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Von Lozon is the Site Manager for Maize n Brew, where he has covered Michigan football, basketball, recruiting and more since 2016.

Coming off an emotional last-second win over USC last weekend, the Michigan Wolverines returned to the Big House in a battle for the Little Brown Jug against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Things got a bit dicey in the fourth quarter, but Kalel Mullings did just enough to carry the offense yet again, while the defense shut Minnesota down in the first half, helping the Wolverines win, 27-24.

Here’s how it all went down.

First Quarter

After a Minnesota punt to start the game, Michigan established the ground game in its opening possession. The Wolverines had 49 yards rushing on their first drive, which was capped off by a 27-yard touchdown run by Kalel Mullings. Michigan 7, Minnesota 0

MULLINGS TO THE HOUSE @UMichFootball strikes first in Ann Arbor 〽️

(brought to you by ) pic.twitter.com/R7F2eWHHjK

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

The Gophers put together a nice drive of their own, picking up three first downs in the process, but ended up missing a 55-yard field goal to keep the Wolverines on top by seven.

End of Q1: Michigan 7, Minnesota 0

Second Quarter

With Minnesota facing a second-and-18, Michigan corner Zeke Berry stripped the ball out of receiver Daniel Jackson’s hands, setting the Wolverines up with great field position at the Minnesota 19 yard line. Just three players later, Mullings took it into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, his second score of the game. Michigan 14, Minnesota 0

Berry said that ball is MINE

The @UMichFootball defense takes it right back pic.twitter.com/4lGeuCL2IC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

A few possessions later, Kechaun Bennett got in and blocked the Minnesota punt, giving the Wolverines great possession once again. Just one play later, quarterback Alex Orji hit wide receiver Tyler Morris for the 11-yard touchdown. Michigan 21, Minnesota 0

ANOTHER ONE

After review, the TD is confirmed and @UMichFootball makes it 21-0 in the first half pic.twitter.com/0ilOTnNlrr

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

On Minnesota’s first play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Max Brosmer was intercepted by cornerback Jyaire Hill, the first of Hill’s career. Michigan took over at its own 40 yard line and quickly went three-and-out to give Minnesota the ball back with a little less than two minutes in the half. The Gophers had a good drive, and with just two seconds left in the half, they were able to convert a field goal from the one yard line following a 44-yard Hail Mary from Brosmer to tight end Nick Kallerup.

End of Q2: Michigan 21, Minnesota 3

Third Quarter

Michigan ate up 7:24 of game clock on its opening possession, picking up three first downs before stalling out. Dominic Zvada hit a 53-yard field goal to extend the lead back to a three-touchdown lead. Michigan 24, Minnesota 3

The Gophers went three-and-out on their first drive of the second half, but cornerback Ethan Robinson was able to intercept Orji on the ensuing defensive drive.

End of 3Q: Michigan 24, Minnesota 3

Fourth Quarter

After the Orji interception, Minnesota drove down to the Michigan 27 yard line and went for it on fourth-and-11. Despite the pass falling incomplete, the drive was extended thanks to a hands to the face penalty by Mason Graham. Just two plays later, Minnesota running back Darius Taylor took it in for the three-yard touchdown. Michigan 24, Minnesota 10

Darius Taylor punches it in! @GopherFootball finds the end zone for the first time today pic.twitter.com/AIsRuCwwdm

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

The Wolverines quickly went three-and-out and the Gophers’ Koi Perich took the punt return 64 yards all the way down to the Michigan 17 yard line. All Minnesota needed was three plays and 50 seconds of game clock to get back into the end zone, as Taylor ran in for his second score of the day. Michigan 24, Minnesota 17

MINNESOTA SCORES AGAIN

WE HAVE A BALL GAME IN ANN ARBOR @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/mmridok5MF

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

With Michigan needing to put together a good drive, the offense relied on Mullings once again. He carried the ball eight times on the drive for 60 yards. The Wolverines’ drive stalled out in the red zone, so Zvada came on and drilled a 35-yard field goal to put Michigan back up by two scores. Michigan 27, Minnesota 17

The Gophers kept on fighting, as Brosmer connected with Daniel Jackson for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:37 left on the clock. Michigan 27, Minnesota 24

Michigan recovered the onside kick attempt and milked the clock to end the game.

Final: Michigan 27, Minnesota 24 Michigan Stat Leaders

QB Alex Orji: 10-of-18 for 86 yards, one touchdown, one interception

RB Kalel Mullings: 24 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns

RB Donovan Edwards: Nine carries for 34 yards

TE Colston Loveland: Four catches for 41 yards

DL Mason Graham: Four tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one quarterback hurry

Edge TJ Guy: Four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sacks, two quarterback hurries

CB Jyaire Hill: Two tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception

Minnesota Stat Leaders

QB Max Brosmer: 27-of-40, 258 yards, one touchdown, one interception

RB Darius Taylor: 13 carries for 36 yards and two touchdowns; 10 receptions for 52 yards

WR Daniel Jackson: Seven catches for 58 yards and one touchdown

LB Maverick Baranowski: Nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup

DL Jah Joyner: Seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one pass breakup

Michigan hits the road for the first time next Saturday to take on the Washington Huskies in a National Championship rematch (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).

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