Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/163197
Game Preview: Michigan On Paper By Andrew Owens Michigan Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Three starters graduated from an offensive line that struggled at times in 2012, but All-American Taylor Lewan is back in a Michigan uniform for a fifth season. Fifth-year senior tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint returns after a disappointing 2012 season in which he finished with just 555 yards and five touchdowns. The Wolverines' leading rusher from a year ago, Denard Robinson, is in the NFL after playing quarterback, running back and receiver a year ago. In its tight 13-6 victory over Michigan last season, Notre Dame allowed 161 rushing yards, but the key was its ability to prevent the big plays, something it did not do in close losses in 2009-11. The Irish front has lost defensive end Kapron LewisMoore and linebacker Manti Te'o — major factors in the rush defense — since the last meeting, but the Irish have enough depth at the position to keep Michigan's stable of backs under control. After relying on quarterback Devin Gardner's arm heavily during the second half of 2012, Michigan finished with a Big Ten-low 940 rushing yards from its tailbacks a year ago and will likely try to set the tone early against an imposing Irish front. Advantage: Notre Dame Michigan Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense Gardner has received a good amount of preseason hype as Michigan turns the reins of its offense to him full-time in 2013. A year ago, Gardner spent most of the first half of the season playing wide receiver, but assumed the starting quarterback position in week eight and threw all but one of the team's passes the remainder of the season. He finished the season with 1,219 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, Fifth-year senior Jeremy Gallon leads an inexperienced receiving corps in 2013, after catching 49 passes for 829 yards and four touchdowns in 2012. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN and made up for the lack of a running game. With Gardner at the helm, the Michigan offense finished the season with a 3-2 record with close losses to undefeated Ohio State and to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. At receiver, the Wolverines are not quite as strong this year, but it might not show up in the statistics due to a more pass-heavy offense. After Roy Roundtree's graduation, Gardner's move to quarterback and a season-ending injury to sophomore Amara Darboh in fall camp, the weight falls on fifth-year senior Jeremy Gallon and sophomore tight end Devin Funchess to