Observations on the retention of the Brown Jug, 34-10!

1-Michigan gets 3 red zones for 17 points compared to the Gophers one red zone for 3 points. The Gophers get 7 points off 2 turnovers to our 3 points off one Minnesota turnover.

2-Mallett was 11 of 20 for 233 yards, 1 TD, no interceptions, 1 sack, 2 fumbles, 6 carries for -6 yards and one turnover. Offense had 22 first downs, 561 yards of total offense and 8 of 16 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Manningham had a sensational 44 yard grab setting up a red zone, a 48 yard TD grab and 5 catches overall for 152 yards. Arrington had 4 catches for 61 yards, all in the first half. We end up with a 2 minute time of possession advantage. David Cone completes his first pass for 21 yards as a Wolverine to end the game.

3-Carlos Brown got the start, but fumbled so in comes Brandon Minor with a huge day of 21 carries for 159 yards and 2 TDs. Brown returns, and gets 132 yards in 13 carries including an 85 yard TD scamper in the 4th quarter. Hemingway comes in for a quarterback draw, and two carries from the tailback position for 6 yards. Mike Milano gets 18 yards in 3 carries. We end up with 307 net yards rushing compared to the Gophers 132.

4-KC Loptata was perfect on two field goals and 4 extra points. Mesko punted 4 times with 3 touchbacks. Bryan Wright kicked off 7 times with 2 touchbacks. Mathews looked good on punt returns, and returned 6 for 57 yards; he also had 2 catches for 10 yards. Carlos Brown has 3 kickoff returns for 67 yards.

5-Defense wins this game by holding the Minnesota offense to one red zone and 3 points, and Minnesota was zero for 9 in 3rd down conversions until 11 minutes to go in the game. Chris Graham led the defense with 9 tackles, forced a fumble that Brandon Graham recovers. Terrence Taylor, Brandent Engelmon, Donovan Warren and Sean Crable had 7 tackles each. Crable gets 2.5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks. Obi Ezeh had 6 tackles including a tipped pass, and Jamar Adams had 6 tackles and a pass break up. Brandon Graham got a sack and a fumble recovery, he left the game with the wind knocked out, but returned. We have forced 9 Gopher punts, and created one turnover. Minnesota had 16 first downs, 231 yards in total offense, but was 2 of 14 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Weber was only 14 of 30 for 99 yards, and 29 yards on 13 rushes after 2 sacks were deducted. Bennett had 108 yards on 20 rushes.

6-Bill Curry is a real good announcer; he is not overbearing and very knowledgeable. His point on Mallett was a good one; the kid needs more composure, more confidence and to drop the cockiness for better decision making.

7-The Spartan game will be very tough, and Henne and Hart should return. I predict a Penn State win tonight.

Observations on the first half for the Brown Jug, 13-10!

1-Gophers come to play, and score 7 points off 2 Michigan turnovers by Mallett and Brown, but we come back with 3 points off a Minnesota turnover; then we get 10 points off two red zones to take the lead. Minnesota creates one red zone for 3 points.

2-Mallett is 9 of 16 for 134 yards, 2 fumbles, 3 carries for 4 yards and one turnover. Offense has 12 first downs, 226 yards of total offense and 4 of 8 in 3rd down conversions. Arrington has 4 catches for 61 yards. Manningham had a sensational 44 yard grab setting up a red zone, and 3 catches overall for 75 yards. We end up with a 4 minute time of possession advantage, but we were way behind in that category in the 1st quarter.

3-Carlos Brown got the start, but fumbles and has only 22 yards in 6 rushes; Brandon Minor gives us some spark with 69 yards in 13 carries and a TD. Hemingway comes in for a 3 yard gain off the quarterback draw.

4-KC Loptata is perfect on two field goals and an extra point. Mesko punts twice with two touchbacks, and almost two downed inside the 5. Mathews looks good on punt returns, and returned 3 for 39 yards. Carlos Brown has two kickoff returns for 40 yards.

5-Defense holds the Minnesota offense to one red zone and 3 points, and Chris Graham and Obi Ezeh lead the defense with 6 tackles each. Chris Graham forces a fumble that Brandon Graham recovers. Captain Crable has 5 tackles including one sack, but hasn't really looked all that good. Ezeh and Jamison have knocked down passes. Warren got an interference call, but also has looked good with a pass break up and 3 tackles. We have forced 5 Gopher punts, and created one turnover. Minnesota has 8 first downs, and a 84 to 80 yard net rushing advantage, but is 0 of 6 in 3rd down conversions. Weber is only 3 of 13, but has 26 yards on 6 rushes. Bennett has 56 yards on 12 rushes.

6-Anything can happen in the Brown Jug! I hope Mallett starts making better decisions, and he and Brown can hold on to the football.