Michigan
7-0 , 4-0
Illinois
2-5 , 1-3
Balanced Offensive Attack Propels U-M Past Illinois on Homecoming
10/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
» The Wolverines racked up 561 yards of total offense (291 passing, 270 rushing).
» Wilton Speight was effective in three quarters of action, going 16-of-23 for 253 yards and touchdown passes to Jake Butt and Tyrone Wheatley.
» Michigan dominated Illinois in both first downs (29-6) and time of possession (41:23 to 18:37).
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #3 Michigan 41, Illinois 8
Records: U-M (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten), ILL (2-5, 1-3 Big Ten)
Attendance: 111,103
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct 29 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), Noon
• Postgame Press Conference: Coach Harbaugh | Players
Postgame Features
• Kornacki: Pass at Your Own Risk
• Sidebar: Whether by Air or Ground, Michigan's Offense is Rolling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan football team raced out to a 31-0 halftime lead and racked up 561 yards of total offense (291 passing, 270 rushing) in a convincing 41-8 victory over Illinois on homecoming Saturday (Oct. 22) at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines, now 7-0 for the first time since 2006, compiled 29 first downs and held the ball for more than 40 minutes.
Junior Wilton Speight was effective in three quarters of action, going 16-of-23 for 253 yards and touchdown passes to both senior Jake Butt and freshman Tyrone Wheatley. The Wolverines rushed for 270 yards, led by sophomore Karan Higdon, who ran for 106 yards on only eight carries. Until Higdon's 45-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, the leading rusher was senior De'Veon Smith, who finished with 18 rushes for 76 yards and a score. Fifth-year senior Amara Darboh was Speight's favorite target through the air, catching five passes for 99 yards.
Coming off the bye week, the Wolverines came out of the tunnel ready to go, executing a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the game. Out of the team's now-infamous "Train" formation, Speight found Butt open across the face of the goal line for a three-yard touchdown to open the scoring. The big play to spring the score came courtesy of freshman Eddie McDoom, who took a swing pass from Speight in the flat 33 yards up the sideline to get U-M into the red zone. The Michigan defense stopped Illinois on its first possession, and after a kick-catch interference penalty on the punt return gave Michigan a free 15 yards, the offense needed only three plays to score again, this time on a 21-yard play-action pass from Speight to Wheatley to quickly make the score 14-0.
Fifth-year senior Ty Isaac appeared to put Michigan up by three scores, but replay ruled him out at the half-yard line. On third down, Illinois was whistled for pass interference in the end zone, giving Michigan an automatic first down. Senior Khalid Hill dove into the end zone on the next play.
A deflected punt by freshman Khaleke Hudson gave Michigan great field position for its next scoring drive. Eight plays later, Smith punched it into the end zone from four yards out, increasing the lead to 28-0.
After Illinois forced a three-and-out, senior Dymonte Thomas jumped a screen pass and picked off Fighting Illini quarterback Jeff George Jr., turning the ball over to the offense at the 25-yard line. Senior Kenny Allen turned that turnover into points, connecting on a 23-yard field goal as the first-half clock expired.
The only scoring of the third quarter came from Allen, who hit a 27-yard field goal in the final seconds, pushing the score to 34-0.
Illinois broke the shutout with 10:22 to play on a 43-yard pass from George to Malik Turner, making the score 34-8 after a successful two-point conversion. The Wolverines got that touchdown back thanks to Higdon, capping the scoring at 41-8.
The Wolverines return to the field next Saturday (Oct. 29), making the short trip to East Lansing to take on Michigan State. Kickoff is slated for noon. A television designation has not yet been set.
Team Stats
ILL 0, MICH 7
MICH - Butt, Jake 3 yd pass from Speight, Wilton (Allen, Kenny kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:37
ILL 0, MICH 14
MICH - Wheatley, T. 21 yd pass from Speight, Wilton (Allen, Kenny kick) 3 plays, 44 yards, TOP 0:47
ILL 0, MICH 21
MICH - Hill, Khalid 1 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 10 plays, 81 yards, TOP 4:51
ILL 0, MICH 28
MICH - Smith, De'Veon 4 yd run (Allen, Kenny kick), 8 plays, 62 yards, TOP 3:50
ILL 0, MICH 31
MICH - Allen, Kenny 23 yd field goal 6 plays, 20 yards, TOP 2:17
ILL 0, MICH 34
MICH - Allen, Kenny 27 yd field goal 10 plays, 60 yards, TOP 4:19
ILL 8, MICH 34
ILL - Turner,Malik 43 yd pass from George, Jr., J. (Grant,Zach pass) 1 plays, 43 yards, TOP 0:08
ILL 8, MICH 41
MICH - Higdon, Karan 45 yd run (Tice, R. kick), 3 plays, 61 yards, TOP 1:34
