Eric Boggs 
Michigan reclaims the Little Brown Jug albeit not without some controversy.
In a thrilling showdown on a rainy Saturday in Ann Arbor, No. 12 Michigan emerged victorious over Minnesota, holding onto the Little Brown Jug with a 27-24 win. Kalel Mullings was the star of the game, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns, but the contest was not without its drama as the Gophers mounted a late comeback.
Michigan appeared to have the game in hand, leading 24-3 entering the fourth quarter. However, Minnesota surged back with three unanswered touchdowns, narrowing the gap to just three points with only 1:37 remaining on the clock. The Gophers recovered an onside kick, but a penalty for offsides negated the play. Mullings subsequently grabbed the second onside kick, allowing the Wolverines to run out the clock and secure the win.
The victory extended Michigan’s school-record conference winning streak to 27 games, as they haven’t lost a Big Ten game since falling to Michigan State in 2021. Meanwhile, Minnesota, seeking its first Little Brown Jug win in a decade, fell to 2-3 and 0-2 in the conference.
Mullings’ performance was crucial in compensating for a lackluster passing game led by Alex Orji, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 86 yards, including one touchdown and an interception that contributed to Minnesota’s comeback. Mullings kicked off the scoring with an untouched 27-yard touchdown run on Michigan’s first drive. The Wolverines’ defense then forced a fumble early in the second quarter, leading to another touchdown as Mullings bull rushed his way into the end zone from the 1-yard line for a 14-0 lead.
The Wolverines’ special teams also played a pivotal role, as Kechaun Bennett blocked a Minnesota punt, allowing Orji to hit Tyler Morris for an 11-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead. Minnesota finally got on the scoreboard just before halftime when quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis connected with Nick Kallerup for a 44-yard pass that set up a 20-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich.
Michigan looked to restore its lead in the third quarter with a 53-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada, pushing the score to 24-3. However, Orji’s interception on the next drive allowed Minnesota’s Darius Taylor to score a 3-yard touchdown, igniting the Gophers’ comeback efforts. A series of defensive stops for Michigan fell short as Minnesota’s Koi Perich returned a punt 60 yards, leading to Taylor’s second touchdown of the day and closing the gap to 24-17.
As the clock ticked down, Michigan managed to run off 6:32 before Zvada’s second field goal gave them a 27-17 advantage with 4:33 left in the game. Minnesota responded swiftly, with Brosmer hitting Daniel Jackson for a 12-yard touchdown to pull within three points.
The game took a controversial turn during the final minutes. Minnesota had a chance to tie the game on a crucial fourth-and-1, but a delay of game penalty pushed them back to fourth-and-6. Shaking off the penalty, Brosmer’s pass fell incomplete, handing Michigan the victory.
Adding to the game’s intrigue, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz attended the game with a heavy Secret Service presence, causing a delay in postgame interviews.
Despite the win, Michigan’s performance left room for improvement. Former Wolverine Ryan Van Bergen noted the importance of playing a full four quarters of football, emphasizing that they need to avoid self-inflicted mistakes if they want to compete effectively in the Big Ten. The Wolverines will take their momentum into a tough matchup against Washington next week, aiming to clean up their late-game performance and sustain their conference dominance.
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