Flip Dixon will recognize a lot of people on the opposing sideline at SHI Stadium.

While Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) will host Minnesota (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday, the starting safety will face his former team for the first time. Dixon began his college career with the Golden Gophers, playing three seasons under head coach PJ Fleck before moving to the Scarlet Knights ahead of the 2023 season.

In light of his matchup against his former team, Dixon spoke with NJ Advance Media and other local reporters this week:

Question: What do you think it’s going to be like to face Minnesota, your old team, your old coach and a lot of familiar faces on that sideline.

Dixon: It’s going to be good, (but I’m) just focused on winning and focused on us as a team, focused on going 1-0.

Q: Are you still friends with any of the guys on the team? We know you left a few years ago.

Dixon: Yeah, I still have a lot of guys on the team that I keep in touch with, but I’m just focusing on the game. I haven’t talked to them this week or anything like that.

Question : No trash talk?

Dixon: No (laughs).

Question : Fellow former Gopher Athan Kaliakmanis spoke this week about possibly playing in Minnesota. He said it was pretty much business as usual. Is this what you feel? Is there a little extra emotion in this game?

Dixon: As Athan said, as usual, same mindset as last weeks, focus on us, focus on the 1-0.

Question : How have you evolved as a player since arriving at Rutgers?

Dixon: Schiano is an excellent defensive backs coach. He’s got a lot of guys in the NFL. Then with (defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak) and (safeties coach Drew Lascark), they all teach me a lot. I feel like I’ve grown in that aspect.

Q: How do you feel physically after the bye?

Dixon: I feel good, ready to go, ready to play.

Q: What does this defense need to do to get back on track?

Dixon: We just have to play together, play as a team, communicate and stop them.

Q: How was that experience at Rutgers, now that you’re heading into your final four games here?

Dixon: It’s been great. I feel like I’ve grown as a person and as a footballer as well. I am grateful to be here and for my time at Rutgers.

Q: How important do you think it would be for this team to make a bowl game this year to show progress after you did it last year?

Dixon: I feel like it’s important, but right now we’re not really focused on the future. We’re focused on Minnesota going 1-0.

Please count on us to provide you with the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Brian Fonseca can be contacted at [email protected].