**ANN ARBOR, Mich.** — Kalel Mullings made a splash in his first start at running back, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns as No. 12 Michigan secured a 27-24 victory over Minnesota in a rainy showdown for the Little Brown Jug on Saturday.
“Coach informed me I’d be starting, but my approach didn’t change,” said Mullings, who leads the Wolverines with 540 yards and six touchdowns this season. “I always prepare as if I’ll be on the field for every play.”
Michigan entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 24-3 lead, but Minnesota mounted a comeback, scoring three touchdowns to close the gap to 27-24 with just 1:37 remaining.
After recovering an onside kick, the Gophers were penalized for offsides. Mullings snagged the second kick, allowing the Wolverines to run out the clock. “We practiced that play,” he said. “They lined up the same way, so I anticipated the kick and went for it before it went 10 yards.”
With the win, Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) extended its record conference winning streak to 27 games, remaining undefeated in Big Ten play since losing to Michigan State in 2021.
Minnesota (2-3, 0-2) was eager to claim the Little Brown Jug for the first time in a decade and only the third time this century. “We’re past the point of moral victories,” said Gophers coach P.J. Fleck. “Everyone on our sideline believed we could win that game.”
Mullings stepped up in the absence of a strong passing game. Quarterback Alex Orji completed 10 of 18 passes for 86 yards, throwing one touchdown but also an interception that contributed to Minnesota’s late surge. “I had Donovan (Edwards) open on the other side,” Orji acknowledged. “I need to stay true to my training and get him the ball.”
Mullings kicked off the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run on Michigan's opening drive, but both teams struggled to find rhythm in the rain. The Wolverines' defense created a turnover early in the second quarter, recovering a fumble and taking over at the Gophers' 16-yard line. Mullings powered in from the 1-yard line for a 14-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, Kechaun Bennett blocked a Minnesota punt, leading to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Orji to Tyler Morris, pushing the score to 21-0. Minnesota managed to get on the board just before halftime, with Brosmer connecting with Nick Kallerup for 44 yards to the Michigan 1, setting up a 20-yard field goal from Dragan Kesich.
Dominic Zvada extended Michigan’s lead to 21 points with a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Orji’s interception allowed Minnesota to respond with a 3-yard touchdown run from Darius Taylor. After Michigan went three-and-out, freshman Koi Perich returned a punt 60 yards to set up Taylor's second touchdown, narrowing the score to 24-17.
“When you give a Big Ten team good field position, that’s what happens,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “Every Big Ten team is a tough opponent.”
The Wolverines managed to run 6:32 off the clock, leading to Zvada’s second field goal for a 27-17 lead with 4:33 left. Minnesota’s Brosmer then connected with Daniel Jackson for a 12-yard score, making it a three-point game.
“Our quarterback played his heart out, Darius Taylor was outstanding, and our defense gave it their all,” Fleck remarked. “Special teams hurt us in some crucial moments.”
**Record Performance**
Zvada’s 53-yard field goal marked his fourth successful kick of over 50 yards this season, setting a new school record. “Once we saw him hitting 60-yarders in practice, we knew we had something special,” Moore said.
**Notable Visitor**
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz attended the game amid his vice presidential campaign, accompanied by a significant Secret Service presence. The postgame press conferences were delayed by 30 minutes to facilitate his departure.
**Looking Ahead**
Next up, Minnesota will host No. 13 USC next Saturday, while Michigan travels to Washington for its first road game of the season.
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