A subset of Gophers fans have longed for years for P.J. Fleck to be more aggressive and play to win the game. Well, the eighth-year head coach did in a mammoth moment Saturday and his surprising risk paid off as Minnesota upset 11th-ranked USC 24-17 in front of an announced crowd of 50,913 at Huntington Bank Stadium. Fleck asked himself this question: “How often do you have an inch to go beat USC?” Instead of kicking a go-ahead field goal with 56 seconds remaining, Fleck opted to run a quarterback sneak for a second straight time. They had been stopped on third down. And on fourth down from inside the 1/2-yard line, Max Brosmer was initially marked short of the goal line, but upon replay review, he was deemed to have crossed the plane. When confirmed by referee Ron Snodgrass, Fleck shot his arms up in the air repeatedly in celebration. “It’s a big call, but it was an easy call,” Fleck said postgame. “Again, people are going to have their opinions, but that’s the job of the head coach. Because if we don’t get that, (USC) go down there and score, then I hear about whatever I hear about. I’m a big boy. I have to make those decisions.” It looked like the Gophers would need that gutsy touchdown as USC drove to Minnesota’s 28-yard line, but true freshman safety Kio Perich intercepted Miller Moss with nine seconds left. “If we kick a field goal, they go down there,” Fleck said. “They don’t run the plays they just ran. They are playing for a field goal. They are not going to throw it to the end zone on that play. They are playing a completely different style.” The Gophers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) beat a top-25 team for the first time since a rivalry win over No. 24 Iowa last November. Minnesota sent USC, its new Big Ten opponent, home to the West Coast with a defeat as an 8-point favorite. The Trojans (3-2, 1-2) have now lost both of its conference road games this year. On Saturday, fans stormed the field down below and fireworks exploded overhead. Inside the locker room one hour after the game, Gophers players were still dancing and puffing on cigars. It was a sweet reward after a tough start to the season. Minnesota had first-half problems against Michigan in a 27-24 loss last week and had second-half woes in early-season losses to North Carolina and rival Iowa. Tied 10-10, Minnesota got the ball to start Saturday’s second half, but its offense was ushered off the field after four plays. Then USC marched 91 yards across 12 plays to take a 17-10 lead. It was an emphatic drive that resembled cracks exposed against the Hawkeyes and Tar Heels. The Trojans then looked like it would put the game away at the start of the fourth quarter, driving to Minnesota’s 35, but Jah Joyner’s speed rush hit Moss as he threw and the fluttering pass was intercepted by Devon Williams. Minnesota answered with a 5-yard touchdown run from Brosmer to tie the game, 17-17, with seven minutes left. Brosmer finished with three touchdown runs, while running back Darius Taylor rushed 25 times for 144 yards. The Gophers won the turnover margin 3-1, and its touchdown off Williams’ pick got them back in the game. The Gophers were the more physical team to start the game, with Taylor running over USC safety Akili Arnold on a 17-yard gain. The U’s early success on the ground didn’t lead to Fleck deciding to go for it on fourth and 2 from the Trojans’ 14-yard line at the end of the first quarter. Instead, he sent kicker Dragan Kesich out for a 32-yard field goal and an early lead. Fleck will often take points early in the game, which can contribute to fans’ angst over his coaching style. But Fleck eye-popping decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game led to big celebrations in Minnesota on Saturday night. “I love it,” Brosmer said of decision that led to the upset win. Related Articles College Sports | When the Gophers will play each new Big Ten opponent through 2028 College Sports | Gophers football: Injuries continue to hit U defense going into USC game College Sports | Gophers football: USC game will be unfamiliar in many ways College Sports | Gophers football vs. USC: Keys to game, how to watch and who has edge College Sports | How Gophers were able to recruit cornerback Ethan Robinson over USC