MINNEAPOLIS - With little left to play for, the Michigan Wolverines finally played their best.

A week after their bowl hopes were dashed, their quarterback hurt and their defense torched, the Wolverines responded with their most complete game this season and beat Minnesota 29-6.

The win was UM's first since Sept. 27 and snapped a five-game losing streak. It also netted the Wolverines' seniors a small consolation prize for this lost season - retention of the Little Brown Jug.

Hardware aside, this one was about UM finally playing to the satisfaction of first-year coach Rich Rodriguez. Backup quarterback Nick Sheridan operated

Rodriguez's spread-option offense with few hiccups, the defense was fast, physical and even stingy, and kicker K.C. Lopata tied a school record with five field goals.

"I thought today was probably the best we've done this year in all three phases as far as playing solidly for four quarters," Rodriguez said. "Not perfect, but solidly. It was a good win."

Sheridan started in place of the injured Steven Threet (concussion) and sparked a quarterback discussion - if not controversy. Starting for the first time since opening day, Sheridan set career highs in completions (18), attempts (30) and yards (203).

The sophomore had struggled mightily in previous relief appearances. Yesterday he didn't turn the ball over and threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Greg Mathews with 1:49 left in the second quarter that helped put the Wolverines up 16-0.

"I felt good," Sheridan said. "I was comfortable with our game plan and the coaches called a great game. I felt pretty good, but I felt comfortable in the past, too. A couple things bounced the wrong way and I hadn't executed as well as I would've liked or as well as I had in practice."

Sheridan and the Wolverines kept the Gophers' ball-hawking defense off balance with mostly short throws and a running game that netted a season-high 232 yards.

Freshman Justin Feagin added to that mix in his first action at quarterback, carrying seven times for 49 yards and setting up Sheridan's touchdown throw with a 34-yard run.

UM set season bests with 435 total yards and 72 plays, holding the ball for 34:13. The Wolverines' defense wasn't out there long but dominated when called into action.

Entering the game as the Big Ten's worst scoring defense and burned for 522 yards and 48 points last week by Purdue, UM limited Minnesota to a season-low 188 yards and two second-half field goals by Joel Monroe.

"It seemed like we played with a little greater sense of urgency at times defensively," Rodriguez said.

Ditching the much-criticized 3-3-5 alignment from last week, the Wolverines utilized mostly a nickel defense with safety Brandon Harrison playing linebacker. The Gophers didn't gain a first down until there was 8:11 left in the second quarter and finished the first half with 46 yards.

The Wolverines sealed the win when Morgan Trent intercepted Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber near midfield with 7:16 remaining. They didn't give the ball back until fullback Mark Moundros scored on a three-yard run with 34 seconds left.

Minnesota standout receiver Eric Decker had one catch for minus-three yards and sat out the second half with an ankle injury.

"We just said we were going to let loose this week, let loose the rest of the way," said defensive end Brandon Graham, who had one of UM's four sacks. "Coach said we look like we're thinking too much. He said don't worry about mistakes, just go out there and play."

The Wolverines (3-7, 2-4) staved off some dubious history with their triumph. Had they lost, they would've set a school record for losses in a season and for consecutive defeats.

UM plays its final home game Saturday against Northwestern.

Contact Joe Vardon at:

jvardon@theblade.com

or 419-410-5055.