Minnesota upsets Michigan to beat Wolverines for the first time in 12 years

A week after losing to Iowa, Michigan lost again.

The Wolverines were upset 20-14 at Minnesota on Saturday after they turned the ball over on downs with 32 seconds to go in yet another ugly offensive performance.

It's Minnesota's first win over Michigan since 2014 and just the second in the last 40 years for the Gophers. It's also the first win for Minnesota at home over Michigan since 1977.

Michigan's offense gained just 180 yards on 49 plays as Bryce Underwood struggled. The sophomore was just 10-of-21 passing and threw interceptions on consecutive passes in the second half.

Minnesota cut the lead to 14-13 after the first interception, needing eight plays to go 34 yards. Underwood was then hit as he threw, and Zack Harden picked him off.

A play later, Minnesota was inside the 5-yard line thanks to a 31-yard run by Noah Jennings, and then QB Drake Lindsey found Darius Taylor for the go-ahead touchdown.

What are the answers for Michigan's offense?

The Wolverines' 52-17 win over UTEP in Week 3 looks more and more like an aberration.

Michigan has now failed to score more than 19 points in any of its other four games this season. It's a staggering stat given the promise that Underwood had shown as a freshman and the success that coach Kyle Whittingham and coordinator Jason Beck had with their offense at Utah in 2025.

Instead, Underwood has thrown one more touchdown (five) than he has interceptions (four) and isn't completing 60% of his passes.

The run game can't get unlocked, either. Jordan Marshall rushed 10 times for 50 yards and freshman Savion Hiter had eight carries for 9 yards.

After the game, Whittingham said this season has been the biggest challenge he's faced.

That's quite the statement. Whittingham was incredibly successful at Utah after taking over for Urban Meyer. But he was also hired into a Michigan athletic department that was in the midst of serious turmoil following the abrupt firing of Sherrone Moore and the upcoming transition from current athletic director Warde Manuel.

Things aren't getting any easier after Michigan's bye week in Week 6, either. The Wolverines play Penn State on Oct. 17 before hosting Indiana on Oct. 24. There's a very real chance that Michigan could start Big Ten play 0-4.

Minnesota, meanwhile, is now 4-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten. The Gophers will be heavily favored at Purdue in Week 6, before three straight games against ranked opponents in No. 14 Iowa, No. 6 Indiana and No. 23 UCLA.