The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
Individual Game Performances Top Five Players 1. Devin Gardner vs. Iowa — With offensive coordinator Al Borges keeping Gardner under center and utilizing Denard Robinson at running back, quarterback and receiver, the Michigan offense hummed against Iowa in a 42-17 victory. Gardner ended up throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns, and scored an additional three touchdowns on the ground. The second aerial touchdown came via a pretty pitch-and-catch with fifth-year senior wide receiver Roy Roundtree, and the sixth allowed freshman tight end Devin Funchess to show off his leaping ability from 36 yards out. 1. Denard Robinson, Sr., Quarterback — Robinson missed three games with a nerve injury to his elbow and finished his last season at Michigan as a quarterback/running back/wide receiver. Shoelace ended up passing for only 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns in his final Michigan campaign — but he continued to excel with his trademark feet, running for 1,266 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson leaves U-M as the all-time NCAA career leader in rushing yards by a quarterback and in second place in career rushing yardage at Michigan. 2. Denard Robinson vs. Purdue — Robinson only passed for 105 yards and a touchdown, but his 234 yards on the ground were vintage Shoelace. He had runs of 38 and 46 yards, leaving Purdue in the dust. The virtuoso performance on the ground gave him the Big Ten career rushing record for a quarterback with 4,495 yards, surpassing Indiana's Antwaan Randle El. 2. Devin Gardner, Jr., Quarterback — Starting the season at wide receiver, Gardner caught 16 balls for 266 yards and four scores. After the Nebraska loss, he moved back to quarterback, and led Michigan to wins in three of its last four regular-season games and a strong effort in a 33-28, last-second Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina. He finished the season with 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air. 3. Taylor Lewan, R-Jr., Offensive Line — The big man, who has made 35 career starts, was named a first-team AllAmerican by the Associated Press and won the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year for the Big Ten. He even scored a touchdown against UMass, becoming the first U-M offensive lineman to do that since 1948. 3. Devin Gardner vs. Minnesota — In his first collegiate start, Gardner helped to continue the Michigan tradition of pounding Minnesota and retaining the Little Brown Jug. He passed for 234 yards, tossed two touchdowns and completed 67.0 percent of his throws (12 of 18). 4. Jake Ryan vs. Illinois — On a rainsoaked day at The Big House, the Michigan defense whitewashed the hapless Illinois offense, shutting them out 45-0. Ryan matched a career high with 11 tackles, setting up a veritable fortress at the line of scrimmage, The redshirt sophomore caught the Illini behind the line 3.5 times and sacked the quarterback on 1.5 occasions. 4. Jake Ryan, R-So., Linebacker — The fiery, long-haired, sure-tackling linebacker led the team in tackles with 88 and was named second-team All-Big Ten. Three times during the season he cinched up double-digit-tackling performances (Air Force — 11, Illinois — 11 and Michigan State — 10). His sack and forced fumble were critical in the MSU game. 5. Denard Robinson vs. UMass — Michigan crushed UMass 63-13, and Shoelace had a hand — and foot — in four of the eight total touchdowns. He was accurate through the air (16-of-24 passing for 291 yards with three TD), and shifty on the ground where he scampered for 109 yards and a score against a beleaguered UMass team. 5. Jeremy Gallon, R-Jr., Wide Receiver — The 5-8 wide receiver routinely snuck by opposing secondaries unnoticed, snagging balls with quick hands and going up to make leaping grabs over bigger defensive backs. He was Michigan's only real threat against Alabama, eclipsing 100 yards receiving, and made long touchdown catches against Illinois (71 yards) and Minnesota (47). He saved his best for last, catching a careerhigh nine balls for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Outback Bowl loss to South Carolina. Linebacker Jake Ryan earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after posting a team-high 88 tackles for the season. photo by per kjeldsen Dec. 2: Former Michigan quarterback Brian Griese is inducted into the Rose Bowl 2012 Hall of Fame class. Griese was named Player of the Game following his outstanding performance at the 1998 Rose Bowl, when the Wolverines beat Washington State 21-16 to finish undefeated and win the 1997 national championship. Jan. 1: Down in Tampa Bay, Fla., Michigan loses two late fourth quarter leads and is stunned 3328 by South Carolina in the 2013 Outback Bowl. Robinson claims first place on the NCAA's list of all-time rushing yards by a quarterback, finishing his career with 4,495. Michigan's final record stands at 8-5. Jan. 9: In welcome news, redshirt junior offensive tackle Taylor Lewan reveals that he will return for his senior season. Feb. 6: The 2013 edition of National Signing Day was an abundant one for Michigan. Brady Hoke and his staff sign 21 prep stars, in addition to six early enrollees. The 27 total prospects earned a No. 5 national ranking from Rivals.com. March 5: Gardner is granted a medical hardship retroactive to the 2010 season. His career at U-M will conclude after the 2014 season. March 29: Redshirt junior linebacker Jake Ryan suffers a torn ACL during a spring practice and will miss much, if not all, of the 2013 season Ryan racked up a team-high 88 tackles last season and earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition. April 27: Robinson (fifth round, pick No. 135 by the Jacksonville Jaguars) and defensive tackle William Campbell (sixth round, pick No. 178, by the New York Jets) are selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. April 29: Michigan announces that it will play Notre Dame under the lights for the third consecutive season. The rubber match will kick off at The Big House on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 195