No. 22 Illinois beat No. 24 Michigan 21-7, winning over the Wolverines for the first time since 2009

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

Tanner Arkin caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Altmyer in the second quarter and raced a fake punt 36 yards in the third to set up Altmyer’s 1-yard touchdown 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 two straight games for the first time since 2020.

Gabe Jacas had 13 tackles, including six solo tackles 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 a fake punt. He headed the snap to punter Hugh Robertson and ran to the Michigan 16. Altmyer’s touchdown four plays later and Donovan Leary’s two-point pass to Zakhari Franklin made it 21-7. Leary, the Illini’s backup quarterback, faced a conversion play because Altmyer’s helmet fell off during his TD run.

The Illini led 13-7 at halftime and could have been further ahead. They went deep into Michigan five times, but scored only 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 plunge on fourth down with 1:40 left in the second quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

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

Michigan: The Wolverines’ offense continues to struggle. Tuttle missed several open receivers early and threw an interception with 7:58 to play.

IMPLICATIONS ON THE SURVEY

Illinois is poised for promotion after defeating its third-ranked opponent. Michigan should get out.

NEXT

Illinois: Visits No. 2 Oregon next Saturday.

Michigan: hosts Michigan State next Saturday.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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