Notre Dame Vs Michigan Final: Denard Robinson Leads Stunning Comeback Win Over The Irish

With his team trailing 24-7 early in the fourth quarter, Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson put his team on his back to score a stunning, 35-31 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish under the lights at the Big House.

Robinson recovered running back Stephen Hopkins' goal-line fumble and ran it into the end zone to cut the lead to ten points. On Michigan's next possession, the offense took advantage of a short-field as Robinson hit Jeremy Gallon for a 14-yard touchdown to a cap a 5-play, 40-yard drive to pull within three.

Notre Dame would drive down to the Michigan 7-yard line on their next possession, but the Irish were once again victimized by a red zone turnover as a Tommy Rees fumble at the Michigan seven-yard line was recovered by the Wolverines. Robinson connected with Junior Hemingway on a 45-yard pass that had 15 yards tacked on for a roughing the passer penalty. On the next play, however, another jump-ball throw from Robinson was intercepted in the end zone by Robert Blanton.

Michigan's defense answered the call, forcing a key three-and-out and giving the ball back to Robinson. After using his legs to convert a third-and-two, Robinson hit Kelvin Grady in stride for a 27-yard gain on first-and-10 from the Irish 48-yard line. On the next play, Robinson rolled out to the right before throwing a screen pass back to his left to running back Vincent Smith, who eluded several Notre Dame defenders on his way into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown that gave the Wolverines a 28-24 lead over the Irish with just over a minute to play.

Following a 34-yard return by wide receiver Theo Riddick, the Irish took over at their own 39-yard line. A 15-yard pass interference penalty quickly got them into Wolverines territory. Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees hit Tyler Eiefert for 12 yards and gained five yards on a check-down to T.J. Jones, who stepped out of bounds to stop the clock. After an incomplete pass, Rees hit a wide open Riddick for a 29-yard touchdown to retake the lead 31-28 with 30 seconds remaining on the fourth quarter.

Taking over at their own 20-yard line, Robinson hit Gallon for a 64-yard catch-and-run that gave the Wolverines a first-and-ten at the Irish 16-yard line with eight seconds remaining. Instead of kicking the field goal, Robinson was giving one shot at the end zone and he found Roy Roundtree, who fought off through an interference penalty to make the catch and give the Wolverines a 35-31 lead with two ticks left on the clock.