Denard Robinson Enters Big Blue Legend, Races Past Notre Dame

“Hail to the Victors” sounds a little louder. Rich Rodriguez’ hot seat is cooling off. And Michigan is as close to justifying a few “MICHIGAN IS BACK!” headlines as it has been since Lloyd Carr left the program.

Thank Denard Robinson for all of that.

Michigan’s prodigiously talented quarterback ran for the go-ahead touchdown with 27 seconds left, and a last-ditch Dayne Crist pass sailed out of the back of the end zone, giving Michigan a second dramatic win over Notre Dame in as many years.

Last year, Michigan fans were singing Tate Forcier’s praises after a drive to down the Irish; this year, in Robinson, Wolverines fans think they have something more. The sophomore rolled up 502 yards of total offense on his own, including 258 rushing yards, a Big Ten record for a quarterback. Robinson was less accurate (24-of-40) and Michigan was less potent on third down (just 3-of-16) than in Big Blue’s season opener against Purdue, but on the game-winning drive, Robinson was 5-of-6 through the air and converted a third and a fourth down.

Notre Dame deserves credit for keeping it that close. After losing Crist to an eye injury in the first half, the Fighting Irish scrapped back from a 21-7 deficit, taking a 24-21 lead on a 95-yard bomb from Crist to Kyle Rudolph. But errors at the end of both halves doomed the Domers: Brian Kelly’s charges eschewed a field goal from within the Michigan 5 at the end of the first half, and Crist’s errant throw at game’s end wasted a drive that got all the way to the Michigan 27 with six seconds and two timeouts remaining.

But the Irish had no answers for Robinson. Michigan needed every part of his spectacular day to win this game, and has holes on defense and deficiencies at running back and receiver that ensure future victories will demand similar performances.

Frighteningly, though, Robinson’s best is likely still in store.