Devin Gardner named Manning Award Player of the Week

Michigan Wolverines junior quarterback Devin Gardner was named the Manning Award Player of the Week on Thursday for his performance in Michigan's 38-31 overtime win over Northwestern on Nov. 10.

In just his second career start, filling in for injured Denard Robinson, Gardner went 16-for-29 for 286 yards with two touchdowns and ran nine times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Earlier he was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week along with Wisconsin running back Montee Ball.

Gardner completed a 53-yard pass to set up the field goal that sent the game into overtime. In OT he ran for the game-winning touchdown.

With Robinson still suffering from a nerve injury in his throwing elbow that he suffered on Oct. 27 against Nebraska, Gardner is expected to start against Iowa on Saturday in Michigan's home finale. Prior to playing quarterback in the last two games, Gardner had lined up as a wide receiver, catching 16 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns on the season.