Michigan Football: 5 things we learned about Wolverines against Illinois

Patterson showed some very good signs

I won’t sit here and write that Shea Patterson was perfect Saturday against Illinois, but he was improved in some key areas.

The most important area with Patterson this season has been turnovers and on that front, he had zero, which was a huge step in the right direction. Coming in, he had turned the football over in eight consecutive games and has been fumbling like crazy.

His passing numbers weren’t excellent, he was only 11-of-22, yet he tossed three touchdowns, ran for another and gained two other key first downs with his legs in the fourth quarter, with his team only up three and desperately needing points.

That entire drive after Illinois trimmed the lead to 28-25 should give fans hope. Illinois had all the momentum and a three-and-out there could have sunk the Wolverines.

Instead, Patterson hits Tarik Black for 12. Then he runs for first down, finds Peoples-Jones for 18, converts a fourth down and hits DPJ for a touchdown.

Of course, the next drive, after a fumble, Michigan turned it over on downs. But after the defense forced another turnover, Patterson and the offense put it away.

At this point, we just need to realize the speed-in-space offense isn’t coming this season. This offense can be very good in its own right, especially running the ball and throwing downfield. It’s not going to be high powered but if Shea can hang onto the ball, it can still win lots of games.

At the very least, it was progress.