The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE KICKS OFF AT NOON The Wolverines and Buckeyes have always brought a showdown-at-high- noon type of feeling into their annual battles. It makes sense, then, that the 2014 edition will actually feature a noon kickoff in Ohio Stadium Nov. 29. Michigan started off the season with a noon game against Appala- chian State, but in the 10 games that followed, the Wolverines took part in three night contests and seven 3:30 p.m. starts. The Notre Dame, Rutgers and Penn State battles were played under the lights, with Michigan going 1-2 in those outings. Brady Hoke will be looking to secure his second victory over the Buckeyes in four years, and his first in three en- counters with OSU's Urban Meyer. The two teams have battled down to the wire in each of the past two seasons, the Buckeyes winning 26-21 in Colum- bus in 2012 and then prevailing in a 42-41 shootout at Michigan Stadium last year. Ohio State is in position to play in its second consecutive Big Ten champion- ship contest, in the inaugural league title game under the East-West division format. The Buckeyes are also holding out hope of making it to the NCAA's four-team playoff. GARDNER A FINALIST FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner is one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, representing an array of excellence covering the follow- ing: community, classroom, character and competition. Gardner completed 139 of 227 passes for 1,557 yards with eight touchdowns through 10 games this season, while rushing for 155 yards and three scores. His completion percentage of 61.2 ranked fourth in the Big Ten. In his ca- reer, he stood 440-of-731 passing for 5,997 yards with 42 touchdowns, plus 813 rushing yards and 23 scores on the ground. He already possesses a bachelor's de- gree in Afro-American and American studies, and is participating in Michi- gan's Master of Social Work Program. Gardner makes regular visits to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, and does extensive work visiting schools to in- teract with kids. He has participated in a variety of community activities, including volunteering at the Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor and a Food Gatherers Food Drive. The 10 finalists can be voted on daily at www.seniorclassaward.com/vote/ football_2014/ through Dec. 15. Ballots are also going to media and coaches, with a winner to be announced in January. BEYER BECOMES WUERFFEL TROPHY FINALIST Senior defensive end Brennen Beyer is among 12 finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented each year to a Foot- ball Bowl Subdivision student-athlete FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK