Gutsy Gardner Sparks Wolverines to Victory
10/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 12, 2014
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner paced the sidelines, limping and grimacing. He wanted back on the field in the worst way Saturday (Oct. 11) against Penn State, sensing that his presence was necessary if the Wolverines were to pull this one out.
And so Gardner bit his lip, sucked it up and returned for the fourth quarter to pull out an 18-13 win before a jubilant crowd of 113,085 at Michigan Stadium in the first Big Ten game played at night in the Big House.
Gardner, at less than 100 percent, got the Wolverines (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten) into range for Matt Wile's game-winning 37-yard field goal in a final quarter dominated by both defenses.
And in the process, Gardner did more than show guts and determination. He also passed Wolverines quarterback legends Tom Brady, Jim Harbaugh and Elvis Grbac in the career passing yardage or total offense categories.
But that was the least of Gardner's concern. The win was all he wanted, and you could see it on the sideline as well. Once he met with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier after drives concluded, Gardner was exhorting the defense to stop Penn State.
"Devin's leadership has been outstanding," said Michigan coach Brady Hoke. "And he played a game a year ago with a broken toe for half the game (against Ohio State). So you know he's got a toughness to him. He is turning in -- through his maturation process and everything -- into a tremendous leader. He was cheering the defense on when they were out there, and he wants to compete and play. And the trainers said, 'Yeah, he can go.' "
The legacy of Gardner, a senior from Inkster High, could be how deeply he cares. He limped while handing the ball off on the final possession before taking the snap and a knee in the victory formation on the game's final play.
Receivers Devin Funchess and Dennis Norfleet were the first teammates to hug him, and throughout the celebration, Gardner made sure of one thing. He wasn't losing the football. He cradled it during the congratulations and on-field interviews and carried it off the field in his right hand, limping all the way.
He had overcome the pain to make gains.
"Yes (there was pain)," Gardner said, "but it's a team out there that needs me, and they said that they needed me, and it's much bigger than just me. If I can be out there, I'm going to be out there."
Gardner was injured on a failed third-and-one run, and third-string quarterback Russell Bellomy got the call for the next two series. Hoke said backup quarterback Shane Morris was available, but Morris sat out his second consecutive game after suffering both a probable mild concussion and high ankle sprain against Minnesota.
Bellomy, a redshirt junior from Arlington, Texas, didn't look comfortable attempting to throw out of the pocket. He nearly served up a pick-six interception to Nittany Lions middle linebacker Mike Hull. And with Michigan uneasy to attack with the pass, Penn State had little trouble stopping the run.
The first drive behind Bellomy started at the Nittany Lions' 28-yard line thanks to cornerback Jourdan Lewis' crucial interception. But Michigan had to settle for Wile's 42-yard field goal to tie it, 13-13.
The offense gained only four yards on its final two possessions of the third quarter.
However, for the first drive of the fourth quarter, Gardner put on his helmet and returned to lead the Wolverines.
Hoke said, "The only time he said something to me was the series before, and he just said, 'Coach, I'm going.' I (asked), 'The trainers say you're okay?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'Okay. Go.' "
Gardner completed a 24-yard pass to Dennis Norfleet -- one that Michigan radio analyst Dan Dierdorf referred to as a "high risk-high reward" play as Gardner threw into heavy coverage but found his man.
"I didn't see it," Gardner said of the catch.
He'd been hit by defensive end C.J. Olaniyan and driven to the ground.
Gardner continued, "I was just hoping to God that he would catch it, and God answered. I don't even know if it was a good pass; I'll get a chance to see it later. I was on the ground, and I looked up and saw him doing his thing, so I thought 'Yeah, he caught it'. I took a chance, but I feel we can't play passive if we want to win football games. I took a chance there, and he made a play for me."
That pass got Wile into range for his third field goal of the night, a 37-yarder that ended up being the game-winner as the Michigan defense continued to stone Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg -- who was sacked six times -- and shut down his offense.
Defensive end Frank Clark, who had a game-clinching sack of Hackenberg on the visitors' final drive, said a letter written this week from the heart by punter Will Hagerup to his teammates "about doing what we came to Michigan to do" inspired everybody.
Gardner finished off the inspiration on the field.
"He's a tough guy," said Wolverines center Jack Miller. "He wanted to go back in. We were able to get it done with him in there. He's a great competitor."
Hoke was asked about Gardner's injury holding him back from the Oct 25 game at Michigan State after the bye week. Hoke paused, smiled and said, "We'll figure that out because we don't talk about injuries, but we'll figure that out."
Gardner assured reporters that he would play against the Spartans.
Hoke has been impressed with Gardner's will to succeed and win.
"With Devin," Hoke added, "I think the growth and the demeanor, and what he has done on and off the field has been really special."
Gardner connected with Amara Darboh for three third-down passes to keep first-half drives moving while hitting Funchess for a 43-yard touchdown pass to give Michigan the lead in the first quarter.
?"It was a great play by a great athlete," Gardner said of Funchess, who bobbled the underthrown ball before grabbing it and scoring. "When you have a big guy down the field, and he eliminates the corner, he's one-on-one with the safety, and I gave him a shot. He took advantage of it."
Gardner completed 16 of 24 passes for 192 yards and had 210 yards in total offense.
He's moving up the career statistical ladders pretty quickly. Gardner passed Grbac (1989-92) for sixth place on the total offense list with 6,350 yards. And Gardner moved ahead of Brady (1996-99) and Harbaugh (1983-86) into sixth place with 5,543 yards passing.
That's some pretty select company to keep. But the only thing Gardner cared about Saturday night was ending the game in the victory formation.
Asked about his emotions at that instant, Gardner said, "I'm thankful. We've been through a lot of adversity, and I thank God for the opportunity. He put us in a position to be able to finish. The defense did it, and then we finished. So, it was great for us."
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