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The battle for the Little Brown Jug made a big impression on Nick Piker.

Hinsdale Central’s starting left tackle made his first unofficial Big Ten visit Saturday when he watched Michigan’s 35-13 victory at Minnesota.

Piker, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior, received interest from the Gophers midway through the Red Devils’ football season and was invited to attend a game at TCF Bank Stadium on campus. Minnesota is the first Big Ten team to show an interest in Piker, who has already been in contact with schools from the Mid-American Conference, such as Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Miami.

After the game, Piker was escorted around the Minnesota campus.

“Everything was really nice,” Piker said. “I got a tour of the stadium. It’s brand new and everything looked great. They have the biggest locker room in all of college football.”

A discus thrower in the spring, he is also being recruited for track and field.

Piker said he is planning on visiting Bowling Green next weekend for the Falcons’ game against Kent State. Later this month, he hopes to travel with quarterback Brian Owens to Georgetown.

“The coach wanted to see us (in Hinsdale), but couldn’t because of Hurricane Sandy,” Piker said.

Piker, who has yet to be offered a scholarship, said he has been in contact with Northwestern, who offered a preferred walk-on spot.