Illinois–Michigan football series

1898 Michigan team

Illinois and Michigan met for the first time on November 12, 1898. Michigan won, 12–5, in a game that was played before a crowd of 3,500 spectators at the Detroit Athletic Club grounds. Heavy rains earlier in the day had turned the field into "a veritable sea of mud."[10][11] After five minutes of play, "the men were plastered with mud,"[12] and the wet field contributed to poor footing and difficulties handling the ball. The Wolverines won despite what one writer described as "ragged play" that included a number of penalties for offsides and "keeping of hands."[10] Clifford Barabee scored Michigan's first touchdown as he was shoved across the goal line by his teammates. Illinois' only score came in the first half after Michigan's fullback, Alanson Weeks, fumbled, and an Illinois player picked it up and ran 50 yards for a touchdown.[10]

On October 27, 1906, Fielding H. Yost's Michigan Wolverines defeated Illinois, 28–9, before a crowd estimated at close to 5,000 persons at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor. The 1906 game was played on a soggy field resulting from "a constant rain of fourteen hours."[13] The rain continued throughout the game, resulting in a slippery ball and numerous fumbles. Illinois turned the ball over four times on fumbles, and Michigan did so three times. On the first play of the game, John Garrels ran 90 yards for a touchdown. Pinckney ran for the Illinois touchdown — the first allowed by Michigan since 1904. Joe Curtis scored 18 points on three touchdowns and three extra points.[13][14]

The Illinois game was Michigan's only contest in 1906 with a member of the Big Nine Conference. Michigan was engaged in a dispute with other conference schools and left the conference, resulting in a hiatus that lasted for the next 13 years.

Robert Zuppke in 1920

Michigan returned to the Big Ten Conference in 1918. By that time, Robert Zuppke had taken over as head coach at Illinois and turned the team into a national power. On November 15, 1919, in the first meeting between coaches Zuppke and Yost, the Illini won, 29–7, the first victory by an Illinois team against Michigan. The game attracted 14,000 spectators, the second largest crowd in Illinois Field history to that point.[15]

The Illini won again in 1920, 7–6. Quarterback John Dunn of Michigan scored on a 75-yard interception return but then missed the extra point. Illinois then took the lead on a pass from Walquist to Ralph Fletcher; Fletcher converted his point after touchdown to give Illinois its second straight victory over Michigan.[16]

On October 29, 1921, Michigan defeated Illinois, 3–0. A special train with 11 Pullmans left Ann Arbor on Friday evening with 600 students and the varsity band. Upon arriving in Champaign on Saturday morning, the Michigan contingent walked to the Inman Hotel where the Michigan team was quartered. Michigan students raided the hotel dining room and woke the guests with a variety of cheers and songs, including "Varsity" and "Samuel Hall".[17]

The game was played on a field that was "soaked from torrents of rain that fell all of the night before," with players skidding around the field and vision "obscured by clotted mud."[18] Michigan's scoring drive was led by the rushing of Franklin Cappon and Doug Roby and ended with a field goal kicked by Frank Steketee.[18][19] Michigan's victory over Illinois in 1921 was the start of a 20-game undefeated streak by Michigan that lasted until October 18, 1924, when it lost to an Illinois squad led by Red Grange.

After the game, the Michigan varsity band put their caps on backwards and led the Michigan students in a snake-dance through the streets of Champaign. On arriving at the Inman Hotel, varsity cheerleader Al Cuthbert climbed atop the hotel's glass awning to lead the Michigan contingent in cheers, breaking the awning in the process.[17]

Aerial view of Ferry Field prior to the opening kick-off against Illinois in 1922

On October 28, 1922, Michigan defeated Illinois, 24–0. After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Michigan scored 24 points in the second and third quarters. One of the featured plays was Bernard Kirk's return of the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown. One sports writer opined that Kirk's 80-yard return "will take rank with the most brilliant football achievements of any of Michigan's illustrious sons of the gridiron."[20][21]

Red Grange

During the 1923 season, Illinois and Michigan did not meet. Both had undefeated seasons, with each team receiving national championship honors from some selectors. On October 18, 1924, both teams were again undefeated when they met in Champaign. Illinois won, 39-14. Red Grange gained national notoriety for his performance, returning the opening kick-off 95 yards for a touchdown, scoring five touchdowns in the first quarter (five in all), and accumulating 402 yards on offense. The New York Times reported: "Unbiased experts agree that his performance was among the greatest ever seen on an American gridiron."[22]

On October 24, 1925, Michigan defeated Illinois, 3–0, in Champaign. The victory came as Illinois celebrated homecoming in front of a record crowd of 67,000 at Memorial Stadium. Stopping Red Grange was considered to be the key to beating Illinois in 1925.[23] During the pre-season practice sessions, Michigan's line coach Tad Wieman dressed a player in a sweater with Grange's number and sent his guards and tackles "after the mythical Grange with instructions to 'hit him hard.'"[24] Before the game, Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost told reporters: "One of the greatest throngs in all football history is here. For weeks the game has been on every tongue. . . . Our players have been compared as to weight, speed, and ability. The stage is set."[25]

The only points of the game were scored in the second quarter on Benny Friedman's field goal from the 25-yard line. The field goal was set up by Bennie Oosterbaan's interception and a long gain on a triple pass from Friedman to George Babcock who then handed the ball to Bruce Gregory. Earl Britton of Illinois attempted two field goals, but both missed the mark. The game was played on a rainsoaked field which was credited with handicapping Grange.[26][27]

Michigan fullback Bo Molenda was also credited with stopping Grange. Grange played at quarterback for the first time in his career and was held to 56 net rushing yards on 25 carries.[23][27][28] The Associated Press wrote of Molenda's efforts: "Molenda was the principal reason why the Illini's aerial attack was unsuccessful. Time after time he got in the way to make the pass incomplete or to gather it in his arms."[23] Molenda intercepted a pass thrown by Grange on the opening drive of the game and made a second interception of a pass thrown by Earl Britton later in the first quarter. He had two more interceptions in the fourth quarter, both on passes thrown by Daugherty.[27] Multiple sources indicate that Molenda intercepted a total of five passes in the game.[28][29]

In an increasingly rare display of ironman football, the same 22 players who started the game for Michigan and Illinois also finished the game. The Associated Press noted: "The fact that the same men finished the game is causing wide comment, for such a happening has not occurred in Big Ten contests for a great many years. This seems to be the age of wholesale substitutions, and to have two elevens go through an important and hard contest without rushing in new men every few minutes is to upset modern football precedent."[30]

On October 23, 1926, Michigan defeated Illinois, 13–0. Benny Friedman kicked a field goal to give Michigan a 3-0 lead at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Michigan scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Michigan's lone touchdown was scored by Bo Molenda, and Friedman later kicked his second field goal.[31][32] In their 25th year under head coach Fielding Yost, Michigan tied with Northwestern for the Big Ten championship.

On October 29, 1927, Michigan lost to Illinois, 14–0. Michigan played without its backfield star, Louis Gilbert, who was injured the prior week when he threw three touchdown passes against Ohio State. The first Illinois touchdown followed a fumble by Gilbert's replacement, William Puckelwartz, at Michigan's seven-yard line. Illinois' halfback Timm ran around the end for the touchdown.[33][34] Illinois finished the season undefeated and has been recognized as a national champion.

On November 3, 1928, Illinois came into the Michigan game undefeated and expecting to win a fifth national championship under head coach Robert Zuppke. The game was played at Champaign in front of a stadium-record crowd of 85,000. Under first-year head coach Tad Wieman, Michigan came into the game winless with an 0-4 record. In a result that was rated as "the greatest upset in years in the Big Ten", Michigan won, 3–0, with the only points being scored on a field goal by Joe Gembis.[3] The game was the only loss for an Illinois team that outscored its opponents 145 to 16, including five shut outs, and finished the season with a 7-1 record.

On October 24, 1931, Michigan defeated Illinois, 35–0, the worst defeat suffered by a Zuppke-coached team at Illinois up to that time.[35] The game also marked the beginning of a 22-game undefeated streak that lasted until the start of the 1934 season. Fullback Bill Hewitt averaged over six yards per carry on 24 carries and quarterback Harry Newman scored on a 45-yard interception return.[36]

Sparse Depression era crowd at Michigan Stadium for Illinois game.

On October 22, 1932, Michigan defeated Illinois, 32–0. Michigan's first touchdown came on a 34-yard pass from Harry Newman to Ivy Williamson. The second touchdown came on a 56-yard run by Ted Petoskey. Herman Everhardus ran for the third touchdown in the second period, and Michigan led 20–0 at halftime. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Newman returned the ball 76 yards to the Illinois 19-yard line, and Petoskey ran for the touchdown. The final touchdown came on a pass from Newman to Williamson.[37][38] Michigan gained 410 yards of total offense, 296 on the ground. Petoskey led the team with 187 rushing yards on 21 carries.[39]

Willis Ward's block of Illinois' extra point preserved Michigan's winning streak.

On November 4, 1933, undefeated Michigan beat Illinois 7–6 en route to the team's second straight national title. Before the game, a member of the Michigan coaching staff expressed concern that Illinois head coach Robert Zuppke, with two weeks to prepare due to a bye week, would have a variety of tricks ready for Michigan.[40]

Illinois scored first on a drive led by the passing of Illinois quarterback Jack Beynon. Fullback Cook scored from the three-yard line, but Barton Cummings' kick for the extra point was blocked by Michigan's right end Willis Ward. In the second quarter, a poor punt by Beynon gave Michigan possession at the Illinois 28-yard line. Herman Everhardus ran around right end for a touchdown and then kicked the extra point to give the Wolverines a 7–6 lead. With 15 seconds remaining in the game, John Regeczi punted from Michigan's end zone. Illinois quarterback Beynon made a fair catch at Michigan's 31-yard line. Illinois elected to attempt a field goal without interference, an option available to teams receiving a punt under 1933 rules. The crowd stood as Barton Cummings lined up to attempt the kick. The kick was a foot wide of the upright, and Michigan's 7–6 lead held.[41][42] Illinois coach Zuppke was credited for his "magnificent" strategy in nearly upsetting a Michigan squad that had been hailed as the "perfect team".[43][44]

From 1934 to 1936, Illinois put together its longest winning streak of three games against Michigan up to that point. The Illini later had a four-game winning streak against Michigan in the 1950s.

On November 4, 1939, Michigan lost to Illinois 16–7 in a major upset. Michigan had defeated Illinois in 1937 and 1938 and came into the game ranked #2 in the AP Poll, while unranked Illinois was 0–4 to that point in the season. The Chicago Tribune wrote of Illinois that "a football season that began dismally reached a hysterical climax."[45] Michigan outgained Illinois 112 to 98 on the ground and 99 to 77 in the air. However, Michigan gave up eight turnovers on three interceptions and five fumbles, including three fumbles by Fred Trosko. Michigan's only points came on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Dave Strong to Tom Harmon with Strong running for the extra point after Harmon's kick was blocked.[45][46]

Robert Zuppke was the head coach at Illinois from 1913 to 1941. He compiled a 9–13 record against Michigan. On November 1, 1941, in his final game against Michigan, Zuppke's Illini lost 20–0 to Fritz Crisler's Wolverines. Two weeks after the loss, and following further losses to Iowa and Ohio State, Zuppke announced on November 17, 1941, that he was retiring after 29 years of service.[47]

In Illinois' first season under head coach Ray Eliot, Michigan was ranked #13 and Illinois #12 in the AP poll when the teams met on October 31, 1942. The Wolverines beat the Illini 28–14 in front of 33,826 fans at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Paul White, Bob Chappuis, Bob Wiese, and Bob Stenberg. Wiese's touchdown came on a 19-yard pass from Tom Kuzma.[48]

On November 11, 1944, Illinois and Michigan came into the game with both teams ranked in the top 10 in the AP poll for the first time in series history. #8 Michigan beat #10 Illinois 14–0 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by Don Lund (four-yard run in the first quarter) and Jack Weisenburger (two-yard run in the fourth quarter after Harold Watts recovered a fumbled punt at the Illinois 31-yard line), and Joe Ponsetto kicked both points after touchdown. Michigan held Illinois' back Claude "Buddy" Young, the NCAA sprint champion, to 81 yards. Illinois threatened in the first quarter but fumbled at Michigan's one-yard line. Michigan gained 231 yards to 159 for Illinois, with Michigan's yardage divided among multiple backs, including Gene Derricotte (67 yards), Lund (56 yards), Ralph Chubb (53 yards), and Weisenburger (37 yards). Neither team completed a pass.[49][50]

On October 26, 1946, Illinois beat Michigan 13–9. Playing at Michigan Stadium before a crowd of 85,938, Bob Wiese ran for the game's first touchdown, and Jim Brieske kicked the point after touchdown. On the kickoff following Michigan's touchdown, Illinois drove 95 yards and scored on a 16-yard run by Paul Patterson. In the third quarter, Illinois end Sam Zatkoff intercepted a pass thrown by Bob Chappuis and ran 53 yards for a touchdown. Illinois' attempt at extra point was blocked by Quentin Sickels. In the fourth quarter, Michigan twice drove deep into Illinois territory (once to the 17-yard line and then to the eight-yard line), but Michigan's only points in the quarter were scored a safety as Bruce Hilkene blocked a punt into the end zone. Michigan out-gained Illinois in rushing yardage, 190 yards to 112, and in passing yardage, 142 yards to 39. However, Michigan fumbled the ball 12 times in the game.[51]

The Illini went on to win the Big Ten Conference title and completed an 8–2 season with a 45–14 win over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The 1946 Illinois game was Michigan's last loss until October 8, 1949, a span of nearly three years during which the Wolverines won 25 consecutive games.[52]

Bump Elliott runs 74 yards for a touchdown against Illinois.

On November 1, 1947, Michigan traveled to Champaign for Illinois' homecoming game. Michigan was ranked #2 in the AP poll before the game, and Illinois was ranked #11. Michigan won by a narrow margin, 14–7. Late in the first quarter, Michigan took a 7–0 lead on a 74-yard punt return by Bump Elliott. Russ Steger scored for Illinois, and Michigan's winning touchdown was set up by a 52-yard passing play from Bob Chappuis to Bump Elliott.[53] In its tenth and final year under head coach Fritz Crisler, Michigan went on to compile a perfect 10–0 record, win the Big Ten Conference championship, and defeat the USC Trojans 49–0 in the 1948 Rose Bowl.

On October 30, 1948, undefeated and #1-ranked Michigan defeated Illinois 28–20 for the team's 20th straight victory. Michigan's defense held on a goal-line stand in the first quarter (first-and-goal from the five-yard line), and Illinois failed to convert a field goal on fourth down. Michigan outgained Illinois on the ground 102 to 40, but Illinois dominated in the air with 256 passing yards to 132 for Michigan. The New York Times called the game, witnessed by a homecoming crowd of 85,938, "one of the wildest fights in Big Nine history" and added, "What a battle this was! Not for a second could one be sure of the outcome."[54][55]

On November 4, 1950, Illinois, ranked #10 in the AP poll, defeated Michigan 7–0. After the loss to Illinois, Michigan won three straight conference games, won the conference championship, and was ranked #9 in the final AP poll.[56]

In 1951, Illinois was in its tenth season under head coach Ray Eliot. Illinois was ranked #3 in the AP poll before the game, and Michigan was ranked #15. The game was played before a capacity crowd of 71,119 in a blizzard at Champaign's Memorial Stadium with a 40-mile per hour gale in the fourth quarter. The game was a scoreless tie until late in the fourth quarter when the Illini drove 84 yards, capped by an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy O'Connell to Red Smith. The Illini defeated Michigan by a 7 to 0 score. The 1951 Illini ultimately compiled a 9–0–1 record, defeated Stanford 40–7 in the 1952 Rose Bowl, and were ranked #4 in the final AP poll.

On November 1, 1952, Illinois, unranked in the AP poll, defeated #15 Michigan 22–13. In the first half, Illinois blocked two Michigan punts and took a 22-0 lead at halftime. Michigan scored 13 points in the second half, but the attempted comeback fell short.[57]

On November 7, 1953, Illinois, ranked #7 in the AP poll, defeated #17 Michigan 19–3. Michigan took an early 3–0 lead in the first quarter, but was held scoreless for the rest of the game. Consensus All-American J. C. Caroline led the Illini attack.[58]

On November 5, 1955, Illinois recorded the biggest upset in the series history. Michigan came into the game with an undefeated record and ranked #1 in the UPI coaches poll, but lost to Illinois, 25–6. Bobby Mitchell led the Illini attack with 173 rushing yards on 10 carries, including gains of 75 and 55 yards.[59] The Pantagraph wrote that Illinois outplayed Michigan in all respects and called it "one of the most cherished victories in Illinois football history."[60]

On November 9, 1957, unranked Illinois again upset a highly ranked (#9 in the UPI poll) Michigan team, 20–19. Michigan's star back, Jim Pace, who won the 1957 Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the Big Ten MVP, was injured after a 48-yard gain early in the first half, carried off the field on a stretcher, and sidelined for the remainder of the game.[61]

In 1981, Michigan defeated Illinois by a 70-21 score. The Illini, led by Tony Eason, took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter, but Michigan dominated for the remainder of the game, scoring 63 unanswered points. Eason had not thrown an interception in 73 consecutive attempts prior to the game, but was picked off four times in the game. Michigan's total of 70 points remains the most scored by either team in the history of the series.[64] Anthony Carter caught six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith rushed 15 times for 116 yards and also completed 9 of 15 passes for 224 yards.[65]

In 1983, Illinois was led by sophomore quarterback Jack Trudeau. After a loss to Missouri in the first game of the 1983 season, the Illini won six consecutive games and came into the Michigan game ranked #9 in the AP poll. Michigan also suffered an early non-conference loss, to Washington, and came into the Illinois game ranked #8 in the AP poll. At a luncheon on the day before the game, Illinois coach Mike White threw a pie in the face of a man dressed to look like Michigan coach Schembechler. Before the game, White read a letter from Red Grange to his players.[66]

Illinois won 16–6. Trudeau passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns, the first to Thomas Rooks and the other to David Williams, who was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. On defense, the Illini held the Wolverines to 135 rushing yards, 110 passing yards, and two field goals. The Illini finished 10–2, 9–0 in conference play. They were ranked #4 before losing to unranked UCLA 45-9 in the 1984 Rose Bowl, and were dropped to be ranked #10 in the final AP poll.

On November 2, 1985, Illinois played the #4 Wolverines to a 3–3 tie at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Senior quarterback Jack Trudeau completed 27 of 36 passes for 238 yards, and the Illini had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but the 37-yard field goal attempt by Chris White, the son of Illinois head coach Mike White, was partially blocked by Dieter Heren and bounced off the crossbar. After the game, coach White said, "I've never felt worse after a football game -- I'm just sick."[67]

On November 11, 1989, Illinois and Michigan came into the game with both teams ranked in the top ten in the AP poll—Michigan at #3 and Illinois at #8. The Wolverines won 24–10 in their final season under head coach Bo Schembechler. Running back Tony Boles ran 73 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the game. Illinois was led by quarterback Jeff George.[68]

On November 10, 1990, #19 Michigan defeated #17 Illinois 22–17 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan placekicker J. D. Carlson tied a school record with five field goals in the game. Illinois quarterback Jason Verduzco led the Illini.[69]

Gary Moeller, who succeeded Bo Schembechler as Michigan's head coach in 1990, had previously served as Illinois' head coach from 1977 to 1979.

On November 16, 1991, #4 Michigan defeated #25 Illinois 20–0 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard caught a touchdown pass and also ran for a touchdown to lead the Wolverines.[70]

On November 14, 1992, an unranked Illinois team led by Jason Verduzco played the undefeated, #3 Wolverines to a 22–22 tie at Michigan Stadium. Michigan had 10 fumbles and turned the ball over six times. After the game, Michigan coach Gary Moeller said of his team's fumbles: "That's sickening. I can't believe we handled the ball like that."[71]

On October 23, 1993, an unranked Illinois team upset the #13 Wolverines 24–21. Michigan took a 21–0 lead, but Illinois came back with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Johnny Johnson scrambled and threw a touchdown pass to Jim Klein with 34 seconds left for the winning score. The victory was the first for Illinois at Michigan Stadium since 1966.[72]

On September 2, 1995, #13 Michigan defeated #25 Illinois 38–14 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Tim Biakabutuka scored three touchdowns in less than five minutes in the third quarter.[73]

On October 23, 1999, unranked Illinois defeated #9 Michigan 35–29 at Michigan Stadium. Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner threw four touchdown passes in the game. Michigan, with Tom Brady at quarterback, led 27-7 midway through the third quarter, but the Illini finished the game with four unanswered touchdowns. Kittner completed 24 of 33 passes for 280 yards, and Brady completed 23 of 38 passes for 307 yards but also threw two interceptions.[74]

On September 23, 2000, #10 Michigan beat #19 Illinois 35–31 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Michigan trailed 21–7 in the third quarter, but Drew Henson replaced John Navarre at quarterback and led the Wolverines to three late touchdowns. Anthony Thomas also rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns.[75]

On September 29, 2001, #17 Michigan played #22 Illinois at Michigan Stadium before a crowd of 107,085. The Wolverines defeated the Illini 45–20. B. J. Askew rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns.[76] Despite the loss, Illinois, led by senior quarterback Kurt Kittner, went on to win the Big Ten championship and lost to LSU in the 2002 Sugar Bowl.

Michigan vs. Illinois, 2010

On November 6, 2010, Michigan defeated Illinois in triple overtime 67–65. The 132 points scored was the highest combined point total in Big Ten Conference history. Illinois' 65 points were also the most ever allowed by Michigan. It was also the highest scoring game in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision since Navy defeated North Texas by a 74–62 score in 2007.[77] Michigan's 419 passing yards in the game broke the program's single-game record of 396 yards, which was set against Michigan State in 1999. Roy Roundtree also set a Michigan record with 246 receiving yards, breaking the previous mark of 197 yards by Jack Clancy. The two teams combined for a total of 1,237 yards of offense, breaking the record of 1,189 set against Northwestern in 2000.[78]

The Big Ten realigned into two divisions after the 2011 addition of Nebraska and the 2014 additions of Maryland and Rutgers. Illinois and Michigan were placed in opposite divisions, meaning the two teams would no longer play each other annually. Since the 2011 realignment, the football teams have met five times: 2011 in Champaign, 2012 in Ann Arbor, 2016 in Ann Arbor, 2019 in Champaign, and 2022 in Ann Arbor, all Michigan victories.[79]