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Rutgers 26, Michigan 24

By TOM CANAVAN/AP Sports Writer

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Rutgers' first Big Ten Conference win has only added to Brady Hoke's woes at Michigan.

Gary Nova threw for a career-best 404 yards and three touchdowns and surprising Rutgers defeated Michigan 26-24 Saturday night, sending the Wolverines to their third straight loss and putting more uncertainty on Hoke's future as the coach.

The 2-4 start is the worst for Michigan since it opened 2-7 in 2008 under Rich Rodriguez. The setback also capped a troublesome week for Hoke, who was under the microscope for failing to remove sophomore quarterback Shane Morris last weekend after a hit to the head. The slow start also hasn't helped him.

For the most part, Hoke sidestepped questions about his future. He said he hoped the Michigan fans would continue to support the team and said no one wants to win more than his players.

"Look these are jobs that are very much in the public eye, but you know that when you get into it," Hoke said.

Michigan players refused to say losing to conference newcomer Rutgers was not rock bottom.

"(We're) 2-4 and we have six games left," junior receiver Devin Funchess said. "We can change it around. It's nothing to win a game next week (Penn State) and the week after that we have a bye week. We just have to focus on the competition."

Rutgers was the better team on Saturday night because it simply made more plays, especially Nova, who was 22 of 39 and did not throw an interception.

The senior quarterback found Andrew Turzilli on scoring passes of 80 and 14 yards and hit John Tsimis with a 7-yarder as the Scarlet Knights (5-1, 1-1) won their first Big Ten Conference game and moved within a win of becoming bowl eligible.

Michigan, which fell to 0-2 in conference play, had a chance to win but a wind-aided 56-yard field goal by Matt Wile was blocked by Kemoke Turay with 3:01 to go.

Rutgers ran out the clock after the block - Rutgers' nation-leading 40th since 2009 - and the sellout crowd of 53,327 waited until Michigan walked off the field before they ran to join players in a celebration that featured them singing the school alma mater.

"It's great," Nova said. "It's something you'll remember forever. It's why you play college football - for moments like that."

Devin Gardner started in place of Morris for Michigan and played well. He was 13 of 22 for 178 yards and ran for touchdowns of 4 and 19 yards, the last one getting Michigan within two points with 9:17 to play.

The Wolverines were driving for a go-ahead score late when Amara Darboh dropped a third-down pass at the Rutgers 30 that would have given the Wolverines a first down. The block ended the Wolverines chances.

"I just look at each of these opportunities for me and my teammates to become better men," Gardner said when asked about Hoke's future. "Each time I face adversity I get an opportunity to show what kind of man I am. My teammates share that same sentiment."

Rutgers led 19-17 at the half, with the 7-yarder to Tsimis, capping a 10-play, 59-yard drive and put it in front for good.

Michigan came into the game with the nation's ninth best defense, yielding an average of 283.4 yards in five games.

Nova passed for 282 yards in the first half, hitting Turzilli on an 80-yard catch and run on a deep post pattern and Tsimis on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left in the half.

The last throw was impressive because Michigan defensive end Frank Clark had a clean shot at sacking Nova and missed and that set up the scoring pass.

Turzilli got his second TD catch early in the fourth quarter, converting a first-and-goal from the Michigan 24.

Michigan had taken a 17-12 lead late in the second quarter after easily stopping Rutgers' fourth-down fake punt from its own 45.

De'Veon Smith capped the short drive with a 1-yard run after a 28-yard pass from Gardner to Jehu Chesson gave the Wolverines at first and goal.

Gardner also scored on a 4-yard run and Matt Wile kicked a 39-yard field goal for Michigan in the first half.

Kyle Federico kicked field goals of 35 and 45 yards for Rutgers on its first two possessions.

 

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

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