Generic Rig + NOT applying root motion = no gravity

I've seen numerous questions regarding getting gravity to behave properly when using generic rigs and mecanim (such as this http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/475912/mecanim-generic-x-gravity-x-move-forward.html)

The common answer is that you need to make sure the animation's Root Transform Position (y) "Bake Into Pose" option is checked. However, you much also enable the "apply root motion" option in the animator component for this to work.

I'm currently working a project which has opted to use code driven movement, so we don't want "apply root motion" enabled. I'm wondering if anyone has succeeded in applying gravity to a generic rig when "apply root motion" is disabled?

We're thinking the workaround would be to export my animations in place and continue to let code updated the position, but this feels like a bandage solution to the real issue.