The Michigan Wolverines suffered a 20-14 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. It was a second straight loss for the Wolverines, falling to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. This was Michigan’s first loss to Minnesota since 2014, and first loss at Minnesota since 1977.
Here’s how it all went down.
First quarter
Michigan got the ball first and quickly picked up a first down, as running back Jordan Marshall ran 15 yards on the first two carries of the game. However, the drive stalled, as Marshall was
stuffed on a direct snap on third down at midfield.
Minnesota made the most of its opening possession — putting together a seven-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown from running back Darius Taylor. The Golden Gophers grabbed a 7-0 lead with 7:29 remaining in the quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Michigan moved the chains twice as quarterback Bryce Underwood delivered a strike to wide receiver Andrew Marsh for 12 yards, followed by Underwood running 13 yards on third down to keep the drive alive. But momentum stopped there, as self-inflicted errors continued to hinder the Wolverines as it has all season. Marsh dropping a would-be-first-down catch, a false start and a delay of game turned a promising drive into another punt.
Just like it has for most of the season, Michigan’s defense stepped up when the offense was sputtering. This time it was linebacker Troy Bowles coming on a blitz and forcing an errant throw that was intercepted by cornerback Smith Snowden.
Michigan has emphasized generating more takeaways, and Snowden’s interception was just the jolt that was needed. Just moments later, Underwood hit wide receiver JJ Buchanan for 16 yards to move into the red zone as the quarter ended.
End of 1Q: Michigan 0, Minnesota 7
Second quarter
The Wolverines eventually turned the turnover into points, as Marshall found the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. In all, Michigan went on a five-play, 34-yard drive to tie it 7-7 with 13:46 left in the first half.
Michigan continued to seize control, as linebacker Nathaniel Staehling came up with a tackle for loss and edge rusher Lugard Edokpayi Jr. blocked a punt. However, the offense failed to take advantage of the quality field position this time.
It appeared Minnesota was on the way to scoring a go-ahead touchdown until Staehling jumped the route, taking the interception 79 yards to the house to give Michigan a 14-7 lead with 2:48 left in the quarter.
The Minnesota native certainly made the biggest play of the first half in the return to his home state, recording his first interception at Michigan and returning it for a game-changing touchdown.
HALTIME: Michigan 14, Minnesota 7
Third quarter
Minnesota moved the ball into Michigan territory on the opening possession of the second half, but the Wolverines got a stop as Bowles came up with a clutch tackle for loss to move the Golden Gophers out of field goal range and force a punt.
However, Michigan made yet another catastrophic mistake, as Marsh muffed the punt to give the ball right back to Minnesota in the red zone. The Wolverines held Minnesota to a field goal to cling to a 14-10 lead with 5:46 left in the quarter.
On the next possession, Michigan continued to shoot itself in the foot with a second straight turnover. Underwood was searching for Buchanan, but an errant throw fell into the hands of Minnesota for an interception at midfield.
The Golden Gophers were looking to regain the lead, but Staehling chased down Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey to force a fourth down on the final play of the quarter. Michigan led 14-10, but Minnesota was setting up for a field goal.
End of 3Q: Michigan 14, Minnesota 10
Fourth quarter
On the first snap of the quarter, Minnesota drilled a 26-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-13. The disastrous half continued for Michigan, as Underwood was intercepted for a second throw in a row and on the very first play of the ensuing drive.
Michigan’s defense was exhausted after being on the field for the entire third quarter, and it showed as Minnesota quickly found the end zone. Lindsey found Taylor for a touchdown to go up 20-14 with 13:44 left.
The Wolverines desperately needed to put together a sustained drive and even though Underwood picked up a pair of first downs on the ground, the series eventually stalled. Luckily for Michigan, the defense stepped up one more time.
Minnesota was hoping to run out the rest of the clock, but the Wolverines were able to force a punt after Snowden came up with a critical tackle for loss on third down. Michigan regained possession, trailing 20-14 with just 1:45 to go.
Just like it had for essentially the entire game, the offense fell flat. The final nail in the coffin was an overthrown pass from Underwood to turn it over on downs, sealing the first loss to Minnesota in more than a decade.
The Golden Gophers ran out of the rest of the clock and put the finishing touches on a 20-14 upset win over Michigan.
FINAL SCORE: Minnesota 20, Michigan 14
Michigan stat leaders
- QB Bryce Underwood: 10-for-21, 101 passing yards, 2 interceptions
- RB Jordan Marshall: 50 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 10 carries
- WR JJ Buchanan: 50 receiving yards, 4 receptions
- LB Nathaniel Staehling: 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception
- LB Troy Bowles: 9 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback pressures
- DB Smith Snowden: 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception
Minnesota stat leaders
- QB Drake Lindsey: 17-for-25, 136 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
- RB Darius Taylor: 64 total yards, 2 touchdowns
- RB TJ Thomas: 56 rushing yards, 12 carries
- WR Noah Jennings: 102 total yards, 7 receptions
- DB Zack Harden: 7 tackles, 1 interception
- DB Aydan West: 3 tackles, 1 interception
- DL TJ Bush: 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass break up
The Wolverines enter a much-needed bye week before hosting Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 17.
