This season, Minnesota ranks 74th nationally and 10th in the Big Ten in kickoff return defense, allowing an average of 20.5 yards per return. But here’s the catch: They’ve only allowed six kickoffs to be returned all season, tied with Texas A&M and Colorado State for the fewest in the country. The team’s 58 touchbacks, courtesy of Dragan Kesich, are the fifth-most in the country.
The emphasis on touchbacks encapsulates P.J. Fleck’s risk-averse philosophy. His fixation on time of possession comes from a desire to reduce the amount of opportunities the opponent has to score. Touchbacks serve a similar function, eliminating the opportunity to return a kickoff for a touchdown, but they also guarantee the opposing offense starting field position at the 25-yard line.