Illini defense pitches in, too

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Illinois' defense didn't have a record-setting day like the offense, but it was at least a reputation-restoring day.

The Illini entered Saturday's 45-20 win at Michigan ranked 10th or 11th among Big Ten teams in every major defensive category.

They had surrendered 182.5 rushing yards per game, which dropped them among the bottom 20 percent of teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

So what happened Saturday?

Helped by 4 sacks of Michigan quarterback Steven Threet, Illinois limited the Wolverines to just 69 yards on 35 carries.

That was the program's best showing against the run since the Illini whipped Syracuse last September.

"I think playing against Missouri and Penn State and being in those places," said defensive coordinator Dan Disch, "it has taught them you don't really know which possession is going to win the game, so you've got to play them as hard as they can.

"These kids are learning to do that and today, they did it for sure."

Especially after working out some early kinks against Michigan's spread attack.

The Wolverines posted 48 rushing yards in the first quarter. After that, the Wolverines managed just 21 yards on 22 carries as they were forced to punt on seven consecutive possessions.

That gave the Illini offense more than enough time to make up for a 14-3 first-quarter deficit.

The defense's secret? Shutting them down on first down to force the Wolverines into lots of third-and-long situations.

During the middle quarters, the Wolverines converted just 1 of 8 third downs as they had to get an average of 9.3 yards on third down to continue their possessions.

"It always starts with stopping the run," said senior defensive end Derek Walker. "It's called, 'Stop the run and have some fun.' That's what we try to do."

Middle linebacker Brit Miller and defensive tackle David Lindquist each posted 2 sacks as part of Illinois' 11 tackles for loss.

Miller had so many media asking him for sound bites after his career-high 4 tackles for loss, he could barely sneak in bites of his postgame apple.

"This is one of those wins that could really tell the season for us," Miller said. "This could start us off. You always look for that big win early. For Illinois fans and people that play at Illinois, this is one you definitely circle.

"This is a huge win. To have that and be a part of that, that's going to last forever."

Defensive changes: Illinois had three new defensive starters Saturday, though each was for a different reason.

With senior defensive end Will Davis' left ankle ailing, Doug Pilcher returned to the starting lineup alongside Derek Walker. Pilcher posted 2 tackles for loss while Davis saw enough action to make 4 stops.

Sophomore Josh Brent, listed as a first-string defensive tackle all season, finally played the initial snap as he has rounded into shape. He had 3 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Then there was true freshman linebacker Russell Ellington, who played the first snap in part to send a message to sophomore Martez Wilson.

Wilson wound up playing most of the way and producing 7 tackles.

"I thought he played pretty well," coach Ron Zook said. "He was part of the challenge (issued by the coaches to certain high-potential players). I wanted to see how those guys handled the challenge."

Cumberland helps: On the third play of the second half, junior wideout Jeff Cumberland cost Illinois a first down when he was called for holding on Dan Dufrene's catch and run.

"I know I cost my team a big gain," Cumberland said. "I knew somewhere throughout the night I was going to have to make up for that play."

But so soon? On the next snap, Juice Williams found Cumberland for a 77-yard touchdown pass that was the longest for Illinois since Jack Trudeau hit Cap Boso for 83 yards in 1985.

"You couldn't tell there was 109,000 people here," Cumberland said of the play that gave Illinois a 24-14 lead.

Line of the night: Maybe sophomore wideout Arrelious Benn didn't know Juice Williams would set the Michigan Stadium record for total offense (431 yards), but he knew something special was in the offing.

"By looking at their defense, no disrespect, but I knew Juice was going to have a good game as far as throwing the ball.

He had the momentum going in the Penn State game, even though we didn't win. He had that confidence coming into this game."

Williams finished 13 of 26 for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns for the second 300-yard game of his career. Benn caught 6 passes for a career-high 122 yards.