“The only word to describe Chad Henne is courageous.”
Lloyd Carr, Michigan Head Coach
“We’re rolling…The Big Ten Championship is out there, and we’re going for it.“
Adrian Arrington, Michigan WR
Phil’s Game Grades
Offense
A-
Defense
A
Special Teams
A-
Coaching
A
Overall
A
The stage was set in Champaign for an Illini victory but the Wolverines spoiled the party.
Offense- The offense took a little while to find itself without RB Mike Hart. Chad Henne was injured but showed grit in returning (twice!) to lead the Wolverine to victory. Nice to see Mike Debard crack open the stone tablets- err I mean playbook and run a little razzle dazzle. Ryan Mallett is getting a baptism of fire during road games this season. Great job by RB Carlos Brown filling in for injured Mike Hart.
Defense- The defense got the job done against both Illini QBs. This is unit has quietly began to gel. Their next true test will be against MSU.
Special Teams- The kick receive gave another long return which got the Illini crowd fired up to start the game. The two field goals and recovered punt to set the game clinching TD bail out the grades for this unit.
Coaching- A great job by the coaching staff to prepare the team for this one. The Wolverine had many excuses (No Mike Hart, on the road, injuries to Chad Henne) to lose this game but showed great toughness in pulling out the victory.
Comments- No amount of tacky video clips played on the scoreboard could prevent the Illini from giving the game away with stupid penalties. The Illini are an undisciplined team.
