WOLVERINES NOTEBOOK

Gardner, Gallon enjoy ‘dream’ day

Michigan’s Jeremy Gallon hauls in a pass and runs for a touchdown against Indiana’s Tim Bennett. Gallon set a Big Ten record with 369 receiving yards.

ANN ARBOR — Devin Gardner described the day as a dream. Jeremy Gallon didn’t realize he was on a record-setting pace.

It wasn’t until after Michigan’s 63-47 win against Indiana that the duo realized their names would go into the history books.

Gardner had a school-record 584 yards of offense, completing 21 of 29 passes for 503 yards and adding 81 yards rushing on 15 carries.

“I just wanted to win the game,” said Gardner, who bested the single-game record of 502 yards, set in 2010 by former teammate Denard Robinson. “But at the same time, I didn’t know anything about the record until you guys asked about that. I felt kind of stupid about not knowing about it.

“But it’s a dream. I could have never dreamed of playing a game such as this after such a tough loss [last weekend at Penn State].”

Gallon became the top beneficiary of Gardner’s success. The fifth-year senior finished with 14 catches for 369 yards and two touchdowns, and he set school and Big Ten records for receiving yards in a single game.

“I really didn’t focus on it,” said Gallon, whose total is also the second-highest ever by an FBS receiver. “I was just playing the game. I wanted to win this for my team and for the seniors.”

Did Gallon ever believe he could earn those kind of numbers during the course of a college game?

“To be honest, no,” Gallon said. “But that’s what you play for. As a senior, that’s what you dream of, going out and giving it all for your teammates and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.”

Despite his teammate’s diminutive stature, Gardner pointed out Gallon’s attributes.

“He’s only 5-9, but he’s got the same set of skills as all the tall receivers,” Gardner said. “He can get the high balls, he’s real quick getting out, and he’s a terror for the defense.”

A LIGHTER WORKLOAD: A week after leading the Wolverines in rushing, Gardner’s rushing total against Indiana was more reasonable. He finished with 40 yards less than his output at Penn State.

As a result, Gardner got more time to pass — and Gallon had more chances to receive — but Michigan’s offense also benefited.

Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint ran for a season-high 151 yards on 32 carries — more than five times his output of 27 yards last weekend at Penn State — and scored four touchdowns, including a 27-yard run with 1 minute, 12 seconds left that put the game out of reach.

JUGGLING AGAIN: Michigan started Joey Burzynski and Erik Magnuson at the guard position on the offensive line against Indiana, the Wolverines’ second shuffle of the offensive line since the bye week at the end of September.

“They gave me plenty of time to read the defenses, and when I had to make the plays, they came through,” Gardner said.

SLIPPERY ROCK: Michigan announced it will host the Slippery Rock football team’s regular-season game against Mercyhurst on Oct. 18, 2014, which will be a bye week for the Wolverines.

It will be the third time Slippery Rock has played at Michigan Stadium. Slippery Rock lost to Shippensburg in 1979 and lost to Wayne State in 1981.

The Slippery Rock score is announced at UM games. It’s a tradition that began in 1959 when the public address announcer read the score as a humorous touch.

Contact Rachel Lenzi at: rlenzi@theblade.com, 419-724-6510, or on Twitter @RLenziBlade.