Minnesota Ends Long Droughts, Takes Little Brown Jug From Michigan 20-14

Minnesota claimed the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2014 and beat Michigan at home for the first time since 1977, overcoming two interceptions in a 20-14 win.

Minnesota defeated Michigan 20-14 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, taking the Little Brown Jug from the Wolverines for the first time since 2014. The result also gave the Golden Gophers their first home win over Michigan since 1977.

The defeat was Michigan's second in a row, following a loss to Iowa at Michigan Stadium the previous Saturday. That game ended with the Wolverines' defense giving up a 91-yard drive, and Minnesota's opening possession this weekend was the unit's first series since that march.

Michigan punted on the game's first possession, and Minnesota started at its 20 after the kick went into the end zone. Drake Lindsey completed passes of 11 and 22 yards to Noah Jennings and a 33-yarder to running back Darius Taylor on the drive. A pass-interference penalty on safety Chris Bracy in the end zone put the ball at the 2, and Taylor scored from there for a 7-0 lead.

All of Michigan's points came from takeaways, a change for a defense that had produced few turnovers in the season's opening weeks. Late in the first quarter, pressure from linebacker Troy Bowles affected Lindsey as he threw, and cornerback Smith Snowden came away with the interception. The takeaway set up a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Jordan Marshall that tied the game at 7-7.

Late in the second quarter, with Minnesota on the move, Lindsey threw back across his body while retreating from pressure and was intercepted by linebacker Nathaniel Staehling. The fifth-year senior returned it 79 yards for a touchdown, putting Michigan ahead 14-7 shortly before halftime. Both of Lindsey's interceptions came with the quarterback under pressure.

The Gophers got the ball to begin the second half and moved it again before a false start on third-and-6 at the Michigan 33 and a tackle for loss forced a punt. Returner Andrew Marsh muffed the punt, his second of the season, and Alan Soukup recovered for Minnesota. The Gophers kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession to pull within 14-10.

Penalties remained a problem for Michigan. The Wolverines drew five first-half flags, four of them on third down: the pass interference on Bracy, pass interference on Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, a false start on right guard Brady Norton on third-and-4, and a delay of game on third-and-15. Michigan finished with six penalties for 43 yards, down from its totals in previous weeks.

Quarterback Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense reached the end zone once, on Marshall's run, and added nothing after halftime. Minnesota scored the game's remaining points to close out the 20-14 win and bring the Little Brown Jug back to Minneapolis.