ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Gophers lost a fumble and had a punt blocked to put them a 21-3 hole to Michigan at halftime on Saturday.

In the second half, the Wolverines threw an interception and conceded a 60-yard punt return to help Minnesota get back in the game at 24-17 with 11 minutes left.

Michigan’s run offense led to a late field goal, and Minnesota threw for a touchdown before another special teams play shrouded the outcome.

An onside kick attempt was recovered by Minnesota, and the U sideline went wild at the chance to pull off an upset. But it was called back for Gophers’ Matt Kingsbury being called offside.

No. 12-ranked Michigan recovered the re-kick and was able to ice a 27-24 win in the Little Brown Jug game Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

The Gophers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) were a 10-point underdog against the Wolverines (4-1, 2-0), who have won five straight and lead the all-time series 78-25-3.

After Minnesota cut the lead in the fourth quarter, Michigan ran the ball nine times on a 14-play, 48-yard drive to add a 35-yard field goal and make it 27-17.

But Max Brosmer found Daniel Jackson for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:37 left.

In the first half, Jackson lost a fumble and the U punt team allowed a blocked punt — both inside their 20-yard line — and Michigan scored touchdowns on both plays to take a 21-3 halftime lead while needing only 107 yards of offense.

Roles reversed in the second half.

After Ethan Robinson’s interception, the Gophers cut Michigan lead to 24-10 with a 3-yard touchdown run from Darius Taylor with 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Gophers scored a touchdown after a Michigan interception and used a 60-yard punt return from Koi Perich. Taylor scored again from 4 yards out to make it 24-17.

After struggling against Iowa and North Carolina in the season’s opening month, the Gophers’ run defense was touched for a touchdown on the opening drive. Kalel Mullings ran through an enormous hole and was untouched on a 27-yard TD run.

Then Minnesota did Michigan favors, giving them short fields for a 16-yard and 11-yard touchdown drives.

Jackson’s second-quarter fumble led to Mullings’ second touchdown. Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck protested that Jackson’s forward momentum was stopped without a whistle.

Then Mark Crawford’s punt was blocked as multiple Wolverines broke through the line. Alex Orji then threw an 11-yard touchdown to Tyler Morris.

Michigan’s offense needed only 107 yards of offense to take a 21-3 lead at halftime.

The Gophers scored on the final play of the half. Max Brosmer heaved a Hail Mary completion to Nick Kallerup for 44 yards down to Michigan’s 1. Dragan Kesich hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired.

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