Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from narrow road victory at Illinois

3. The Michigan backfield overpowered Illinois

The ground game has been one of the biggest albatrosses around Michigan’s neck through the first month of the season. Entering Saturday’s contest against Illinois, the Wolverines averaged only 128 yards per game on the ground to rank 100th in the FBS. Struggling to generate any consistent rushing attack, Michigan won against everyone but Wisconsin but did so unconvincingly.

Playing the Illini, however, allowed Michigan to look impressive out of the backfield when they opted to carry the ball. That could be due to the defense they got to play against, it is true, but it could also serve as a springboard to get the offense on track heading into the back half of Michigan’s 2019 schedule.

Hassan Haskins led the way on the ground as he punched in a touchdown and piled up 125 yards on just a dozen carries. Zach Charbonnet also racked up a triple-digit game with 118 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. As a team, the Wolverines finished the game with 295 net rushing yards and an average of more than six yards per carry.

Most of that, however, was gained in the first half as the Wolverines offense pulled out to a big lead. Illinois seemed to sort things out in their front seven, especially after the halftime intermission, but it was still a solid outing for the Michigan backfield as they went well beyond their season average.