CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 22 Illinois celebrated its Memorial Stadium Rededication Game with a 21-7 win against No. 24 Michigan on Saturday afternoon.
The game, which took place 100 years and one day after Red Grange’s iconic six-touchdown performance against Michigan during the stadium’s Dedication Game, marked the Fighting Illini’s third ranked victory of the season.
The Illini defense forced three turnovers against the Wolverines. Gabe Jacas registered a game-high 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while Dylan Rosiek tallied a career-best 12 tackles. Matthew Bailey also finished with double-digit tackles (11) to go along with one forced fumble and an interception. TeRah Edwards made two sacks and forced a fumble.
Aidan Laughery led the Illini’s ground attack with nine carries for 54 yards, while Josh McCray also reached the 50-yard rushing mark. Luke Altmyer, who amassed 80 passing yards and 48 rushing yards, was credited with a rushing score in the third quarter.
David Olano hit two field goals, including a 47-yarder to open the scoring on the Orange and Blue’s first drive of the game.
The Illini, who began the day on offense, jumped out to an early lead on their first possession of the afternoon. Aidan Laughery’s 29-yard rush marked the longest play of the drive, which ultimately finished with a 47-yard field goal off the foot of Olano. The successful make signified Illinois’ sixth consecutive game with an opening-drive score.
After the Orange and Blue defense forced the Wolverines to punt on each of their first two possessions, the Illini recorded their first takeaway early in the second quarter. Jacas forced his third fumble of the season, while Malachi Hood jumped on the loose ball for the first recovery of his career.
Illinois took advantage of the turnover, doubling its lead via Olano’s second field goal of the day, this time from 32 yards out.
The Illini defense came up with their second turnover on Michigan’s next possession, with Bailey punching the ball loose for his first-career forced fumble and Miles Scott registering the recovery.
The Orange and Blue needed just over three minutes to go 51 yards down the field and find the end zone for the first time. Tanner Arkin notched his third receiving score of the season on a 2-yard reception to extend the hosts’ edge, 13-0, with under eight minutes remaining in the first half.
The Wolverines cut into their deficit late in the second quarter, which saw both sides head into the locker room with the Illini holding a 13-7 edge. Illinois scored on both of its two first-half takeaways, both of which came on fumble recoveries in the second quarter.
The Illini defense forced a three-and-out on Michigan’s first drive of the second half, sending the Illinois offense onto the field. Facing a fourth-and-7, the Orange and Blue perfectly executed a fake punt, a 36-yard gain by Arkin, to move into the red zone. Four plays later, Luke Altmyer found the end zone on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to add to the Illinois advantage.
With Altmyer forced to sit out a play after losing his helmet on the score, Donovan Leary stepped up and found Zakhari Franklin for the two-point conversion, which moved the Illini’s lead to 21-7 midway through the third quarter.
Michigan then drove down the field before the Illinois defense forced a stop in the red zone. Ezekiel Holmes got his hand on the field-goal attempt, marking the Illini’s first blocked kick of the season.
The Illini were forced to punt on their ensuing possession, but Bailey secured his first interception of the season with the Wolverines in the red zone. Jacas tallied all 2.5 of his sacks on the fourth quarter, and the Orange and Blue closed out the victory to remain undefeated at Memorial Stadium this season.
No. 22 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) travels to take on No. 2 Oregon next week. Kickoff is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS from Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
