Denard Back on Track, Focused on B1G(w/video)

Denard Robinson broke the Big Ten’s all-time quarterback rushing record in the Wolverines 44-13 win at Purdue. Robinson talks about his performance, breaking the record, his thoughts on Illinois, and more. ***video interview included.***

Denard Robinson shook off his five-turnover performance at Notre Dame, and took it out on the Purdue defense.

Led by Robinson, the Michigan offense racked up 304 yards rushing to open the Big Ten season with a 44-13 over the Boilermakers.

“(I’m) feeling good, but you got to come back ready to work,” Robinson told GoBlueWolverine.com. “It’s a big week. It’s Big Ten. (It’s) championship games--every time we step on to the field it’s a championship game—and be ready every time we step on to the field.”

Robinson ran for 235 yards, surpassing former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El to become the Big Ten’s all-time leading rushing quarterback. He now has 3,905 for his career.

Robinson “thanked God” and gave credit to offensive line when asked about passing Randle-El. However, he says his main focus is to win the Big Ten Championship, not on individual records.

While former West Virginia quarterback Pat White Division-1 FBS record of 4,480 rushing yards is in sight, Robinson said White’s record is far from his mind.

“To be honest with you I don’t even think about it,” Robinson replied. “I just go out there and play football. Have fun with the team and try to enjoy this year.”

Robinson completed eight passes for 105 yards against the Purdue defense. He says the Wolverine offense will take whatever the defense is giving them in order to win.

“ (It’s) however the game flow goes. I mean, whatever it takes to win,” Robinson explained. “Sometimes I am going to have to throw the ball 50 times, sometimes I’m going to have to run the ball, (sometimes) the running back has to run the ball 50 times. So whatever it takes to win and how the game flow goes, that’s how we are going to play.”

Robinson said the Wolverines had their best three-day practice week all season going into the Purdue game.

“Oh yeah, you could tell,” Robinson said. “You could tell the energy. Everybody got hungry—it’s Big Ten season. You want to win Big Ten. That’s your goal when you come to Michigan. Every time you step on to that field you think about winning that Big Ten Championship.”

The No. 25 Wolverines (3-2, Big Ten 1-0) next play host to Illinois (2-4, Big Ten 0-2). The Fighting Illini third-down defense has Robinson concerned.

“They great on third-down (defense.) They are probably one of the best in the country on third-down in the red-zone. We got to be prepared, cause we’ve struggled in the red-zone this season, and last year when we played them. We got to step it up in the red-zone. And on third-down—we got to convert on third-down. We know we are going to be in third-down situations. So we got to convert and make big throws and big runs. Whatever it takes to covert on third-down.“

Robinson says being successful in the red-zone is about completing drives.

“Just finish—finish a drive. We get all the way down there, we’ve got to finish it. That’s when all of us have got to step it up and turn it up.”