Michigan sends Notre Dame packing

Associated Press

ann arbor, mich.

When it was over, Michigan took one last swipe at Notre Dame before the Fighting Irish said goodbye to the Big House — at least for a while.

Devin Gardner, wearing No. 98 to honor Michigan great Tom Harmon, threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead the 17th-ranked Wolverines to a 41-30 win over the 14th-ranked Fighting Irish.

Soon after Gardner took the final snap, the “Chicken Dance” blared over the stadium sound system, and the Michigan fans who made up most of the NCAA-record crowd of 115,109 celebrated.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Notre Dame was “chickening out” of the series four months ago, drawing laughs at a luncheon.

The Irish opted out of their contract with the Wolverines and made next year’s game in South Bend, Ind., the last guaranteed matchup in a series that dates to 1887 and cancelling three previously scheduled games.

Hoke insisted he didn’t tell his team that Irish coach Brian Kelly kicked off the week by saying the series was “a big regional game” even though it features teams with the top winning percentages in college football. Hoke would acknowledge, though, that he and his players were pretty fired up to face the Irish.

“There’s certain games that you get very excited about,” Hoke said.

Michigan has won four straight at home against the Irish.

That winning streak will stand for a while because the two storied programs won’t play at the Big House again anytime soon.

The Irish will likely be among next year’s opponents hoping Gardner doesn’t return for his final season of eligibility.

Gardner sealed the victory with a 4-yard TD pass to Drew Dileo with 4:18 left and ran for 14 yards to convert the final third down in the final seconds to set off a celebration.

Gardner was 21 of 33 for 294 yards. His one interception was costly, though. Trying to avoid a sack in the end zone, he flipped a pass to no one in particular that defensive end Stephon Tuitt came up with to give Notre Dame hope.

Gardner also ran 13 times for 82 yards and a score.

Fitzgerald Toussaint (Liberty) gave the Wolverines just enough of a running game, gaining 71 yards on 22 carries and he also turned a short pass into a 31-yard catch on the final scoring drive.