P.J. Fleck Praises Strong Ohio State Defense Ahead of Gophers Matchup

Columbus, OH — Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck has commended the Ohio State Buckeyes as they prepare for their upcoming football game. He believes the current Buckeyes, under head coach Ryan Day, may be the strongest team Day has ever coached.

Fleck, known for his cautious praise, emphasized the talent and determination of the Buckeyes, stating, “He’s [Ryan Day] an incredible man, first of all, and then just a fabulous coach. I think statistically when you look at them under Ryan Day … in the first four games, [this] could be the best team he has ever coached.”

The Buckeyes have showcased impressive defensive skills this season, allowing only 5.5 points per game. They have not given up a touchdown in the red zone throughout the season and have consistently held their opponents to single digits.

Most recently, the Buckeyes dismantled Washington State, that had previously scored 59 points against another opponent, limiting them to just six points. Fleck noted, “They’re holding opponents to five points, so Washington did a good job scoring one more point than what they’re averaging. That’s an above-average performance.”

Credit for the dominant defense goes to defensive line coach Larry Johnson Sr. and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who have successfully developed talented players including Caden Curry and Caleb Downs. Fleck acknowledged their skills, stating, “The back end understands how the front seven works. They work cohesively together. They’re relentless.”

As the Buckeyes, ranked No. 1, head into their game with Minnesota, they remain focused on maintaining their defensive standards while striving for another championship title. Their performance against the Gophers could be a significant step in solidifying their reputation as a leading defensive team in college football.

Football watchers will be keen to see if the Buckeyes can keep up their phenomenal defensive output as the season unfolds.