Michigan dominates in second half over Illinois
Joseph Brown
Issue date: 10/19/04 Section: Sports
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Did Michigan's play against Illinois last Saturday improve the Wolverines overall ranking? No it did not..
However, the 30-17 win displayed the team's depth, as Michael Hart had a career day with 40 rushing attempts for 234-yards, a touchdown and composure when the game was on the line.
Playing on the road at Memorial Stadium, Michigan got off to a flying start.
The Ilini started with the ball on their own 20 and the Wolverine defense poured it on strong from the getgo.
Sophomore running back Pierre Thomas, on Illinois' first play from scrimmage was stopped for no gain.
Led by junior safety Ernest Shazor, the Wolverines forced Thomas to fumble on the next play and recovered the ball at the 20.
Michigan's first trip into the redzone was stopped short as Henne failed to convert a third and four with an incomplete pass.
Michigan did come away with points, though, but barely so. Garrett Rivas shanked a 32 yard attempt that bounced off of the left post, off the middle and in.
Illinois began their next two drives from their own twenty, each with the same result, consecutive three-and-out series.
Michigan capitalized on the first of these two opportunities due largely to Hart and Jason Avant.
The Wolverines drive seemed cut short when they were forced into a fourth and short situation on their own 47, when Lloyd Carr showed some gumption and went for the first down with a successful quarterback sneak.
When Hart was unable to pick up the slack of errant Henne passes, Avant displayed his experience snagging 21-yard and 16-yard passes for critical first downs.
The drive concluded with a touchdown run by freshman Max Martin, which was set up by a typical Hart "never-say-die," twisting, turning, hard-nosed run to the one yard line.
Michigan's next drive was stopped abruptly at Illinois' 44 where, facing another fourth and short, Carr opted to punt, despite having better field position than when they went for the first before.
However, the 30-17 win displayed the team's depth, as Michael Hart had a career day with 40 rushing attempts for 234-yards, a touchdown and composure when the game was on the line.
Playing on the road at Memorial Stadium, Michigan got off to a flying start.
The Ilini started with the ball on their own 20 and the Wolverine defense poured it on strong from the getgo.
Sophomore running back Pierre Thomas, on Illinois' first play from scrimmage was stopped for no gain.
Led by junior safety Ernest Shazor, the Wolverines forced Thomas to fumble on the next play and recovered the ball at the 20.
Michigan's first trip into the redzone was stopped short as Henne failed to convert a third and four with an incomplete pass.
Michigan did come away with points, though, but barely so. Garrett Rivas shanked a 32 yard attempt that bounced off of the left post, off the middle and in.
Illinois began their next two drives from their own twenty, each with the same result, consecutive three-and-out series.
Michigan capitalized on the first of these two opportunities due largely to Hart and Jason Avant.
The Wolverines drive seemed cut short when they were forced into a fourth and short situation on their own 47, when Lloyd Carr showed some gumption and went for the first down with a successful quarterback sneak.
When Hart was unable to pick up the slack of errant Henne passes, Avant displayed his experience snagging 21-yard and 16-yard passes for critical first downs.
The drive concluded with a touchdown run by freshman Max Martin, which was set up by a typical Hart "never-say-die," twisting, turning, hard-nosed run to the one yard line.
Michigan's next drive was stopped abruptly at Illinois' 44 where, facing another fourth and short, Carr opted to punt, despite having better field position than when they went for the first before.