2004 FBL at Illinois -- Postgame Notes

Michigan became the second Big Ten team bowl eligible with its 30-19 win at Illinois (Wisconsin is the other).

Michigan won for the 65th time in 89 tries against Illinois and improved to 29-10-1 all-time at Memorial Stadium.

Lloyd Carr remained unbeaten in Champaign (4-0) and moved his record to 7-1 vs. Illinois.

Carr claimed his 60th win in Big Ten action, the most of any active coach in the conference (60-16).

Michigan set season highs in rushing attempts (61), rushing yards (294) and rushing touchdowns (three) against the Illini.

Michael Hart was named the ABC Player of the Game after topping his true-freshman rushing record a week after setting it with 35 carries for 160 yard against Minnesota.

Hart rushed 40 times for 234 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. His 40 rushing attempts are the fourth highest total in Michigan history, and his 234-yard output is tied with Jamie Morris for the seventh best rushing total.

Hart had a game full of season long runs against Illinois, having scampers of 25, 26, 26 and 32 yards. He also added three catches for 23 yards.

With his four-yard run on the Wolverines' second offensive play, Hart became the sixth true freshman in U-M history to gain at least 500 rushing yards in a season. The Wolverine freshman record is 748 yards by Ricky Powers in 1990. Hart has 154 carries for 730 yards and four TDs this season.

Freshman tailback Max Martin scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard dive at 6:45 of the first quarter. Martin rushed a career-best 12 times for 67 yards, including a 21-yard career long.

Braylon Edwards was held without a touchdown reception for the second time this season (Notre Dame was the other). Edwards caught three passes for 18 yards against the Illini.

Junior wide receiver Jason Avant served as the special teams captain against Illinois. Avant led the team with 48 receiving yards on three catches. All three receptions moved the chains for first downs, including two third-down conversions.

Michigan forced four Illinois turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) and turned those miscues into 10 points.

Senior strong safety Ernest Shazor matched his career high with 12 stops, tying his 12-tackle effort last weekend against Minnesota. He also added two tackles for loss.

Shazor forced the first turnover for the Wolverines since the Iowa game (Sept. 25), stripping and recovering a fumble by tailback Pierre Thomas on the game's first offensive play.

Sophomore cornerback Leon Hall paced the secondary with four pass breakups, tying for the fourth-best single-game total in Michigan history.

Senior cornerback Marlin Jackson registered his first interception of the season and returned the pick 34 yards. Jackson contributed a season-high seven tackles and one tackle for loss.

Senior inside linebacker Scott McClintock collected a pair of interceptions and made four tackles against Illinois. Markus Curry was the last Wolverine to record two picks in a game, gaining both in the season opener vs. Miami (Ohio).

Senior kicker Troy Nienberg had a season-high four kickoffs for touchbacks against Illinois.

Senior offensive lineman Matt Lentz made his 20th consecutive start at right guard in the Illinois game.

U-M earned its 390th win in school history during the month of October (390-112-13).