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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 debatedโ€”some suggest Munson's deliberate act, others an accidental oversight, and Roberts himself claimed intentional abandonmentโ€”Cooke 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.

No. Date Location Winner Score
1 October 17, 1892 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 14โ€“6
2 October 28, 1893 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 34โ€“20
3 November 23, 1895 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 20โ€“0
4 November 7, 1896 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 6โ€“4
5 November 13, 1897 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 14โ€“0
6 November 27, 1902 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 23โ€“6
7 October 31, 1903 Minneapolis, MN Tie6โ€“6
8 November 20, 1909 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 15โ€“6
9 November 19, 1910 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 6โ€“0
10 November 22, 1919 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 34โ€“7
11 November 20, 1920 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 3โ€“0
12 November 19, 1921 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 38โ€“0
13 November 25, 1922 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 16โ€“7
14 November 24, 1923 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 10โ€“0
15 November 1, 1924 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 13โ€“0
16 November 21, 1925 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 35โ€“0
17 October 16, 1926 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 20โ€“0
18 November 20, 1926 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 7โ€“6
19 November 19, 1927 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 13โ€“7
20 November 16, 1929 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 7โ€“6
21 November 15, 1930 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 7โ€“0
22 November 21, 1931 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 6โ€“0
23 November 19, 1932 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 3โ€“0
24 November 18, 1933 Ann Arbor, MI Tie0โ€“0
25 November 3, 1934 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 34โ€“0
26 November 16, 1935 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 40โ€“0
27 October 17, 1936 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 26โ€“0
28 October 16, 1937 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 39โ€“6
29 October 15, 1938 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 7โ€“6
30 November 11, 1939 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 20โ€“7
31 November 9, 1940 Minneapolis, MN No. 2 Minnesota 7โ€“6
32 October 25, 1941 Ann Arbor, MI No. 1 Minnesota 7โ€“0
33 October 24, 1942 Minneapolis, MN No. 13 Minnesota 16โ€“14
34 October 23, 1943 Ann Arbor, MI No. 10 Michigan 49โ€“6
35 October 7, 1944 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 28โ€“13
36 November 3, 1945 Ann Arbor, MI No. 10 Michigan 26โ€“0
37 November 2, 1946 Minneapolis, MN No. 13 Michigan 21โ€“0
38 October 25, 1947 Ann Arbor, MI No. 1 Michigan 13โ€“6
39 October 23, 1948 Minneapolis, MN No. 1 Michigan 27โ€“14
40 October 22, 1949 Ann Arbor, MI No. 12 Michigan 14โ€“7
41 October 28, 1950 Minneapolis, MN Tie7โ€“7
42 October 27, 1951 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 54โ€“27
43 October 25, 1952 Ann Arbor, MI No. 19 Michigan 21โ€“0
44 October 24, 1953 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 22โ€“0
45 October 23, 1954 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 34โ€“0
46 October 22, 1955 Minneapolis, MN No. 1 Michigan 14โ€“13
47 October 27, 1956 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 20โ€“7
48 October 26, 1957 Minneapolis, MN No. 20 Michigan 24โ€“7
49 October 25, 1958 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 20โ€“19
50 October 24, 1959 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 14โ€“6
51 October 22, 1960 Ann Arbor, MI No. 6 Minnesota 10โ€“0
52 October 28, 1961 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 23โ€“20
53 October 27, 1962 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 17โ€“0
54 October 26, 1963 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 6โ€“0
55 October 24, 1964 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 19โ€“12
56 October 23, 1965 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 14โ€“13
57 October 22, 1966 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 49โ€“0
58 October 28, 1967 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 20โ€“15
59 October 26, 1968 Ann Arbor, MI No. 12 Michigan 33โ€“20
60 October 25, 1969 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 35โ€“9
61 October 24, 1970 Ann Arbor, MI No. 5 Michigan 39โ€“13
62 October 23, 1971 Minneapolis, MN No. 3 Michigan 35โ€“7
63 October 28, 1972 Ann Arbor, MI No. 5 Michigan 42โ€“0
64 October 27, 1973 Minneapolis, MN No. 4 Michigan 34โ€“7
65 October 26, 1974 Ann Arbor, MI No. 3 Michigan 49โ€“0
66 November 1, 1975 Minneapolis, MN No. 7 Michigan 28โ€“21
67 October 30, 1976 Ann Arbor, MI No. 1 Michigan 45โ€“0
68 October 22, 1977 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 16โ€“0
69 October 28, 1978 Ann Arbor, MI No. 8 Michigan 42โ€“10
70 October 13, 1979 Ann Arbor, MI No. 11 Michigan 31โ€“21
71 October 18, 1980 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 37โ€“14
72 October 31, 1981 Minneapolis, MN No. 15 Michigan 34โ€“13
73 October 30, 1982 Ann Arbor, MI No. 20 Michigan 52โ€“14
74 November 12, 1983 Minneapolis, MN No. 9 Michigan 58โ€“10
75 November 10, 1984 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 31โ€“7
76 November 16, 1985 Minneapolis, MN No. 8 Michigan 48โ€“7
77 November 15, 1986 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 20โ€“17
78 November 7, 1987 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 30โ€“20
79 November 5, 1988 Ann Arbor, MI No. 14 Michigan 22โ€“7
80 November 18, 1989 Minneapolis, MN No. 3 Michigan 49โ€“15
81 November 17, 1990 Ann Arbor, MI No. 16 Michigan 35โ€“18
82 October 25, 1991 Minneapolis, MN No. 4 Michigan 52โ€“6
83 October 24, 1992 Ann Arbor, MI No. 3 Michigan 63โ€“13
84 November 13, 1993 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 58โ€“7
85 November 12, 1994 Ann Arbor, MI No. 19 Michigan 38โ€“22
86 October 28, 1995 Ann Arbor, MI No. 9 Michigan 52โ€“17
87 October 26, 1996 Minneapolis, MN No. 10 Michigan 44โ€“10
88 November 1, 1997 Ann Arbor, MI No. 4 Michigan 24โ€“3
89 October 31, 1998 Minneapolis, MN No. 22 Michigan 15โ€“10
90 November 10, 2001 Ann Arbor, MI No. 12 Michigan 31โ€“10
91 November 9, 2002 Minneapolis, MN No. 13 Michigan 41โ€“24
92 October 10, 2003 Minneapolis, MN No. 20 Michigan 38โ€“35
93 October 9, 2004 Ann Arbor, MI No. 14 Michigan 27โ€“24
94 October 8, 2005 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 23โ€“20
95 September 30, 2006 Minneapolis, MN No. 6 Michigan 28โ€“14
96 October 27, 2007 Ann Arbor, MI No. 19 Michigan 34โ€“10
97 November 8, 2008 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 29โ€“6
98 October 1, 2011 Ann Arbor, MI No. 19 Michigan 58โ€“0
99 November 3, 2012 Minneapolis, MN Michigan 35โ€“13
100 October 5, 2013 Ann Arbor, MI No. 19 Michigan 42โ€“13
101 September 27, 2014 Ann Arbor, MI Minnesota 30โ€“14
102 October 31, 2015 Minneapolis, MN No. 15 Michigan 29โ€“26
103 November 4, 2017 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan 33โ€“10
104 October 24, 2020 Minneapolis, MN No. 18 Michigan 49โ€“24
105 October 7, 2023 Minneapolis, MN No. 2 Michigan 52โ€“10
106 September 28, 2024 Ann Arbor, MI No. 12 Michigan 27โ€“24
Series: Michigan leads 78โ€“25โ€“3[1]

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 21โ€“28 8โ€“12
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 1004โ€“353โ€“36 710โ€“533โ€“44
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.

Current Holder

As of the latest contest on September 28, 2024, the Michigan Wolverines are the current holders of the Little Brown Jug, having secured a 27-24 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This win extends Michigan's lead in the all-time series to 78-25-3.[5][7]

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References

References

  1.  MCCOLLOUGH, J. BRADY รขย€ย“ 1903 Team Manager Tells Tale of the 'Jug'. Michigan Daily, October 9, 2003
  2.  Account from Michigan Football Student Manager Tommy Roberts. The Grand Rapids Press October 18, 1959
  3.  Hunt, Bob รขย€ย“ Both teams leave 2003 game in past Michigan Daily, October 7, 2004
  4.  Reusse, Patrick รขย€ย“ Patrick Reusse from Oct. 10, 2003: For a while, we actually believed. Star Tribune, October 2, 2013
  5.  Scoggins, Chip รขย€ย“ Reliving one fateful night in Gophers football Star Tribune, October 3, 2013
A full list of references for this article are available at the Little Brown Jug (college football trophy) Wikipedia page

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