"Making the difference."

That's what Michigan fifth-year senior captain Jeff Marsh calls the extra workouts and film sessions he's put in over the last several weeks.

Marsh's dedication paid off Friday. His upset win over Illinois' top-ranked Mike Poeta was the difference in a 22-16 Wolverine victory over the 15th-ranked Fighting Illini at Cliff Keen Arena.

After studying tape of his opponent, Marsh entered the ring with a plan to shoot within the match's first five seconds and did just that, lunging at Poeta's legs and sending both wrestlers to the mat almost immediately after the opening whistle.

Though Poeta countered to score the first points in the contest, Marsh's early attack established an unrelenting pace for which Poeta seemed unprepared.

"I didn't score that first takedown, but (Poeta) was like 'We're going to have a match, I'm going to have to wrestle,' " Marsh said. "The whole match he was on his heels, and that set the tone."

Despite Poeta's undefeated record and undisputed top ranking at 157 pounds, Marsh -who came into the match with an 11-7 dual meet record - didn't seem intimidated.

Down 3-1 midway through the second period, the Wolverine wrestler took control of the match with a single-leg takedown and two quick back points to take the lead.

Poeta used a single leg of his own to even the score with just 50 seconds remaining, but Marsh quickly wriggled free for a one-point escape. As the two wrestlers scrambled in the match's waning seconds, Marsh notched his second takedown to seal the 9-6 victory.

In a dual that seemed equal, with five Michigan wrestlers and five Illinois wrestlers favored on paper, Marsh's upset was the lone contest that defied expectations.

"Yeah, it was an upset, but Jeff earned that match," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "He set the pace right away and he kept the pressure on and that's how you win those big matches. You have to continue to attack and he did a good job of that."

Marsh's victory was the third of six straight Michigan victories in the middle weights.

The Wolverines fell behind 10-0 early, but a decision win by freshman Kellen Russell at 141 pounds and an impressive pin by fifth-year senior captain Josh Churella at 149 closed the Illini lead to a single point before Marsh swung the dual in Michigan's favor.

After two more decisions expanded the Wolverine lead to eight, redshirt junior captain Tyrel Todd scored seven takedowns and a near-fall in a dominating 184-pound major decision to run his personal winning streak to 20 matches.

Todd was frustrated that he was unable to record a technical fall after being taken down with 20 seconds remaining in his match, but said Marsh's victory lessened the importance of the missed bonus point.

"Even though Jeff's career is about to come to an end, I truly believe that everyone has matches that redefine their wrestling," Todd said. "I think this is going to be that match for Jeff and he's going to have a phenomenal end of the year."