Minnesota plots for better execution vs. Michigan State

Minnesota is eager for a chance to prove itself.

P.J. Fleck says he and his coaching staff, not his players, have the most to prove.

The Golden Gophers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten Conference) will get a chance to move on from a lopsided loss last week when they face Michigan State (3-5, 0-5) on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The contest will come seven days after Minnesota lost 41-3 against border rival Iowa in a matchup that appeared even on paper before kickoff. Nearly everything that could go wrong did for the Golden Gophers, who fell behind 31-0 by halftime.

Fleck said he wants to see better execution this weekend against the Spartans.

"I never, never question how hard we play and our toughness, but we executed very poorly," Fleck said. "So when you execute poorly, that comes down to the coaching staff, that comes down to me, and I take full responsibility for that."

Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey will try to bounce back from one of his toughest performances as a first-year starter. He passed for only 109 yards and threw three interceptions against the Hawkeyes, which matched the number of picks he had thrown all season.

Fleck said he had full confidence in Lindsey, who has passed for 1,546 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions for the year.

"One thing about him is he's got a great failing mechanism where he can flush it, learn and move on," Fleck said. "Nobody works harder than that young man."

Michigan State will look for its first conference win in a dismal season. The Spartans have lost five games in a row, including 31-20 to then-No. 25 Michigan a week ago.

The losses have put the spotlight on Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith, who could be on the hot seat along with his assistants. Smith said he meets weekly with the school's athletic director and that he appreciates the pressure to win.

"I love being in a place that's competitive," Smith said. "I want to get things right. I want to come out on the right side of the scoreboard. And that's where we're at right now."

Aidan Chiles leads Michigan State at quarterback. He has passed for 1,392 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions and has rushed for 227 yards and six scores.

--Field Level Media