Gophers barely snag Jug

Late field goal lifts Mason, Minnesota

? The Minnesota Golden Gophers planted their flag in the middle of the field and stormed Michigan’s sideline looking for the Little Brown Jug.

They definitely earned it.

Jason Giannini kicked a 30-yard field goal with a second left, lifting Minnesota to a 23-20 victory Saturday over the 21st-ranked Wolverines for the Gophers’ first victory in the series since 1986.

On third-and-10 from the Minnesota 26, Gary Russell ran 61 yards to set up the game-winning kick for the Gophers (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten).

After Michigan was unable to return the final kickoff for a score, the Gophers captured the bulky water jug – which dates to 1903 and is the oldest trophy in Division I-A football – lifted it over their heads and celebrated in front of a stunned crowd of 111,117.

“They probably didn’t think we’d get it,” linebacker Kyle McKenzie said.

The two-time defending conference champion Wolverines (3-3, 1-2) are off to their worst start since also having a 3-3 record in 1990.

“This was not just for the Jug, it was for the Big Ten championship,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said. “They came across and took all that away.”

With backup quarterback Tony Mortensen playing for Bryan Cupito, who was shaken up by a hit, Minnesota coach Glen Mason said the Gophers were hoping just to hand the ball off and play for overtime.

Minnesota wide receiver Jared Ellerson celebrates with the Little Brown Jug after the Golden Gophers beat Michigan. Minnesota won the trophy after a 23-20 victory Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“We definitely didn’t want to give the ball back to Michigan,” Mason said.

But Russell – who split time with star running back Laurence Maroney – ran around the right end and sprinted down the sideline to give Minnesota the ball at Michigan’s 13.

No. 1 USC 42, Arizona 21

Los Angeles – LenDale White scored four touchdowns and rushed for 179 yards, and USC (5-0, 3-0 Pac-10) posted its 27th consecutive victory. White and Reggie Bush, who had 110 yards, each ran for 100-plus yards for the third consecutive game. Steve Smith added seven catches for 134 yards. Syndric Steptoe returned five kickoff returns for 159 yards to lead Arizona (1-4, 0-2).

No. 3 Virginia Tech 41, Marshall 14

Blacksburg, Va. – Branden Ore rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech (6-0). Marcus Vick finished 11-for-16 for 163 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw had 99 yards on 22 carries to lead Marshall (2-3).

No. 4 Florida State 41, Wake Forest 24

Tallahassee, Fla. – Drew Weatherford threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns as the Seminoles (5-0, 3-0 ACC) blew open a close game with three quick scores in the final quarter.

No. 5 Georgia 27, No. 8 Tennessee 14

Knoxville, Tenn. – Starting for the first time against a top-10 team, D.J. Shockley went 16-of-27 for 207 yards and ran 11 times for 51 yards as the Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 SEC) won for the third straight time in Neyland Stadium. An erratic season continued for the Volunteers (3-2, 2-2), and their offense showed more ineptness with two costly fumbles and an interception. The Vols were held to 48 yards on the ground.

No. 16 Penn State 17, No. 6 Ohio State 10

State College, Pa. – Michael Robinson and Derrick Williams ran for touchdowns less than three minutes apart in the second quarter, and Paul Posluszny and the Nittany Lions’ defense did the rest. Win No. 349 for Joe Paterno was the type of victory some thought were only in the past for the 78-year-old coach. The 16th-ranked Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0) hadn’t beaten a team so highly ranked since knocking off No. 4 Arizona to start the 1999 season. The Nittany Lions did more than just hold their own against the Buckeyes (3-2, 1-1) and their vaunted defense.

No. 9 Miami 52, Duke 7

Miami – Kyle Wright threw for three touchdowns in a five-minute span of the second quarter, and Tyrone Moss ran for 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Miami (4-1, 2-1 ACC), winner of four straight.

No. 20 UCLA 47, No. 10 California 40

Pasadena, Calif. – Maurice Drew ran for three touchdowns, scored another on a long punt return and caught a 28-yard pass for the go-ahead touchdown as UCLA (5-0, 2-0 Pac-10) rallied. The loss snapped a 12-game regular-season winning streak for the Bears (5-1, 2-1).

No. 11 LSU 34, Vanderbilt 6

Nashville, Tenn. – JaMarcus Russell threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, and Joseph Addai ran for 102 yards and a TD for LSU (3-1, 2-1 SEC). The Commodores (4-2, 2-1) had not started 5-1 or 3-0 in the SEC since 1950.

No. 13 Florida 35, Mississippi State 9

Gainesville, Fla. – Dallas Baker had a career-high 123 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC) rebounded from its first loss of the season.

Northwestern 51, No. 14 Wisconsin 48

Evanston, Ill. – Freshman Tyrell Sutton ran for 244 yards and three touchdowns, and Reggie McPherson’s interception sealed the victory for Northwestern (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten). John Stocco was 24-of-31 for 326 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions for Wisconsin (5-1, 2-1).

No. 18 Boston College 28, Virginia 17

Boston – Quinton Porter threw for 301 yards and two TDs, and Brian Toal scored twice for the Eagles (5-1, 2-1 ACC).

No. 23 Louisville 69, North Carolina 14

Louisville, Ky. – Brian Brohm threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns for Louisville (4-1).