HARTFORD, Conn. -- Well, they did it again.
Michigan played poorly for more than a half, against a lesser opponent, again -- and still walked away with a victory.
Fitz Toussaint ran for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns and the 15th-ranked Wolverines scored 17 unanswered second half points to score a 24-21 comeback win over winless Connecticut on Saturday at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Conn.
The Wolverines (4-0) will now enter a bye week after scary-close wins over Akron and Connecticut.
Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner finished 11 of 23 for 97 yards, 2 interceptions and a fumble.
After another dreadful first half of football put the Wolverines down 14-7 at the break, Gardner made things worse early in the third quarter when he fumbled on a third and short -- allowing Ty-Meer Brown to return the ball 34 yards for a score early in the third quarter.
It was a nightmare, a perfect storm, a debacle.
But it wasn't over.
Toussaint cut the lead to one touchdown three minutes later with a 35-yard scamper on an option pitch.
Early in the fourth, it looked as if Michigan had blown it again -- as Gardner was stopped short on 4th and 2 near the UConn 20. But Desmond Morgan made up for it, making an incredible one-handed interception and returning it down to the Huskie 12. One play later, Toussaint tied it up with a run around the corner.
The comeback would be complete one drive later, as the Wolverines drove deep into UConn territory before settling for a 21-yard field goal from Brendan Gibbons to make it 24-21, Michigan, with just 4:36 to play in the game.
The Huskies were down to one last gasp, and crossed midfield, but a big sack by Frank Clark on third down led to a 4th and 29 -- which fell short with just 1:40 to go in the game.
HIGHLIGHTS
* As bad as the first half was, and as small as the holes were, Toussaint ran incredibly hard. His 35-yard run in the second half was easily the most impressive play he's had this season. He finished with his first 100-yard game of the season.
* The Michigan defense kept the Wolverines in it all night long. The offense was a nightmare, but the defense found a way to keep it from getting out of hand. Connecticut gained just 206.
* It was a win. Michigan found a way. Again. To evade a disaster.
* More than anything, Gardner looks like he's lost almost all of his confidence. He threw two interceptions in the first half, and never seemed to get a feel for the game again. His wide receivers aren't really helping him right now, though, as virtually no one is getting open.
* The offensive line remained the same Saturday, and the result followed. Zero push. UConn dominated the line of scrimmage in the first half, as Michigan had just 120 yards in the first half.
* Da'Mario Jones' special teams hiccup is another result of a young player not being fully engaged into the game mentally. A punt bounces, and hits his leg -- as he's just standing there. That sort of thing can't happen.
ISSUE OF THE WEEK: FINAL VERDICT
Michigan entered the game just 4-5 on the road.
The first half was a nightmare, but Michigan found a way.
This team still has plenty of issues, and they need to be fixed. Another fortunate escape, no question about it.
READER REACTION
Where, exactly, are you at with this team right now?
Source: Mlive
