After Michigan went up 10-0 in the first quarter, the Fighting Irish brought it back to 10-7. The Irish continued their drive from the end of the first quarter, working their way into Michigan territory and kicking a field goal that tied the game up at 10.
Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon continued to show off their growing chemistry, and the two connected for several big plays in the ensuing drive that propelled the Wolverines into Notre Dame territory. It looked like Michigan would have to settle for a field goal, but a Notre Dame penalty on 3rd and goal gave the Wolverines a new set of downs, and after a Devin Gardner keeper on the next play, Michigan went up 17-10.
After getting the ball back, Tommy Rees calmly worked his way down the field once again, completing passes to Davaris Daniels, TJ Jones, and George Atkinson as the Irish entered the red zone. Two incompletions and a short gain left them staring at a third down at the Michigan 7-yard line with 6:35 remaining in the half, and they elected to settle for a 24-yard Kyle Brindza field goal.
The next drive was all Devin Gardner - three rushes for 44 yards (including one Denard-esque 35-yard scramble) put the Irish up against the wall. A penalty set the Wolverines back ten yards, though, and although they turned a second-and-long into a manageable 3rd-and-10, but the ensuing shot into the end zone resulted in an incompletion. Brendan Gibbons then kicked a 38-yard field goal, extending the Michigan all-time record for consecutive field goals completed with his 16th in a row.
The Wolverines defense was due for a big play, and they got one two plays into Notre Dame's next drive. Tommy Rees finally tried to force a tightly angled pass while rolling to his left, and cornerback Blake Countess intercepted the throw and returned it 29 yards to the Irish 23.
Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon were in perfect position to continue their successful partnership, and after a beautifully-timed touchdown pass Michigan's lead expanded to 27-13 with under two minutes remaining in the half.
The ensuing Notre Dame drive went nowhere, and at the end of the half it's Michigan 27, Notre Dame 13.
First half MVP: TIE - Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon. The Irish defense looked utterly incapable of stopping either player, and you'd be excused for thinking you were watching Charlie Weis' Irish impotent defense instead of Brian Kelly's.
First half LVP: The Notre Dame secondary. Outgunned and incapable of containing Michigan's playmakers, they'll need a drastic turnaround in the second half if Notre Dame wants to keep this score respectable.
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