Quick Hits: No. 23 Michigan 42, Iowa 17
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| Devin Gardner had no trouble with the Hawkeyes defense. (US Presswire) |
MICHIGAN WON. While it was Senior Day for Denard Robinson and the rest of Michigan's seniors, but it was junior Devin Gardner's game. Gardner started at quarterback for the Wolverines -- Robinson actually began the day at tailback and spent most of his time there -- and finished the day with 351 total yards and six total touchdowns as Michigan never really had any trouble with the Hawkeyes.
Not everything went wonderfully for Michigan, however, as running back Fitzgerald Toussaint suffered a leg injury that looked severe early in the game. There has been no word from Michigan on the extent of the injury.
WHY MICHIGAN WON: I'm not sure the Iowa secondary knew what it was doing, but the Michigan offense seemed to figure it out relatively quick. Honestly, when a secondary loses track of a receiver once in a game, it's not exactly good but not completely inexcusable, either. What is inexcusable is the number of times the Iowa secondary did it Saturday, as Michigan receivers found themselves wide open time and time again.
Michigan scored touchdowns on each of its first five drives to put this one away early.
WHEN MICHIGAN WON: In the final minute of the first half, with the ball at the Iowa 18, Devin Gardner rolled to his right out of the pocket. He then turned around and threw back across the field to running back Vincent Smith, who had a convoy of blockers in front of him. Smith found the end zone with ease, and Michigan went up 28-10 just before the half, putting this one to bed early.
WHAT MICHIGAN WON: Michigan still needs to beat Ohio State next week and get some help from Nebraska, but this win keeps the Wolverines alive in the Legends Division. And that means the Rose Bowl is still a possibility. This win also keeps Michigan's slim BCS at-large chances alive, as well. The Wolverines are ranked 21st in the BCS. This win and another against Ohio State next week might put them high enough to qualify. And as we saw last season at the Sugar Bowl, Michigan is a team that BCS bowls don't mind inviting.
