Gardner Talks Highs, Lows of Rutgers Game
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- University of Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner had some highlights in Saturday night's (Oct. 4) game at Rutgers. He ran 19 and 4 yards for touchdowns, and led the Wolverines on two fourth-quarter drives that nearly pulled out the game.
But in the end, neither he nor Michigan had enough in a 26-24 loss to Rutgers.
Gardner also had some low moments -- throwing an interception with a misguided pass instead of hitting Devin Funchess streaking down field for what could've been a touchdown. And he was sacked three times.
Still, he passed for 178 yards on just 22 attempts, and had 10 carries for 40 yards despite the yardage subtracted for the sacks.
And, so one game after sitting against Minnesota for three quarters as Shane Morris got the start, Gardner returned as the starter and gave a performance that pleased Wolverine coach Brady Hoke.
"I thought (of) how he responded when he sat and how he supported Shane when he was in there all during the week and during the game," Hoke said. "So, it didn't surprise me at all that he went out there and played, I thought, a pretty good football game."
"I think the interception is something that we've got to look at route-wise. So, maybe some fundamental stuff."
-- Devin Gardner
Gardner said, "That's something we have to work on, but it happened. And we responded to it. But we ran out of time."
How did Gardner think he played?
"It wasn't enough," he said. "I played okay, but it wasn't enough ... But I'm playing my best for my teammates and my family and Michigan."
Gardner ran better than he had all season.
"I feel fresh," Gardner said. "I feel good. I feel like I was being a little passive ... I feel like I had to make plays with my legs. But like I said, it wasn't enough."
The first drive of the fourth quarter resulted in a touchdown and the second drive went 48 yards on nine plays to set up Matt Wile for a 56-yard field goal attempt that was blocked and sealed Michigan's fate.
"We fought today and we continue to build off improvements," said Gardner. "These are opportunities for me and my teammates to become better men. Each time I face adversity, I get the opportunity to show what kind of man I am. And my teammates share that same sentiment, and that's what we're going to do. Every time we face adversity, we're going to show what kind of men we're going to be and what kind of men we are ... I'm becoming a man, and a better football player as well. So, I thank God for this adversity.
"I learned that we are going to fight, and that we're great men. We're facing a lot of adversity -- probably more than any Michigan team ever. So, we're going to keep responding."
Both of his touchdowns came on the naked bootleg plays. Michigan split three receivers to the left, and Gardner ran right for his 4-yard touchdown. His 19-yarder took some doing.
"I put a pump fake on him," Gardner said of strong safety Lorenzo Waters. "He bought it, and I ran around him and saw the end zone."
Gardner was hoping to get Michigan into the end zone one more time, but what appeared to be a first-down catch by Amara Darboh was ruled incomplete at the Rutgers 30-yard line. That brought about Wile's field goal attempt.
However, the Wolverines appeared to wear down Rutgers in the fourth quarter with tailbacks Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith -- who was particularly inspirational with his second-effort runs before leaving with a leg injury prior to the pivotal incomplete pass to Darboh.
"I told them when we walked into the huddle that we were going to score," Gardner said. "That was the end of that. And that's what we did. A lot of that was on De'Veon's back. He carried the ball hard and he ran tough, and hats off to him and the offensive line. They moved people, and he hit them."
Gardner said he didn't see anybody giving up on his team, and the senior leader wants to be there for them.
"My teammates know what type of leader I am and they believe in me," Gardner said. "So, that's nice."
Asked about how he responded to not starting last week, Gardner said, "I was (upset). Nobody wants to be benched. But that's what's best for the team, and (Hoke's) the coach. I just helped Shane through the week as much as I could to help him prepare.
"And I knew maybe I'd get my shot. And when I got my shot, I took advantage of it. I came into this week with the same intensity I had last week, only I was the starter."
Gardner came off the bench when Morris suffered a high ankle sprain and a probable mild concussion last week against Minnesota, and Gardner rushed for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
So, despite not wanting to talk about whether there was anything gained from watching Morris from the sideline, as Hoke had suggested, Gardner has been more effective since returning.
The Wolverines (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten) aren't getting results, but Gardner isn't ruling out a championship with six games remaining.
"We'll play for each other," Gardner said. "And nobody knows how the chips will fall. We could still get a chance to play in Indy and win."
The Big Ten championship game is in Indianapolis.
"So," Gardner said, "I'm just looking forward to getting back tomorrow, watching film, and continuing to work to get better."
Gardner ranks seventh among Michigan quarterbacks with 39 career touchdown passes, and he's thrown for 5,351 yards to move into a seventh-place tie with Tom Brady.
He's accomplished some things, but not everything he wants. And when he brings up the six games remaining, there's a smile on Devin Gardner's face.
