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Michigan shocked by Gophers in B1G opener

Posted at 6:52 PM, Sep 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-27 18:52:26-04

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — ESPN’s broadcast team joked on Saturday that the Little Brown Jug was “a rumor” to the Minnesota Gophers, having only won their rivalry game with Michigan and the accompanying trophy once since 1987.

You won’t hear any laughter in Ann Arbor tonight.

Senior tailback David Cobb complied 233 total yards of offense – single-handedly outgaining the Wolverines – and Minnesota claimed a 30-14 win at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, taking home the Jug for the first time since 2005.

Sophomore quarterback Shane Morris was named Michigan’s starter just before kickoff, replacing senior Devin Gardner, whose struggles with turnovers led to Brady Hoke making a change behind center.

Morris was battered early and often against a hard-hitting Gopher defense, completing just seven of his 19 pass attempts for 49 yards and an interception, which was returned by De’Vondre Campbell for a 30-yard touchdown. He also lost a fumble. The Wolverines are now -12 in turnover margin this season, the worst ratio in the nation.

The Wolverine offense totaled just 171 yards.

Morris was taken out of the game in the fourth quarter for Gardner, who  sparked the offense with a late touchdown.

Michigan (2-3, 0-1) is at Rutgers (4-1, 0-1) next Saturday.