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Report Card: Grading Michigan after a 21-7 loss at Illinois

Chris Balasby: Chris Balas10/20/24Balas_Wolverine
Michigan Wolverines football running back Kalel Mullings scored on a fourth down at Illinois. (Photo by Ron Johnson-Imagn Images)
Michigan Wolverines football running back Kalel Mullings scored on a fourth down at Illinois. (Photo by Ron Johnson-Imagn Images)

Grading Michigan football in all facets of a 21-7 loss at Illinois. The U-M offense sputtered once again and the defense did its best given the field position disparity.  The grades:

RELATED: Illinois 21, Michigan 7: Notes, quotes, and observations — red flags abound

Michigan rushing offense: C+

Michigan senior Kalel Mullings carried 19 times for 87 yards and a score, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he should have carried more. The only real sustained drives came when he was on the field and allowed U-M to set up some play action. Senior Donovan Edwards coughed up another fumble and continues to struggle between the tackles. They’ll be better off when they figure out Mullings needs to be the focus of the offense. Overall, U-M averaged 4.6 yards per carry and put up 151 yards minus sack yardage.  

Passing offense: D-

The vast majority of the Michigan passing yardage (208) came in the fourth quarter (129 yards) when the Illinois defense was in prevent mode. Two throws worth mentioning — a 29-yarder to Colston Loveland and a 20-yarder to impressive freshman Hogan Hansen. Michigan wide receivers are still nowhere to be found, and starter Jack Tuttle was no better than Davis Warren or Alex Orji in ball protection. The fact is, Michigan doesn’t have a quarterback. 

Michigan rushing defense: B-

A few big plays contributed to Illinois’ 187 yards and 4.9 per carry. Take out a 36-yard fake punt and it was much better, but a 29-yard run by a back was the result of a missed tackle by the safety, while quarterback Luke Altmyer’s scrambles accounted for 48 yards. Six plays of 10 yards or greater is more than U-M wants to give up. 

Passing defense: A-

Michigan lost junior corner Will Johnson early — he wouldn’t return — and the replacement corners picked up a few pass interference penalties early on touchdown drives (one questionable). Overall, though, Altmyer completed only 9 of 18 passes for 80 yards with a long of 13. 

Michigan special teams: D

Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada had a low field goal blocked on what looked like a mishandled snap, punter Tommy Doman averaged only 32.7 yards per punt, and a 36-yard gain on a fake punt was a backbreaker. Semaj Morgan’s 18-yard punt return and a blocked field goal by Makari Paige were the only highlights. This group needs to be better. 

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