Much has been written on these pages about what happened in the days, years and decades following the famous October 31, 1903 Michigan-Minnesota game. Here are a few details that describe what was going on just before the game, thanks to a few newspaper clippings uncovered by Stagg vs. Yost author John Kryk.
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Why Michigan (really) Bought The Little Brown Jug in 1903
During a 2011 press conference, Michigan defensive lineman Ryan Van Bergen cracked a joke about The Little Brown Jug: “I don’t think you’d want to drink any water out of that.” True enough, but even if you wanted to take a swig, you’d be hard-pressed to make it happen. When I was doing my deep-dive Jug research a few years back, it was impossible to miss that the top is completely sealed off. There used to be a cap and some ribbons affixed to the spout, but at some point, they were removed—and from the looks of it, aggressively torn off. I once asked legendary equipment manager Jon Falk about it, and even Big House Jon wasn’t sure exactly when that happened. Today, it would take a flathead screwdriver and some serious pliers to pry that top open. You’d really have to want it. But why was the jug bought in the first place? Obviously, at one point, this simple piece of earthenware did carry water for the team, but the truth of how and why it ended up on the U-M sideline in 1903 has shifted a bit over the decades. In the early days of the rivalry, popular lore held that Michigan brought the jug and the water all the way from Ann Arbor. Furthermore, some suggested that…
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No Latitude for Turpitude | Professor and the Pundit – S2 Ep8
A colossal beatdown of the Cornhuskers put the lads, and the entire M fanbase, in a good mood. We break down the game, the weekend that was, peek ahead at the Gophers and Dooley's beloved Little Brown Jug:
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The Different Faces of The Little Brown Jug
Examining the different paint jobs the Little Brown Jug has taken on over the years, starting in 1903 when it was found by Minnesota's Oscar Munson, to today, when artist Jil Gordon put on the last couple scores at Schembechler Hall.
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2023: A (New) Space Quandary on The Little Brown Jug
We're out of space for scores on the Little Brown Jug (again!). Here's a look at the considerations and options for the oldest rivalry trophy in college football.
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MISSING: When the Little Brown Jug was Stolen!
The TRUE story of what happened in the 1930s when the Little Brown Jug was stolen from the Michigan administration building on State Street.
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Every pod has its Day | Professor and the Pundit – S2 Ep7
The B1G schedule is underway, Michigan is 4-0, Ohio State gets a huge victory in South Bend and Ryan Day gets rosy-cheeked and squeaky in the postgame. Listen on! [Lead pic from Maize And Blue Nation]
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Nebraska Cornhuskers Deliver the Royal Treatment (1911)
With a return to Lincoln, Nebraska afoot, a repost. This was originally published in mgoblog's HTTV 2011 as part of a blow-by-blow of the entire 1911 season through the reporting of The Michigan Daily. This is a fun look at the November 25, 1911 game played in Lincoln - on and off the field.
