Illinois smothers Michigan to remain unbeaten at Memorial Stadium

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Fighting Illini put on a dominant performance in their throwback uniforms, and leather helmets against the reigning National Champs, for the 77th sellout at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Illinois took down Michigan 21-7 for the first time since 2009, remained unscathed at home and achieved bowl eligibility. It was a significant victory for the program too, considering the 100th-year celebration of icon Red Grange and a plethora of recruits were on hand.

The Fighting Illini beat a ranked team for the third time this season, and held the Wolverines to their lowest point total since 2014. What’s even more impressive is the fact that Michigan was coming off a bye-week. Coach Bret Bielema is proud that his players were able to get the milestone victory in convincing fashion.

Illinois (6-1) held Michigan scoreless in the first quarter and the entire second half. Not to mention the Fighting Illini played a clean game on offense, while the Wolverines suffered three turnovers. In Bielema’s eyes everything came full circle for one day, and the win was years in the making.

“This moment, to have this crowd and to have this come to life in front of us, I did stress to our guys on Sunday you’re going to get a million questions on how you beat Michigan, or how you prepared for Michigan,” Bielema said. “I learned this from a very wise man, my mentor Barry Alvarez, you learn how to beat Michigan 365 days a year.”

The Fighting Illini drew first blood after kicker David Olano nailed a 47-yard field goal, and he followed up with another one early in the second quarter. However, Illinois suffered some special team blunders throughout the contest.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer later led the offense on a seven-play, 51-yard touchdown drive that put Illinois up by two touchdowns midway through the second quarter. Altmyer’s two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tanner Arkin was his only one of the contest.

Although Michigan was able to get on the scoreboard with a rushing touchdown from Kalei Mullings, after a 12-play drive that took over six minutes off the clock, Illinois’ defense dictated the game in the trenches. The Fighting Illini even forced Wolverine running back Donovan Edwards to fumble the ball.

Illinois took a touchdown lead into halftime, and came out even hungrier in the second half. Bielema’s squad increased their lead halfway through the third quarter after Altmyer led the offense on a eight-play, 55-yard touchdown drive, that ended with him extending the pigskin across the goal line.

The Fighting Illini also took chances, and converted a fake punt on fourth down. The biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter when defensive back Matthew Bailey intercepted Jack Tuttle’s pass down in the red zone. The turnover shifted all of the momentum to Illinois’ side for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Fighting Illini never trailed the entire game, and Bielema believes the tenacity of the defense had a lot to do with that. After all, Tuttle was sacked five times, and had no touchdown tosses.

“I thought we did some things to shut down the run game, and to make them throw a little bit more than they wanted was good,” he said. “Ultimately, to put that game away the way we did was really a fulfilling moment.”

The Fighting led in rushing offense and yards per play, which was Bielema’s brand of football. Altmyer completed nine of his 18 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Aidan Laughery and Josh McCray combined for 104 yards on the ground. Wideout Pat Bryant finished with a team-high, four catches.

On defense linebacker Gabe Jacas recorded a game-high, 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble. Fellow linebacker Dylan Rosiek added 12 stops, and Bailey generated 11.

There’s no denying it was a signature win for Bielema, and all parties involved with the program. Now No. 22 Illinois is currently tied with Wisconsin for third place in the Big Ten standings, and Bielema feels the best is yet to come.

“This is what I came here for, I thought we could build Illinois into something that’s sustainable, and this a very big step in that direction for our fan base.”