The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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������ michigan football ������ Top Five True freshman linebacker Desmond Morgan played in three of Michigan's first four games this season, notching a total of four tackles. photo by per kjeldsen He made one tackle and contributed solid coverage all afternoon. He also saw playing time the next week, against San Diego State. ���I thought he showed he can cover,��� Mattison said. ���He really showed the athleticism that we knew. ���There���s another example of a guy just out there trying to survive, trying to do everything he can do. There���s times when he���s got to communicate for our defense to be successful. It���s hard for a freshman to do that. You have to make sure he���s on page with that, that you don���t give him too much too early.��� Weakside linebacker Desmond Morgan: Of all youngsters to have received playing time, Morgan may be the most surprising. Taylor and Beyer were highly regarded fourstar recruits, and the coaches talked highly of Rawls throughout fall camp. But Morgan just showed up to work every day, earning the team���s respect. Against the Eagles, Morgan lost contain on a few sweeps in the first quarter. Other than that, he has played well in three contests, recording four tackles. ���He���s really excited about it,��� Mattison said. ���I don���t think he ever dreamed of playing right now, and he gets thrown in against Notre Dame. I know he would say he didn���t play great in that game, but we have confidence in him. ���He practiced hard and comes back, For a number of years, Michigan didn���t give much thought to keeping The Little Brown Jug on an annual basis. Things became a little more interesting for awhile, when Glen Mason got the Golden Gophers cranked up for a few years. Fans on the premium message board at TheWolverine.com voted recently on the best Jug battles over the past quarter century. 2006: Michigan 28, Minnesota 14 ��� 3 percent 2004: Michigan 27, Minnesota 24 ��� 7 percent 2003: Michigan 38, Minnesota 35 ��� 87 percent 1998: Michigan 15, Minnesota 10 ��� 2 percent 1987: Michigan 30, Minnesota 20 ��� 1 percent 335 votes 1. 2003, Michigan 38, Minnesota 35 ��� The Miracle at The Metrodome stands as the overwhelming choice for the top spot here, featuring one of the greatest comebacks in Michigan football history. Garrett Rivas kicked a 33-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining, capping a rally from a 28-7 deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to a 38-35 win over the No. 17 Gophers. Minnesota entered the game undefeated at 6-0 and owned the first three quarters, but U-M quarterback John Navarre went 33-of-47 passing with 353 yards and two touchdowns to lead the charge back. Minnesota out-gained the Wolverines on the ground, 424-94, but Michigan still somehow left Minneapolis with the coveted crockery. ���It just speaks to the human spirit,��� head coach Lloyd Carr said at the time. ���And those kids showed tremendous spirit.��� 2. 2004, Michigan 27, Minnesota 24 ��� The Wolverines found themselves in another cliffhanger the very next year with Minnesota, only this time the drama played out in Michigan Stadium. U-M trailed, 24-20, with just 3:04 remaining on the game clock, and the Wolverines pinned at their own 13-yard line. That���s when freshman quarterback Chad Henne took over, driving the Wolverines downfield in those closing moments for a 27-24 win. Henne connected with tight end Tyler Ecker for the game-winner, Ecker snagging a pass over the middle, breaking two tackles then rumbling downfield on a 31-yard touchdown effort. Freshman Mike Hart provided 160 yards on 35 carries, while senior Braylon Edwards caught 10 passes for 98 yards. 3. 2006, Michigan 28, Minnesota 14 ��� The Wolverines experienced a strange void in the latter portion of 2005 and early 2006. The Little Brown Jug resided in Minnesota during those months, taken away by the Gophers��� victory in 2005. Lloyd Carr���s squad wanted to bring the Jug back home on an invasion at the Metrodome, and did, in a 28-14 win. Hart rushed for 195 yards on 31 carries, while Henne went 17-of-24 passing for 284 yards and three touchdowns. 4. 1998, Michigan 15, Minnesota 10 ��� Don���t look for this game on Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson���s highlight reels. The Wolverines only moved backward on the ground, rushing for negative-23 yards in a bizarre 15-10 victory at the Metrodome. The Jug would have passed into Minnesota���s hands, had it not been for Michigan���s defense and passing attack, featuring Tom Brady���s 19-of-28 effort, resulting in 282 yards. Tai Streets became his favorite target, the wideout hauling in six catches for 192 yards. 5. 1987, Michigan 30, Minnesota 20 ��� Michigan���s 30-20 victory at Minnesota in 1987 wasn���t as simple as it sounds, looking at the final score. The Wolverines found themselves down at the half, 17-7, with Gophers fans entertaining visions of keeping the Jug Minnesota won in shocking fashion the year before. But Jamie Morris and Leroy Hoard each scored third-quarter touchdowns for the Wolverines, who reeled off 16 unanswered points on their way to the comeback victory. Morris paced Michigan���s attack, with 149 yards on 29 tries. ��� John Borton October 2011��� ������ the wolverine��� 45 photo by wolverine photo Little Brown Jug Games Over The Past 25 Years