<p>Even though we had to go to triple OT, even though Denard was out for 4th quarter and all of OT, and even though our D was less than spectacular for the majority of the game (the last play to sack Nathan Scheelhaase was an exception), we pulled off the win. </p>
<p>Go Blue! :)</p>
<p>It was ironic; a game of an offensive shootout was decided by a MICHIGAN defensive play.</p>
<p>67-65…was that a Basketball game! LOL! Illinois is actually a solid team, but our Defense, which is admittedly very young and thin due to defections and injuries, needs to grow up significantly between now and next fall. </p>
<p>Hopefully, we can beat Purdue next week. A winning season would be nice!</p>
<p>It was quite the shootout indeed! I was thoroughly surprised that Michigan was able to pull off a defensive stop to win the game as well, but I guess miracles do happen :p</p>
<p>It’s very true that much of our defense is young and we’re facing quite a few injuries, but I’d hope that in the future we can keep the point totals a little lower. I’m all for a winning season, too!</p>
<p>The “W” is nice but 65 points? I don’t know if Michigan ever gave up that many before. It could be another record of the RR era. If we can beat Illinois a Purdue victory is definitely doable. I didn’t see the injury to Denard. I hope is isn’t serious.</p>
<p>The Defensive backfield lost too much talent and experience (Warren, Turner, Woolfolk and Emilien) before the season even started. We also lost Floyd to injury in the middle of the season. </p>
<p>Still, the 3-3-5 system does not work in the Big 10. 4-3-3 is much better. Also, our tackling and lack of discipline are unacceptable. Those are things that can be fixed over the Spring/Summer. </p>
<p>Here’s hoping we can have a solid, reliable and consistent deffense next year. Given our fire power on offense, that is all we need to get back to winning 10 games per season.</p>
<p>and Illinois was a top 15 defense too</p>
<p>Alexandre, this is the second time you make this mistake. It’s 4-3-4, commonly known as the “4-3 defense”. Michigan does not only play 10 men on defense :p</p>
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<p>You can’t count those last 20 points that were scored in overtime.</p>
<p>That game was sick to experience in person. HELLUVA WIN</p>
<p>^^^^Agreed. Overtime points should not be counted in game statistics, except to the fact of who got the most to win. I’m so happy we’re bowl elgible at least. That is VERY important for player development.</p>
<p>I don’t think Denard got injured, he just wasn’t playing well so he god subbed out for Tate right?</p>
<p>they said he was injured i believe.</p>
<p>He had concussion like symptoms but he was celebrating at the end with the team so i guess it wasn’t that bad?</p>
<p>Watching the Michigan defense is stressful, very very stressful. Despite the bad defense today, the offense was a bit shaky, coming off with five total turnovers.</p>
<p>It wasn’t stressful, I just accepted they’d score every drive.</p>
<p>I feel bad for the defense. 5 of our top 6 DBs either opted early for the NFL, transfered out, were booted off the team or had season ending injuries…all before the season even started. The 6th, Floyd, was lost to injury at midseason. Our DL and LBs were,for themost part, quite young to start with. This does not excuse poor tackling, but even if the players took care of fundamentals, the Defense would still be weak. Plus our 3-3-5 scheme does not suit the Big 10, which has traditional and physical run-based offenses. Another scary thought is that I cannot imagine that this Defense will be much better next year.</p>
<p>“You can’t count those last 20 points that were scored in overtime.”</p>
<p>Overtime points count. If you don’t count the points then you can’t count the “W” either in which case we would have tied Illinois 45-45, be 5-3-1 and still not be bowl eligible. 45 points is not exactly a stellar defensive effort.</p>
<p>In 1985, Michigan and Illinois played to a tie but it was 3-3. The game kept Michigan from claiming a share of a Big Ten Championship. Back then the defense ruled. The 22-22 tie against the Illini in 1992 was considered an offensive show.</p>
<p>Back to the heading of the thread - 67-65? I’ll take it!</p>
<p>The most fun to watch game I’ve ever experienced! I only wish I could have heard what the commentators had to say at the end.</p>
<p>Denard wasn’t taken out because he wasn’t playing well, he had concussion like sydromes. The fact that he was celebrating at the end of the game didn’t matter, the NCAA and the schools are getting really strict about coming back into a game after taking a shot to the head</p>
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<p>Um, in terms of points allowed per game (i.e. 60 minutes), they shouldn’t (not even accounting for the fact that the opponent is starting from the 25). But no, 45 is terrible.</p>