Illini come back, then fade losing to Michigan 42-25
By Jeff Mayfield

[October 14, 2019]   The Illinois Fighting Illini dug a big hole, made a ferocious comeback, then faded, all en route to a disappointing 42-25 loss to the Michigan Wolverines. I say disappointing only because seeing Michigan’s previous scores I was hoping we could hang with them till the end, maybe catch a break, and nip them with a field goal. My optimism is taking a beating!

I told my son on the drive over to Memorial Stadium this is the reason we attend. We might be there the day the Illini catch lightning in a bottle and we don’t want to miss it. However, this one was somewhat of a struggle almost before the start. We lost the coin toss and therefore were playing the field-position game right from the opening kick-off.

Michigan’s Hassan Haskins scurried 29-yards capping a troubling too quick for comfort 65-yard drive in only 5 plays for a 7-0 lead. And when the Wolverines were not running over or around the Illini, Luke Schoonmaker hauled in a 25-yard td pass from QB Shea Patterson and that made it 14-zip.

And it wasn’t just defensive or offensive breakdowns. Illini punter Blake Hays had his first ever blocked punt that set-up Michigan on the doorstep. From there Zach Charbonnet rumbled in from 7-yards out on just one play and before you could even sit down with your nachos, it was 21-0. Nick Eubanks also hauled in a 4-yard td pass from Patterson and just about everyone felt the rout was on at 28-0.

But somehow there was life. Illinois was in their two-minute offense just before half and they marched down the field even though Michigan was in it’s prevent defense. USC transfer Josh Imatorbhebhe continued his solid play by hauling in a 23-yard td pass from Illini QB Matt Robinson, who was making his first collegiate start. So, the Illini trailed 28-7 at half time. But finally there was a little hope. You thought if Illinois could have the wind and maybe play some field position of their own maybe they could get back into the game. And somehow they did.

Illini kicker James McCort continues to be one of Illinois’ best players as he nailed yet another long field goal, a 50-yarder, his third this season. He is on his way to breaking some impressive Illini records and that made the score 28-10. The Illini then went on one of their most impressive drives of the season, a 15-play 80-yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard Matt Robinson quarterback plunge and the Illini were inching closer at 28-17.

The Illini defense made some adjustments, one of the best ones was tackling the respective ball carrier on any play. It resulted in the Illini getting the ball back and when they did they stayed in attack mode. They went 36 yards in 6 plays and Dre Brown not only took the rock in for the touchdown, but also for the two-point conversion. And just like that Illinois was back in the game only down 28-25 after scoring 25 unanswered points. That stretch was the best football I have seen this team play this year. Unfortunately, there was too much time left in the game.

Enough time for Michigan to right their wobbly ship. Not sure if I should credit their offense, their defense, or if Illinois’ defense just got tired and ran out of gas, or what. But Michigan went on to score two more touchdowns. Just as fast as Illinois had dug in and forced the action, and created lots of positive momentum, the pendulum swung the other way and the Illini lost the chance for a big upset and maybe a chance to right their season.

It was an entertaining game once the Illini made the needed adjustments and got back into the game. From our perspective, depth continues to be a huge concern. The lack of overall team speed also was exposed in this contest although you would expect that Michigan can always recruit very athletic players. This game did point out that the Illini are making some progress. Is it enough? We will find out in the weeks ahead.

Next up for the Illini is another clash with a Big 10 power as Wisconsin comes to town on Saturday.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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