Dominique Barber didn't make any plays during Michigan's last-second 23-20 loss to Minnesota on Saturday. He didn't pick off any of Chad Henne's passes, break up any potential receptions or force any fumbles. Barber - a Minnesota special teamer and backup safety - didn't even make a tackle against the Wolverines. But the sophomore made a most important grab immediately after the final whistle.

Barber led his teammates in a charge across the field and down the Michigan sideline, where he became the first Gopher in 19 years to touch the Little Brown Jug. Barber swiped the coveted 102-year-old trophy away from the Wolverines' head equipment manager, Jon Falk, and raised it over his head before handing it to Minnesota's seniors. Falk, who has acted in the same capacity at Michigan since 1974, watched as the Golden Gophers celebrated with the famed water container for just the third time in his 32 years with the Maize and Blue.

"I'll remember this for the rest of my life," Barber said after relinquishing his hold on the Jug. "The feeling I feel right now, it's unexplainable. I'm speechless."

How appropriate that Barber's father, Marion Jr., played running back and scored a touchdown for Minnesota in 1977's rivalry game. That was the only year, other than 1986, the Gophers had beaten Michigan in the past 38 years.

"My dad talks about (winning the Jug) every day," the younger Barber said, the Minnesota block 'M' emblazoned on his eye-black. "So it feels good that I get to go home and talk about something."

The 21st-ranked Wolverines suffered the third defeat of their disappointing season because of offensive ineptitude, defensive breakdowns and special-teams mistakes.

"We didn't block very well, we didn't protect very well, we had a couple of receivers open and we didn't hit them," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "We dropped balls. You name it - we need to work on it."

The Wolverines were able to muster just 94 total yards on the ground and 155 through the air, including a mere 95 total yards in the second half. Michigan's next opponent, Penn State, garnered 539 offensive yards while crushing Minnesota 44-14 last week. The Wolverines didn't put together a single touchdown drive of longer than 23 yards in the entire game. Minnesota, meanwhile, rolled up 403 total yards of offense. Gophers running backs Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell carried the ball for 129 yards and 128 yards, respectively, to fuel Minnesota's impressive rushing attack. It was Russell's 61-yard sprint with 1:27 remaining that sealed the game for the Gophers. Michigan running back Mike Hart came up with 109 yards and a touchdown, but the effort proved futile in the face of the Gophers' stifling defense.

"We struggled in a lot of areas," quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler said. "We didn't run the ball, we didn't pass the ball, and overall it was a tough day."

Left guard Leo Henige watched as a group of Minnesota players ran to midfield and waved a maroon and gold flag after the clock wound down to zero.

"It's sickening," Henige said of the result. "I'm almost at a loss for words right now. It's just frustrating right now, really frustrating. - It's the first time they've had the Jug in a while, so they're excited."

The teams had entered the fourth quarter with the score tied at 20. After Minnesota's opening drive stalled near midfield, the Wolverines took over and began to move. Henne made an 11-yard completion to fullback Brian Thompson midway through the series, although it appeared that wide receiver Mario Manningham was wide open downfield. Still, Hart carried the ball six times for 35 yards on the possession. But Garrett Rivas's 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. It was the junior placekicker's second miss of the day, as his 42-yard try late in the third quarter had also gone astray. All this after Rivas played the hero's role last week against Michigan State. His overtime field goal defeated the Spartans in East Lansing.

"Personally, for me, (the loss) hurts a little more knowing that I had two chances to make that kick," Rivas said.

Minnesota took over from its own 20-yard line. On the fourth play of the drive, rush end LaMarr Woodley beat the Gophers' offensive line around the edge and hit Minnesota quarterback Bryan Cupito as he threw. Cupito was injured on the play and wouldn't return. Tony Mortensen took over under center, but after just two plays, the Gophers were forced to punt once again.