Michigan football survives scare from Illinois, wins on late field goal

Michigan football kept its undefeated season alive by the skin of its teeth with a 19-17 victory over Illinois on Saturday afternoon. It was ugly, with a ton of storylines woven in and out, but a win is a win this time of year.

Here is the recap from the victory over the Illini.

First quarter

Michigan started on offense after Illinois won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Wolverines took advantage of their first trip on offense, going 75 yards in 7 plays to take a 7-0 lead at the 11:38 mark on Blake Corum‘s 18th rushing touchdown of the season, this one from 2 yards out. Michigan’s defense forced a three-and-out on its following drive, taking over at its own 3-yard line after a punt. Corum nearly had another touchdown on a screen pass, but stepped out of bounds and settled for a 41-yard gain. The offense would stall out in opponent territory with graduate punter Brad Robbins punting to the Illinois 19-yard line at the 5:08 mark.

Michigan’s defense would stand tall again, forcing its second three-and-out of the afternoon. Illinois punted down to the U-M 37-yard line with 3:55 in the quarter. The Wolverines would be unable to do anything with the drive, and the quarter would end with U-M up 7-0.

Michigan led in total yardage 147-22 after 15 minutes of play.

Second quarter

Illinois went 40 yards in 11 plays on its next drive, but was stuffed on fourth down by freshman defensive tackle Mason Graham with 1 yard to go to the sticks. The Michigan offense took over at its own 36-yard line with 11:39 to go in the half. The Wolverines looked like they had something going on a long completion to Roman Wilson, but a questionable holding call and a false start killed the drive. Robbins would punt down to the Illinois 30-yard line with 8:47 to play.

Illinois put together its first scoring drive on a 10-play, 59-yard march that ended in a 29-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 7-3 in favor of Michigan. The Illini offense was ready to go for it on fourth-and-1 before Michigan’s defensive line shifting caused a false start, forcing the field goal attempt at the 4:03 mark.

Michigan was dealt a scare at the end of the half. Corum fell to the field after a 4-yard run and injured his leg. He fumbled on the play, which went the other way to Illinois when Michigan was in scoring territory. The half would end with Michigan leading 7-3 but with much more on their minds.

Third quarter

Corum had a moment for the Big House crowd, running out of the tunnel for the start of the second half and being among the first Wolverines on the field. He was on the stationary bike, then received a carry on the team’s first offensive possession of the half. The offense would ultimately stall out, settling for a 46-yard field goal by Jake Moody. The Wolverines would lead 10-3 at the 11:04 mark of the third quarter.

The Illini fired back with their first touchdown drive of the day. They went 67 yards in 9 plays on a drive that was capped off by an 8-yard rush from star back Chase Brown to tie the game at 10-10 at the 7:43 mark after the extra point.

Michigan had a chance at a touchdown on its next offensive drive, but missed on its opportunity. U-M left its offense on the field for a fourth-and-6 opportunity. It appeared an Illinois defender jumped offside, but a should-be touchdown strike from quarterback J.J. McCarthy to Andrel Anthony was dropped. Illinois took over on downs and went 63 yards in 3 plays, capped off by a 37-yard touchdown run from Brown. The Illini led 17-10 with 1:36 to go in the quarter.

Michigan went three-and-out on its next drive. Illinois led 17-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Fourth quarter

The Wolverine defense came up big on a third down, forcing a fumble recovered by Illinois. The Illini punted to graduate wideout Ronnie Bell at the U-M 22-yard line, but Bell was able to bust a big return and set the offense up at the Illinois 37-yard line. Michigan went 15 yards in 5 plays, settling for a 41-yard field goal from Moody to narrow things to 17-13 in favor of Illinois with 12:31 to go.

Illinois put another drive together, going 44 yards in 10 plays, but turned the ball over on downs at the U-M 31-yard line. The Wolverines needed a fourth-down conversion from McCarthy to Roman Wilson to keep a drive going, but ultimately stalled again in the red zone. McCarthy had Colston Loveland open twice on second and third down, but missed him both times. The Wolverines would settle for a 33-yard field goal from Moody, trailing 17-16 with 3:14 to play.

After holding Illinois to nothing, the Wolverines took over and put an 8-play, 35-yard drive together that ended in Moody’s fourth field goal of the day with 9 seconds to go from 35 yards out. Michigan led 19-17, and then held on for the victory in Ann Arbor.

Michigan football vs. Illinois box score