Best and worst from Michigan's loss to Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Michigan Wolverines football fell at Illinois, 21-7, Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Here are the best and worst from the game.

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Least amount of points since…

Remember the way you felt after Michigan’s 31-0 loss at Notre Dame Sept. 6, 2014? Something was off, and the Wolverines were embarrassed by a rival. That was the last time Michigan scored single digits in a game before this one, with the Wolverines putting up just 7 in Champaign.

That was the last season before Jim Harbaugh came back to coach his alma mater. Saturday in Champaign, with Michigan falling to 4-3, unfortunately felt more like the 2014 season (Wolverines finished 5-7) than any of the nine with Harbaugh at the helm.

Michigan is in a world of hurt and searching for answers, but still has games ahead to turn the season around.

2/2 on field storms

The defending national champions are going to get every opponent’s best shot. The Illini didn’t even have all that much, but the stadium was full and the crowd was into it.

Afterward, fans stormed the field, just like they did in Seattle two weeks prior, when Michigan lost by 10 points to Washington. The Wolverines have two more road opportunities left — at Indiana Nov. 9 and Ohio State Nov. 30 — two more chances to make sure fans go home sad instead of happy.

Lowest point

Michigan has now lost two straight games for the first time since losing three in a row in 2020 — 27-24 to Michigan State, 38-21 to Indiana and 49-11 to Wisconsin.

The Illinois series is one that Michigan has dominated over the years, too, adding to the disappointment. The Illini hadn’t beaten the Wolverines since 2009, when Ron Zook took down Rich Rodriguez.

This was only Illinois’ 24th win over Michigan in 98 tries.

Worst stats

Michigan committed turnovers 13, 14 and 15 on the season, totaling 3 on the afternoon.

Giving the ball away is just not a formula for success. Michigan only had 10 possessions in this game — the margin for error is slim when playing the style it does — and gave it away 30 percent of the time.

Committing turnovers not only guarantees zero points on the drive, but it typically puts the defense in bad spots. Illinois cashed in with a 51-yard touchdown drive after a fumble.

Special teams were also horrid, other than getting 1 blocked kick. Michigan had a field goal attempt of its own blocked, averaged 32.7 yards per punt and allowed a fake punt that amounted in the longest gain of the game, 36 yards.

Illinois’ average starting field position was its own 35.4-yard line. The Illini started at their own 40 or better four times on 10 drives.

All of those mistakes amounted to Michigan losing a game after outgaining the opponent (322-267).

As Michigan radio analyst Jon Jansen, a former U-M All-American and national champion, said during the game broadcast, it felt like the “x’s and o’s” were the problem, not the “Jimmys and Joes.” That’s an indictment on the entire operation. Even head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game that he feels the team should be better than it is.

Biggest issue

Since 2015, Michigan is 16-17 when committing multiple turnovers. The Wolverines are 4-10 when giving the ball away at least 3 times.

The turnovers continue to be Michigan’s biggest Achilles heel. They have 15 on the season and multiple in five of seven contests.

Special teams were not special

Michigan’s special teams were an issue. Harbaugh used to say a goal was to win two of the three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams). In that regard, special teams can be a game-changer. But it was an X-factor in a negative way in this one.

The fake punt with upback Tanner Arkin running for 36 yards was the worst of it. Michigan’s defenders didn’t expect it at all — that’s damning — and it led to the defense having to defend in the red zone after just notching a three-and-out.

Illinois scored 8 points between the touchdown and two-point conversion — the only points scored in the second half. Michigan had opportunities but blew it because of faulty offense and defense.

Two best Michigan Wolverines

Michigan graduate running back Kalel Mullings and junior tight end Colston Loveland were coincidentally two of the best Wolverines on the field. That’s ironic considering how bad the offense was.

We actually thought Michigan didn’t use Mullings enough. He ran only 19 times on 70 offensive plays, and didn’t even start the game.

They rode him on a late-first-half drive to success, with Mullings accumulating 32 of 55 yards and the touchdown on the team’s only march to the end zone.

The Wolverines also seemed to become too reliant on the pass. After picking up a 4th and 14 to Loveland, they went back to him with graduate Jack Tuttle attempting a back-shoulder throw near the end zone. It was way off, and picked off.

Moore said Michigan had to go away from the run in the second half because of the deficit. Yes, the Wolverines were down 14 points at the time, but there were still over 8 minutes to go, and they had all of their timeouts. Pounding Mullings in the red zone felt like the move.

Loveland finished with 7 catches for 83 yards. Michigan still doesn’t have any wideouts who have stepped up, but Loveland has been reliable.

Some defenders also deserve love. Senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart was tough to block, and he had 1.5 tackles for loss, drew a holding call and had a third-down quarterback hurry on an incompletion. Junior linebacker Jaishawn Barham made some big plays, and he led the team with 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Junior defensive tackles Mason Graham (6 tackles, 1 for loss) and Kenneth Grant (4 tackles, 1 for loss) were also stalwarts.

Monster performances

Illinois got some big-time performances despite not getting much out of quarterback Luke Altmyer (4.4 yards per pass).

Arkin had the fake punt run and a touchdown reception. Linebacker Gabe Jacas, meanwhile, had 13 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Defensive lineman TeRah Edwards also chipped in with 2 sacks.

Turning the page quickly

Michigan has Michigan State coming up next week. The Wolverines already have three losses and are out of the College Football Playoff picture, but they have the chance to notch a rivalry win.

“Our record doesn’t matter,” senior EDGE Josaiah Stewart said. “That’s Michigan State. Really, any other game on the schedule, it doesn’t matter who it is. We’re gonna go out there and f—ing win that game.”