Michigan in downward spiral after double-digit road loss at Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Wolverines were coming off a bye-week, and had plenty of time to correct their mistakes from Seattle, but they suffered a similar result in Champaign Saturday.

Michigan struggled throughout the afternoon, and the 20-7 road loss at Illinois was the program’s second by double-digits in Big Ten play this season. Coach Sherrone Moore could only watch as the Wolverines sputtered on offense, while the defense couldn’t force any turnovers.

The 60,670 fans in attendance at Memorial Stadium made it a snakepit for Michigan, and they stayed turned up throughout the contest. Quarterback Jack Tuttle got the start for the Wolverines, and had a rough afternoon. Not to mention the Fighting Illini kept the Wolverines scoreless in the first quarter, and the entire second half.

Although Michigan (4-3) led Illinois in total offense, plays, first downs and time of possession, three turnovers turned out to be too costly. Running back Donovan Edwards lost a fumble early in the second quarter that gave the Fighting Illini great field position, and later led to a touchdown. Tuttle also threw an interception in the red zone during the fourth quarter, that would’ve pulled the Wolverines within one score, and that frustrated Moore.

After all, Moore thought tight end Colston Loveland was the ultimate safety net for Tuttle, and running back Kalel Mullings’ 87 yards on the ground should’ve been enough to take some pressure off the signal-caller.

“Disappointing in a lot of areas, you can’t turn the ball over and gotta complete those passes when guys get open, just gotta be better,” Moore said. “I thought Colston played well, made some plays, I thought Kalel played well and ran hard, but we had three turnovers and in a Big Ten game like that you’re not going to win, so we have to be better on offense.”

Once the smoke cleared, the Wolverines were held to their lowest point output since 2014. Illinois’ defensive line really exposed the big boys up front, and they struggled to protect Tuttle. The Fighting Illini recorded five sacks, and put Tuttle to the turf several times.  On top of that, the reigning Big Ten champs are now on a two-game losing streak in conference play.

However, Moore wants to build on the positive aspects in the game, like Michigan’s 12-play, 72-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, that took over six minutes of the game clock. He doesn’t expect the growing pains with the offense to be a quick fix, but plans on adjusting on the fly as the Wolverines continue to navigate through the Big Ten meat grinder.

“I think we have to reevaluate and see,” he said. “We had a bye-week, and as a head coach I feel disappointed in myself that we didn’t come out and execute at a better level with enough consistency, so there’s no finger-pointing.”

Tuttle completed 20 of his 32 passes for 208 yards, and an interception. Mullings led the team in rushing , and recorded Michigan’s only touchdown of the night. Loveland posted a game-high, seven catches for 83 yards.

Defensively linebacker Jaishawn Barham led the Wolverines with seven tackles, and broke up two passes. Edge rusher Josiah Steward, defensive tackle Mason Graham and defensive back Makari Paige generated six stops apiece. Regardless, the defense couldn’t execute in the clutch, and at times had problems getting off the field.

Which is why Moore is taking full accountability for Michigan’s shortcomings on both sides of the ball. He’ll have to iron out the wrinkles fast though, with a brutal schedule looming, including three of the final five games against teams that are currently in the AP top-15.

“I have extreme high expectations for this program, going on year seven I’ve seen what we’ve been, what we’ve done and this is not who we are, or what we should be,” the  38-year old coach said. “It’s my job to fix it, and we will.”

The three losses have officially put the Wolverines out of Playoff race and likely the Big Ten too. Michigan is bound to drop out of the AP Poll for the first time in a jaw-dropping, 57 weeks. Still, there’s a lot of football left to be played, and the Wolverines don’t have time to hang their heads. Moore has to do his best to salvage Michigan’s season, starting with the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy back at the Big House next Saturday.

“We got to go win next week, we got an in-state rival, Michigan State on deck, but we got to get better ourselves, and do everything we can from when we get on the plane until we land to get better.”