Michigan's Little Brown Jug Showdown Carries Extra Weight After Iowa Loss
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Just The News Iowa) The Michigan Wolverines head to Minnesota on Saturday carrying more than just Big Ten hopes. They carry the weight of last week's heartbreaking 20-19 loss to Iowa, a game that slipped away in the final two minutes.
The matchup for the Little Brown Jug, the oldest rivalry trophy in college football, comes at a critical juncture for first-year coach Kyle Whittingham and his 3-1 squad. A loss to the Gophers would put Michigan at 0-2 in conference play and raise serious questions about the direction of the season.
What happened in Michigan's loss to Iowa?
Iowa engineered a 91-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes to stun the Wolverines, who appeared to control the game for most of the afternoon. The loss stung not just because of the outcome, but because of how it unfolded.
Michigan's defense had held firm for most of the day, but the late collapse exposed the kind of urgency issues that have plagued the team since a narrow Week 1 scare against Western Michigan.
Why the Little Brown Jug matters to Michigan
The Wolverines hold a commanding 74-23-2 all-time record in games contested for the Jug, including victories in 27 of the last 29 meetings. They've won five straight in the series, with their last loss to Minnesota coming in 2014. Michigan also hasn't lost in Minneapolis since 1977.
Whittingham downplayed the trophy's significance in his Monday radio appearance, saying,
Every game's a trophy game to me, so I don't want to put any more emphasis on it.
But players are embracing the rivalry's emotional weight. Running back Jordan Marshall described watching video of Minnesota players taking the Jug from Michigan's sideline in past years.
It's those emotions and you have to play with emotions and passion, Marshall said. These trophy games, they just mean a little bit more. You're playing for something bigger than yourself. You're playing for the whole university.
Minnesota enters with momentum after Washington win
The Gophers (3-1, 1-0) are coming off a signature 27-24 road victory over Washington. Quarterback Drake Lindsey led the offense, and Minnesota's defense turned in one of its strongest performances of the season.
Whittingham knows his team faces a hostile environment. Minnesota has won nine of its last 10 home games and went 7-0 at home last season.
They're coming off a big win at Washington, so they're feeling pretty good about themselves, Whittingham said. They have a lot of juice right now, and we have to try to go in there and quell the juice and the excitement and get control of the game and get a win.
What's at stake for Michigan's season
Saturday's game represents an early crossroads for Michigan. A win would steady the ship and keep the Wolverines in the Big Ten race. A loss would drop them to 0-2 in conference play and put their season on the brink.
Whittingham said the team has emphasized playing with greater urgency and emotion, a focus that will be tested against a confident Gophers squad.
Tight end Hogan Hansen made clear what's on the line:
I know personally it's been here since I've gotten here, so I definitely don't plan on letting that change. It means everything. I think the last thing any of us want is Minnesota coming onto our sideline and taking the Brown Jug.
Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Frequently asked questions about the Little Brown Jug
What is the Little Brown Jug?
The Little Brown Jug is the oldest rivalry trophy in college football, contested annually between Michigan and Minnesota. The winning team takes possession of the jug until the next meeting.
When did Michigan last lose to Minnesota?
Michigan last lost to Minnesota in 2014. The Wolverines have won five straight in the series and haven't lost in Minneapolis since 1977.
How did Iowa beat Michigan last week?
Iowa scored a 91-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes to win 20-19, erasing what had been a Michigan lead for most of the game.