Posted on 09/29/2006 6:34:13 PM PDT by rogue yam
The image is burned in the minds of the Michigan Wolverines.
The Minnesota Gophers rushing across the field at the storied Big House and grabbing the coveted Little Brown Jug, the oldest rivalry trophy in the nation.
It was an embarrassment of epic proportions for those Wolverines, who hadn't relinquished the trophy in 20 years.
(snip)
"Unfortunately, I was unable to show our team what it looks like," coach Lloyd Carr said. "I love the Little Brown Jug. I think looking back at it, the history, the tradition of that trophy, it's the oldest in college football history, which you all know. And you probably don't care. If you're a Michigan football player, if you're a Minnesota football player, I guarantee you care."
(snip)
Last year's game was tied with just more than 1 minute to play. The Gophers had the ball deep in their own territory and seemed content to run out the clock and go into overtime. But running back Gary Russell broke loose for a 61-yard run that set up Jason Giannini's game-winning field goal with 1 second to play.
(snip)
The Wolverines (4-0, 1-0) roll into Minneapolis with impressive victories over Notre Dame and Wisconsin and a defense that has been outstanding.
(snip)
Winning the jug was a benchmark moment for Mason and the Gophers. It rests in a glass case in the lounge of Minnesota's football building and has been visited by fans, alumni and former players.
(snip)
Carr said he's not interested in revenge, but his players hint otherwise.
"Watching them come get the trophy was tough, but that was last year and we're not living in the past," tackle Jake Long said. "We just want to go out this year, work hard and try to come out with a win."
And a jug.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlive.com ...
So they want a P=47? The juggernaught was a heck of a plain, but even if painted brown..... wasn't little.
Oh, that brown jug.
Never mind!
This should be the biggest Ohio St.-Michigan in years.
Yost worried the Gophers wouldn't provide the Wolverines with fresh water, so Roberts bought the jug.
The mighty Wolverines led 6-0 late in the game when the Gophers tied the score with less than two minutes to play. The fans stormed the field and officials had to call the game early, and it ended in a tie.
Michigan left the jug behind in the ensuing craziness, and Gophers equipment manager Oscar Munson found it on the sideline. Munson painted the jug brown and put the final score on it.
Yost later sent Minnesota athletics director Dr. L.J. Cooke a letter asking for the jug back.
Cooke's response?
"If you want it, you'll have to win it."
Like the man said, if you want the Jug, you have to win it.
Absolutely, but for the moment I have but one thing on my mind:
The Little Brown Jug!
Ping
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