Illinois breaks through against sliding U-M
October, 31, 2009
10/31/09
6:43
PM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Illinois' nightmare ended on Halloween. Michigan's might just be getting started.
You figured the Fighting Illini wouldn't go through the season winless in Big Ten play. But they deserve a lot of credit for really dominating Michigan in the second half en route to a 38-13 win. Senior quarterback Juice Williams finally had something go his way, as he shredded an increasingly bad Michigan defense with both his arm and his legs. Running backs Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford were terrific as Illinois piled up 378 rushing yards on a whopping 55 attempts. Wide receiver Arrelious Benn finally scored a touchdown (!), albeit a rushing score.
The wheels are falling off for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines, who dropped to 1-4 in Big Ten play. Michigan repeatedly stubbed its toe in the red zone and fumbled three times in the loss. Greg Robinson's defense is terrible and the Wolverines' quarterbacks aren't much better, and the schedule only gets tougher from here. With an NCAA investigation pending and Rodriguez facing another un-Michiganlike season, things could really turn sour in Ann Arbor very quickly.
Illinois' nightmare ended on Halloween. Michigan's might just be getting started.
You figured the Fighting Illini wouldn't go through the season winless in Big Ten play. But they deserve a lot of credit for really dominating Michigan in the second half en route to a 38-13 win. Senior quarterback Juice Williams finally had something go his way, as he shredded an increasingly bad Michigan defense with both his arm and his legs. Running backs Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford were terrific as Illinois piled up 378 rushing yards on a whopping 55 attempts. Wide receiver Arrelious Benn finally scored a touchdown (!), albeit a rushing score.
The wheels are falling off for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines, who dropped to 1-4 in Big Ten play. Michigan repeatedly stubbed its toe in the red zone and fumbled three times in the loss. Greg Robinson's defense is terrible and the Wolverines' quarterbacks aren't much better, and the schedule only gets tougher from here. With an NCAA investigation pending and Rodriguez facing another un-Michiganlike season, things could really turn sour in Ann Arbor very quickly.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 12/17
Final Temple 37 Wyoming 15 Final Ohio 24 Utah State 23 Final San Diego State 30 Louisiana-Lafayette 32
Tuesday, 12/20
Wednesday, 12/21
Final 18 TCU 31 Louisiana Tech 24
Thursday, 12/22
Saturday, 12/24
Final Nevada 17 21 Southern Miss 24
Monday, 12/26
Tuesday, 12/27
Final Western Michigan 32 Purdue 37 Final Louisville 24 North Carolina State 31
Wednesday, 12/28
Final Toledo 42 Air Force 41 Final California 10 24 Texas 21
Thursday, 12/29
Final Florida State 18 Notre Dame 14 Final Washington 56 12 Baylor 67
Friday, 12/30
Final Brigham Young 24 Tulsa 21 Final Rutgers 27 Iowa State 13 Final Mississippi State 23 Wake Forest 17 Final Iowa 14 14 Oklahoma 31
Saturday, 12/31
Final Texas A&M 33 Northwestern 22 Final/OT Georgia Tech 27 Utah 30 Final Illinois 20 UCLA 14 Final Cincinnati 31 Vanderbilt 24 Final Virginia 24 25 Auburn 43
Monday, 1/2
Final 19 Houston 30 22 Penn State 14 Final Ohio State 17 Florida 24 Final/3OT 17 Michigan State 33 16 Georgia 30 Final 20 Nebraska 13 9 South Carolina 30 Final 10 Wisconsin 38 5 Oregon 45 Final/OT 4 Stanford 38 3 Oklahoma State 41
Tuesday, 1/3
Final/OT 13 Michigan 23 11 Virginia Tech 20
Wednesday, 1/4
Final 23 West Virginia 70 15 Clemson 33
Friday, 1/6
Final 8 Kansas State 16 6 Arkansas 29


You must be signed in to post a comment