There were plenty of factors that contributed to the Minnesota Gophers’ loss to North Carolina on Saturday afternoon but an underrated issue according to head coach P.J. Fleck was the number of players that left the game due to muscle cramps.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, running back Darius Taylor and cornerback Justin Walley were among a handful of players who missed time as the Gophers were attempting to mount a comeback in the third quarter and Gophers coach P.J. Fleck was critical of his team’s hydration during his postgame press conference.
“We can’t be cramping up,” Fleck said. “There is a reason we prepare the way we prepare, the way we have to prepare. And if we don’t prepare that way, that’s what happens. It’s unfortunate.”
While several players were part of the issue, the biggest absence came when Kaliakmanis had to leave the game as the Gophers were driving down 24-13 in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Cole Kramer entered the game and killed the drive with an interception on his third play from scrimmage, ending the Gophers’ comeback hopes.
“I just have to hydrate better,” Kaliakmanis said via the Pioneer Press’s Andy Greder. “Cramps – that really doesn’t matter. It didn’t affect my play because I was playing bad regardless.”
While Fleck was irritated with the muscle cramps, he also blamed himself for the Gophers’ lack of preparation.
“[It] ultimately falls on me,” Fleck said. “I’ve got to do a better job of that. I’ve got to figure out what we didn’t do this week, but way too many players with cramps. They were coming off at halftime. I didn’t understand that one. Yeah, just too many guys.”
Whatever the changes, it’s safe to assume that there will be a lot of water drank at Dinkytown this week and perhaps even a chart similar to the ones that are becoming prevalent elsewhere in college football.
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) April 25, 2022
Have you drank your water today?? pic.twitter.com/vfKTF4kDde
— Alyssa Lang (@AlyssaLang) October 28, 2022
The Gophers are 2-1 on the season and will travel to Northwestern on Saturday night.
