Matchup to Watch: Illinois running game vs. Michigan defensive line

Daniel Dufrene, 22, runs against the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Saturday. Dufrene had 96 yards rushing in the game. Erica Magda

Daniel Dufrene, 22, runs against the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Saturday. Dufrene had 96 yards rushing in the game. Erica Magda

October 3, 2008

The Wolverines are second in the Big Ten and 16th in the NCAA in rushing defense this season, allowing just 2.3 yards per carry and an average of 88.5 yards per game.

Michigan’s defensive line, which includes last week’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Brandon Graham.

The junior leads the line in tackles this season with 19 (including 9.5 tackles for loss) and has five sacks and two forced fumbles.

Graham will lead the Wolverine wall against Daniel Dufrene and the Illinois running game Saturday.

Dufrene is averaging 99 yards per game, good enough for sixth in the Big Ten. He has accumulated a total of 396 yards on the ground this season.

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The junior scored his first-career touchdown against the Wolverines last season with an 8-yard run. He posted 21 yards on two carries against Michigan at Memorial Stadium last October. The entire Illinois running back corps rushed for 137 yards against the Wolverines and was led by Mendenhall’s 85 yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, quarterback Juice Williams has put up some numbers of his own on the ground, running for 283 yards through the first four games of the season.

By Stuart Lieberman