Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a risky win over Minnesota

Kirk Campbell's offense took the opening kick and marched right down the field for six. Kalel Mullings saw the hole and sprinted to the house for the early 7-0 lead. Then in the second Zeke Berry made a brilliant play by taking the ball away from the receiver to give Michigan football the ball inside the 20. The offense found paydirt a few plays later for the second rushing touchdown of the day for Mullings.

Michigan's special teams got involved in the act with a blocked punt that was turned into another touchdown by Tyler Morris. Alex Orji dumped it off to Morris who snuck inside the pile-on for a 21-0 advantage. Minnesota tacked on a field goal just before the clock expired. It was Michigan's most complete half of the season in all three phases.

The second 30 minutes was basically all Minnesota though. Orji threw his best pass of the day for a 16-yard gain to Kendrick Bell but was intercepted for the first time this year two plays later. He was trying to work it into a wide-open Colston Loveland but threw it behind him. It was enough for the defender to catch up and make the interception.

Minnesota's offense went up-tempo and scored twice in a matter of minutes. Michigan football did almost everything it could to give the game away with an onside kick that was not recovered and a botched snap on the final possession. Luckily Minnesota was offsides on the kick and dodged a bullet that could have been costly. On the last series, Orji recovered a snap that hit Max Bredeson in motion to bleed the clock out and secure victory.

Here are three of the takeaways from the unsettling win.

1. Minnesota's hurry-up offense penetrated Michigan's defense

In the second 30 minutes, Minnesota's offense turned up the pressure and moved the ball at will on Michigan's defense which was dominating in the first half. They scored three touchdowns to narrow the gap to three.

It wasn't like they were gashing Michigan's defense with chunk play either, but they were checking it down to Darius Taylor and others to march their way down the field. Taylor had 10 grabs and two trips to the endzone because of that.

It gassed Michigan's defense, who had to substitute more then it wanted too and was already without Will Johnson and Josiah Stewart.

Mason Graham had the most productive day on the line, but was called for an illegal hands to the face on a fourth down in the final 15. It gave the Gophers new life that they took advantage of with six more.