Hawthorne saves Illini day
CHAMPAIGN It looked like an easy touchdown. Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree had broken free of the Illinois defense and was cruising toward a 20-7 lead.
Then, something happened. Actually, Terry Hawthorne happened.
The Illinois freshman made up a 10-yard gap and dragged Roundtree down at the 1. The former East St. Louis star began training camp as a receiver. If not for an injury to Miami Thomas, he might not have been on the field.
On the sidelines, another former East St. Louis star was watching. Dana Howard, Illinois' good luck charm against Michigan, knew Hawthorne would catch Roundtree.
"That's how we play," Howard said. "He's a Flyer.
"Anything is possible if you put our mind to it and our grind to it. It showed right there."
"Hey, you've got to do what you've got to do," Hawthorne said.
Because Hawthorne didn't quit, a 77-yard touchdown pass turned into a 76-yard completion. And set up one of the most unlikely Illinois wins in the history of the series.
Michigan had four shots from the 1. And four times, it got turned back.
Six plays later, Centennial's Mikel Leshoure found a seam for a 70-yard touchdown run. Matt Eller's extra point gave Illinois the lead for good in a 38-13 victory. Just the second by Illinois against Michigan at Memorial Stadium since 1957.
The team that started the season 1-6 and put its head coach on the hottest of seats, has suddenly found itself. The Illinois students wearing bags on their heads with the words "Fire Zook" spelled out, changed it to "Hire Zook" as the team poured on the points.
The timing couldn't have been better for Zook's team, which had ABC cameras aimed at the field (lots of ESPN replays) and superstar recruit Kyle Prater making his official visit.
Why the turnaround? Why Saturday?
The Illinois players and coaches all pointed to Hawthorne's play.
"Holy smokes," Zook said. "A lot of guys would have quit. Terry didn't quit."
"I was like, 'Oh, God. Oh, God. Please catch him,' " Illinois senior offensive guard Jon Asamoah said. "That sequence of Terry running, the stop on the goalline and the 99-yard drive, that was amazing."
"It was great effort," Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch said. "He made the stop and the defense rose up."
Hawthorne had a different play in mind going into Saturday.
"I told myself I wanted a pick six," Hawthorne said. "Instead, I got the chase down. That was a good thing, too."
Hawthorne was trying to strip the ball from Roundtree and it did pop out. But instant replay ruled Roundtree down at the 1.
"The whole time I was running, my eyes were on the ball," Hawthorne said.
What a great win for the football team!! CONGRATULATIONS over and over again, guys!! Lets hope the high school student, and superstar recruit, Kyle Prater enjoyed his official visit. Perhaps he, and other recruits, will join the other outstanding Illinois players on the team next year? And, congrats again to all of the players on the team from all over our great nation! Lets continue to support the players, and coach staff lead by Coach Zook!!Go Illini!!
CONGRATULATIONS Good job!!!!!!! I am one of the fans that felt Zook should go. One game does not totally change my mind but it does go a long way.
This is the first time for me to post a message. I am waiting to see if all the other nay sayers can at least say congrats, I feel if they would have lost they all would have posted by now.
Again GOOD JOB!
The article below is fron AnnArbor.com. Notice how is implies that Michigan gave the game to illinois. What a falsehood. The Illini-nation, the local media, and the team should get a laugh out what is stated below:
Michigan football team stumbles on offense, defense in 38-13 loss to Illinois
Posted: Today, 1 hour ago
"Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier reacts after losing a fumble in the fourth quarter against Illinois, the third time in the game Michigan fumbled and lost the ball. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Going, going, almost gone.
Michigan’s sinking season took another turn for the worse Saturday as the Wolverines dropped their fourth straight Big Ten game, 38-13, to an Illinois team that had not beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in almost a year.
The defense was its usual shoddy self. Special teams weren’t much better. And Michigan’s once potent offense self-destructed on the goal line against the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten.
Illinois stuffed Michigan on four consecutive runs from the 1-yard line early in the second half, then scored on a 99 1/2-yard drive to begin an onslaught of 31 unanswered points.
Mikel Leshoure zipped 70 yards untouched up the middle of the field to start the seismic momentum shift that left Michigan’s season in turmoil.
Michigan (5-4, 1-4) failed to qualify for a bowl for the second straight week. The Wolverines have three games left to get their magical sixth victory, and only next week’s home game against Purdue looks winnable. They close the season at Wisconsin and home against Ohio State.
Rodriguez also is dealing with an NCAA investigation into allegations of improper practice time, and his biggest supporter in the athletic department, athletic director Bill Martin, is stepping aside once his replacement is found.
“We just got a lot of things to fix and get right,” a subdued Rodriguez said in his post-game press conference. “Every person in the program has got to take it upon themselves to do all they can to get things playing at a high level.”
Michigan didn’t play anywhere near that Saturday.
The Wolverines allowed a season-high 377 yards rushing, and Illinois (2-6, 1-5) nearly had three 100-yard backs in Leshoure (21 carries, 150 yards), Jason Ford (12-128) and quarterback Juice Williams, who finished with 97 yards after taking four sacks.
Most of their damage came in the second half, after Illinois’ impressive goal-line stand.
Tate Forcier found Roy Roundtree for a 76-yard pass on Michigan’s opening drive of the third quarter, but Terry Hawthorne chased Roundtree down at the 1. Officials signaled that Roundtree scored, but the call was overturned on replay.
Carlos Brown was stopped on the next three plays, all runs, and Brandon Minor, who sat most of the game with an ankle injury, replaced Brown on fourth down. Minor, Michigan’s power back, stumbled through the line for what was initially ruled a touchdown, but replays showed his elbow was down before he crossed the goal line.
Rodriguez said the play was “a big momentum change,” and cornerback Troy Woolfolk said it deflated Michigan to the point of no return.
“We were trying to step on their throat and extend the lead,” Woolfolk said. “Once that didn’t happen, people just started worrying and stuff and we just let it get to us and the momentum changed down on the 1-yard line.”
Michigan went three-and-out on its next two possessions, and Illinois, which was booed off the field at halftime, struck for touchdowns by Williams (a 3-yard run) and London Davis (on a 2-yard pass), plus a 23-yard Matt Eller field goal after Forcier lost a fumble deep in Illini territory.
Jason Ford capped the scoring with a 79-yard touchdown run with 1:45 to play.
“We’re all frustrated because we gave it away,” defensive end Brandon Graham said. “We was the better team today. Not taking anything from Illinois cause they came, they game-planned us, but we know we gave it away.”
Illinois, which had not scored more than 17 points against an FBS team all year, finished with 500 yards of total offense.
Forcier was 13-of-23 passing for 257 yards, but lost two fumbles.
Junior Hemingway also muffed a punt for Michigan, which has 12 turnovers in its last three Big Ten games and fell to 1-8 in October under Rodriguez.
“We got to stop the snowball,” defensive tackle Mike Martin said. “We can’t let it get bigger. We got to end this right now.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. Comments from their fans below:
What can we expect Michigan fans? Come on, let’s be real. RR cannot be expected to coach the talent he has and make them better. He cannot be expected to win games now or any time in the near future. No, RR is being paid 2.5 million per to WAIT for the stars to cross and the perfect alignment of talent to land in Ann Arbor before we should legitimately put any expectations whatsoever on this great, world class coach. It’s not his fault that our roster is not loaded from top to bottom with the perfect players for his scheme. It’s Michigan’s fault. He took over our terribly downtrodden program and now he has no hope of beating anyone, be it a 3-9 MAC team or a 1-6 Big Ten team. We just need to wait patiently for, oh 5 or 6 years and then hope he gets the perfect players and wins a National Championship, just like he did at West Virginia when he had the perfect players. Further, if you’re not happy with the direction RR is leading the Michigan program, than you should go cheer for Sparty. Also, if you are happy with the direction of the Michigan program, you should also go cheer for Sparty. After all, we look just like they did under John L.
azwolverine (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
Hail to Victors, valiant.....oh, wait....
John Galt (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
RR = Millen
Detroitrocks (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
Victors? No. Valiant? Also a no. This makes two straight this team has rolled over and died. That comes from the top.
azwolverine (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
To quote Bill Paxton from Aliens...
"Game over, man! GAME OVER! What the **** are we going to do now?! What are we going to do?!"
The first thing we are going to do is continue to root for Michigan. The second thing we are going to do is question the coaching abilities of RR and everyone else on his staff. This isn't about a lack of experience at certain positions, this is about simple fundamentals which seem non-existent on this team. Can't catch, run, tackle, cover receivers... Even the punt game stunk today. Without the basic fundamentals there is nothing.
RR and staff are slowly digging their own grave. I am suddenly ambivalent on whether he stays or goes. Either way, win or lose, through thick and thin I will continue to root for the helmet. But the truth is there is nothing to like about RR and his team right now... except for that beautiful helmet.
Kubrick66 (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
This just in-MSU to pay for RR's contract extension! Even Sparty wasn't this bad under John L. LOL!
TXteacher (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
We are a "bad, bad" team and I hope the architect of this bad bad team Rich Rodriguez steps up and takes some responsibility. I think our non-bowl streak remains alive for a second year, or we get to a bowl and get beaten by Central Michigan and have a losing record for the second straight year (unlikely we will beat Wisconsin and OSU). Maybe the next AD will chose a different direction for Michigan.
sfblue (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
I am worried about our future. These are the smallest players I have ever seen. RR is in trouble. His staff is in trouble.
barnz378 (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
I want to see a replay of that 3rd period Michigan fumble. As the Illinois player was celebrating, he was walking into a down UM lineman... they were bumping for a second or two, then it looked like the UM lineman was throwing a punch into the Illini's players groin right as ABC cut away to show the coaches. Afterwords, the announcers were talking about an Illini player limping off the field. Replay please.
StarZone (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
Maybe Bill Martin saw the writing on the wall before we all did, and that's why he decided to announce his retirement 2 weeks ago.
After all...how much can one guy take?
BoulderLion (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
"Michigan football team stumbles on offense, defense"
And special teams. But other than offense, defense and special teams, they were great!
Duane Collicott (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
Worst Michigan team ever? Worst coach ever? This is setting UM football back YEARS. Who would want to play for a team like this? I don't understand people lauding Bill Martin. This is his disaster.
Jon Saalberg (Flag this Post)
Posted 3 hours ago
and the comments go on and on....from AnnArbor.com.
GO Illini!
Great effort! Fine coaching. Actual play calling on offense. The defense showed up, was coordinated, and it dominated.
That's what the 2009 Illini are supposed to be. Welcome back, Fighting Illini!
Like men of old on giants placing reliance, shouting defiance: Oskeewow wow!
--Orlando Illini
Ah IlliniHimey,
I didn't know if you would come out and play or not tonight. Happy Halloween! I know you want Zook fired, but we have to agree that somehow he has kept this team and staff together through all of the bull-sh** talk and they played really well. He should get some credit for that don't you think? I'm sure glad I stayed faithful through this. You however, this win won't mean as much to since you have already aborted ship.
who kidnapped illinois' football team and replaced them with these guys?!? i've been one of the naysayers! while it doesn't right the wrongs, it feels really good to finally see what we all thought should be standard operating procedure in 2009. ballcoach is right, all the credit to zook and his staff for stayin' on it. now win out, beat cincy and right this ship!
go illini
Amazing effort by Hawthorne!
We also have to give credit to the entire defense for that four play stand. The d-line that was mauled by the Boilermakers just last week came up huge. Even much maligned Garret Edwards made the great hit/tackle on 4th down to just seal it. Hats off to all of them for fighting for every inch!
And Himey provides more evidence that he is one of the perpetually unhappy people that Tressel spoke of. Can't even be happy with a huge win over Michigan. Yes, the season is a huge disappointment, but for the first time in weeks I see a reason for optimism . The freshmen and sophomores are really stepping up. Juice seems to be pulling out of his slump. (he had a big slump during the rose bowl year too). This team showed a ton of heart starting the moment Hawthone started the chase. I really have hope that we can point to that play as the moment things got turned around the program started going back in the right direction. Great job and a great win.
squad33- did you graduate from tOhio State University?
Reading comprehension issues?
Or, are you just dumb?
Reread my post:
"Now, with that said, just an insanely memorable game. Perhaps the presence of Mendenhall on the sideline today explains this?"
Where did I say that I was unhappy?
You are a numbnut.
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