Wolverines only points off the foot of Gibbons as Nebraska beats Michigan 23-9

10/27/2012

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Instead of locking up a bowl berth and strengthening its hold on the lead in the Big Ten Conference Legends Division, the Michigan football team has to figure out how to regroup in the wake of tonight's 23-9 loss at Nebraska.

Furthermore, the Wolverines have to figure out which direction to go in next after losing quarterback Denard Robinson to an injury at the end of the first half. ESPN reported that Robinson injured a nerve in the elbow of his throwing arm, which impacted his ability to grip the ball.

Brendan Gibbons kicked three field goals for the Wolverines, and Kenny Bell and Ameer Abdullah scored touchdowns for Nebraska (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten), which led 7-6 at halftime.

Michigan (5-3, 3-1 Big Ten) faces Minnesota next Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

THIRD QUARTER

Brett Maher's three third-quarter field goals helped Nebraska take a 16-9 lead over Michigan going into the fourth quarter.

Nebraska took advantage of a costly bobble by Vincent Smith less than three minutes into the second half when P.J. Smith’s 53-yard interception return set up Maher’s 24-yard field goal, which gave the Huskers a 10-6 lead two minutes into the second half.

Three minutes later, aided by a pass interference call against Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd, Nebraska took a 13-6 lead on Maher’s 51-yard field goal, and Maher’s third field goal gave Nebraska a 16-6 lead.

Brendan Gibbons kicked a 38-yard field goal with 42 seconds left to cut Nebraska's lead to 16-9.

HALFTIME

Kenny Bell scored the game's only touchdown, a 32-yard reception from Taylor Martinez, to help Nebraska take a 7-6 lead over Michigan at halftime.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was injured with less than five minutes left in the first half; Michigan's radio broadcast reported the injury as a cut to Robinson's elbow.

After Matt Wile's 53-yard field goal fell short in the first quater, Brendan Gibbons' 52-yard kick with 8:21 left in the half cut Nebraska's lead to 7-3. Michigan had reached the Nebraska 8-yard line when Robinson was injured, and backup quarterback Russell Bellomy was unable to complete a pair of passes. Gibbons' second field goal - a 24-yard kick with 2:43 left - cut Nebraska's lead to 7-6.

FIRST QUARTER

Michigan and Nebraska ended the first quarter of a Big Ten Conference game scoreless tonight at Memorial Stadium.

Michigan kicker Matt Wile's 53-yard field goal attempt was short, leaving the game scoreless with 4:42 left in the first.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson leads all rushers with 34 yards on seven carries; Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has two completions for 26 yards.