Michigan: Notebook

U-M players stunned, speechless after another Big Ten loss

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

Champaign, Ill. -- Stunned, shocked, numb -- all words to describe the Michigan Wolverines as they left the locker room following a 38-13 loss at Illinois.

Michigan allowed the Illini, who entered the game last in the Big Ten, 406 yards and 31 unanswered points in the second half Saturday at Memorial Stadium to lose for the second straight season to Illinois.

"I never thought it was going to get out of reach like it did," Michigan linebacker Stevie Brown said. "It's just unfortunate what happened. I don't know what to say about it."

No one really knew what to say.

A team that started the season 4-0 has lost four of its last five games, all in Big Ten play. Michigan is 5-4 overall, 1-4 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 2-6 and 1-5.

Brown a few weeks ago said he believed the Wolverines could potentially win out and secure a Rose Bowl spot. Now, they remain one win from bowl eligibility with three games left.

"Obviously we can't do the Rose Bowl thing, but we can still play for a bowl, and that's what we're trying to do," Brown said.

The Wolverines, however disappointed, would not say their season is slipping away.

"Nah, we're going to keep fighting," said senior defensive end Brandon Graham, who had seven tackles, including a sack, and also blocked a punt.

Michigan defensive back Troy Woolfolk spoke to the team's morale after the game.

"We're not getting wins that we should," Woolfolk said. "We're just playing for pride now. We know we're not able to win the Big Ten, but we still have a chance to go to a bowl."

Personnel change

Linebacker Obi Ezeh , who had started 29 straight games, did not start against the Illini. He was replaced by Kevin Leach .

"Thought they were going to do more spread, and they did," Rodriguez said of Illinois' offense. "Kevin's pretty athletic."

Injury update

Receiver Martavious Odoms , who injured his knee against Penn State, was dressed but didn't play against Illinois.

"He didn't do much during the week," Rodriguez said. "Hopefully, in a couple more days he'll be OK."

Quotable

Michigan defensive backs coach Tony Gibson on the Wolverines after giving up a 99-yard scoring drive early in the third quarter: "They got all the momentum, and we could never get it back. They got the momentum and the lead, and from that point on, we struggled."

Quotable II

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams on cornerback Terry Hawthorne 's tackle of Junior Hemingway one yard short of the end zone, and then the goal-line stand at the start of the third quarter: "I have to give it to Hawthorne. That play really gave us the boost we needed. Chasing that guy (Hemingway) down and then the defense getting a goal-line stand was big. I have to tip my hat to the rest of my teammates. They played their hearts out."

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com