Devin Gardner again named Manning Award Player of the Week

Following a win over Iowa where he scored a remarkable six touchdowns, Michigan junior quarterback Devin Gardner picked up his second consecutive Manning Award Player of the Week selection on Wednesday.

Even though it was only his third career start under center, Gardner's outstanding performance was more than enough to sway voters to select him over the seven other candidates following Week 12. In addition to beating out Clemson's Tajh Boyd, who racked up eight touchdowns of his own on Saturday, Gardner also edged Arkansas State's Ryan Aplin, who became the Sun Belt's all-time leading passer over the weekend.

While the Wolverines are likely to continue easing Denard Robinson back into action, Gardner's high level of play over the last three-plus weeks looks to have been more than enough to wrap up his starting job heading into the 2013 campaign. Robinson continues to battle a debilitating nerve injury and did not throw a pass in Saturday's win, which only increases the likelihood that Gardner will remain the Wolverines' starter both against Ohio State and in their upcoming bowl game.