Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck wipes player's blood on his own cheek while celebrating 27-24 win over Washington

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck had quite a unique way of soaking in his team’s win over Washington late Saturday night.

Gophers’ linebacker and captain Maverick Baranowski had a bloody mouth at the end of the 27-24 win. As he greeted his coach on the field, Fleck wiped some of the blood from Baranowski’s face onto his own cheek.

Yes, really. Take a look.

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is FIRED UP after beating Washington 😭 pic.twitter.com/qBOgZHk39d

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2026

“It’s a great moment,” Baranowski said in his postgame news conference. “Winning’s hard in the Big Ten and when you get to win at a place like this, just so exciting. And then get to enjoy that with all my teammates and my head coach always having my back for the last five years. I love that guy more than anyone and just such an awesome opportunity to share that moment with him and he’s a crazy man.”

Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey threw touchdowns to three different receivers in the first half as the Gophers built a 14-point lead with less than six minutes to go before halftime. Minnesota mustered just two field goals after halftime, but Washington’s onside kick failed after the Huskies cut the lead to three with 1:53 to go.

Washington had just 279 total yards and only 40 rushing yards on 27 carries as QB Demond Williams Jr. threw two interceptions.

<

p style=”text-align:left”>The win moves Minnesota to 3-1 ahead of a home game that suddenly looks much more winnable against Michigan in Week 5. The No. 18 Wolverines could drop out of the AP Top 25 on Sunday after a last-second loss to No. 17 Iowa.