Observations on the loss to Illinois, 7-21
Illinois had 4 red zones for 18 points; Michigan gained three red zones for 7 points. The Illini scored 10 points off three Wolverines turnovers.
Offense was pitiful! Offense gained 322 net yards with 20 first downs, and 114 on the ground; they were 8 of 18 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Jack Tuttle was 20 of 32 for 208 yards with an interception, and fumbled the ball for a second turnover; Tuttle was sacked 5 times. Kalel Mullings ran 19 times for 87 yards and a TD; he also caught an 8 yard pass. Donovan Edwards ran 7 times for 38 yards, but turned the ball over on a fumble. Colston Loveland caught 7 passes for 83 yards. Semaj Morgan caught 4 passes for 28 yards. Hogan Hansen caught 4 passes for 50 yards after Marlin Klein left the game due to injury after one catch for 5 yards. Tyler Morris caught a 22 yarder. Amorion Walker had 2 catches for 12 yards; he got his first start. Michigan had a 7 minute time of possession advantage, and ran 13 more offensive plays; however, the advantage was negated due to 3 turnovers. Gabe Jacas had 13 tackles including 2.5 sack, forced a fumble, and had two quarterback hits to lead the Illini defense. Dylan Rosiek had 12 tackles, and Matthew Bailey had 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.
Illinois gained 267 yards with 187 on the ground; they were 4 of 13 on 3rd and 4th down with 18 first downs. Luke Altmyer hit 9 of 18 for 80 yards and a TD; he ran 10 times for 48 yards for another TD. Aidan Laughery ran 9 times for 54 yards. Josh McCray ran 17 times for 50 yards. Pat Bryant caught 4 passes for 32 yards. Zakhari Franklin caught 2 passes for 26 yards. Hank Beatty caught an 11 yarder, and Collin Dixon caught a 9 yarder. Tanner Arkin caught a 2 yarder for a TD. Jaishawn Barham had 7 tackles to lead the Wolverines.
Special Teams were bad. Tommy Doman punted 3 times for a paltry 32.7 yard average. Dominic Zvada missed a field goal on a bad hold from Doman. Illinois punted four times for a 46.2 yard average with three downed inside the 20, and hit two of three field goal attempts. Tanner Arkin made the special teams play of the day with a 36 yard scamper that set up a red zone on a fake punt at the Wolverine 16 yard line; Michigan had just forced a "3 and out." The Illini also converted a 2 point conversion after their final TD following the following the fake punt. The Illinois offense was better than our offense, the Illini defense was better than our defense, and the Illinois special teams outplayed our special teams. Illinois led from start to finish after scoring on the opening drive following the kickoff to start the game.
Moore was outcoached Bret Bielema, and Illinois was much better prepared for this game that we were. We are in for a 6-6 season if we can beat Michigan State and Northwestern; we have no chance against Oregon, Indiana or Ohio State. We also could lose to the Spartans, and finish 5-7 and fail to make a bowl game. The Michigan Football Program has not looked this bad since Rich Rodriquez was the coach in 2009 when we finished 5-7, and Brady Hoke in 2014 that was also 5-7. One would have to go back to 1984 with Bo Schembechler's 6-7 squad, and Bump Elliott's 1967 team that finished 4-6. Go Blue!