Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a persevering win over Illinois

In a nerve-racking affair at the Big House, the Illini came in unfazed and gave Michigan football a scare that almost cost them everything.

The Lou Groza award winner saved the day as Michigan football survived a potential monumental upset that would have dropped them out of the playoff picture. Jake Moody hit four field goals altogether, but none bigger than the last-second one that got Michigan to 11-0 and a date with destiny looming in just seven days.

Here are the three takeaways.

1. Blake Corum’s injury nearly stalled the offense

Michigan football was going in for a would-be score and then a fearful sight happened that silenced 110,000-plus people. Blake Corum went down with an injury to his leg. He fumbled the ball and remained down on the field riving in pain. He abruptly got up and went to the locker room where he stayed until the beginning of the third quarter.

He returned on the second play of the second half to a thunderous cheer from the Michigan home crowd. Unfortunately, it was his last as he did not re-enter afterward. There was no Donovan Edwards to count on as the staff is being cautious with him in hopes of a return in Columbus next Saturday. The freshman C.J. Stokes and Isaiah Gash were the primary ball handlers from then on.

When active Corum was his usual difference-maker self. He scored his 18th rushing touchdown and secured his eighth consecutive 100-yard performance. He also caught a screen pass that could have gone the distance. Michigan usually keeps players out the next week when injured, but that shouldn’t be the case with a playoff elimination tilt hanging in the balance.