Denard Robinson didn’t have his best stuff through the air against Eastern Michigan. Luckily he still had his legs.
Robinson ran for 198 yards and a score and threw for two more as the Wolverines amassed 376 rushing yards in a 31-3 win over EMU.
Vincent Smith added 118 yards on just nine carries for Michigan, who ran their record to 3-0. Brady Hoke, coaching his 100th career game, got back to .500 for his career at 50-50.
EMU controlled the early part of the game, but turnovers prevented the Eagles from capitalizing on their success. Running back Javonti Greene fumbled in Michigan territory on their first possession, and backup quarterback Tyler Benz was picked off in the end zone on a trick play.
Michigan didn’t score in the first quarter for the third straight game and trailed 3-0 after an early second quarter field goal, but Robinson finally got things going on offense. After Thomas Gordon made the interception of Benz, Robinson orchestrated a 97-yard drive that ended with a short touchdown toss to tight end Kevin Koger. Michigan never trailed again.
They took a 14-3 lead into the break on a six-play drive at the end of the half that featured all runs, in what would become the theme of the day for Michigan. Michigan ran 69 plays on the afternoon, 50 of them runs.
The Wolverines picked up right where they left off after halftime with Fitzgerald Toussaint punching in a 1-yard score to push the lead to 21-3. Robinson threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Drew Dileo with a little over a minute left in the third.
Brendan Gibbons made Michigan’s first field goal of the year in the fourth, a 21-yard chip shot, to make it 31-3