This time, replay works against Illini
CHAMPAIGN -- When the Big Ten pioneered the college game's usage of instant replay in 2004, Michigan's controversial night-game win at Illinois in 2000 helped to instigate its installation.
That 35-31 Michigan victory included at least two fumble calls that, had replay been available, would have gone Illinois' way and likely saved an Illini victory.
Seven years later, on another wild Saturday night with Michigan at Memorial Stadium, Illinois fans probably wished replay had never been invented.
That's because its existence enabled Michigan to grab a 17-14 halftime lead en route to a 27-17 triumph at Memorial Stadium.
With 45 seconds left in the first half, Chad Henne fired a 14-yard down-and-out pass that Adrian Arrington caught with a dive in the left corner of the end zone.
The official waved the third-down pass incomplete, saying Arrington's arm landed out of bounds first. But Michigan bided its time, watched a replay in its coaches box and then decided to call timeout.
After reviewing the play several times, the replay official in the press box reversed the call.
More than Benn: Entering Saturday's game, the statistical difference between freshman Arrelious Benn and the rest of Illinois' receivers was staggering.
Benn entered the night with 33 catches for 424 yards and 1 touchdown.
The rest of the Illini's wide and slot receivers started the game with 35 catches for 326 yards and 1 score.
Perhaps that disparity explained why Illinois caught Michigan freshman cornerback Donovan Warren napping on the game's second play.
While Juice Williams ran a play-action fake to Rashard Mendenhall, Warren barely covered senior split end Jacob Willis as he ran a deep post. Williams hit Willis in stride for a 26-yard score just 56 seconds into the game.
Absent option: One of Illinois' staples this season has been its big-play option attack led by quarterback Juice Williams. It's perhaps the biggest reason the Illini started Saturday's game with the nation's No. 8 rushing offense at 243.4 yards per game.
But, perhaps fearing Michigan's defensive speed, Illinois didn't run the option once in the first half and finished with 17 carries for 69 yards.
The Illini trotted out the option on their first second-half possession, but Williams' first pitch to Mendenhall explained offensive coordinator Mike Locksley's reticence.
Michigan's defenders strung out the play to the right, forcing Mendenhall to dance a little bit before he went down for a 1-yard loss.
Illinois' next option try? Backup quarterback Eddie McGee never had a chance to get outside and was pulled down for a 6-yard loss.
That all but ended the option experiment.
Wide right: Over the last 12 games, Illinois senior Jason Reda had made 18 of his last 19 field-goal attempts. But with the wind at his back in the third quarter, Reda's 47-yard attempt sailed wide right and kept the Illini from forging a 17-17 tie.
Stacked deck: Previous Illinois coach Ron Turner used to complain that Michigan and Ohio State perpetually benefited from the referees' largesse.
On Saturday night, Illinois was flagged for the game's first 8 penalties totaling 77 yards. Michigan received its first penalty early in the fourth quarter when defensive end Tim Jamison roughed quarterback Eddie McGee.