Each Monday, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has a sheet comes across his desk on how former Minnesota players performed in the NFL.

This week, that piece of paper included Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman’s stat line against the Vikings. The former Big Ten receiver of the year didn’t have the biggest game — one catch for 10 yards and a two-point conversion. But Bateman texted Fleck about the welcome back he felt back during Baltimore’s 27-19 win at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Bateman texted Fleck: “I had no idea how loved I still was in Minnesota.’” And Fleck replied: “ ‘You’ll always be loved here. You’re a legend.’

“Pretty cool that our crowd with the Vikings, was so receptive to Rashod Bateman,” Fleck added. “So that is really heartwarming to hear that.”

Fleck regularly checks in via text message wit

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