CHAMPAIGN - Michigan players knew that Illinois' offense would be tough to stop. They didn't know there wouldn't be enough time to breathe between plays.

Illinois' no-huddle offense turned Michigan's supposedly vaunted defense into a unit characterized by no-tackle, no-penetration and no-coverage in the first quarter. The Fighting Illini racked up 202 yards of total offense on just 28 plays and were able to do whatever they wanted against a tired Michigan defense.

"They came out fast," Michigan linebacker Victor Hobson said. "They caught us off guard a little bit."

Illinois mixed up its play-calling out of the no-huddle, running the ball for more than 6 yards per carry while spreading three and four wide receivers across the field.

"They were spreading the defense out and running the ball, which is a good scheme for what we were running," Hobson said. "I have to give them credit for that. They were kind of nickel-and-diming us with the run."

"I think a lot of times we expected pass, and they hit some draws on us," defensive tackle Grant Bowman said.

With Illini backs Carey Davis and Antoineo Harris running at will, Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer victimized Michigan with multiple play-action fakes, giving him time to throw to open receivers down field.

"They were doing a good job with the fakes on the play action," Hobson said. "It was just a matter of people being out of position at the wrong time, biting on the fakes a little too much."

The "people" Hobson spoke of were the Wolverines' safeties, who were burned on Walter Young's 51-yard touchdown reception on a perfect play-action fake by Beutjer. Beutjer missed another sure touchdown when he overthrew receiver Greg Lewis on a similar play fake later in the first quarter.

After Illinois' 13 first-quarter points, it did not score again on Michigan's first unit. But it wasn't because the Illini stopped moving the football, as they still finished the game with 543 yards of total offense. Illinois turned the ball over five times, shooting itself in the foot and giving Michigan all the momentum.

The Michigan safeties were the key to the Wolverines' "bend but don't break" performance, adjusting to the Illinois play action by staying at home and then sacking Beutjer with well timed blitzes.

"I think basically we just relaxed more and sat back and waited for them to bring the ball to us instead of trying to be so aggressive," safety Julius Curry said. "Sometimes, our aggressiveness puts us in bad situations."

Michigan sacked Beutjer three times - all on safety blitzes.

"It's very exciting to get around the ball," Curry said. "(The safeties) always like to come down in the box so we can make plays."

Spin cycle: With Marquise Walker's graduation last season, Michigan receiver Ron Bellamy said it was his time to take his place in the Michigan receiving "cycle."

But Bellamy was missing in action in the Wolverines' first four games. While Braylon Edwards and Tyrece Butler racked up 22 and 16 receptions, respectively, Bellamy had just four catches for 41 yards.

Saturday, with his shoulder fully healthy, Bellamy started the game, catching five balls for 37 yards, including a six-yard touchdown on a fade route.

"It's a receiver's dream to have a one-on-one and have a fade route called," Bellamy said.

Bellamy and Calvin Bell, who caught five passes for 51 yards, took advantage of a dramatic slide in playing time for Tyrece Butler. After having problems with drops during the past two games, Butler played only in relief of Bellamy and in garbage time.

Split duties: After Michigan kicker Philip Brabbs missed two more field goals at the end of last Saturday?s 10-7 win against Utah, bringing his total to 3-of-9 on the season, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was admittedly looking for answers.

Saturday, the answer was junior Troy Nienberg, who had previously missed his two field goal attempts against Washington and Western Michigan. Nienberg, a sophomore transfer, made all six extra point attempts and hit a chip-shot 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

"Troy kicked the ball very well in practice (last) week," Carr said. "He's been consistent from the very beginning. He doesn't have the range Philip has, but Troy is a very calm, self-possessed guy. He's earned an opportunity, but I thought Philip did a great job kicking the ball off and did a great job on the fumbled kickoff."

Carr said that while Nienberg will handle extra points and shorter field goals, if a long field goal opportunity had presented itself against Illinois, he would have gone with Brabbs, who has handled all of Michigan's kickoffs this season.

"You have to remember that there are a couple of ways to look at this," Carr said last Monday at the weekly media luncheon. "Philip Brabbs has kicked two game-winning field goals here. Is he kicking as well as we would like?