Michigan lost to Ohio State earlier this season in a game that reminded us why Buckeyes-Wolverines is one of the best rivalries in sports. It was a heartbreaking 42-41 loss for Michigan, but quarterback Devin Gardner gave fans plenty to be proud of. They should feel an even greater sense of pride when they learn that Gardner played most of the second half with a broken foot.
Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports reports that the junior quarterback suffered a broken foot during the second drive of the third quarter and continued to play through the pain. He led the Wolverines to three touchdown drives on their final four possessions against the Buckeyes, coming up just short on a two-point conversion attempt that would have given Michigan the lead with 33 seconds left.
We had no problem with Brady Hoke going for two and the win against Ohio State, though we said at the time that we would have liked to see Gardner run the ball with Ohio State seemingly playing the pass. The severity of the foot injury could help explain why running the ball was not an option.
Gardner finished the game 451 yards, four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He did a lot of that damage after breaking his foot.
Freshman quarterback Shane Morris is expected to start on Saturday in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against Kansas State.
H/T The Big Lead
