Michigan wins without injured QB Denard Robinson

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.

Associated Press

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.