Michigan wins without injured QB Denard Robinson

BLADE STAFF

Michigan's A.J. Williams, second from left second, hoists running back Thomas Rawls (38) after Rawls scored a touchdown against Minnesota during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, in Minneapolis. Michigan's Stephen Hopkins (33) and Joey Burzynski (56) join the celebration.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Without quarterback Denard Robinson, Michigan still became bowl-eligible and held on to the Little Brown Jug for another year with a 35-13 win at Minnesota.

Robinson, sidelined with an injury to the ulnar nerve in his right arm, warmed up but was announced as a game-time scratch minutes before Michigan's kickoff at TCF Bank Stadium. Instead, Devin Gardner made his first start at quarterback this season - after being converted to wide receiver in the offseason - and threw for 234 yards on 12 completions to help the Wolverines (6-3, 4-1 Big Ten).

Minnesota (5-4, 1-4) took a 7-0 lead five seconds into the second quarter on John Rabe's 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Nelson, but Michigan answered with touchdowns from Drew Dileo and Thomas Rawls to take a 14-7 lead at the half.

Jeremy Gallon's 10-yard touchdown catch gave the Wolverines a 21-7 lead with 5:05 left in the third, and after Jordan Wettstein's second field goal, Gardner and Fitz Toussaint scored touchdowns for Michigan.

Michigan hosts Northwestern at noon Nov. 10 at Michigan Stadium in a Legends Division game.