Michigan rolls through Minnesota to retain Little Brown Jug

The Michigan Wolverines moved to 6-0 on the season with a 52-10 win at Minnesota on Saturday night, another dominant effort in Big Ten play and a message sent in primetime.

The effort was led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who went 14-for-20 for 219 yards and three total touchdowns, including two with his legs. The Michigan defense had two pick-sixes on the evening thanks to Will Johnson and Keon Sabb in the first and third quarters, respectively.

Here is the blow-by-blow recap of the contest in Minneapolis.

First quarter

Michigan won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, starting the game on defense. Two plays later, the Wolverines were on the board after sophomore Will Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown from 36 yards out. Just 12 seconds into the game, Michigan held a 7-0 lead after James Turner‘s extra point.

A pick six on the SECOND play of the game!@UMichFootball | #BigTenSaturdayNight pic.twitter.com/S2Fe4ilIkh

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 7, 2023

Michigan’s defense got off the field quickly on the next possession, and the offense took over at their 28-yard line with 12:46 to go in the quarter. U-M went 59 yards in 10 plays, but sputtered in the red zone and settled for a 31-yard field goal from Turner. The Wolverines held a 10-0 lead with 7:33 to go in the first. Minnesota then struck back with a 54-yard field goal to cap off a 10-play, 40-yard drive to narrow the deficit to 10-3 with 2:35 remaining. On the ensuing possession, U-M punted after five plays that went for 27 yards, giving the ball to the Gophers on their own 12-yard line with 22 seconds to go. The quarter would expire shortly thereafter.

Michigan 10, Minnesota 3

Second quarter

Michigan put together its first offensive touchdown drive of the night highlighted by a 40-yard run by Blake Corum, who followed it up with his 10th touchdown run of the year, this one from a yard out a few plays later. The drive went 62 yards in six plays. U-M led 17-3 after Turner’s extra point at the 10:08 mark. Minnesota went three-and-out on its next possession, giving Michigan the ball back. A 49-yard bomb to Cornelius Johnson set up a red zone opportunity for U-M with junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy scoring on a five-yard touchdown run. Michigan led 24-3 with 5:50 remaining in the half.

Minnesota was able to capitalize on a busted coverage on the last drive of the half despite some questionable decision-making with the clock. The Gophers scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Athan Kaliakmanis to Daniel Jackson, which made it 24-10 at the half.

Michigan 24, Minnesota 10

Third quarter

The third quarter was a completely dominant effort for the Wolverines, who were able to put the end of the first half behind them. Michigan started out with the ball on offense and went three-and-out, punting away to Minnesota. The Gophers answered with a three-and-out of their own, punting back to Michigan at 12:34. Michigan answered with a 9-play, 78-yard drive that ended in a 7-yard touchdown run from McCarthy, giving U-M a 31-10 lead at the 8:28 mark after the extra point. The Wolverines were able to turn Minnesota over on downs on the next drive.

Michigan kept its foot on the accelerator, putting together a 6-play, 49-yard drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass from McCarthy to tight end Colston Loveland with 3:20 remaining to take a 38-10 lead. On the next defensive possession, sophomore defensive back Keon Sabb returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown. Michigan led 45-10 with 1:43 to go in the quarter.

Michigan 45, Minnesota 10

Fourth quarter

After another punt from Minnesota, the Wolverines took back over on offense and subbed in the second team. What followed was a 10-play, 70-yard drive helmed by backup quarterback Jack Tuttle. Leon Franklin scored from two yards out to put Michigan up 52-10 after the extra point.

That’s how the game would end. Another massive victory for the good guys.

Michigan 52, Minnesota 10

Michigan football at Minnesota box score, final stats