In what may have been the wildest game ever played in the 83-year history of Michigan Stadium, Michigan beat Illinois, 67-65 in triple overtime.
Tate Forcier hit Darryl Stonum for a nine-yard touchdown with 1:47 left to push the game into overtime. And in the third overtime period, the Wolverines’ defense finally made a big stop when needed, sacking Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase on a two-point conversion attempt.
The 132 combined points makes for the highest-scoring game in the 131-year history of Michigan football. 49 of those points were scored in the second quarter. The Wolverines and Fighting Illini were tied 31-31 at halftime. The lead changed hands five times.
Denard Robinson threw for 305 yards (including a school record 262 in the first half) and three touchdowns, while Forcier added another 113 yards and two scores. Robinson also threw two interceptions, with Forcier turning the ball twice on an interception and fumble.
Robinson also ran for 62 yards on 19 carries. Vincent Smith led the Wolverines with 74 yards rushing. Michael Shaw scored three touchdowns, and Stephen Hopkins added one more.
Receiver Roy Roundtree set a school record with 246 yards receiving on nine receptions with two touchdowns. That included a 75-yard scoring catch on Michigan’s first play from scrimmage. Junior Hemingway added six catches for 104 yards and another two scores.
For Illinois, Scheelhaase threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for another 101 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Running back Mikel LeShoure ran for 120 yards and scored three times.
Altogether, the two teams combined for 1,251 yards of total offense.
With their sixth win of the season, the Wolverines broke a three-game losing streak and are bowl eligible for the first time under head coach Rich Rodriguez. Michigan is now 2-3 in Big Ten play.