Will Gophers Badgers become a Black Friday staple? – Twin cities

The battle for Paul Bunyan’s ax could become a Black Friday tradition, like the door-to-door sales at your local big box store.

The Gophers-Badgers rivalry football game will be played the day after Thanksgiving this year for the first time in its 134-game history.

While the Big Ten has not yet finalized and announced its schedule for the 2025 season, this rivalry could still find a home here for years to come.

Here are some things to consider:

– The leaders of the Gophers and Badgers had to agree to allow this game to be played on Friday. Their willingness now would mean that they would also agree in the future. Each of them loses a day of preparation, so there is no competitive advantage, and the 4 1/2 hour bus ride makes the trip easier.

“I don’t have a preference whether it’s Friday or Saturday. I just love playing it,” Gophers head coach PJ Fleck said Monday.

– The Iowa-Nebraska game was moved to Black Friday in 2011 and has not been moved in the last 13 seasons, including during the pandemic in 2020. The 2024 version of this game will be played in prime time on NBC.

— It’s hard to stand out in an expanded 18-team Big Ten Conference, and a Black Friday game can be seen as an opportunity to fill a network TV slot when fans are home for the holidays. Although both programs cost around $500, the Ax game will be on CBS.

“There are other things that are way above my pay grade, namely the reasons why things get done, the schedules get made and the TV deals get done,” Fleck said. “We are really grateful. 11 a.m. kickoff and we’ll be in Madison. I’m looking forward to a great game.”

coordination

Fleck assessed how the first few seasons went with new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman and new special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.

With Hetherman, Fleck was straightforward. “Fantastic,” he said. “(Hetherman) exceeded my expectations.”

After a year-long decline last year with Joe Rossi, Hetherman has returned the Gophers to one of the best statistical defenses in the country. Minnesota is allowing just 18.5 points (15th in the country) and 302 yards (12th).

Fleck worked with Ligashesky on the 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “He always allowed the players to play fast,” Fleck said. “I saw that from our special teams.”

The Gophers special teams units have been mostly average this season, but Fleck said he has seen improvement throughout the year.

Special teams played a big role in last Saturday’s 26-25 loss to Penn State. They blocked a punt and an extra point that was returned for a two-point conversion, but allowed a fake punt on fourth down that gave the Nittany Lions the win.

Famous assistant

Mo Ibrahim, the Gophers’ all-time leading rusher, has become an assistant running backs coach this season. After an active stint with the Vikings in August, he returned to his alma mater and helped out at his previous position.

The lax regulations on the number of assistant coaches make this possible.

“Really learning the ins and outs of the coaching job he’s learning is a lot different than playing,” Fleck said.

Ibrahim, who ran for 4,668 yards from 2018 to 2022, spoke to the team before the game against Penn State. He threw for 33 yards in the upset of the No. 4 Nittany Lions in 2019.

Two teammates from that 2019 team are also on the team: Winston DeLattiboudere (defensive line) and Mariano Sori-Marin (nicklebacks).