Who will be the 2026 Water Carrier of the Year

Donate To GopherHole



John Galt said:
Meet contender #1!
Murray
MN something guy
And Slab of Bacon round out the top 4

Let’s hear you tell for another year how every decision is perfect. Every play call was amazing. Every recruit is exactly who we wanted.
Click to expand...
Assume MN something guy is me.....those two letters are tough to remember. Honored to make your list....will do my best to live up to your expectations.
 









John Galt said:
What are water carriers going to say now that Koi is in the portal?
Click to expand...
As a designated water carrier (whatever the f*ck that means) I will say that it sucks he is leaving but I'm not sure what the coaching staff is supposed to do about it.
 

John Galt said:
There are a number of fine MN folks on here defending our mediocre team who wake up each day thinking about how to carry water for PJ and the Gophers. I’ve got to hand it to these folks- they’re committed to the cause. It’s not easy spending each waking moment on GH talking about limited NIL, best coach since the 1960s and limited resources. There are a number of qualified candidates who have been doing it for years, some close to a decade! So as we start 2026, who is your preseason choice for Water Carrier of the Year?
Click to expand...
Please, enlighten us ole wise one! Tell us how MN football could be so much better. A powerhouse for the last half century that has simply lost its way. High end AD’s and coaches just begging for a chance to come to Minnesota with its huge fan base and big time donors. Please, please, nominate me, ole wise one. We’re just a good hire away from FBS dominance. Curt Cignetti is just waiting for that $11 million offer. Thanks for the good laugh this morning, I always enjoy it.
 

I'm a big water-carrier, so I'll weigh in on this...

I hate to see Koi go. Most people here feel the same.

He has been an electrifying player while wearing maroon and gold, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't become even better as a football player; his potential ceiling is very high.

I don't know the actual reason(s) he's decided for the portal. Neither does anyone else here on Gopher Hole. I'm betting that some people here will claim they 'know' why, and they'll make that claim whether they actually know anything or not.

Let's speculate as to why. Key word: speculate.

— Money? That's a possible reason. The consensus seems to be that Minnesota has fewer financial resources than other schools. I think Perich is worth a nice-sized salary. On the other hand, I'd prefer to see more Gopher money spent on the offensive line and defensive tackles than on a safety, no matter how talented the safety is. And while Koi also contributed as a returner (pretty damn good) and as a receiver (so-so, at least so far), I would still see him as primarily a safety.

— Has Koi suddenly come to despise Fleck as much as the most rabid Dan-warrior here does? Mmmm... seems unlikely, but it's possible. It's worth noting that Fleck out-recruited many coaches from blue blood schools when he signed Perich, and Perich played two full seasons here for Fleck.

— Would Perich have a better chance to play in a playoff game at, say, Ohio State? Yes. Is that the reason he's gone to the portal? It's certainly possible.

I hope Koi Perich has an amazing career. Good luck to him.
 

MNVCGUY said:
As a designated water carrier (whatever the f*ck that means) I will say that it sucks he is leaving but I'm not sure what the coaching staff is supposed to do about it.
Click to expand...
Damnit you stole my answer! Looks like you already have a leg up on me for the award, but I have 364 more days to catch up.
 



John Galt said:
There are a number of fine MN folks on here defending our mediocre team who wake up each day thinking about how to carry water for PJ and the Gophers. I’ve got to hand it to these folks- they’re committed to the cause. It’s not easy spending each waking moment on GH talking about limited NIL, best coach since the 1960s and limited resources. There are a number of qualified candidates who have been doing it for years, some close to a decade! So as we start 2026, who is your preseason choice for Water Carrier of the Year?
Click to expand...
Based on the language and the prevalent use of the word bitch, it's clear people do not like the statement and fun award. They put the bucket down to jump on rip the truth. I carried the water plenty of times my nearly 50 years of fandom but never won an award for it. About time we have this.
 


MNVCGUY said:
As a designated water carrier (whatever the f*ck that means) I will say that it sucks he is leaving but I'm not sure what the coaching staff is supposed to do about it.
Click to expand...
Your not a water carrier, you should be off the list. Your a poster that makes more sense and seems to have more knowledge of any poster on this board. When discussing the board at tailgates and such, you are always regarded as the top contributor to realism.
 

RememberMurray said:
I'm a big water-carrier, so I'll weigh in on this...

I hate to see Koi go. Most people here feel the same.

He has been an electrifying player while wearing maroon and gold, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't become even better as a football player; his potential ceiling is very high.

I don't know the actual reason(s) he's decided for the portal. Neither does anyone else here on Gopher Hole. I'm betting that some people here will claim they 'know' why, and they'll make that claim whether they actually know anything or not.

Let's speculate as to why. Key word: speculate.

— Money? That's a possible reason. The consensus seems to be that Minnesota has fewer financial resources than other schools. I think Perich is worth a nice-sized salary. On the other hand, I'd prefer to see more Gopher money spent on the offensive line and defensive tackles than on a safety, no matter how talented the safety is. And while Koi also contributed as a returner (pretty damn good) and as a receiver (so-so, at least so far), I would still see him as primarily a safety.

— Has Koi suddenly come to despise Fleck as much as the most rabid Dan-warrior here does? Mmmm... seems unlikely, but it's possible. It's worth noting that Fleck out-recruited many coaches from blue blood schools when he signed Perich, and Perich played two full seasons here for Fleck.

— Would Perich have a better chance to play in a playoff game at, say, Ohio State? Yes. Is that the reason he's gone to the portal? It's certainly possible.

I hope Koi Perich has an amazing career. Good luck to him.
Click to expand...
Good post.
 

No! using his alternate account. It's fine. Got some interest on a slow day (except for Koi)

Actually it would be fun to say who are the top four with rose colored glasses. We are all Gopher honks.

Slab and Murry for sure, Bleed. Who else? NYC actually is not. I will drink a beer and work on this.
 

John Galt said:
There are a number of fine MN folks on here defending our mediocre team who wake up each day thinking about how to carry water for PJ and the Gophers. I’ve got to hand it to these folks- they’re committed to the cause. It’s not easy spending each waking moment on GH talking about limited NIL, best coach since the 1960s and limited resources. There are a number of qualified candidates who have been doing it for years, some close to a decade! So as we start 2026, who is your preseason choice for Water Carrier of the Year?
Click to expand...
Some of us were here for the Nils years
 


1983 said:
You’re not a water carrier, you should be off the list. You’re a poster that makes more sense and seems to have more knowledge of any poster on this board. When discussing the board at tailgates and such, you are always regarded as the top contributor to realism.
Click to expand...
So this Is MNSomefhing Guy’s alternative account🥴
 

HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving said:
No! using his alternate account. It's fine. Got some interest on a slow day (except for Koi)

Actually it would be fun to say who are the top four with rose colored glasses. We are all Gopher honks.

Slab and Murry for sure, Bleed. Who else? NYC actually is not. I will drink a beer and work on this.
Click to expand...
I’m glad the check arrived😉.

Fleck is -

Great representative of the U.

Delivers consistent results. I remember when being eligible for a bowl was considered a great season and Wisconsin was our master.

Beats Wisconsin and Nebby regularly.

Puts players in the NFL.

Has few off field issues.

Stubborn and way too conservative in his game planning; he’s scared to stretch.

Befuddled by the concept of time outs.

Borderline insufferable at times with his idioms.

The OP is either young, dumb and full of rum or suffers from recency bias, and never wore a bag over his head to a game at the Dome in protest of mediocrity - the grey hairs were not amused.

It easy to carp like a two bit carnival barker from Rodgers about how Fleck sux, when he’s easily the best coach of my Gopher fandom which traces back to watching Charlie White and SC gash us at the Brickhouse for 153 yds & 2 TDs on his way to the Heisman in 1979.
 
Last edited:


1983 said:
Your not a water carrier, you should be off the list. Your a poster that makes more sense and seems to have more knowledge of any poster on this board. When discussing the board at tailgates and such, you are always regarded as the top contributor to realism.
Click to expand...
I can think of a few posters who's heads probably exploded reading that comment but appreciate the kind words. :)
 




You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom