Illinois-Michigan notebook

* * *

Jeff Cumberland came to Illinois as a tight end, but during the Rose Bowl season in 2007, the Illini coaches felt they could take advantage of the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder's unique skill set and create some mismatches by moving him to receiver.

He's been a wideout ever since, but with injuries to the team's top two tight ends – Michael Hoomanawanui (ankle) and Hubie Graham (back) – the Illinois staff found itself in a bind at that position.

So the Illini moved Cumberland back to his original position Saturday and things worked out well.

"I give a lot of credit to Jeff Cumberland. That kid, he was a tight end about a year and a half ago, two years ago, and he jumped in there today, this week," Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said. "Me and him, he came in and we watched film and we met, but Jeff Cumberland goes out there today and for a kid who moved to tight end this week, that's a pretty big deal. That shows a lot of credit to him being a senior and him understanding what we're trying to do. And I was very, very pleased with the recall that he had from playing tight end a couple years ago and him coming out and making that transition back to tight end."

Cumberland had two catches for 51 yards against the Wolverines, but it was more than that production that had Schultz gushing after the win.

"Needless to say, he made two big catches and made several good blocks, and I know a lot of people will associate the catches, but on Juice's (Williams) first long run, Jeff made a nice block down the field," Schultz said.

* * *

His catch could best be described as a circus grab, but Illinois' Chris James swears his over-the-shoulder reception from good friend Juice Williams wasn't the result of luck.

"It was just eyes on the ball, really, that's all I think about is eyes to the ball and if you see the ball, you catch it," James said of his only reception Saturday and his third this season. "Once I saw the ball, I was like, 'It's mine, no way (Michigan defensive back Troy) Woolfolk is getting this one."

It turned out to be a big play in the game as it occurred on second and 18 with the Illini leading 21-13. The 37-yard reception set up Williams' 3-yard touchdown score to extend the lead.

It was one of the few big plays James, a fourth-year junior, has had the opportunity of completing during his injury-riddled career.

"Coach always says, 'Playmakers make plays.' It's going to be seven, eight plays that change the whole game, and when those times come it's being ready to make those plays. And I knew right there that was a big down and I had to step up and make a play," James said. "Coach called on us to beat press and that's what I did."

* * *

The Illini used a spark from former linebacker J Leman, who spoke to the team Friday to offer some motivation.

"It was great because he just fired us up and gave us a little more spirit," defensive tackle Corey Liuget said. "He told us if he could have went out and beat Michigan it would have been a great season, but his best win was when they played against Michigan State in Zook's first year. J coming in fired us up."

Leman, who recently was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, was in town this weekend working as an analyst for the Big Ten Network.

* * *

Liuget had his best game of the season Saturday, registering four tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. He's been slowed by injuries this season and was glad to be a major contributor for the Illini on Saturday.

"It feels great for me to come out and play a game like I played," Liuget said. "The coaches have been waiting for it, and I've been waiting for it to come. The little ankle injury kind of set me back a little, but I kept on playing and fighting through adversity."

* * *

When referring to Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier, Liuget called him "the French guy."

"That started with J when he came and talked to us Friday," Liuget said. "He called him the little French guy."

* * *

London Davis picked the right day to make his college debut. Pressed into action because of injuries, the redshirt freshman from Cahokia caught a 2-yard touchdown pass to give Illinois a 21-13 lead.

"For your first college touchdown, that's a big thing," Davis said. "But I haven't played football since my senior year in high school. My first time ever playing, I get a touchdown. I was excited. I knew I was going to be open. I was concentrating real hard because I didn't want to drop it."

Davis was one of the big contributors from the Illinois side of the St. Louis metro area.

East St. Louis defensive back Terry Hawthorne made a touchdown-saving tackle and Belleville running back Jason Ford had a 79-yard touchdown run and 128 yards overall.

The players from the "Metro East" all wore "618" on their eyeblack strips, representing the area code.

"We've all got talent," Davis said. "We put it on for the city. There's talent in the Metro East. You don't have to just go up north to find talent."

* * *

Garrett Edwards was in the right place at the right time Saturday. Just like he is supposed to be. The junior safety made the fourth-down stop against Brandon Minor in the third quarter. The next drive, Illinois took the lead for good.

Originally, Michigan was awarded a touchdown on Minor's run. But the call was reversed by instant replay.

"When I hit him, I saw him hit the ground before he got in the end zone," Edwards said. "I was talking to the ref about it on the field. I knew he was down. I'm glad they challenged it and it went our way."

Edwards is happy to get a win.

"We've got to feed off of this," Edwards said. "We've got to come out and play just as good against Minnesota or even better."

Comments

Add a Comment