Gophers football: Koi Perich’s one offensive play vs. Maryland is sign of things to come
Offense. Defense. Special teams. "Throughout his career, he is going to do it all,” head coach P.J. Fleck said.
The Gophers put it on film Saturday. The result will tease U football fans and trouble Illinois: true freshman safety and return specialist Koi Perich lined up as a running back against Maryland.
The singular offensive play happened late in the first quarter — even if head coach P.J. Fleck defected it with jokes to the Pioneer Press on Monday.
“I don’t know how he got out there,” Fleck teased.
But it actually happened and now it’s one more thing the Illini will have to prepare for going into the 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday in Champaign, Ill. It will be on the list for all four upcoming defensive coordinators because Perich continues to be a game-changing play waiting to explode.
Perich’s role just continues to grow, from special teams cover guy in the season opener, to punt and kick returner later in nonconference games to safety in Big Ten contests in October. With each new task, the Esko, Minn., native shows aplomb.
Fleck said in September it was “definitely a possibility” Perich could play on offense, and it came to fruition for that one brief play against the Terrapins. Perich lined up in a two-back formation with regular tailback Darius Taylor. Each running back ran swing routes, with quarterback Max Brosmer throwing to Taylor for a mundane four-yard gain.
Perich on offense flew under the radar Saturday because of it the play’s result and it being a one-off.
“We have big plans for him,” Fleck followed up Monday about Perich on offense. “… He’s just grown into a bigger role and another role and another role. One thing about Koi Perich is he will handle any role you give him, and most true freshman can’t do that. There are a lot of seniors that can’t do that. He loves football. I mean loves football and loves competition. When you have somebody like that, that is such a good athlete, you want to get him on the field as much as you can — offense, defense, special teams. And throughout his career, he is going to do it all.”
Right before his one-play cameo, Perich intercepted a pass from Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards, put an immediate spin move on a receiver-turned-defender and maneuvered through a sea of Terrapins on what became a 45-yard return.
At safety this season, Perich leads the Big Ten with five interceptions and is in a three-way tie for second place in the nation. Plus, he’s done it in only 181 defensive snaps across seven games.
Perich was named Big Ten freshman of the week on Monday, after adding three tackles and three punt returns for 31 yards, including a 20-yarder. He was the conference’s defensive player of the week for his two-INT game against UCLA on Oct. 12.
Imperfect 10
Illinois coach Bret Bielema pushed his win streak over Minnesota to double digits with a stunning comeback win, 27-26, in Minneapolis last November. He is now a perfect 10-0 against the U — 3-0 with the Illini since 2021, which is added to a sterling 7-0 at Wisconsin from 2006-12.
“I have a lot of respect for coach Bielema and what he does,” Fleck said. “He always has a hard, smash mouth, tough football team — no matter where he was: Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois.”
Bielema gave Fleck a bouquet of flowers, too, saying Monday it’s clear Minnesota is a well-coached team that has gotten better this season.
No. 24 Illinois (6-2, 3-2) is coming off a humbling 38-9 road loss to No. 1 Oregon on Saturday. The U and Illini have one common opponent this season: Michigan. Illinois beat the Wolverines 21-7 in Champaign on Oct. 19, three weeks after Minnesota lost to them after a controversial offside call in a 27-24 defeat in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Briefly
Brosmer was named Big Ten offensive player of the week after his 320-yard and four-touchdown game against Maryland. He is the first Gopher to win the award since running back Jordan Nubin’s 205-rushing yard, two-touchdown game against Michigan State last October. … With a win over then-No. 11 Southern California on Oct. 5, Minnesota is gunning for two wins over ranked teams in the same season since 2000. … The Gophers close the season with three of four on the road for the first time since 1982. A bye on Nov. 16 makes that slate look a little less unbalanced.
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