Gophers have their hands full with another dual-threat QB in late-night game against the Washington Huskies

It's definitely going to be a challenging environment, especially for many Gopher players that have yet to play a Big Ten opponent, according to head coach PJ Fleck.

"I think those first three games taught us a lot, especially the SEC game against Mississippi State," Fleck explains. "And we got to go apply those lessons when the experience is the greatest teacher in life. So, one game, big-time championship season, you got to go earn it. You got to do the best you can to go earn it. One-week league, man. It is, and they keep coming at you. And like I said, this team was in the national championship three years ago. So we got a great challenge ahead."

It's also a very late kickoff for a Midwest team, with the game getting underway at 10:00 p.m. CT. Fleck says each conference game is big, and there's no excuse for not being ready to play no matter what the gametime is.

"It's big time, it's the Big 10, it's the big stage, and you choose to play at that level," Fleck added. "And now we're in it, and now we're in conference play, and how exciting. So if you, again, the point is if you can't get up for that game, right, no matter who you're playing, then you're in the wrong league. You're at the wrong level."

Two weeks ago, the Gophers saw one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Kamario Taylor who sliced up the Gophers in a loss to Mississippi State. On Saturday, they get a peak at another duel threat QB, Demond Williams Jr. who will present a similar challenge.

"Demond is one of the best players in the Big 10," Fleck said. "It's not just his arm, he can throw hash to sideline. They spread you out sideline to sideline, but they can work really, really tight too, and put you down in 13 personnel. He's a great runner. He's not just looking to run, he's throwing the football. And then if you break down in coverage and you give him a lane, he's gonna run for a long time."