Ohio State vs Michigan: 5 best individual performances of all-time
By Carly Regehr
No. 3: 451 total yards, 4 total TD (2013)
Player: Michigan QB Devin Gardner
Final Score: 42 Ohio State, 41 Michigan
Head Coaches: Brady Hoke (Michigan), 12-2 (Ohio State)
W-L Record in 2013: 7-6 (Michigan), Urban Meyer (Ohio State)
Devin Gardner would outperform Ohio State QB Braxton Miller in the 2013 edition, who threw for only 133 yards on six completions. Gardner’s performance was also good enough to earn him a 184.6 rating. Earlier in the season, Gardner had an identical game against Notre Dame in Week 2. Completing just under 64-percent of his passes, Gardner went home with 294 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Coincidentally, Gardner had his best passing games against Ohio State — mostly concerning the 2012 and 2013 games. He would have a career-high in pass attempts (45) in 2013, along with his the most completions in a single game (32 vs. Ohio State in 2013).
Though he had an above-average cannon for an arm, Gardner was known for his rushing ability. After spending five years in Ann Arbor, Gardner collected 24 rushing touchdowns on 916 yards. And before declaring himself as a quarterback, Gardner considered himself a wide receiver in 2012. But, up until Week 9, Gardner elevated his passing game, seeing as then-starting QB Denard Robinson experienced an injury.