Michigan routs Illinois 45-0

10/13/2012

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson shook of an first-quarter wrist injury to help the No. 25 Wolverines to a 45-0 win over Illinois today at Michigan Stadium.

Despite sitting out a series in the second quarter due to the injury, Robinson finished 7 for 11 passing with 159 yards and 11 for 128 rushing with two touchdowns for the Wolverines, who led 17-0 at halftime.

Michigan capitalized on two turnovers in the third quarter, including Mario Ojemudia's fumble recovery, which set up Fitzgerald Toussaint's touchdown. Toussaint was one of five Wolverines to score a touchdown.

Michigan (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts Michigan State next Saturday (Oct. 20) at Michigan Stadium, with the game time to be announced.

THIRD QUARTER

Denard Robinson's second touchdown helped No. 25 Michigan take a 38-0 lead over Illinois at the end of the third quarter.

Robinson scored on a 48-yard touchdown, then capped off a four-play drive, set up after Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens intercepted Illinois quarterback Riley O'Toole, by connecting with freshman tight end Devin Funchess less than five minutes into the second half. Fitzgerald Toussaint also scored on a 2-yard touchdown, set up by Mario Ojemudia's fumble recovery, Michigan's second turnover of the second half.

HALFTIME

Robinson sat out Michigan’s first series of the second quarter with what ABC reported as a "pinky finger injury" but after sitting out one series, helped Michigan to a 17-0 lead over Illinois at halftime.

Illinois kicker Taylor Zalewski missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 8:37 left in the half and Robinson returned to the field for the Wolverines on the ensuing drive/ Robinson steered the Wolverines 68 yards on nine plays, a drive that included his own 33-yard carry, and gave Michigan a 17-0 lead on a 6-yard touchdown with 4:41 left in the half.

FIRST QUARTER

Jeremy Gallon's 71-yard touchdown reception helped Michigan take a 10-0 lead over Illinois after the first quarter. On second and 11 from the Michigan 29-yard line, Gallon caught a short screen pass from quarterback Denard Robinson and took off for the touchdown less than seven minutes into the game, his first of the season.

Brendan Gibbons kicked an 18-yard field goal with 0:54 left in the first, after Robinson left the field with a wrist injury.