Michigan Football: Top Performers from Saturday's Blowout Victory

The Michigan Wolverines had more outstanding plays in one quarter of Saturday's 45-0 drubbing than the Illinois Fighting Illini had all day.

Michigan exploded for 21 points in the third quarter, with senior quarterback Denard Robinson leading the Wolverines' offensive attack.

While I'd love to point out every single impressive playmaker from Saturday's huge victory, I'm going to limit myself to three.

Jeremy Gallon

Gallon only had one reception in Saturday's win, but boy, was it a big one.

Gallon took a pass from Robinson on a bubble screen for 71 yards to the house, as the speedy 5'8" junior scored his first touchdown of the season and set the tone for Michigan's offense.

After starting the season with a monster game—four receptions for 107 yards—Gallon had fallen off a bit, being held to less than 37 yards in each of his four games before taking the field against Illinois.

Being a smaller wide receiver, Gallon isn't a prototypical wideout, but his speed and vision on the field are what make him one of the deadliest weapons on the Wolverines offense. 

Kenny Demens

Senior linebacker Kenny Demens had a big interception for the Wolverines—one of two Illinois turnovers on Saturday—and easily had his best game of the season.

Demens was consistently hawking the Fighting Illini offense, recording a season-high eight tackles in the 45-0 rout.

The senior's superb play on Saturday helped the Michigan defense hold Illinois to a mere 29 yards through the air and limit sophomore running back Donovonn Young to just 49 yards on 16 carries.

Demens now has 32 tackles on the season to go with his one interception of Illinois QB Ryan O'Toole.

Denard Robinson

Denard Robinson had his best game of the season against the Fighting Illini.

He was 7-of-11 for 159 yards and two touchdowns on drop backs and added 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries on the ground.

The senior QB finished Saturday's rout with a season-high 245.1 rating and his most efficient day rushing the football.

What was most impressive about Robinson's day was that he held onto the football and didn't turn it over, which is something he's been doing a lot this season.

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer