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P.J. Fleck's risky gamble with the Gophers defense is starting to pay off

Head coach P.J. Fleck faced a difficult roster challenge when defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman departed late in the preseason.

Fleck elevated longtime assistant Danny Collins into the vacant coordinator post. Although the transition brought early defensive struggles, including giving up 35 or more points in four separate matchups during his debut campaign, recent outings indicate significant defensive progress.

Minnesota has tightened up its metrics over a five-game sample against FBS competition, surrendering an average of 20.4 points and 290.2 total yards per contest.

That upward trajectory was highlighted during a road triumph over Washington, where Collins deployed a scheme that bottled up elusive quarterback Demond Williams and restricted the Huskies to just 75 yards in the opening half. Williams absorbed seven sacks and was held to 239 passing yards, marking his lowest single-game total of the season.

Despite a high-scoring defeat against Mississippi State and Heisman contender Kamario Taylor earlier, the Gophers defense has rebounded effectively from last year's personnel and coaching shifts under Collins, who celebrated his 34th birthday in May.

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