MGoBlue: Michigan Football gets beat down from Illinois

Illinois, Williams Deal Wolverines Homecoming Loss

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Illinois 45, Michigan 20
Records: U-M (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten), Illinois (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 109,750
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Toledo (Michigan Stadium), Noon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team looked in control with a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, but Illinois quarterback Juice Williams responded with a record-breaking performance, helping the Illini outscore the Wolverines 42-6 through the final three quarters of play in a 45-20 Wolverine loss on Saturday (Oct. 4) at Michigan Stadium.

Williams keyed the Illinois comeback, finishing with 431 total offensive yards -- setting a MIchigan Stadium record and tying for the most yards total offense by a Wolverine opponent in program history. Williams passed for 310 yards and rushed for 121, scoring two touchdowns each way.

Michigan moved the ball efficiently in the first quarter, converting on two of three scoring opportunities to take a 14-3 lead, but the Wolverines passed midfield just twice in the second and third quarters, moving only as far as the Illinois 37. While the U-M offense lost traction, Illinois scored on three straight possessions spanning the first and second quarters then turned it on with four touchdowns in the second half, leaving Michigan Stadium with a win for the first time since 1999.

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To watch the postgame press conference please visit: http://www.mgoblue.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=149752?id=149752

To watch Michigan "Rewind" highlights of the football game: http://www.mgoblue.com/Multimedia/MultimediaCenter.aspx?id=149116?id=149116