gophers/ncaa

The last time the Michigan football team visited the Metrodome, the Wolverines scored 31 fourth-quarter points to erase a three-touchdown deficit in an epic comeback that still makes those who were present wonder how it happened.

They returned Saturday night and looked as if they might have the opposite happen.

Trailing by 21 points with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left, the Gophers put a charge into the fans who hadn't already left, but their comeback attempt fell short in a 28-14 loss before an announced crowd of 50,805 at the Metrodome.

The sixth-ranked Wolverines overcame a sluggish second half to avenge a loss to the Gophers and reclaim the Little Brown Jug.

The Gophers had the ball at Michigan's 7-yard line with a chance to cut the deficit to seven points with three minutes remaining, but the Wolverines held them on downs to end the rally.

The game was a lot closer than it probably should have been thanks to a decent offensive effort by the Gophers and a sloppy performance by the Wolverines (5-0, 2-0) in the second half.

In what had to feel like a strange act, the Gophers were responsible for bringing the jug to the game after stunning Michigan 23-20 last season, ending their 16-game losing streak to the Wolverines, dating to 1986.

The Wolverines have now defeated three consecutive teams (Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Minnesota) that beat them last season during a disappointing 7-5 year. The loss to Minnesota was particularly painful because the Gophers' postgame celebration included a flag plant at midfield by Laurence Maroney, which didn't sit well with the Wolverines.

Michigan opened the game with a statement drive, marching 80 yards on 10 plays for a touchdown. Mike Hart carried the ball seven times for 44 yards, forcing the Gophers to bring up their safeties to defend the run. That opened up big passing plays.

Early in the second quarter Adrian Arrington beat Trumaine Banks on a post in one-on-one coverage for his second touchdown catch. Banks got no help from a safety over the top, and Arrington simply ran by him for a 14-0 lead.

The Gophers (2-3, 0-2) looked in danger of getting run out of the building at that point, but they responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to cut the lead to 14-7.

The Gophers converted one third down, one fourth down and had instant replay work in their favor on Logan Payne's 21-yard touchdown catch. Payne's catch on a perfectly thrown fade pass from Bryan Cupito was initially called incomplete on the field, but replays showed that he got his left foot down in the end zone before sliding out of bounds.

It was Cupito's 41st career touchdown pass, moving him into sole possession of second place in school history.

The Gophers were more effective on offense than most expected, finishing with 323 total yards. They rushed for 115 yards, including 98 by Amir Pinnix, against the nation's top-ranked run defense. The Wolverines had allowed only 74 rushing yards total in their first four games. The Gophers surpassed that mark in the first half with 75 yards rushing.

Michigan's Mario Manningham got man coverage against cornerback Jamal Harris and beat him on a post pattern for a 41-yard touchdown catch, giving Michigan a 21-7 halftime lead.

The Gophers suffered a huge blow on the first possession of the second half. Center Tony Brinkhaus, the team's best offensive lineman, injured his right knee and went to the sideline. Left guard Tyson Swaggert moved to center, and redshirt freshman Ryan Ruckdashel came in at guard.

Four plays later, Cupito threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Wheelwright, but it was called back because of a holding penalty on Ruckdashel. The drive stalled, and Brinkhaus returned the next series.

Michigan had great field-position the entire second half but squandered several scoring chances. The Wolverines gained some breathing room on Kevin Grady's 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.