No. 22 Illinois beats No. 24 Michigan 21-7, its first win against the Wolverines since 2009

CHAMPAIGN — Luke Altmyer threw for one touchdown and ran for another, leading No. 22 Illinois to a 21-7 victory against No. 24 Michigan on Saturday.

Tanner Arkin caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Altmyer in the second quarter and raced 36 yards on a fake punt in the third to set up Altmyer’s 1-yard TD run.

Illinois (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) beat Michigan for the first time since 2009. The Illini had lost six straight to the Wolverines (4-3, 2-2). Michigan has lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2020.

Jabe Jacas had 13 tackles, including six solo and 2.5 of the Illini’s six sacks of Jack Tuttle.

Altmyer was just 9-of-18 passing for 80 yards. He also ran for 48 yards on 10 carries.

Tuttle, Michigan’s third starting quarterback this season, was 20 of 32 for 208 yards. Kalel Mullings rushed for 87 yards on 19 carries.

The Illini opened the second half with Arkins’ long run on the fake punt. He grabbed the snap and ran to the Michigan 16. Altmyer’s scored four plays later, and Donovan Leary’s two-point pass to Zakhari Franklin made it 21-7. Leary, the Illini backup quarterback, was in for the conversion play because Altmyer’s helmet fell off during his touchdown run.

The Illini led 13-7 at half and could have been further ahead. They drove deep into Michigan territory five times but scored just one touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Altmyer to Arkin and David Alano’s two field goals.

Michigan crossed into Illinois territory for the first time late in the first half and scored on Mullings’ 1-yard dive on fourth down with 1:40 left in the second quarter.

The takeaway

Illinois: The Illini appear to have recovered from their second-half meltdown last week against Purdue, when they blew a 27-3 third-quarter lead, fell behind in the final minute of regulation and won 50-49 in overtime.

Michigan: The Wolverines offense continues to struggle. Tuttle missed several open receivers early and threw an interception with 7 minutes, 58 seconds left in the game.

Up next

Illinois: Visits No. 2 Oregon on Saturday.

Michigan: Plays host to Michigan State on Saturday.

Originally Published: October 19, 2024 at 6:56 p.m.