Our take from Saturday’s recreation at Michigan Stadium, the place the Illini fell brief 19-17:
Participant of the sport
Michigan place kicker Jake Moody
The wind performed methods at Michigan Stadium on Saturday. However the First Staff All-Massive Ten performer from final season was a distinction maker in an essential win for the Wolverines with their Faculty Soccer Playoff hopes in severe jeopardy when Illinois led within the fourth quarter. Moody was an ideal 4 for 4, together with a powerful 46-yard drive in opposition to the wind within the third quarter that snuck contained in the upright. To not point out the go-ahead 35-yard kick the graduate pupil from Northville, Mich., made with 9 seconds left in regulation to maintain Michigan’s good season going.
Offense
Illinois: C-
Michigan: C+
The run recreation moved the ball within the second half with Chase Brown on the middle of it, nevertheless it took virtually all the first half for Tommy DeVito and Co. to do something on offense. With out bell cow operating again Blake Corum for a lot of the second half, quarterback JJ McCarthy made sufficient key throws to assist the Wolverines escape with a closer-than-expected victory.
Protection
Illinois: B
Michigan: B
No workforce till Saturday had held Michigan’s offense to single-digit factors within the first half. Ryan Walters‘ group was the primary to take action. Spectacular contemplating the Wolverines marched down the sphere with ease on the opening collection of Saturday’s recreation. The cross interference penalties that plagued the Illini within the Purdue loss confirmed up on the mistaken time with Devon Witherspoon committing one — controversial or not — on what turned out to be the Wolverines’ game-winning drive.
Particular groups
Illinois: C
Michigan: A-
Jake Moody stole the present on Saturday for the Wolverines with 12 factors on his personal through discipline targets. He wasn’t alone in impacting the sport for Michigan on particular groups with Ronnie Bell shifting discipline place on a 40-yard punt return within the second half. Punter Hugh Robertson had a stable day for the Illini, pinning the Wolverines inside their very own 5-yard line within the first half with a 64-yard punt.
Teaching
Illinois: C
Michigan: C
Illinois did what few groups have carried out to the Wolverines this season. However a number of the conservative play-calling, particularly with the Illini main late within the fourth quarter, got here again to hang-out them. The profitable formulation Illinois used by way of the primary eight video games of the season of controlling the clock simply hasn’t manifested itself over the previous three weeks.
General
Illinois: C+
Michigan: B-
The frustration of a 3rd straight loss was palpable from Bret Bielema afterward. The Illini gamers adopted their second-year coach’s cue. It has been a November to overlook for this Illinois workforce after a promising 7-1 begin that thrust the Illini again into the highlight. Now, Illinois is hoping its fourth strive at an eighth win on the season is the allure.