Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner did what Denard Robinson andjust about every opponent outside of Alabama failed to do lastseason: make the Notre Dame defense look ordinary.
Gardner was 21-of-33 passing for 294 yards and four touchdownsand ran for another 82 yards and a rushing touchdown in a 41-30victory Saturday in the final scheduled game in Ann Arbor that sawthe 11th-ranked Wolverines (2-0) score the second-most pointsthey've had in the 41-game rivalry that will end, at least for theforeseeable future, after the teams play next season in SouthBend.
No. 21 Notre Dame (1-1) gave up 460 yards to Michigan, which ismore than the Irish defense gave up in any game on its way to a12-0 regular season last year cheap kobe shoe Sale 2013. Only the Crimson Tide with 529 yardsin a 42-14 win in the national championship game had more.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Gardner, who was the Wolverines'leading receiver in a 13-6 loss to the Wolverines a season ago whenRobinson threw four interceptions and lost a fumble, allows theWolverines to run the pro-style offense they want.
''We're going to be multiple enough personnel-wise and alsomultiple enough from a formation standpoint, with two backs, threebacks, whatever it takes, another offensive tackle in, a lot ofdifferent things that we like to do,'' Hoke said. ''This was morelike what we want to do.''
Gardner said it was great to display what the Michigan offensecan do in front of a record crowd of 115,109, saying he believesthe offense can be as good as he allows it to be.
''I feel like if I limit my mistakes we can go as far as wewant,'' he said.
For the Irish, who repeatedly failed to tackle Gardner in thebackfield when it had opportunities, the defense is left lookingfor answers. After allowing an average of just 305.4 yards and 12.8points a game last season, the Irish have allowed an average of 411yards and 23.5 points against Temple (0-2) and Michigan.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly seemed more disappointed in thefailure of the offense to take advantage of opportunities againstthan the defensive problems, which included a pair of key passinterference calls and some blown coverages.
''Last year we had to rely on our defense to win football games.I don't want to have to do that week in and week out,'' Kelly saidduring his weekly teleconference Sunday. ''I think there are goingto be some times when our offense has to win some ballgames.''
Kelly said he is not saying he doesn't believe the Irish can'tplay dominant defense, but said some players have to grow intotheir roles, such as Dan Fox who replaced Manti Te'o at insidelinebacker and freshman Jaylon Smith, the starter at outsidelinebacker.
Kelly isn't happy with the way the Irish played Saturday, butsaid he's confident Notre Dame has the talent needed to win Wholesale Basket Lebron XI.
''I'm confident that we can fix the things that need to be fixedand develop the players that need to be developed,'' he said. ''Ithink that is the most important thing from my perspective.''
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AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Ann Arbor, Mich., contributed tothis report Wholesale Buy Lebron 11 Shoes.