The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/106890
game was a defensive struggle. Michigan State — having given Denard Robinson fits in 2010 and 2011 — held the U-M offense out of the end zone all game. Once again, the field goal kickers saved the day. Sophomore kicker Matt Wile hit a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Gibbons was a rock, hitting all three of his field goal attempts (24 yards, 21 yards and 38 yards). Down 10-9 in the final minutes of the game, Michigan was looking for any sort of offensive spark, needing to get into field goal position. The Wolverines gained just 326 yards of total offense in the game, but Robinson and Co. came through in the clutch. The senior quarterback found junior wide receiver Drew Dileo downfield for a 20-yard gain with less than 15 seconds remaining. That's when Gibbons shucked the Spartans' attempt to ice him, trotted out onto the field and calmly kicked the winning field goal, ending the Spartans' hold on the trophy. Toughest Loss Ohio State 26, Michigan 21 With five losses on the season, this was a difficult category. The 13-6 loss to Notre Dame was certainly heartbreaking, and the 23-9 loss at Nebraska, with a shot at the Leaders Division title on the line, was tough to stomach. But nothing leaves a sour taste in U-M fans' mouths quite like a disappointing loss to Ohio State. The Buckeyes entered the game with a perfect 11-0 record. Because of NCAA sanctions stemming from infractions during the Jim Tressel era, OSU was ineligible for postseason play — so the Wolverines were the only thing standing in the way of the Buckeyes and an undefeated season. Michigan came out swinging, with three touchdowns in the first half, including a 75-yard touchdown catch by Roundtree and a 67-yard run by Robinson. Unfortunately, the offense stalled after the break, failing to put another point on the board. Although the Michigan defense stiffened up, holding the Buckeyes to just two field goals after the break, Ohio State came away with the win. Offensive MVP Senior Quarterback Denard Robinson Obviously, Robinson's senior season did not work out the way he — or anyone else who has a vested interest in the team — had hoped. He had arguably the worst game of his career under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, accounting for five turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble). And he missed significant time in the second half of the year, after hurting a nerve in his throwing elbow, an injury that completely altered his role in the offense. But he still meant more to the team than any other single player, racking up 1,266 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 177 carries (7.2 yards per attempt), and 1,319 passing yards and nine scores on 89-of-167 passing. The explosive feats Robinson accomplished in a Michigan uniform had