Defense's best effort yet keeps Jug at home in Ann Arbor

MINNEAPOLIS — Walking off the field at the Metrodome, Stevie Brown held out an old water jug to Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez.

“Give it to the seniors,” Rodriguez told the junior free safety and called over senior defensive end Tim Jamison.

Jamison and the Wolverines' other senior leaders on defense played a huge role in the team's most complete game of the season, a 29-6 victory over Minnesota. The win ensured the Little Brown Jug would remain in Ann Arbor until at least 2011, when the teams resume their series.

“We’re a little late, but we came together and we’re playing well,” fifth-year senior cornerback Morgan Trent said.

Already eliminated from bowl contention, the Wolverines arrived in Minneapolis with a struggling defense and an injured starting quarterback. But Michigan snapped a five-game losing streak, avoiding the longest in-season losing skid in program history.

A week after giving up 48 points and 522 yards at Purdue, the Michigan defense came out in its third base formation in as many games: a 4-2-5.

In that scheme, Michigan (2-4 Big Ten, 3-7 overall) used just one play, with few variations and blitzes.

“I think if we overload them with things, maybe sometimes that slows them down,” secondary coach Tony Gibson said. “We basically played one call today. With one call, we got it done.”

The decision to switch up the defense immediately paid off, as the Golden Gophers (3-3, 7-3) moved the chains just once in the first half. Minnesota gained just 46 yards on 23 plays before halftime.

The 188 yards allowed in the game were the fewest by Michigan this season.

Minnesota's six points were the fewest allowed by the Wolverine defense since the Toledo game last month.

The Gophers' eight first downs were the fewest Michigan has allowed this season.

Playing four down-linemen was a significant switch from the Purdue game, and it led to increased pressure on the quarterback.

The Wolverines went with a three-man front against Purdue, and the line failed to record a sack. Junior defensive end Brandon Graham said several players asked to switch back to a four-man front during that game.

Michigan’s line looked more comfortable Saturday. Graham had two sacks and the unit consistently pushed into the Minnesota backfield.

“They’re both good fronts, but I think a lot of people like the four-man,” fifth-year senior defensive tackle Will Johnson said. “Especially because more D-linemen play. In our room, that’s the highlight.”

The Wolverines' secondary benefited from the increased pressure. Michigan entered the game with the Big Ten's worst passing defense, but it held Minnesota’s third-ranked aerial attack to just 105 yards.

Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer made some significant personnel changes in the defensive backfield. Sophomore Donovan Warren returned to cornerback after playing as a deep safety last weekend. Senior Brandon Harrison was dominant as the nickel back close to the line of scrimmage and recorded his first career solo sack.

“They had me at linebacker this week (in practice),” Harrison said. “I always wanted to be a linebacker, but I was too short. So I got to live out a little dream today.”

The defensive improvement set the stage for a steady offense, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Nick Sheridan. With starting quarterback Steven Threet sidelined by a concussion, Sheridan was dependable in relief, going 18-for-30 with 203 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman Justin Feagin took his first snaps at quarterback, running each time. He finished the game with 49 yards on seven carries.

Michigan’s defense finally got running again, too. For a 3-7 team still ranked near the bottom of the conference in defense, the improvement wasn’t a culmination, only a step in the right direction.

Shafer had heard increasing criticism in the weeks leading up to the game as the defense appeared to regress. Those voices should be quieter, at least for now.

“Until I get to the film, right now the satisfaction could be described as relief,” Shafer said.