Various sources on Twitter: Gardner played fourth quarter against OSU with a broken foot
Devin Gardner led #Michigan to three TD drives on final 4 series against #Buckeyes AFTER he broke his left foot that day.
— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) December 26, 2013
Via Bruce Feldman and others. This is incredible. I cannot imagine how painful this was. Sort of explains why he couldn't run an option play on the two point conversion and why it was so critical to go for two instead of the tie.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:20 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 3:32 PM ^
He has a limp afterward, as a poster mentions above. About 9:00 left in the third
December 27th, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^
That's a passer rating of 172.18, basically on par with his entire game against ND (which was pretty great) and trailing only his longball-fests against Minnesota and Indiana. With a broken foot!
December 26th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
This also means that the coaches have likely known from the start that he would not play in the bowl game.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:19 PM ^
Just like the Cowboys know there is no shot in hell of Romo playing.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:19 PM ^
Which is fine. The Packers knew that Aaron Rodgers wouldn't be back this year.. but acted like he was close so defenses would have to prepare for him.
December 26th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
Aaron Rodgers is starting Sunday.
December 26th, 2013 at 1:03 PM ^
Also the same guys that sit in living rooms lecturing to recruits parents about how they're full of "integrity."
December 26th, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
Are you saying because the coaches participated in gamesmanship that they therefore lack integrity? /s?
December 26th, 2013 at 1:36 PM ^
The antithesis to integrity seems to encompass lying. I'm not trying to pile on Hoke here for what most other FBS coaches do. But when it comes down to it, we're playing in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, is lying about a kid's injury to get a competitive advantage really necessary?
I'd say if you're going to preach integrity, then you should practice it.
Just comes off as pretty sleazy.
December 26th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^
Did Hoke ever say that Gardner was definitely going to play? Everything I read from him was that if the game was "X" then Gardner wouldn't be playing. To me, a lack of integrity would be pushing Gardner to play despite an injury.
December 26th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
Hm. I guess you and I have different definitions of sleazy. Had he outright said Gardner would play then that is one thing but he was consistently vague and noncommittal on Gardner's status and went so far as to say something along the lines of "if the game was played today, Shane would start." I have no problem with him keeping things in house.
Now, if you want to question his integrity for doling out one game suspenions for things like theft or a DUI then I'm on board.
December 26th, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^
Hoke is a lot of things. Sleazy is not one of them. In fact he probably has some of the highest integrity of any D1 football coach in the country. If you look at how he was running early in the year versus later in the year you can see that he didn't have the same cutting ability. I think the foot is a culmination of a lot of odd sided weight bearing that human beings tend to do once a certain injury occurs. He probably hurt his ankle at some point in the year, it never fully healed, he put a lot of plantar pressure on his foot and eventually broke the foot.
Regardless, the fact is the kid has heart and guts. Next year, especially if he can pick up the nuances of Borges offense, then we won't be complaining about the lack of a "check with me" option on this offense. He will just be slinging to the open man. I can hardly wait actually. If his mental toughness catches up to his physical toughness (ie. the game slows down for him and HE is making the right reads) then watch out!
December 26th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
I want to play poker with you. Is it true you hold your cards facing outwards, because your integrity doesn't allow you to bluff?
December 26th, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^
The NFL requires injuries to be disclosed. That's not the case for college football, and there are probably constraints on what Hoke can disclose because a student-athlete's medical information is private. Thus his frequent use of the term "boo boo."
If Devin reveals his diagnosis or gives Hoke permission to do so, that would be different. But if you don't have to tell before the game, why would you?
December 26th, 2013 at 3:46 PM ^
This is a good counter, and one I legitimately hadn't thought of before. But something tells me Hoke doesn't take the nuances of HIPAA into account when fudging around re injuries.
December 26th, 2013 at 4:04 PM ^
Using your logic, trick plays, play action, and all other forms of deception are also sleazy. You're making the opponent think you're doing one thing, and then you do another. Tut tut, I say, that's not real sportsmanship.
Unfuckingbelieveable.
December 27th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
it is strong in this one.
December 26th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
I'm sure the coaches didn't make him not get the concern investigated or tell his parents.
How are they less full of integrity by not telling the coaches at K-State.
Srsly.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
How does this affect DG in the spring?
How long does this typically take to heel?
That said, Shane is going to get half the spring reps regardless. And I'd assume Bellomy is going to get a good chunk as well.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
For me, I was in a cast for like 6 weeks and then a walking boot for 2-3 weeks.
The bone will be fine in 2 months (end of Feb, beginning of March). Maybe 2-4 weeks of PT but probably less.
Then the mental aspect which can't be determined but I bet not too bad since the bone is technically stronger and he has amazing assistants to help.
Not sure when the Spring Game is but he will be 100% by middle to end of March and can play with contact in beginng to middle of March.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:33 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
I would say that depends on whether or not he needs to have surgery. If so this could possibly keep him in the sidelines throughout the entire summer.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 1:45 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
was not a viable option nor was any type of run or rollout on the part of Gardner on the 2 point conversion. The man gave his all and then some.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:25 PM ^
can the Devin haters please just back away...just appreciate that this dude is a great player and can be a huge factor this upcoming year.
December 26th, 2013 at 3:44 PM ^
Or Giants fans would be calling for the owner's head for wasting a draft pick, Coughlin's head for suddenly becoming a bad coach, and demanding that Eli be moved to snapper. Fortunately he had enough relatively good seasons that his record-setting number of interceptions this year wasn't laid solely on his head (or arm). Seems they had some [many] difficulties with the O-line (including starting center & Mich. Alum David Baas being injured and eventually going on IR).
And good thing Eli has that track record, or the fact that he and his brother (who's had a couple good seasons too, I've heard) praised Devin so highly at their camp this summer wouldn't keep the urelenting skeptics from saying "Yeah? So what does that interception-throwing Giants QB know about QB-ing?"
A quote from CBSsports.com's story after the tweet:
As for Gardner's foot injury, the fact he suffered the injury during Michigan's second drive of the third quarter means that Gardner led the Wolverines on three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter with a broken foot. In other words, Devin Gardner is tougher than you and I.
[Apologies for re-posting from the now-outdated "what's new about Devin" post. But the skeptics are unfortunately still at it.]
December 26th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
you're wrong
Unless he works out brilliantly, he'd probably be looking at a 4th-7th round pick. Why leave early for that?
December 26th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^
If he's going pro then I'm going platinum!!
December 26th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
Just recalling some of the hate DG got this season for some of his play...no faulting his effort on broken foot.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^
Any news about an injury that Borges may have suffered around 2001?
December 26th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
Just for general information, NBC was running with Hoke's actual quote - in this story - which apparently reads:
Hoke said that “doctors [are] worried about broken bones possibly in his foot.” Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com is reporting that Gardner “broke his left foot” during the regular season-ending loss to Ohio State but played through the injury.
It also mentions that Gardner is expected to be healthy by the time Spring Practice rolls around as well. Either way, more proof that Devin gives his all and then some for this team.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
Played that quarter on pure guts and adrenaline. I can't imagine what kind of pain he was in afterwards.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
Tough bastard. I hope this clinches a captaincy in 2014
December 26th, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^
Devin's the only returning senior on offense who's a significant contributor -- I can't imagine him not being a captain. (Rawls and Paskorz will be seniors too.) And Jake Ryan's already a captain so he's got next year's spot on defense. It'll be interesting to see if there are any others beyond those two.
Looking again at the depth chart, it's pretty amazing how young our team will still be next year -- the low-point of RichRod's recruiting shows up in next year's seniors. The only plausible senior starters we lose after 2014 are Devin on offense, and JMFR, Morgan, Ramon Taylor, Beyer, Clark, and perhaps Furman on defense. There are some really good players in that group, but I expect pretty big things in 2015-2016 if this coaching staff can develop the talent we've got in the pipeline.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^
People still think it was a bad decision to go for two now? Guy clearly gave it his all. Much respect to DG
December 26th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^
The dude has got balls! He had to be playing in so much pain. It was apparent he was hurting out there, but damn. Much respect to Devin Gardner for fighting through it on his way to putting together an amazing performance!
December 26th, 2013 at 12:53 PM ^
If I recall correctly... Devin threw for 451 and 4 scores vs. Ohio.
One of the best games ever for a UM QB vs. Ohio. On a broken foot.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
I defended DG time and time again during this season. He was clearly playing his heart out, I honestly felt bad for him. Very proud that he's a Michigan man!
December 26th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
He has earned my respect and all his turnovers are forgiven for now.
Look forward to a much better 2014!
December 26th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^
It was turf toe, you maroons. Maybe there's a way to spin it that the pure coaching genius of Hoke obfuscated a broken foot as a "day-to-day" injury, forcing Kansas State to gameplan for the wrong quarterback. Just masterful strategy from all parties in blue.
I hope Miller impresses in enough capacity that Gardner moves back to the only position he has a shot to play on Sundays, wide receiver.
December 26th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
December 26th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^