Minnesota’s Daniel Jackson makes possible ‘Catch of the Year’ vs Michigan

Minnesota football came up just short of erasing a 21-point deficit Saturday at The Big House against No. 12 Michigan, as the Golden Gophers fell 27-24 in the 2024 edition of the Little Brown Jug rivalry game.

But in the midst of all that, the Gophers’ wide receiver Daniel Jackson entered himself into discussion for ‘Catch of the Year’ come the end of the college football season.

Driving in the red zone on a first-and-10 at the Michigan 12-yard line, Jackson looked to have caught the deflection of quarterback Max Brosmer’s pass off Wolverine defensive back Zeke Berry for a touchdown to bring the game within three at 27-24. To make it even more impressive from Jackson, he caught it with his back against Berry and spun.

Here’s another look at Jackson’s touchdown grab from the field:

Jackson finished second among all wide receivers in Saturday’s game with seven receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Through Minnesota’s first five games of the season, Jackson has 21 receptions for 268 yards and a score.

Despite the loss, the Gophers finished atop the Wolverines virtually in every statistical category, including total offense yards (296 to 241), first downs (20 to 15) and total tackles (62-57). Brosmer finished 27-of-40 passing for 258 yards with a touchdown but was sacked five times and threw an interception on the afternoon.

With the loss Saturday, one at which Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz was present, Minnesota dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Gophers have now lost each of their last six Big Ten games dating back to last season.