After a slow start, the Michigan Wolverines dominated the second half to beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 42-13, in college football action on Saturday.
The victory in its opening Big Ten clash this season allowed the Wolverines to keep the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor. Quarterback Devin Gardner, running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, and tight end Devin Funchess led the offensive charge for U-M, as all three accounted for touchdowns. Gardner threw for 235 yards and one score and chipped in another six points on the ground, while Toussaint rushed for 78 yards and crossed the goal line twice. Meanwhile, Funchess -- whose TD catch late in the second quarter put the Maize and Blue ahead 14-7 -- grabbed seven catches for 151 yards, both career bests.
Once the second stanza began, Michigan took full control, scoring 14 points in both the third and fourth quarters, while Minnesota could manage only a pair of field goals. Cornerback Blake Countess put an exclamation mark on the U-M win with a 72-yard interception return for a TD with just 1:19 left.
Ranked No. 19 nationally to start the day, the Wolverines improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Golden Gophers dropped to 4-2 overall and are winless in two Big Ten meetings.
Read more about the game on U-M official athletic website, MGoBlue.com. The Wolverines will take to the road for a date next Saturday with the Penn State Nittany Lions in State College. ESPN will televise the matchup, which will kick off at 5 p.m. ET. Keep track of Maize and Blue football on Facebook and Twitter.
