The Enduring Legacy of the Little Brown Jug
Delving into the storied history and profound rivalry behind one of college football's most cherished and unique trophies.
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What is the Little Brown Jug?
A Symbol of Collegiate Rivalry
The Little Brown Jug is an earthenware jug serving as a coveted trophy in American college football. It is awarded to the victor of the annual contest between the Michigan Wolverines and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This rivalry is not merely a game; it represents one of the oldest and most frequently contested rivalries in the sport, with its origins tracing back to 1892.[2]
A Trophy of Historical Significance
Beyond its material form, the Little Brown Jug holds a distinguished place in college football history. It stands as the most regularly exchanged rivalry trophy in the sport and is recognized as the oldest trophy game within the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Its historical precedence is only surpassed by the Territorial Cup, established in 1899, which only became a traveling trophy in 2001.[3]
A Canvas of Victories
The jug itself is a unique artifact, painted with the scores and victories of each team throughout the rivalry's history. Originally a putty-colored, five-gallon "beehive jug" from Red Wing Pottery, it was later painted brown, and currently features a half-blue coloration, representing Michigan's team colors, alongside its historical brown.[2][15]
The Jug's Origin: The 1903 Game
Yost's Water Jug
The legend of the Little Brown Jug began in 1903. Michigan's coach, Fielding H. Yost, whose "point-a-minute" teams had amassed an impressive 28-game winning streak, brought his Wolverines to Minneapolis to face a formidable Minnesota squad.[9][10] Concerned about potential water contamination by enthusiastic Gopher fans, Yost instructed student manager Thomas B. Roberts to purchase a water container. Roberts acquired a five-gallon earthenware jug for 30 cents from a local Dinkytown store.[12][13]
The Unfinished Game
The 1903 contest at Northrop Field was a tense affair, with 20,000 fans witnessing Minnesota hold Michigan's high-scoring offense to a single touchdown. Late in the second half, Minnesota scored, tying the game at 6-6. As a storm approached, jubilant Gopher fans stormed the field, preventing the game from resuming with two minutes left. In the ensuing chaos, the Michigan team departed, inadvertently leaving the water jug behind in the University of Minnesota Armory locker room.[16]
"Yost Left His Jug"
The following day, custodian Oscar Munson discovered the jug and presented it to L. J. Cooke, head of Minnesota's athletics department, famously declaring, "Yost left his jug." While the exact circumstances of its abandonment remain debatedโsome suggest Munson's deliberate act, others an accidental oversight, and Roberts himself claimed intentional abandonmentโCooke and Munson embraced the artifact. They painted it brown and inscribed it with "Michigan Jug โ Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" and the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6," with Minnesota's score notably larger.[17]
Birth of a Tradition
The jug remained in Minnesota's possession until the teams met again in 1909. Recognizing the potential for a unique tradition, Cooke and Minnesota's team captain proposed playing for the jug. Yost and Michigan's captain agreed, formally establishing the Little Brown Jug as a traveling trophy. Michigan secured the jug in both 1909 and 1910, but Minnesota claimed it outright for the first time in 1919 after Michigan rejoined the Big Ten Conference.[12][18]
Rivalry Evolution & Notable Games
Early Encounters
The Michigan-Minnesota football series commenced in 1892, with Minnesota winning the inaugural game 14-6. Over the subsequent decade, the teams met five more times, with Michigan securing victory in four of those contests before the Little Brown Jug became the focal point of their rivalry.[1]
"Battle of Giants" (1940)
One of the most legendary matchups occurred on November 9, 1940, dubbed "The Battle of Giants." Both Minnesota and Michigan entered the game undefeated. In a hard-fought contest, No. 2 Minnesota narrowly defeated No. 1 Michigan 7-6. Minnesota went on to complete an 8-0 season, claiming the national championship.[35]
Upset Victories
The rivalry has seen its share of stunning upsets. In 1977, unranked Minnesota shocked No. 1 Michigan with a 16-0 victory, marking the Wolverines' only regular-season loss before their Rose Bowl appearance.[20] Similarly, in 1986, 25-point underdog Minnesota defeated No. 2 Michigan 20-17 with a last-second field goal, again handing Michigan its sole regular-season defeat before a Rose Bowl loss.[23]
The 2003 Comeback
The 2003 game, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the jug's origin, was highly anticipated. No. 17 Minnesota hosted No. 20 Michigan at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Trailing 28-7, Michigan mounted the largest comeback in its football history, scoring 31 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win 38-35. This game is often cited as a significant setback in Minnesota's efforts to rebuild its football program.[19][27]
Metrodome Dominance
Michigan held a remarkable record at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, where Minnesota played its home games from 1982 to 2008. The Wolverines won all 12 meetings against the Gophers in that venue. To date, Michigan has not lost a road game against Minnesota since 1977, accumulating a 17-game winning streak in Minnesota.[1]
Minnesota's Recent Triumph (2014)
On October 8, 2005, Minnesota reclaimed the jug for the first time since 1986, defeating Michigan 23-20 with a last-second field goal in Ann Arbor.[31] However, Michigan quickly regained the trophy the following year. More recently, in 2014, Minnesota ended a six-game winning streak by Michigan with a decisive 30-14 victory, bringing the Little Brown Jug back to Minneapolis.[32]
All-Time Game Results
Comprehensive Match History
The rivalry between Michigan and Minnesota spans over a century, marked by numerous memorable contests. Below is a detailed record of every game played for the Little Brown Jug, showcasing the ebb and flow of this historic collegiate football series.
Rival Accomplishments & Statistics
Program Achievements
The Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers are both storied programs within the Big Ten Conference. A comparison of their historical accomplishments reveals the depth of their respective football legacies.
| Team | Michigan[33] | Minnesota[34] |
|---|---|---|
| National titles[35][36] | 12 | 7 |
| CFP appearances | 3 | 0 |
| Bowl appearances[37][38] | 51 | 20 |
| Postseason bowl record | 21โ28 | 8โ12 |
| Rose Bowl Game appearances | 20 | 2 |
| Rose Bowl Game wins | 9 | 1 |
| Big Ten divisional titles[39] | 3 | 0 |
| Big Ten titles | 45 | 18 |
| Consensus All-Americans[40][41] | 87 | 33 |
| Heisman Trophies[42] | 3 | 1 |
| All-time program record | 1004โ353โ36 | 710โ533โ44 |
| All-time win percentage | .729 | .569 |
The Future of the Rivalry
Big Ten Scheduling Shifts
As founding members of the Big Ten Conference, Michigan and Minnesota have a long-standing tradition. However, the conference's evolving scheduling practices have impacted the regularity of their matchups. In 2011, both teams were placed in the Legends division, ensuring annual contests. Yet, a subsequent conference expansion three years later separated them into opposite divisions (Michigan in the East, Minnesota in the West). The Big Ten indicated that only one protected crossover matchup would remain (Indiana vs. Purdue for the Old Oaken Bucket), implying the Little Brown Jug rivalry would no longer be an annual fixture.[4]
Conference Expansion and Uncertainty
The landscape of the Big Ten Conference continues to change, notably with the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington in 2024. This further expansion casts uncertainty over the future of many traditional rivalries, including the Little Brown Jug. Michigan and Minnesota were not designated as "Protected Opponents" in the new alignment, meaning their annual game is not guaranteed. While currently scheduled for home and away games in 2024 and 2025, the long-term continuity of this historic rivalry remains a subject of discussion among fans and analysts alike.
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References
References
- MCCOLLOUGH, J. BRADY รขยย 1903 Team Manager Tells Tale of the 'Jug'. Michigan Daily, October 9, 2003
- Account from Michigan Football Student Manager Tommy Roberts. The Grand Rapids Press October 18, 1959
- Hunt, Bob รขยย Both teams leave 2003 game in past Michigan Daily, October 7, 2004
- Reusse, Patrick รขยย Patrick Reusse from Oct. 10, 2003: For a while, we actually believed. Star Tribune, October 2, 2013
- Scoggins, Chip รขยย Reliving one fateful night in Gophers football Star Tribune, October 3, 2013
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