The Minnesota Gophers capped off their season with a resounding 24-10 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2025 Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday night, but the postgame celebrations may have stolen the show. Head coach PJ Fleck became the centerpiece of the event, embracing one of college football’s quirkiest traditions: the mayo bath.
In the minutes following the Gophers’ victory, Fleck received the ceremonious drenching—a hefty five gallons of Duke’s mayo poured directly over his head. His players’ reactions were a mix of shock and amusement, perfectly capturing the hilarity of the moment.
“Oh my God,” defensive lineman Anthony Smith exclaimed, his face a picture of disbelief and mild disgust as he watched the mayonnaise cascade over his coach.
Despite the gooey spectacle, Fleck seemed to revel in the moment, fully leaning into the tradition. In fact, the ever-enthusiastic coach requested an even bigger challenge before the mayo bath began.
“I demanded a double,” Fleck said with a grin during the postgame press conference. “That’s the advantage of being bald. No clean-up in the hair, just wipe and go. If they had fifteen tubs of mayo, I would have done all fifteen. It’s worth it to end the season as champions.”
The mayo didn’t come without a price, though. Fleck admitted the experience wasn’t entirely pleasant, sharing, “My eyes were burning, my eyebrows were matted, but honestly, it’s all part of the fun. This tradition is one of the great things about college football.”
Fleck also used the occasion to reflect on the significance of bowl games, advocating for their continued place in the sport’s postseason landscape, even as the College Football Playoff expands.
“I hope we never lose these bowl traditions,” Fleck said passionately. “This is what makes college football special—the pageantry, the camaraderie, the uniqueness of each bowl. These experiences are rewards for the players and coaches. They’re memories that last a lifetime. The mayo bath is just the cherry—or maybe the mayo—on top.”
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The head coach’s embrace of the spectacle wasn’t lost on his team or fans. Social media lit up with reactions to Fleck’s drenched appearance, with many praising his commitment to the tradition.
“This is what college football is all about,” one fan posted. “PJ Fleck embracing the chaos of a mayo bath is why we love this sport.”
As Fleck stood there dripping in Duke’s finest condiment, it was clear he not only took the tradition in stride but genuinely enjoyed the experience.
It’s moments like these that add a layer of charm and levity to college football—proving, once again, that the sport is about more than just wins and losses. For Fleck and the Gophers, it was a sweet (and savory) way to end the season.
