Changing the Moody: Late Field Goal Pushes Michigan Past Illinois, to 11-0

Saturday, November 19

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

11-0 , 8-0

Illinois

7-4 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Illinois

Michigan

Jake Moody (MIchigan Photography)

Changing the Moody: Late Field Goal Pushes Michigan Past Illinois, to 11-0

11/19/2022 4:26:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights vs. Illinois Postgame Notes Player Participation PDF Boxscore in the Trenches Podcast: Illinois Recap Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #3 Michigan 19, Illinois 17
Records: U-M (11-0, 8-0 B1G), Illinois (7-4, 4-4 B1G)
Attendance: 110,443
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 26 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), Noon (TV: Fox)

• Postgame Press Conferences: Coach Harbaugh | Players

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Kicker Jake Moody split the uprights from 34 yards with nine seconds left in the game to help the No. 3-ranked University of Michigan football team survive and complete a perfect home slate with a 19-17 Senior Day victory over Illinois on Saturday (Nov. 19) at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.

Michigan took over on its own 48-yard line with 2:15 remaining in the contest after Moody connected on a 33-yard attempt to bring the score within striking distance at 17-16. The Wolverine defense stood firm and held the Illini offense to a three-and-out, and the offense did enough to get the job done. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy rushed for eight yards and connected on two passes to Cornelius Johnson plus another to Isaiah Gash to set up Moody's heroics in the final minute.

The Wolverines kicker provided the bulk of the scoring on the day, connecting on four field goals from 46, 41, 33 and the game-winner from 35 yards. All four of his field goals came in the second half, and he has now connected on 25 field goals this season.

Despite being limited to just over a half of action, running back Blake Corum continued his push for Heisman Trophy candidacy. The junior put together a well-rounded performance, gaining 108 yards on the ground, 39 yards through the air, and one rushing score.

The Wolverines started the game with a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Corum rushed for 44 yards, averaging 11 yards per carry, and McCarthy went 3-for-3 for 31 yards, connecting with three different receivers.

Though leading only 7-0 after the first quarter, Michigan outgained Illinois 147-22 overall in the opening stanza. The two teams turned in an old-fashioned slugfest the rest of the way, as the Wolverines and Illini traded punches until the final whistle.

Michigan limped into halftime with a 7-3 advantage, and the Illini took control of the game in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns and limiting Michigan to just a field goal. The visitors outgained the Wolverines 132-66 in the quarter, and put together a dominant ground performance, rushing for 75 yards and finding the end zone twice.

The U-M defense tightened up in the fourth quarter, allowing just 54 total yards to Illinois, including a meager 10 ground yards.

McCarthy completed 18 of 34 passes for 208 yards and rushed for 18 more, connecting with seven different receivers. Johnson led the Wolverines with five catches on the day, totaling 38 yards, while freshman tight end Colston Loveland added career highs in receptions (three) and yards (50).

Linebacker Junior Colson led Michigan with six tackles on the day, including four solo and contributing to the team's one tackle for loss. Six Wolverines finished the game with five tackles each, and though allowing 14 points in the third, U-M stepped up to keep the Illini off the board in the fourth quarter.

U-M will end the regular season when it travels to Columbus, Ohio, next Saturday (Nov. 26) for a matchup with Ohio State for the Big Ten East title (Nov. 26). Kickoff is set for noon and the game will be broadcast live on Fox.