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Michigan Football at Minnesota 2023 (Patrick Barron)

The 2015 Minnesota game, the last time most of us could have gone to a Michigan Minnesota game at Minnesota, was pretty much the polar opposite game compared to this weekend. It was held on Halloween night and begrudgingly held many of us from going out earlier than we wanted to. There was a QB injury, multiple lead changes, and of course the infamous goal line stand. But one very important detail: Michigan did not own the Jug going into that game, having lost it in 2014 (a game also filled with... well... some amount of drama).

(Link to 2015 Minnesota game photo album, to those curious)

Immediately after the game was declared over, the entire Michigan bench rushed to the Minnesota side to reclaim the beloved water jug. There was just one problem: nobody could find it. What felt like a solid minute had passed before Da'Mario Jones finally found the "Football Trophy" box (in front of about a dozen photographers, all of whom were trying to wave down the Michigan team to its whereabouts) and handed the jug off to Jabrill Peppers.
 

A mosh pit formed, it was one of those "oh lord please do not drop it" moments. All of it was the chaos you would expect from a rivalry game THAT IS OF COURSE UNTIL Big Jon Falk arrived on the scene with a smile from ear to ear. After his hiatus in the Dave Brandon era, he returned to the program and probably could not be more delighted than to see his beloved Jug returned. It was from this point on that the Jug was cradled like a baby. It's one thing to drop the Jug, it's another to drop it in front of Jon Falk.

Nevertheless, it was a big moment, and a moment symbolizing the years to come. But the program was still at a point where bringing home the Little Brown Jug was a big deal, and one that needed to get done, albeit in one of the more stressful games of the Harbaugh era.

This time along, I don't think I felt a single drip of cortisol in my body. Michigan scored 12 seconds into the game and that was that. There was a QB change, but only because JJ has only had to throw four passes in the 4th quarter so far this season. At some point when Michigan had 45 points I looked up at the scoreboard and just said "oh my god" that there was still time left in the 3rd quarter. At some point in the 4th quarter, it was quiet enough that I thought "this must have been what the 2020 game was like here." Just another "then and now" example of how far Michigan football has come under Jim Harbaugh.

And then the game ended and it was time for the Jug celebration, as is tradition, but there was no rushing onto the field. There was no mosh pit. Mike Sainristil stood by the trophy and just... waited. Almost impatiently at the lack of urgency.

And who better to lift it first but Mike Sainristil, but still, the team had to be corralled for a team photo. It was a very formal, polite, goofy team photo, all things considered. Above all that, it felt like it was a formality. "Oh, we're doing this now? Well alright, I suppose. Are we doing silly faces? I'm gonna do a silly face."

We did not have to be stressed out of our minds this time around, we got to check a box off.
 

Players proceeded to just hand the Jug off to each other, show it off to some fans, get some pictures taken, and then everyone went into the locker room, mischief managed. And that's where we are, eight years later. Winning the Jug is a formality (and nobody would have predicted otherwise). The Michigan football aircraft carrier does not require paddles and will continue on its way.

After the game, PJ Fleck said this might be the best team he's ever seen in his 11 years of coaching.

It's been a delightfully boring season so far. Half of that is because of Michigan's schedule. The other half is because of Michigan.

Anyways, the Jug is home where it belongs again.

 

About the Photographer

If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee!

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[BONK SQUAD after THE JUMP]

Next week, uh. Probably more Tuttle Time.