Halftime: Michigan Leads, 31-0, Over Illinois

Sure, things went wrong. Chris Evans likely suffered a concussion; he’ll be out. Chris Wormley and Mike McCray walked off briefly, but then returned. We were forced to use two time-outs in the first quarter. Speight got hit a couple times. Not great stuff, especially Evans.

But, Michigan dominated in absolutely impressive fashion, like we have seen all season long. So there’s that.

The first drive featured a lot of Jabrill Peppers, including him at quarterback, running back, and receiver. (And kick returner. And defense. Of course.) It ended with this:

Michigan wasn’t done, and they followed up the Buttdown with a Wheatdown:

I totally called that.

Another big part of the first half has been Speight throwing on time and deep when called upon; Amara Darboh has been the main recipient, getting 4 catches for 69 yards. They’ve also mixed in a lot of runs and some jet sweep action with Eddie McDoom. It’s been a clinic so far in this one.

Khalid Hill got in on the Michigan ground attack with his eighth touchdown of the year, which gives him a share of the Big Ten lead with Saquon Barkley:

That was all the scoring in the first quarter; Michigan has now held its opponent scoreless in a quarter for the 17th time this season - the most in FBS.

De’Veon Smith scored in the second quarter, but there’s no highlight up of that yet. Regardless, he has 14 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.

It’s also been a good day for the defense, though the Illini have done some decent things once in a while. Illini RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn notably had a 45-yard run down the right sideline before getting pushed out by Delano Hill. That drive stalled out at the Michigan 38 - right outside field goal range - and resulted in a punt.

Michigan capped it all off with a field goal at the end of quarter number two. Second half, here we come.