CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a matchup that pitted the Big Ten’s top defense against a terrific rushing attack, the ground game won.

Michigan out-gained Illinois 223 yards to 37 on the ground, in large part because of running back Fitzgerald Toussaint’s 192 yards on 27 carries.

The 31-14 Wolverines’ victory over Illinois was a far cry from last year’s 67-65 Michigan win in triple overtime.

Quarterback Denard Robinson also scored two rushing touchdowns, but accounted for only 30 yards on 12 carries before being forced out of the game in the second half with an injury.

Michigan’s first drive was a quick romp down the field, highlighted by a Toussaint 65-yard dash capped off by Robinson’s nine-yard scoring scamper. Three drives later, Toussaint was back at it again, accounting for 22 yards of a 41-yard touchdown drive after a great 32-yard punt return by Jeremy Gallon.

Perhaps the bigger story, however, was Michigan’s defense, which stifled the Fighting Illini’s above average rushing attack. Illinois’ first four drives resulted in 32 yards and four punts and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase never seemed to get comfortable in the pocket with Michigan defenders constantly blitzing from different directions. Because of Illinois’s inability to run the ball, coach Ron Zook was forced to look to the passing game.

When throwing, Scheelhaase had some success with favorite target A.J. Jenkins, who finished the game with eight catches for 103 yards, but beyond that, Michigan simply didn’t allow much. Scheelhaase’s final stats were 16-of-31 for 170 yards and an interception, but many of those yards also came in the final two desperation drives.

Following Michigan’s two early scores, Illinois never truly threatened to come back, but turnovers caused some concern on both sides. Both teams lost two fumbles and threw one interception, but neither team ultimately capitalized on the other’s mistakes.

After Michigan failed to score on a fourth-and-1 from Illinois’s 1-yard line, Illinois quickly gave the ball back with a Jason Ford fumble at Illinois’s 13.

Michigan once again struggled, however, and fumbled the ball right back at the Illinois 32-yard line after losing yards on two straight plays. Sloppiness ensued yet again, however, and Illinois was forced to punt after a 14-yard sack by Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens. Whatever momentum the turnovers created for Illinois was lost.

When Illinois finally put points on the board with a Scheelhaase 13-yard touchdown run, it was too little, too late. It still trailed 17-7 and never fully righted the ship.

While Illinois’s defense held strong in the next series, giving the offense a chance to cut the deficit, Scheelhaase made a costly error on the ensuing drive as cornerback J.T. Floyd jumped Jenkins’s route, intercepting the pass and returning it all the way to Illinois’s 22-yard line.

This time, however, Michigan made good on the turnover with a 27-yard touchdown strike from Devin Gardner to Martavious Odoms three plays after the pick to take a 24-7 lead.

A long Illinois drive then ended in a meaningless score followed by another Michigan touchdown, this time by Toussaint, to put the final score at 31-14.

It is hard to look at this game and point to anything other than the Michigan defense as the reason for Brady Hoke’s eighth victory of the year. Anyone that watched last year’s Michigan defense certainly would deny that a defense this good could be composed of the same players, but there is no denying the facts.

Sure, a few freshmen have been thrown onto the field, but it would be ludicrous to argue that those three or four rookies are the reason for the drastic improvement. New defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has simply worked wonders and the players swarm to the ball like never before.

Last year’s matchup between these two teams ended in a 67-65 Michigan triple overtime win and while both defenses are vastly improved, neither offense really lost all that much to justify such a change in scoring. Whether it’s effort or scheme is up for debate, but there is no denying the improvement.

The Wolverines rushed for an average of 4.6 yards for carry, a very respectable number, but not outrageous. Illinois, on the other hand, managed only 1.1 yards per rush, a testament to Michigan’s strong defensive front line.

With a Michigan State victory over Iowa, the Spartans have all but sealed a berth in the Big Ten Championship game, but Michigan is still fighting hard for a better bowl berth and for respectability.

Saturday’s quality victory also gives some added legitimacy to Hoke’s inaugural season at the helm of the Michigan program, something that Rich Rodriguez’s teams always seemed to lack.

In two weeks’ time Michigan’s biggest rival will visit Michigan Stadium, but next week’s visitor to the Big House is Big Ten newcomer Nebraska.

By SAM SEDLECKY

Special to Daily News