ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Denard Robinson stunned Notre Dame in the final minute again.
Michigan’s star quarterback threw a 16-yard pass to Roy Roundtree with 2 seconds left, lifting the Wolverines to a 35-31 heart-pounding win over Notre Dame on Saturday night.
In the first prime-time game at the Big House, matching up storied programs trying to restore their luster, Michigan coach Brady Hoke could have chosen to kick a field goal to force overtime.
But Hoke gave Robinson a shot, and it proved to be good idea.
“Coach took a stab,” Roundtree said.
On a night when Michigan Stadium was vibrant, with a boisterous crowd of 114,804 waving maize pompoms, the Wolverines took their first lead on Robinson’s 21-yard pass to Vincent Smith with 1:12 left.
Then they lost it.
Briefly.
Tommy Rees threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Theo Riddick with 30 seconds left, but the Fighting Irish left Jeremy Gallon wide open on a pass that let Michigan go from its 20 to the Notre Dame 16.
“That was an exciting football game,” Hoke said. “Both teams fought for 60 minutes. It wasn’t pretty at times on both ends, but as I told my players, it’s great to win.”
The Wolverines (2-0) have won three straight against the rival Irish (1-1) on late-game plays by their quarterbacks. Last year at Notre Dame, Robinson ran for a touchdown with 27 seconds left and Tate Forcier threw a TD pass against the Irish two years ago with 11 seconds left.
Robinson was 11-of-24 for 338 yards with four TDs and three interceptions and ran 11 times for 108 yards and a score.
It’s the first time Michigan has beaten Notre Dame three straight times since 1908.
Notre Dame was doomed by turnovers for the second straight week.
Rees threw two interceptions, one near the end zone, and fumbled deep in Michigan territory. Cierre Wood, who gave Notre Dame a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, also fumbled.
In his first loss in five starts, Rees was 27-of-39 for 315 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.
