Q&A with Rutgers DB Flip Dixon, who is facing his former team this weekend

Flip Dixon will recognize a lot of people on the opposing sideline at SHI Stadium.
As Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) hosts Minnesota (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday, the starting safety will be facing his former team for the first time. Dixon started his college career with the Golden Gophers, playing three seasons under head coach PJ Fleck before transferring to the Scarlet Knights ahead of the 2023 season.
In light of his matchup against his former team, Dixon spoke to NJ Advance Media and other local reporters this week:
Question: What do you think it is going to be like to face Minnesota, your former team, your former 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 guys on that the team? We know you left a couple of years ago.
Dixon: Yes, I still got a lot of guys on the team that I stay in contact with, but just focused on the game. I didn’t talk to them this week or anything like that.
Q: No trash talk?
Dixon: Nah (laughs).
Q: Athan Kaliakmanis, fellow former Gopher, talked this week about about playing Minnesota. He said it is pretty much business as usual. Is that the way you feel? Is there a little extra emotion in this game?
Dixon: Like Athan said, business as usual, same mindset as past weeks, focusing on us, focusing on going 1-0.
Q: How have you grown as a player since coming to Rutgers?
Dixon: Schiano is a great defensive backs coach. He got a lot of guys in NFL. Then going with (defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak) and (safeties coach Drew Lascark), they are all teaching me a lot. I feel like I grew in that aspect.
Q: How are you feeling physically coming off the bye?
Dixon: I’m feeling good, ready to go, ready to play.
Q: What does this defense have to do to get back on track?
Dixon: We just got to play together, play as a team, communicate and stop them.
Q: What has this experience at Rutgers been like, 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 football player as well. Thankful 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 some progress after you guys 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 and going 1-0.
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at [email protected].