Gardner dominates, Michigan trounces Iowa

Written by BTN.com staff
posted on
11/17/12 @ 3:49pm
in Football, Iowa, Michigan
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Devin Gardner accounted for six touchdowns to help No. 23 Michigan rout Iowa 42-17 Saturday. The Wolverines (8-3, 6-1 Big Ten) weren’t stopped on offense by the hapless Hawkeyes (4-7, 2-5) until Gardner threw an interception early in the fourth quarter.

Gardner threw three touchdowns and ran for three scores. He became the first Michigan quarterback to account for six TDs since 1983 when Steve Smith had as many passing and rushing scores in a game at Minnesota.

Denard Robinson played after missing two-plus games with nerve damage in his right elbow. Robinson started at running back and took some snaps at QB, but didn’t throw a pass.

Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint appeared to break his left leg on his team’s first drive.

WATCH OUR IOWA-MICHIGAN HIGHLIGHTS

FINAL: Devin Gardner threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 37 yards and three touchdowns, leading No. 24 Michigan to a 42-17 victory over Iowa on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

The Wolverines’ passing game looked flawless, despite the efforts of the Hawkeyes’ secondary. Michigan’s air attack couldn’t be contained, as it torched Iowa for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Gardner completed 18 of 23 passes for the Wolverines.

Home run plays keyed Michigan’s scoring attack. The Wolverines had seven plays of 20 yards or more on their way to victory. With 8:08 to go in the second quarter, Gardner found Jeremy Gallon open for a 51-yard pass, Michigan’s biggest gain of the game. The big gainer was part of a 10-play drive capped off when Gardner turned a quarterback sneak into a one-yard touchdown run. That gave the Wolverines a 21-10 lead.

Michigan racked up 513 total yards. Along with Gardner’s stats in the passing game, the Wolverines also added 199 yards rushing on 39 attempts.

James Vandenberg threw for 181 yards while going 19-26 for the Hawkeyes. He tossed two touchdowns and no interceptions. Vandenberg also ran for 35 yards on eight attempts. Vandenberg looked for C.J. Fiedorowicz often. He hauled in eight catches for 99 yards.

Iowa’s offense finished the game having gained 309 yards. The Hawkeyes complemented Vandenberg’s passing with 128 yards rushing on 34 attempts.

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