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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Game Day Blog - vs. Michigan
11/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
It's game day for Minnesota Golden Gopher Football. Follow along with us here on GopherSports.com as Minnesota hosts an important Big Ten game vs. Michigan and tries to return the Little Brown Jug to Minneapolis. A number of the Gopher game day communications staff members will attempt to give you some insight into the game, a bit of a running commentary and hopefully a look inside some of the things you might not get watching the game on television or listening on the radio.
As always, feel free to send a note with a question or comment on the blog, send them to aseeley@umn.edu.
2:04 p.m.
Some final numbers from today's game: Michigan had 20 first downs to Minnesota's eight, and outgained the Gophers 435 yards to 188. DeLeon Eskridge led Minnesota with 11 carries for 80 yards, while Adam Weber completed just 13 of 24 pass attempts for 105 yards. It is the first time this season that Weber has failed to throw a touchdown pass, and also marks the first time this season that Minnesota's offense has been held out of the endzone.
1:55 p.m.
A three-yard touchdown run by Mark Moundros with 0:34 left has stretched the Michigan lead to 23 points, and the Wolverines will keep the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor for another year. The Gophers run the ball following the kickoff, and the clock expires. A tough day for the Minnesota offense comes to an end. Michigan improves to 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten, while the Gophers fall to 7-3 and 3-3. Final score, Michigan 29 - Minnesota 6.
1:48 p.m.
Minnesota seemed to have something going, driving to the Michigan 36-yard line. But a holding penalty was followed by a loss of four on a pass, which was promptly followed up with an interception by the Wolverines' Morgan Trent. We're under seven minutes left to play. Still Michigan 22 - Minnesota 6.
1:41 p.m.
The Gophers' defense did its part, forcing a three-and-out. A 49-yard punt by Zoltan Mesko gives Minnesota the ball at its own 18-yard line with 10:01 remaining in the contest. One has to wonder if Minnesota will go to a hurry-up offense here with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Gophers need a quick score.
1:36 p.m.
The Gophers' largest crowd of the year has been witnessing this contest. 55,040 fans came out to the Metrodome today. Some are currently leaving, but as previously mentioned, this is only a two-score game.
1:35 p.m.
Minnesota's issues in the red zone have reappeared here in the fourth quarter. Minnesota drove all the way to the Michigan 5-yard line. But back-to-back fumbles and an incomplete pass pushed the Gophers back. Joel Monroe got the Gophers some points out of it on a 32-yard field goal. But the possession took more than five minutes off the clock, which is a bigger enemy than Michigan right now. Head coach Tim Brewster elected to kick the field goal and get his team back within two touchdowns (and two two-point conversions). 11:42 remaining in the game ... Michigan 22 - Minnesota 6.
1:28 p.m.
The third quarter has come to a close. Minnesota has driven to the Michigan 27-yard line and will have it first-and-10 when the fourth quarter starts. Here's the understatement of the day, the Gopher offense needs to score on this possession. Here's another understatement ... Minnesota's defense needs to start producing stops and preferably three-and-outs, if the Gophers are to have a chance here in the final period.
1:17 p.m.
Momentum has swung right back toward the Wolverines. A long run by Michael Shaw, following a great individual effort by WR Greg Mathews and Michigan is knocking on the door again. Once again, the Gopher defense has kept them out of the end zone. But an 84-yard drive has culminated in a 23-yard field goal by Lopata and it is once again a 19-point deficit for Minnesota.
That's five field goals in the game for Lopata. The Big Ten and NCAA records are both seven in game. 2:15 left in the third ... Michigan 22 - Minnesota 3.
1:08 p.m.
Almost a huge special teams blunder on the kickoff. Kick returner Boubacar Cissoko fumbled after being laid out by the kicker, Joel Monroe. Michigan recovered, but at its own 10-yard line. The Gophers and the crowd are feeling a little bit of momentum here.
1:05 p.m.
Third-and-goal at the 5-yard line and the Gophers give up a sack. Joel Monroe finally gets Minnesota on the board with a 28-yard field goal. Unfortunately, with the hole the Gophers dug for themselves, field goals probably aren't going to be enough here in the second half. Nonetheless, it is a positive feeling for the Minnesota offense to get some points on the board. The defense is now going to be charged with keeping Michigan off the scoreboard, giving the offense a chance to get the Gophers back into it. Or, a defensive score could be a real welcome turn of events at this point. 7:27 remaining in the third quarter ... Michigan 19 - Minnesota 3.
1:02 p.m.
Minnesota has its deepest penetration into Michigan territory today. A 19-yard completion from Weber to Brandon Green put the ball at the Wolverine 40-yard line. A couple plays later, DeLeon Eskridge ripped off a 26-yard run, putting the ball at the Michigan 10-yard line. Now the Gophers have to capitalize and get into the end zone.
1:00 p.m.
More bad news for the Gophers. Eric Decker, with one catch for -3 yards today, is on the sideline and out of his pads. The ankle injury he suffered last week has not allowed him to be effective today.
12:56 p.m.
K.C. Lopata hit a 48-yard field goal for the Wolverines. The defense once again held them out of the end zone. But Lopata has scored 12 points for Michigan. The Gopher offense will get its first crack at things in the second half in just a minute. This one isn't over yet, with a lot of football left to play. But Minnesota has to get things rolling on offense sooner rathern than later. 12:20 left in the third quarter ... Michigan 19 - Minnesota 0.
12:54 p.m.
The second half is under way. Michigan opens up with a nice kick return outside their own 35-yard line. First play from scrimmage is a 14-yard pass play. The second is an 11-yarder. Something good needs to happen for the Gophers ... and quickly!
12:30 p.m.
The Gophers kneeled down deep inside their own territory with 0:05 left in the half, allowing the clock to run out on a difficult first half for the offense. Minnesota was limited to just 46 total yards in the opening 30 minutes, 12 on the ground, and 34 through the air. Meanwhile, Michigan ran 44 plays for 257 total yards. Halftime score, Michigan 16 - Minnesota 0.
12:22 p.m.
With 1:49 remaining in the half, Michigan has scored the game's first touchdown on an eight-yard pass from Nick Sheridan to Greg Mathews on third down. Key play on the drive was a 34-yard run through the middle by the Wolverines' Justin Feagin. Michigan 16 - Minnesota 0.
12:11 p.m.
With 8:11 left in the half, the biggest Gopher fan cheer today just went up. Weber completed a pass to Jack Simmons for a first down. It is first time the Gophers have picked up a first down today.
12:08 p.m.
The Gophers' defense has once again bent, but not broken. A big pass play from Sheridan to RB Sam McGuffie put Michigan deep into Gopher territory. But once again, the Wolverines were forced to settle for a field goal. It is starting to get serious for the Gopher offense. They have no first downs to show for their efforts so far about 1 1/2 quarters into the game. With 8:23 remaining in the first half, Michigan 9 - Minnesota 0.
12:00 p.m.
A fifth straight three-and-out for the Gopher offense. They just can't seem to get anything going. Time of possession after one quarter was 9:36-5:24 in favor of Michigan. It isn't getting any better in that regard here in the second period.
11:54 a.m.
There's the first true three-and-out for the Minnesota defense. Now, let's see if the Gopher offense can find some sort of rhythm. They just got a bit of a break, as the Mesko punt was shanked out of bounds for 28 yards. Minnesota will take over at the 50-yard line. The Gopher offense will get a short field to work with for the first time today. QB Adam Weber has been out of sync all day throwing the ball. It will be interesting to see what plays offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar dials up here. Will he try to give Weber some pass plays to get him in rhythm, or will he try to get something going on the ground?
11:51 a.m.
Four straight three-and-outs for the Gopher offense. The defense is going to need them to put a drive together soon, for rest if nothing else. The Minnesota defense must be feeling the effects of being on the field for so long at this point.
11:46 a.m.
The final play of the first quarter was a DeLeon Eskridge run for five yards. It followed a nice kick return by Troy Stoudermire, which put the ball at the Minnesota 35-yard line. At the start of the second quarter, it will be second-and-5 for the Gophers at their own 40. Minnesota has yet to pick up a first down. Start of the second quarter .... Michigan 6 - Minnesota 0.
11:44 a.m.
Traye Simmons broke up a pass in the end zone on third down, forcing another field-goal attempt. A 34-yarder by Lopato was good. But the Minnesota defense has bent and not yet broken here in a first quarter where they've been on the field for virtually the entire period. WIth 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Michigan 6 - Minnesota 0.
11:42 a.m.
WIth 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Michigan has had to burn another timeout on a third down play. This time it was third-and-5 at the Minnesota 18-yard line. Big play coming up here, the Gopher defense has been on the field for most of the first quarter and needs another stop.
11:33 a.m.
This is starting to be reminiscent of last week. A third straight three-and-out for the Gopher offense, which just hasn't seemed to be able to get in sync today.
11:30 a.m.
The first big momentum changer of the game just occurred. Michigan WR Martavious Odoms was stripped by Tramaine Brock and the fumble was recovered by Lee Campbell. The play was reviewed, as it was originally ruled that Odoms was down. The review overturned the call on the field and Michigan loses an opportunity for points. First-and-10 Gophers at their own 17-yard line.
11:28 a.m.
Two plays following the fake punt, Michigan's Brandon Miner ripped off a 40-yard run right up the middle. The Wolverines are threatening again ...
11:26 a.m.
There's a three-and-out for the Gopher defense. Oops, spoke to soon. Wolverine punter Zoltan Mesko just took off around the left end on a fake punt and picked up the first down at the Michigan 43-yard line.
11:20 a.m.
The Gopher offense had a second consecutive three-and-out. On the ensuing Justin Kucek punt, Tramaine Brock made an outstanding play to limit Michigan to no return. First-and-10 for the Wolverines from their own 29-yard line.
11:14 a.m.
Michigan had a 28-yard pass completion from Sheridan to Greg Mathews, who made a great one-handed catch on the sideline. The play came after Michigan's timeout and put the Wolverines in scoring range. Michigan took advantage of the big play with a 44-yard K.C. Lopata field goal. With 11:03 remaining in the first quarter, Michigan 3 - Minnesota 0.
11:08 a.m.
The Gopher crowd is into it already. On Michigan's first third down, the crowd was loud enough that checks could not be made at the line of scrimmage. Backup Wolverine QB Nick Sheridan could not get a play off in time and had to burn a time out early.
11:05 a.m.
Three-and-out for the Gopher offense to start the game. Not the start they were looking for, but it will be up to the defense now to see if they can get Minnesota some early momentum.
11:02 a.m.
Minnesota's captains -- Adam Weber, Eric Decker, Steve Davis and Willie VanDeSteeg -- are at midfield with their counterparts from Michigan. Teh toss has been won by Minnesota and the Gophers have elected to receive at the south end zone. We're just seconds away from the battle for the Little Brown Jug!
10:59 a.m.
There's the pyro and the teams are on the field for the anthem ... coin toss coming up!
10:20 a.m.
The teams are on the field warming up. In case you hadn't heard (and I don't know how you would have missed it), the Gophers are asking their fans to wear gold for a Solid Gold promotion here at the Dome. More than 50,000 gold pom poms were laid out on most of the Metrodome seats as fans are entering the facility. It will be interesting to see what the Dome looks like if there is good participation in the Solid Gold promotion.
The team will be in the spirit as well, wearing their gold pants. The Gophers don't have a gold jersey, so they'll be wearing their maroon tops. But all the coaches and staff on the sideline will be decked out in gold, as well.
Today's game is for the Little Brown Jug. If Minnesota can find a way to bring the Jug home today, it would sit in a trophy case at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex for the next three years. The Wolverines drop off the Gophers' schedule in 2009 and 2010. The next battle for the Little Brown Jug will be in 2011.
That may not be an easy task, however. Despite Michigan's record, history is somewhat working against the Gophers today. Minnesota has never defeated Michigan at the Metrodome. At this facility, the Gophers are 0-11 against the Wolverines. In fact, Minnesota has only beaten Michigan twice in the last 30 years. According to Coach Brewster, in numerous interviews and in his press conference, he doesn't even think the term rivalry should apply to this game until the Gophers make it a better series. Obviously, the Gophers objective today is to make the game into less of a one-sided affair, starting now.
Back with a little more when we get a little closer to kickoff ...
