that area, and I know we will be."

This Saturday's matchup vs. Maryland will remind Gophers fans of a missed extra point in overtime that cost the team a 45-44 road loss against the Terrapins.

After the Gophers watched special teams cost them games in 2020, there have been moments this season where the unit has been highlighted for its success.

Gophers special teams improving, but P.J. Fleck seeks more consistency

Punter Mark Crawford and kicker Matthew Trickett haven't been perfect, but both have delivered in key spots this season.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Roland Brooks]

Yes let’s get a punt returner who doesn’t let every other punt bounce and roll around.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

With all of the complexities of offense vs. defense for most of the game, it can go a long way if you can just have a special teams that always makes solid plays: make the makeable field goals, don't overkick punt coverage, down some punts inside the ten, don't have kicks blocked, don't give up big kick returns, set up your blocks well enough to occasionally steal an extra 15-20 yards on a kick or punt return (even if you never take one to the house).

 

[HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving]

With all of the complexities of offense vs. defense for most of the game, it can go a long way if you can just have a special teams that always makes solid plays: make the makeable field goals, don't overkick punt coverage, down some punts inside the ten, don't have kicks blocked, don't give up big kick returns, set up your blocks well enough to occasionally steal an extra 15-20 yards on a kick or punt return (even if you never take one to the house).

Is that it? I thought there would be more.

 

[noamfromm]

Improving, yes. But . . . have they turned the corner?