Michigan Suffers Road Loss at No. 22 Illinois

Site: Champaign, Ill. (Memorial Stadium)

Score: #22 Illinois 21, #24 Michigan 7

Records: U-M (4-3, 2-2 B1G), Illinois (6-1, 3-1 B1G)

Attendance: 60,670

Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 26 — vs. Michigan State (Michigan Stadium), 7:30 p.m. (TV: BTN)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan football team struggled with turnovers in a 21-7 loss against No. 22 Illinois on Saturday (Oct. 19) at Memorial Stadium.

Despite totaling 55 more yards and having the ball seven minutes more than Illinois, Michigan only found the scoreboard once in the loss. U-M struggled to finish drives, committing three turnovers, including an interception deep in Illini territory.

After leading the Michigan offense in rushing and receiving yards in all but one game each this season, Kalel Mullings and Colston Loveland were productive again in the loss. Mullings rushed the ball 19 times for 87 yards and recorded the lone U-M score (a one-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter). Loveland caught seven passes for 83 yards and added first-down receptions on three crucial third downs in the effort.

Defensively, the Maize and Blue managed to hold Illinois to 21 points despite being forced into short-field situations on multiple occasions. U-M allowed just 80 passing yards, a season low for Illinois, and conversions on three of 11 third downs. Jaishawn Barham led the team in tackles (seven) and recorded two pass breakups, while Josaiah Stewart recorded six tackles, a half-sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Illinois offense marched down the field to open the game, putting together a seven-play, 46-yard drive which concluded with a 47-yard field goal. The Wolverines’ offensive attack did not to see the same success, punting on its first two drives of the game and turning the ball over on its next two.

The first turnover, a fumble by Jack Tuttle on the second play of the second quarter, was recovered by Illinois at the U-M 38-yard line. After working the ball into the Michigan red zone, Stewart and Derrick Moore combined for a sack on third down to force a 32-yard field goal, which extended the Illinois lead to 6-0.

Donovan Edwards turned the ball over on U-M’s next offensive possession to set up the Illini with opportune field position again at their 49-yard line. A pass interference call on the Michigan defense helped lead to an Illinois two-yard passing touchdown. The Wolverines committed five penalties in the first half, and four resulted in Illini first downs.

Michigan found its offensive stride on its fifth trip down the field. A 12-play touchdown drive — the fourth-longest of the year — ended with U-M’s first points and Mullings’ seventh touchdown this season. He rushed eight times for 37 yards in the attack, including a one-yard touchdown to cut the Illinois lead to 13-7 with 1:40 remaining in the first half.

Illinois mustered a late-half drive and set itself up for a 44-yard field goal as time expired. The try was blocked by Makari Paige and held the game’s deficit to six points heading into the break.

On Illinois’ first offensive drive of the second half, the Wolverines forced a quick fourth down before a 36-yard rush on a fake punt set the Illini up for a scoring opportunity in Michigan territory. This led to a one-yard rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, bringing the game’s score to 21-7.

Michigan’s next two drives combined for 14:13 of game time but failed to result in points due to a blocked 28-yard field goal try by Dominic Zvada and an interception thrown by Tuttle at the Illinois two-yard line.

The U-M offense was held scoreless by the Fighting Illini for the final 31:40 of the contest.

Michigan will play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy next Saturday (Oct. 26) as they return to Ann Arbor to face Michigan State. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Big Ten Network.