Michigan Retains Little Brown Jug with 24-3 Win

Saturday, November 1

Ann Arbor, Mich.

12:20 PM

Michigan

8-0 , 5-0

Minnesota

2-7 , 0-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Minnesota

MICHIGAN

11/1/1997 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #4 Michigan 24, Minnesota 3
Records: U-M (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten), MINN (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten)
Attendance: 106,577
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 3:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With a monumental match-up against Penn State just a week away, the fourth-ranked Michigan Wolverines dominated the Minnesota Gophers on both sides of the ball in winning its eighth straight game of the season, 24-3. In doing so, the Wolverines won the battle with the Gophers for the Little Brown Jug for the 11th straight time.

The only points the Wolverines surrendered came on Minnesota's first possession of the game. The Gophers (2-7 overall, 0-5 Big Ten) traveled 71 yards in nine plays and Adam Bailey kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Minnesota a 3-0 lead with 10:49 to go in the first quarter.

Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) scored on its second possession of the game after taking over on the Gopher's 49-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Chris Howard took the handoff from Brian Griese and gave it to Charles Woodson, who went around left end for a 33-yard touchdown scamper. Woodson's first rushing touchdown of the season gave the Wolverines the 7-3 lead with 14:51 left in the first half.

The Wolverines added another touchdown two possessions later. After Woodson returned a punt 11 yards to the Minnesota 37-yard line, Griese found a wide-open Anthony Thomas for a 28 yard gain. After Thomas lost three yards on a carry, Griese hooked up with Mark Campbell for a 12-yard touchdown to put the Wolverines on top 14-3 with 7:58 to go in the second quarter.

The Maize and Blue threatened again at the end of the first half, but Griese's pass to Tai Streets in the end zone was intercepted by Jimmy Wyrick with 48 seconds left, so the Wolverines headed into the locker room with a 14-3 advantage.

Michigan increased the lead to 21-3 on its second possession of the second half. Keyed by a Campbell 24-yard reception, the Wolverines drove down to the Minnesota 29-yard line where Thomas took the handoff and scampered down the right side for the touchdown with 7:49 left in the third quarter. The final score of the game came in the fourth quarter as Kraig Baker made up for an earlier missed field goal by nailing a 31-yard attempt to put the Wolverines up, 24-3.

The Wolverines came into the game with the top pass efficiency defense and scoring defense in the nation and dominated the Gophers from start to finish in holding a team under 10 points for the sixth time this season. Minnesota managed just 90 yards on the ground and was limited to only 12 yards in the air. Sam Sword led the defensive charge with 11 tackles, including five for a loss, and two sacks. Ian Gold added six tackles, while Rob Renes and Tommy Hendricks each had five tackles. Michigan pressured the Minnesota quarterbacks, Cory Sauter and Billy Cockerham (a combined 3-11 for 12 yards), all game long, coming up with five sacks and many forced incompletions.

Michigan had a balanced offensive attack, gaining 204 yards on the ground and passing for 190 yards. Griese threw for 171 yards on 27 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. Campbell and Aaron Shea, filling in for tight end Jerame Tuman, who sat out the game with the flu, each had three receptions for the Wolverines. Howard, coming off a big performance last week at Michigan State, sparkled again gaining 98 yards on 20 carries while catching four passes for 40 yards. Thomas gained 39 yards on 10 carries and caught three passes for 43 yards.

The Wolverines face a tough test next weekend as they travel to Happy Valley to take on the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Minnesota heads home to face the Ohio State Buckeyes.