With starting quarterback Denard Robinson once again sidelined due to an injury, the Michigan Wolverines are all knotted up at 7-7 with the No. 24 Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Devin Gardner, who led the Wolverines to a big win in Robinson's absence last weekend, once again got the starting nod.
After Michigan failed to score on the game's opening possession, Northwestern struck first on Venric Mark's 3-yard rushing touchdown. The score capped off a 10-play, 78-yard scoring drive that spanned 4:38. The Wildcats rushed for 59 yards on the drive, with Mark picking up 20 of those yards on five carries. Quarterback Kain Colter rushed for 16 yards of his own and had a big 19-yard completion on a third-and-long.
Michigan answered right back with a 10-play, 78-yard drive of their own. Gardner did most of the damage, completing 3-of-3 passes for 49 yards. He also rushed the ball three times for 16 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown to finish off the drive. The Wolverines benefited from several Northwestern penalties on the drive.
Gardner finished the quarter 4-of-7 for 57 yards passing and had 25 yards rushing on four carries.