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Little Brown Jug (football)
Encyclopedia
The Little Brown Jug is an earthenware jug that serves as a trophy
awarded to the winner of the American college football
rivalry
game played annually by the Minnesota Golden Gophers football
team of the university of Minnesota
and the Michigan Wolverines football
team of the University of Michigan
. It is the oldest rivalry trophy, and one of the oldest rivalry games, in American college football; Canada's Yates Cup
is the oldest trophy in North America. While some historians and the NCAA state that the oldest rivalry with a trophy is between what is now Arizona and Arizona State, the Territorial Cup
did not start changing hands until 2001, as it was a one-time award after their first series in 1899.
Both universities are members of the Big Ten Conference
. As a result of the Big Ten not playing a complete round-robin
schedule, Michigan and Minnesota did not play in 2009 or 2010, the first interruption in the rivalry series since 1999. The series resumed on an annual basis in 2011, with the University of Nebraska joining the Big Ten as its twelfth member and the conference's initiation of divisional play. Michigan and Minnesota were both placed in the Big Ten's Legends Division under the new two-division alignment. Michigan is the current holder of the jug with a victory on October 1, 2011.
jug
, originally used by Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost, is painted with the victories of each team. The name most likely originates in the 1869
song of the same name
by Joseph Winner
.
After Yost took over coaching the Wolverines in 1901, the team went on to win 28 straight games. In the meantime, Minnesota assembled one of the best teams in school history, so Gopher fans were excited about possibly ending the Wolverines' streak.
As Yost and the team came into Minneapolis, student manager Thomas B. Roberts was told to purchase something to carry water. Yost was somewhat concerned that Gopher fans might contaminate his water supply. Roberts purchased a five-gallon jug for 30¢ from a local variety store.
Twenty thousand fans watched the matchup between the two teams in an overflowing Northrop Field
. Minnesota held the fabled "point-a-minute" squad to just one touchdown
, but hadn't yet managed to score a touchdown of their own. Finally, late in the second half, the Gophers reached the endzone to tie the game at 6–6. As clouds from an impending storm hung overhead, pandemonium struck when Minnesota fans stormed the field in celebration. Eventually the game had to be called with two minutes remaining. The Wolverines walked off the field, leaving the jug behind in the locker room of the University of Minnesota Armory
.
The next day custodian Oscar Munson brought the jug to L. J. Cooke
, head of the Minnesota athletics department, and declared in a thick Scandinavia
n accent: "Yost left his yug." Exactly how Munson came to possess the jug is a bit of a mystery. Some accounts say that Munson purposely stole the jug in the chaos that ended the game, although most believe it was accidentally left behind. Thomas Roberts, writing in 1956, stated that the jug had served its purpose, so he intentionally left it sitting on the field.
]
Still, Cooke and Munson were excited to have this little bit of memorabilia, proceeding to paint it brown
(it had originally been putty
-colored and currently is painted half blue, which is Michigan's color) and commemorate the day by writing "Michigan Jug – Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" on the side along with the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6". Of course, in the spirit of the moment, Minnesota's score was written many times larger than that of Michigan.
Later, Yost wanted the jug back, and sent a letter asking it to be returned. Cooke wrote in response: "We have your little brown jug; if you want it, you’ll have to win it." This challenge led to the creation of the Little Brown Jug trophy. Michigan accepted the challenge and the teams met up again in 1909, and repeated the performance in 1910. Minnesota and Michigan met up again in 1919 after Michigan rejoined the Big Ten Conference
, marking the first year that Minnesota won the Jug outright.
Minnesota was regarded as an easy victory for Michigan in 1986 as a 25-point underdog. They had not defeated the Wolverines since 1977. The Gophers were fired up for Michigan. With two minutes to go, and Michigan just having scored a touchdown to bring the Wolverines at 16 to the Gophers 17, Bo Schembechler called for the extra point to be kicked for the tie. Against number two ranked Michigan, Minnesota quarterback Rickey Foggie
scrambled to put Chip Lohmiller
in position to get the winning field goal. The Gophers took home the Little Brown Jug from Michigan for the first time since 1962. It was Michigan's only loss in the regular season on the way to the 1987 Rose Bowl
.
The 2003 game was one of the most highly anticipated Michigan–Minnesota matchups in years. Minnesota was ranked #13 and Michigan was ranked #19 and the game was at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
. Down by 21, Michigan put together a comeback in the fourth quarter to win, 38–35. Michigan advanced to the 2004 Rose Bowl
.
Michigan has mostly dominated the series, particularly in the last four decades where Minnesota has only briefly held the Jug. On October 8, 2005, Minnesota claimed the Jug for the first time since 1986, defeating Michigan, 23–20, in Ann Arbor, Michigan
. However, the Wolverines grabbed the trophy right back the next year on September 30, with a 28–14 victory in Minneapolis.
Michigan won all 11 meetings with Minnesota at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
, which the Gophers shared with the Minnesota Twins
and Minnesota Vikings
from 1982 through 2008. The Wolverines will make their first visit to TCF Bank Stadium
in 2012.
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Note: Michigan and Minnesota played twice in 1926 (on October 16 in Ann Arbor and on November 20 in Minneapolis) due to conference scheduling issues for Minnesota. The two teams did not meet in 1928.
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
awarded to the winner of the American college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
rivalry
College rivalry
Pairs of schools, colleges and universities, especially when they are close to each other either geographically or in their areas of specialization, often establish a college rivalry with each other over the years. This rivalry can extend to both academics and athletics, the latter being typically...
game played annually by the Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
team of the university of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and the Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
team of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. It is the oldest rivalry trophy, and one of the oldest rivalry games, in American college football; Canada's Yates Cup
Yates Cup
The Yates Cup is a Canadian sports trophy, presented annually to the winner of the Ontario University Athletics football conference of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport federation. It is the oldest still-existing football trophy in North America, dating back to 1898 and surpassing both the Grey...
is the oldest trophy in North America. While some historians and the NCAA state that the oldest rivalry with a trophy is between what is now Arizona and Arizona State, the Territorial Cup
Territorial Cup
The Territorial Cup is a trophy that is awarded to the winner of an American college football rivalry game, commonly referred to as "The Duel in the Desert," played annually between the Arizona State Sun Devils football team of Arizona State University and the Arizona Wildcats football team of the...
did not start changing hands until 2001, as it was a one-time award after their first series in 1899.
Both universities are members of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. As a result of the Big Ten not playing a complete round-robin
Round-robin
The term round-robin was originally used to describe a document signed by multiple parties in a circle to make it more difficult to determine the order in which it was signed, thus preventing a ringleader from being identified...
schedule, Michigan and Minnesota did not play in 2009 or 2010, the first interruption in the rivalry series since 1999. The series resumed on an annual basis in 2011, with the University of Nebraska joining the Big Ten as its twelfth member and the conference's initiation of divisional play. Michigan and Minnesota were both placed in the Big Ten's Legends Division under the new two-division alignment. Michigan is the current holder of the jug with a victory on October 1, 2011.
1903 game
The Little Brown Jug rivalry was created after the two teams met up on October 31, 1903. The earthenwareEarthenware
Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...
jug
Jug (container)
A jug is a type of container used to hold liquid. It has an opening, often narrow, from which to pour or drink, and nearly always has a handle. One could imagine a jug being made from nearly any watertight material, but most jugs throughout history have been made from clay, glass, or plastic...
, originally used by Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost, is painted with the victories of each team. The name most likely originates in the 1869
1869 in music
- Events :* April 3 - Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto is premiered at Copenhagen's Casino.* September 22 - Richard Wagner's opera Das Rheingold debuts at the Königlich Hof- und Nationaltheater in Munich.- Published popular music :...
song of the same name
Little Brown Jug (song)
"Little Brown Jug" is a song written in 1869 by Joseph Winner, originally published credited to "Eastburn" .It was originally a drinking song. It remained well known as a folk song into the early 20th century. Like many songs which make reference to alcoholic beverages, it enjoyed new popularity...
by Joseph Winner
Joseph Winner
Joseph Eastburn Winner was an American composer and music publisher. He is best known for his tune, "The Little Brown Jug" ....
.
After Yost took over coaching the Wolverines in 1901, the team went on to win 28 straight games. In the meantime, Minnesota assembled one of the best teams in school history, so Gopher fans were excited about possibly ending the Wolverines' streak.
As Yost and the team came into Minneapolis, student manager Thomas B. Roberts was told to purchase something to carry water. Yost was somewhat concerned that Gopher fans might contaminate his water supply. Roberts purchased a five-gallon jug for 30¢ from a local variety store.
Twenty thousand fans watched the matchup between the two teams in an overflowing Northrop Field
Northrop Field
Northrop Field was the on-campus stadium of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team from 1899 to 1923. The original field had seating of around 3,000 and was named for University President Cyrus Northrop. After the 1902 season, the playing field was moved and new seating was added that allowed...
. Minnesota held the fabled "point-a-minute" squad to just one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
, but hadn't yet managed to score a touchdown of their own. Finally, late in the second half, the Gophers reached the endzone to tie the game at 6–6. As clouds from an impending storm hung overhead, pandemonium struck when Minnesota fans stormed the field in celebration. Eventually the game had to be called with two minutes remaining. The Wolverines walked off the field, leaving the jug behind in the locker room of the University of Minnesota Armory
University of Minnesota Armory
The University of Minnesota Armory is a building on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. The Armory was constructed in 1896 after the previous space for military training on the campus burnt in a fire in 1894...
.
The next day custodian Oscar Munson brought the jug to L. J. Cooke
L. J. Cooke
Louis Joseph "L. J." "Doc" Cooke was the first head men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota. He coached the Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s basketball team for 28 seasons...
, head of the Minnesota athletics department, and declared in a thick Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n accent: "Yost left his yug." Exactly how Munson came to possess the jug is a bit of a mystery. Some accounts say that Munson purposely stole the jug in the chaos that ended the game, although most believe it was accidentally left behind. Thomas Roberts, writing in 1956, stated that the jug had served its purpose, so he intentionally left it sitting on the field.
Still, Cooke and Munson were excited to have this little bit of memorabilia, proceeding to paint it brown
Brown
Brown is a color term, denoting a range of composite colors produced by a mixture of orange, red, rose, or yellow with black or gray. The term is from Old English brún, in origin for any dusky or dark shade of color....
(it had originally been putty
Putty
Putty is a generic term for a plastic material similar in texture to clay or dough typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler. Painter's Putty is typically a linseed oil based product used for filling holes, minor cracks and defacements in wood only...
-colored and currently is painted half blue, which is Michigan's color) and commemorate the day by writing "Michigan Jug – Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" on the side along with the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6". Of course, in the spirit of the moment, Minnesota's score was written many times larger than that of Michigan.
Later, Yost wanted the jug back, and sent a letter asking it to be returned. Cooke wrote in response: "We have your little brown jug; if you want it, you’ll have to win it." This challenge led to the creation of the Little Brown Jug trophy. Michigan accepted the challenge and the teams met up again in 1909, and repeated the performance in 1910. Minnesota and Michigan met up again in 1919 after Michigan rejoined the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, marking the first year that Minnesota won the Jug outright.
Other notable games
"The Battle of Giants" occurred in 1940, with undefeated Minnesota facing undefeated Michigan on November 9, 1940. Minnesota won 7–6. Minnesota went on to go 8–0 and win the national championship.Minnesota was regarded as an easy victory for Michigan in 1986 as a 25-point underdog. They had not defeated the Wolverines since 1977. The Gophers were fired up for Michigan. With two minutes to go, and Michigan just having scored a touchdown to bring the Wolverines at 16 to the Gophers 17, Bo Schembechler called for the extra point to be kicked for the tie. Against number two ranked Michigan, Minnesota quarterback Rickey Foggie
Rickey Foggie
Rickey Foggie is a former quarterback. Foggie was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Golden Gophers for four seasons, before going on to play professionally in – first the Canadian Football League, and then later in the Arena Football League...
scrambled to put Chip Lohmiller
Chip Lohmiller
John McLeod "Chip" Lohmiller is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the St. Louis Rams...
in position to get the winning field goal. The Gophers took home the Little Brown Jug from Michigan for the first time since 1962. It was Michigan's only loss in the regular season on the way to the 1987 Rose Bowl
1987 Rose Bowl
The 1987 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 73rd Rose Bowl Game. The Arizona State Sun Devils, champions of the Pacific-10 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, 22-15....
.
The 2003 game was one of the most highly anticipated Michigan–Minnesota matchups in years. Minnesota was ranked #13 and Michigan was ranked #19 and the game was at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
. Down by 21, Michigan put together a comeback in the fourth quarter to win, 38–35. Michigan advanced to the 2004 Rose Bowl
2004 Rose Bowl
The 2004 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game held on January 1, 2004 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 90th Rose Bowl Game. The USC Trojans, champions of the Pacific-10 Conference, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, 28-14...
.
Michigan has mostly dominated the series, particularly in the last four decades where Minnesota has only briefly held the Jug. On October 8, 2005, Minnesota claimed the Jug for the first time since 1986, defeating Michigan, 23–20, in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
. However, the Wolverines grabbed the trophy right back the next year on September 30, with a 28–14 victory in Minneapolis.
Michigan won all 11 meetings with Minnesota at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
, which the Gophers shared with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
from 1982 through 2008. The Wolverines will make their first visit to TCF Bank Stadium
TCF Bank Stadium
TCF Bank Stadium, sometimes referred to as either "The Bank" or "The Gopher Hole," is the football stadium for the Minnesota Golden Gophers college football team at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
in 2012.
Game results
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Note: Michigan and Minnesota played twice in 1926 (on October 16 in Ann Arbor and on November 20 in Minneapolis) due to conference scheduling issues for Minnesota. The two teams did not meet in 1928.
See also
- Other Michigan traveling trophies:
- Paul Bunyan TrophyPaul Bunyan TrophyThe Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
(with Michigan StateMichigan State Spartans footballThe Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
)
- Paul Bunyan Trophy
- Other Minnesota traveling trophies:
- Floyd of RosedaleFloyd of RosedaleFloyd of Rosedale is the name of a bronze pig trophy that is awarded to the winner of the annual college football game between the Universities of Iowa and Minnesota...
(with IowaIowa Hawkeyes footballThe Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
) - Governor's Victory BellGovernor's Victory BellThe Governor's Victory Bell is awarded to the winner of each college football game between Minnesota and Penn State.-History:It was first presented in 1993 to commemorate Penn State's entry into the Big Ten Conference, with their first league game coming against the Golden Gophers. Penn State won...
(with Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
) - Slab of BaconSlab of BaconThe Slab of Bacon was a traveling trophy that passed between the University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers and University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football teams, given annually to the winning team immediately upon the conclusion of the game...
/Paul Bunyan's AxePaul Bunyan's AxePaul Bunyan's Axe, named after the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan, is a prize awarded every year to the winner of the college football game between Minnesota and Wisconsin.-History:...
(with WisconsinWisconsin Badgers footballThe Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
)
- Floyd of Rosedale