Michigan football survives nailbiter in Little Brown Jug showdown

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines survived a nailbiter in the battle of the Little Brown Jug as the men in maize defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 27-24 to advance to 4-1 on the season.

Michigan’s defense came out ready to play on Saturday (Sept. 28) as they accumulated four sacks in the first half, led by Mason Graham with two, followed by Kenneth Grant with one, Rayshaun Benny, and Derrick Moore with half sacks.

But another second-half lull by the Wolverines allowed the Golden Gophers to mount a 14-point swing in the second half to bring the game to 24-17 with 11:05 remaining in the battle of the Little Brown Jug.

But Michigan found its identity in the run game. They brought the cows home to milk the clock on another scoring drive led by Kalel Mullings, who had seven carries for 30 yards, capping off the 14-play 58-yard drive, which ate up 6:32 seconds for a field goal by record-setter Dominic Zvada, who pushed the lead to 27-17.

Zvada hit a 53-yard field goal earlier in the game, his fourth of 50 or more yards of the year, setting a Michigan record for most 50-yard field goals in a season.

Minnesota scored with 1:37 remaining to bring the game to a three-point nailbiter. The Wolverines recovered an onside kick attempt to get the victory and improve to 2-0 in Big Ten play.

The Wolverines dominated on all phases of the field for most of the game, registering eight tackles for loss in the first half to take a 21-3 lead.

Zeke Berry “Deeboed” receiver Daniel Jackson in their own territory with a nasty takeaway of the pigskin, setting up Mullings’ second touchdown of the day from the one-yard-line.

But two plays were more memorable than the Wolverines’ last drive, which set the game’s tone. Edge rusher Kechaun Bennett blocked a punt that again put Michigan in scoring range, helping them go up 21-0.

The other play was made by cornerback Jyaire Hill, who made a heck of an interception as he chased down the receiver, turned his head at the last second, tracked the ball, jumped in the air, and came down with the left-footed toe tap.

The defensive and special teams’ plays kept the Wolverines’ offense on the field early and often, which allowed Mullings, the newly crowned starter, to score at will.

Prior to his one-yard scamper, he had a big run on the day for a 27-yard house call to cap off a nine-play 79-yard drive to put the Wolverines up 7-0.

But quarterback play was still an issue as Alex Orji missed receivers who could’ve hit their on the goal-post if they were hit in stride.

Orji threw the first interception of his career in the third quarter on a seem route where (returning from injury) tight end Colston Loveland was wide open.

But Orji threw the pass far left to the middle of the field, where the defender could make a play on the ball.

Anything to Loveland’s right side of the field would’ve been an easy touchdown, but only the all-22 or your basic instant replay would describe the play and how open he was.

Orji finished the day completing 10-18 for 86 yards, with one touchdown to Tyler Morris, which was his first of the season, and one interception.

Minnesota has the nation’s second-ranked passing defense, but running against the Golden Gophers was the way to go. The men in maize accumulated 155 yards on 43 carries, again imposing their will.

Saturday’s soggy battle was the 99th meeting between both teams. The men in maize retained the five-gallon water jug, improving to 60-12-1 and winning 44 of the past 48 games in the series.

With the victory Michigan has won 27 of the last 29 games in the series, including a series best 16-game winning streak from 1987 to 2004.

The Wolverines’ 78 wins against Minnesota are the most the men in maize have over any school, with the Golden Gophers listening as Michigan’s third most common opponent all-time with 105 matchups.

The tied-ball game occurred in 1903 when then-head coach Fielding Yost and the Wolverines took their talents on the road for the Minnesota matchup.

Yost was paranoid that his water would be tampered with so he ordered a student manager to purchase the jug for water for his thirsty men in maize from a store.

The matchup that day was fierce. The first half was scoreless, and Michigan took a 6-0 lead midway through the second.

During the waning minutes of the matchup, the Golden Gophers scored with two minutes remaining, causing their fans to erupt and storm the field, forcing the game to be called.

Amid the storm reminiscent of Saturday, the Wolverines left the jug Minnesota retained, and at last, the battle in its honor was born.

The Wolverines will get their first taste of the road as they travel to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies for a 7:30 p.m. showdown in a College Football Playoff rematch of last season.