Michigan has produced balanced numbers on offense and has made a clear focus of getting the running backs involved during the first half of the Big Ten home opener against Illinois.
Michigan leads, 17-0, at halftime.
The Wolverines have 239 yards, including 120 rushing. Robinson, who left the game briefly in the second quarter with what appeared to be an injury to his right wrist, has 119 yards passing and a 77-yard touchdown to Jeremy Gallon. He also has rushed for 66 yards on eight carries and has a touchdown.
The Wolverines’ running game has been fairly anemic this season, minus Robinson’s contributions. They have made a determined effort to mix things up among the tailbacks. Four backs have had carries so far today — Fitz Toussaint, Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes and Dennis Norfleet.
Toussaint, Michigan’s lead back who had 19 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns against Purdue last week, has rushed for 31 yards.
Illinois, which lost quarterback Nate Scheelhaase after a big hit in the second quarter — it is unclear what his status is — has struggled. The Illini have 121 yards and is 2-of-7 on third down. On its final potential scoring drive of the first half, Illinois was stuffed on fourth-and-one by Michigan linebacker Kenny Demens.
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