CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois rallied from a 28-point deficit to cut the lead to three, but No. 16 Michigan prevailed in a 42-25 contest at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini scored 25 unanswered points before the Wolverines pulled away late.
Third Quarter Puts Illini in Striking Distance
The Illini held Michigan to 11 yards of total offense on 11 plays in the third quarter, including just two yards rushing after a five-yard run on the final play of the period. Illinois yielded just two first downs and stopped the Wolverines on both of their third down attempts. The Orange and Blue controlled the ball for 10:50 of the 15 minutes, including an 80-yard touchdown drive that ate up 7:27.
Brown Cuts the Lead to Three
Senior running back Dre Brown found pay dirt on a one-yard run and converted the ensuing two-point conversion with 12:50 to play in the fourth quarter to cut the Michigan lead to 28-25. The touchdown, Brown's second of the season, brought Illinois' total to 25 unanswered points.
Reggie Runs Past Red
With an eight-yard run in the first quarter, senior running back Reggie Corbin passed football legend Red Grange for 15th all-time in Illinois history in career rushing yards. Corbin finished the game with 2,082 yards for his career, 21 yards behind Chubby Phillips (1973-76) for 14th.
Highlights
Team Notes
• Illinois went on a 25-0 scoring run after Michigan opened a 28-0 lead. The Illini trailed 28-25 with 12:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.
• Illinois had a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive lasting 7:27 in the third quarter, the third-longest scoring drive against Michigan this season (Wisconsin had two over eight minutes). Nine of the Illini's 15 plays were in the red zone.
• Illinois held Michigan to 11 yards on 11 plays in the third quarter. Illinois held the ball for 10:50 of the third quarter, including the 7:27 touchdown drive.
• Illinois started three transfers - WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, OL Richie Petitbon, DL Oluwole Betiku Jr. Illinois had started at least five transfers in the first five games this season.
• Illinois captains: LB Dele Harding, LB Jake Hansen, P Blake Hayes, OL Doug Kramer, OL Alex Palczewski
Individual Notes
• Sophomore QB Matt Robinson was 16-for-25 passing for 192 yards and one touchdown in his first career start.
• Junior WR Josh Imatorbhebhe had five receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown, his first career 100+-yard receiving game and Illinois' first 100+-yard receiving game of the season.
• Senior RB Reggie Corbin ran nine times for 14 yards. Corbin passed Red Grange (1923-25) on Illinois' all-time career rushing yardage list (see below).
• Junior LB Jake Hansen had his fifth forced fumble of the season. He entered the week as the national leader in forced fumbles.
• Senior DB Stanley Green forced a fumble in the second quarter, his eighth career forced fumble, and also recovered two fumbles. Green's eight career forced fumbles is tied for third in Illinois history with Dana Howard (1990-94). Simeon Rice (13 from 1992-95) and Whitney Mercilus (11 from 2009-11) are the only Illini with more forced fumbles than Stanley Green. He is the second Illini with two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in the same game since 2000 (James Crawford vs. Rutgers 10/14/2017).
• Junior K James McCourt made a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter, his third 50+-yard field goal of the season. McCourt's three 50+-yarders are the fourth-most in Illinois history. Last year, Chase McLaughlin finished his career with an Illinois record five 50+-yard field goals, ahead of Dan Beaver and Jason Reda with four apiece.
• Junior P Blake Hayes had his first touchback of the season. Hayes had 19 punts inside the 20 before his first touchback.
• Junior RT Alex Palczewski started for the 29th straight game.
• Junior C Doug Kramer started for the 21st straight game.
• Junior LT Vederian Lowe started for the 19th straight game.
• Sophomore LG Kendrick Green started for the 18th straight game.
• Sophomore RB Chase Brown made his Illinois debut on the opening kickoff. The Western Michigan transfer was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility by the NCAA earlier in the week.
