DETROIT, Mich., — Illinois’ inconsistent offensive play exposed a team weakness again Saturday, with the Illini unable to sustain consistent play from the group in a 23-17 loss to the Western Michigan Broncos.

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams showed confounding, inconsistent play, throwing two interceptions in the loss. Williams’ performance was his first of the season in which he did not have a passing touchdown, and his fifth game of at least two interceptions on the year.

Western Michigan was offensively led by quarterback Tim Hiller, who surpassed the 3,000-yard passing mark on the season in the win, in front of a sparse, 12,865-person Ford Field crowd.

The out-of-conference contest was the Illini’s third game in a three-year series with the Mid-American Conference, in which the Illini 1-2, after a loss to Ohio in 2006.