When Devin Gardner entered postgame media availability wearing a boot on his left foot after the Michigan football team’s 18-13 victory over Penn State last weekend, it was clear the victory had taken a toll on his health.

The fifth-year senior quarterback had been temporarily removed from the game in the third quarter because of the injury, but he fought through the pain and had been reinserted in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Gardner said he thought he’d be ready to play after the team’s bye week. With a greater challenge against No. 8 Michigan State looming, the timing of the injury wasn’t ideal.

Last season, the Spartans’ defense spanked Gardner and the Wolverines’ offense, sacking the quarterback seven times in a 29-6 blowout.

The combination of returning from injury and Michigan State’s potent defense could be a daunting task, but Gardner insisted there will be no mental hurdle in getting ready to play the team that delivered punishing hits last season.

Monday, Gardner said he felt no ill effects from the injury.

“I felt like I was pretty healthy, could’ve practiced last week, but they wanted to hold me out, so I got a chance to get a lot of mental reps and things like that,” Gardner said. “But I practiced yesterday fine, and I’m right where I was before the injury.”

Michigan will need a healthy Gardner to pull off the upset. The Spartans have the ninth-best defense in the country, surrendering an average of 292.7 yards per game.

Though there are multiple personnel changes in Michigan State’s defense from last season, memories of the Spartans’ dominance a year ago are still fresh. The Wolverines rushed for minus-48 yards in that contest.

Michigan’s offensive line is trying to draw motivation from the lackluster performance while also emphasizing that it’s in the past.

“Last year was last year,” said redshirt junior offensive lineman Jack Miller. “And that was a great Michigan State defense. This year, it looks a little different, the guys that they have, but it’s the same type of thing, the same type of scheme and a lot of great players on the defensive side of the ball.”

Michigan coach Brady Hoke understands the challenge facing his offense that has struggled at numerous points this season. Gardner has thrown eight interceptions, but Hoke said preventing mistakes against the Spartans goes beyond the quarterback position.

“I think we all need to play our best football, whether it be Devin or anyone else,” Hoke said. “We talked about the negative rushing yards a year ago; that’s not just on Devin. When a guy gets sacked and all that kind of stuff, you’re turning some people loose and some of it is also he’s got to get rid of the ball. There’s a rhythm to it.”

The two teams enter the beginning of the rivalry week in vastly different positions. The Wolverines are fighting for a possible bowl game berth, while Michigan State has been mentioned as a possible contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan won’t change its mantra of focusing on itself rather than worrying about the opponent. Gardner stated multiple times Monday that every loss hurts him equally, rivalry or not.

This week, he chooses to focus on the positive effects a win could have on his team, rather than the damage it would inflict on the aspirations of the Spartans.

“It’s not about us ruining their season. It’s about us,” Gardner said.