2008 – – Listed as first team right cornerback following spring practice . . . did not see action in opening win over Maine due to injury . . . saw first action of the season in 42-0 win over Florida International, but had no statistics as defense allowed just 56 rushing yards and 218 yards total offense . . . did not see action in 17-5 win over Iowa State . . . saw action on special teams in 21-20 loss at Pittsburgh, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in 22-17 loss to Northwestern, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in 16-13 loss at Michigan State, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 45-9 win at Indiana, but had no statistics as defense allowed just 95 rushing yards and 286 yards total offense . . . saw action in 38-16 win over Wisconsin, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams but had no statistics in 27-24 loss at Illinois . . . saw action on special teams in 24-23 win over third-ranked Penn State, recording one solo tackle as defense allowed just 289 yards total offense . . . saw action on special teams in 22-17 win over Purdue, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 55-0 win at Minnesota, but had no statistics as defense allowed just seven rushing yards and 134 yards total offense in posting second shutout of the season . . . saw action in 31-10 Outback Bowl win over South Carolina, but had no statistics.
2007 – – Listed as second team cornerback following spring practice . . . saw action in opening win over Northern Illinois, but had no statistics as defense allowed just 21 rushing yards and 235 yards total offense . . . saw action in win over Syracuse, but had no statistics as defense allowed just 24 rushing yards and 103 yards total offense . . . saw action in loss at Iowa State, but had no statistics . . . saw action in loss at Wisconsin, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in loss to Indiana, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in loss at Penn State, recording one solo tackle . . . saw action on special teams in win over 18th-ranked Illinois, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in loss at Purdue, but had no statistics . . . saw action in double OT win over Michigan State, recording one solo tackle . . . forced into action late in the fourth quarter, recorded his only tackle on the final play of the second overtime, stopping MSU receiver short of a first down to secure the victory . . . saw action in win at Northwestern, recording career-best three solo tackles as defense allowed just three points, seven rushing yards and 124 yards total offense in the second half . . . saw action in win over Minnesota, but had no statistics . . . saw action in loss to Western Michigan, recording one assisted tackle.
2006 – – Not listed on depth chart following spring practice . . . saw action in 41-7 season-opening win as defense held Montana to 10 net yards rushing and 144 yards total offense . . . had no statistics vs. Montana . . . saw action on special teams in double overtime win at Syracuse, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in win over Iowa State, recording one unassisted tackle . . . saw action on special teams in win at Illinois, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in loss to top-ranked Ohio State, but had no statistics . . . saw action in win over Purdue, recording one solo tackle . . . saw action on special teams in loss at Indiana, but had no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in loss at Michigan, but recorded no statistics . . . saw action on special teams in win over Northern Illinois, but had no statistics . . . did not see action in loss to Northwestern . . . did not see action in loss to Wisconsin . . . did not see action in loss at Minnesota . . . saw action on special teams vs. Texas in Alamo Bowl, recording one solo tackle and one assist.
2005 – – Transferred to join Iowa program after playing one season at Widener University . . . did not see any game action.
Previous college – – Attended Widener University for one year . . . collected 20 tackles, three interceptions and one punt block while playing for Coach David Wood, helping team post 6-4 overall record in 2004.
High School honors – – second team all-conference as a junior and senior . . . Career – – recorded 97 tackles and 13 interceptions during prep career, while gaining over 2,000 all-purpose yards and collecting 17 touchdown receptions . . . had 42 tackles and six interceptions as a senior, with over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns . . . had four interceptions and 335 tackles as a junior, with 550 receiving yards and four touchdowns . . . team captain . . . earned three football letters as defensive back and wide receiver and was also track and field letterman while competing in long jump and sprints.
Personal – – Born 4/22/86 . . . Health and Sport Studies major . . . parents are Jamie and William Gardner . . . high school coach was Bernie O[apos]Connor.
Career Bests
Tackles: 3 at Northwestern, 11/3/07
Solos: 3 at Northwestern, 11/3/07
Assists: 1, twice, last vs. W. Michigan, 11/17/07
Collegiate Stats
Sophomore: 3-1-4
Junior: 5-1-6
Senior: 1-0-1
Career: 9-2-11