Michigan Falls to Minnesota in 100th Battle for Little Brown Jug

Saturday, October 3

Minneapolis, Minn.

11:00 AM CT

Michigan

3-2 , 0-2

Minnesota

4-1 , 2-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Michigan	0	14	0	0	14
Minnesota	7	0	3	10	20

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Nathaniel Staehling (Michigan Photography)

Michigan Falls to Minnesota in 100th Battle for Little Brown Jug

10/3/2026 3:50:00 PM | Football

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By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Huntington Bank Stadium)
Score: Minnesota 20, Michigan 14
Records: U-M (3-2, 1-2 Big Ten), Minnesota (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 51,012
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 17 -- vs. Penn State (Michigan Stadium); Time/TV: TBA

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The University of Michigan football team fell 20-14 to Minnesota in the 100th playing for the Little Brown Jug on Saturday (Oct. 3) at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Michigan (3-2) took a 14-7 lead into halftime behind two interceptions, including a 79-yard return for a touchdown by Nathaniel Staehling, but Minnesota (4-1) scored 13 unanswered points in the second half. The Wolverines were held scoreless after halftime and finished with fewer than 200 yards of offense.

Staehling swung the momentum in Michigan's favor late in the second quarter, jumping in front of a pass on the 12th play of a Minnesota drive and returning the interception 79 yards for a touchdown. The pick was his first as a Wolverine and gave U-M a 14-7 advantage.

Staehling also recorded six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Smith Snowden recorded his first interception as a Wolverine late in the first quarter, picking off a third-down pass to set up Michigan's lone offensive touchdown. Jordan Marshall capped the ensuing drive with a five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

Minnesota controlled possession in the second half, holding the ball for more than twice as long as Michigan. The Wolverines turned the ball over three times after halftime on a muffed punt and two interceptions and were forced to punt six times in the game.

Michigan's defense limited the damage following the turnovers, holding Minnesota to two short field goals after the Gophers took possession in U-M territory. The Wolverines also held Minnesota to two conversions on nine third-down attempts in the second half.

Senior linebacker Troy Bowles led Michigan with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Bowles entered the game tied for eighth in the Big Ten in tackles.

Junior edge rusher Lugard Edokpayi Jr. made an impact on special teams with a tipped punt in the second quarter. It marked Michigan's first blocked or tipped punt of the season and the first since U-M blocked a punt against Purdue on Nov. 1, 2025.

Michigan has a bye next Saturday before returning to Michigan Stadium to face Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 17. Game time and television information have not yet been announced.