Michigan goes to Minnesota in search of end zone

Robinson injured a nerve in his right (throwing) elbow late in the first half, leaving him unable to grip the football. Robinson sustained a similar injury against Illinois two weeks ago, and coach Brady Hoke said it only heals with rest.

Hoke said he wasn't concerned about Robinson's availability this Saturday. A Michigan spokesman said Sunday that Hoke wouldn't address Robinson's status again until Monday.

The Wolverines (5-3, 3-1 Big Ten), who dropped out of the Top 25, share first place in the Legends Division with Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers own the tiebreaker.

Robinson has accounted for two-thirds of his team's yards, so his absence creates a huge strain on the offense. But even with Robinson playing, the Wolverines couldn't get into the end zone against Michigan State or Nebraska.

Michigan drove to the Spartans 6- and 3-yard lines but couldn't punch the ball in. They used four field goals, including one with nine seconds left, to beat the Spartans.

The Wolverines generated a season-low 188 yards against the Huskers. They managed just 44 yards after redshirt freshman Russell Bellomy took over for Robinson with Michigan trailing 7-3 late in the first half. The closest Michigan got to scoring a touchdown was when Robinson was injured on his run to the Nebraska 8-yard line.

Receiver Roy Roundtree said he's at a loss to figure out the problem.

"I have no clue, but we need to move the ball," he said. "It starts at the line of scrimmage. Coach Hoke always emphasizes that. We have to do better. The defense is doing their job. We've got to turn it up. We have four games left. We have to turn it around and score some points."