Michigan will play rival Ohio State with an undefeated record next week.
The Wolverines survived a huge scare against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday. The upset-minded Illini held a 4th quarter lead on Michigan, the first team to do that this year. But Michigan chipped away and thanks to Jake Moody, kicked their way into the win column, 19-17.
247Sports tweeted, “Jake Moody, the reigning Lou Groza Award winner, keeps Michigan’s undefeated season alive.”
At 11-0, the Wolverines now focus on arch-rival Ohio State. The Buckeyes face the Maryland Terrapins later Saturday in College Park. If the Buckeyes win, then both will be undefeated against each other for the first time since the memorable 2006 clash.
Michigan got the win but paid a heavy price. Running back Donovan Edwards was ruled out before the game. Then, the Wolverines got dinged up more. Star back Blake Corum left the game before the end of the first half. He returned to cheers but didn’t play much at all in the second half.
It was a tough loss for Chase Brown and the Illini. Head coach Bret Bielema had issues with officiating all day. But unfortunately, the Illini go back home without what would have been a huge win for the program.
Reactions trickled out after the Michigan victory. Dan Leach of 97.1 The Ticket n Detroit tweeted, “Jake Moody is a national treasure.”
Others took solace in the afternoon slate in general. Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic and Big Ten Network tweeted, “Delightfully entertaining noon window. TCU & Michigan both score int he final minute to stay unbeaten.”
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1594067395609501698
Still a Good Early Window for Tennessee with TCU and Michigan having to survive on last second FGs.
Would have been GREAT if the Baylor and Illinois play calling had NOT been more conservative than the Tea Party
#GBO @Vol_Football @NextRoundLive— Jim Dunaway (@jimdunaway) November 19, 2022
And others had far different reactions to the games.
A MAJOR SCARE FOR SOME TOP TEAMS TODAY
No. 4 TCU won on a FG with 0:00 left
No. 3 Michigan won on a FG with 0:09 leftBoth TCU & Michigan remain UNDEFEATED at 11-0
pic.twitter.com/d8qM9savKb — CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 19, 2022
Michigan kicks FG to win at home over a 7-win team. People: “What a gritty performance!” TCU kicks FG to win on road over a 6-win team. Same people: “What a bunch of fakers!” pic.twitter.com/8JFhQB1pLb
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) November 19, 2022