Sports

No. 19 Michigan pulls away to rout Minnesota 42-13 in game that was close in the 1st half

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Michigan tight end Devin Funchess (87) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Jake Butt (88) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) (The Associated Press)

Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, center, is sacked by Minnesota in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) (The Associated Press)

Devin Gardner threw a 24-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Devin Funchess late in the first half and No. 19 Michigan pulled away to rout Minnesota 42-13 on Saturday.

The Wolverines (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) relied on their running game to take pressure off the turnover-prone Gardner. He didn't throw an interception for the first time since making his first start as a quarterback last year at Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers (4-2, 0-2) were without coach Jerry Kill for an entire game for the first time because of his epilepsy. He had a seizure Saturday morning, when he planned to travel to Michigan to coach in the game, and remained home to rest in Minnesota.

The Wolverines have won 18 straight games at home, the longest active streak among BCS conference schools and their longest since winning 28 in a row in Ann Arbor from 1969-73.