Gophers Win a Thriller at Illinois 25-17
The Minnesota Gophers Football team persevered for a 25-17 win over the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champagne, Illinois. In a game that was in doubt until the final moments, the Gophers sealed the win with a strip sack and fumble recovery.
Minnesota upped their record to 6-3, becoming bowl-eligible. It was also their fourth consecutive victory after a 2-3 start. Illinois loses for the second consecutive week, bringing their record to 6-3. In a hard-fought defensive battle, field goals played a big factor in Minnesota’s win.
Tough Sledding for Both Teams
The game started sluggishly for both teams’ offenses, but on Illinois’ second possession, the Gophers’ defense came up big. After a Luke Altmyer two-yard gain, Minnesota defensive end Danny Striggow forced a fumble that inside linebacker Maverick Baranowski recovered at the Illini 44-yard line.
Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer moved his team down the field, aided by a couple of Elijah Spencer receptions. The drive stalled, but kicker Dragan Kesich booted a 20-yard field goal, putting the Gophers on top 3-0
Illinois would tie it up with a David Olano 25-yard field goal with a little over 10 minutes to go before halftime. But Minnesota would drive the ball down the field for another score. Set up by some short pass completions off the arm of Brosmer, Darius Taylor would take the ball at the Illinois 29-yard line and run off right tackle straight to the end zone to put the Gophers up by seven.
Illini on a Comeback
But the resilient Fighting Illini was ready with an immediate answer. After earning a couple of first downs, Illinois running back Josh McCray busted up the middle for a 42-yard touchdown run to tie the score once again.
Kesich would add another Minnesota field goal from 45 yards out to push the Gophers up by three with 19 seconds left before halftime. The Gophers defense gave their fans a few anxious moments as the Illini quickly moved down the field only to miss a 55-yard field goal attempt as the clock ran out in the first half.
Hard-Fought Third Quarter
To begin the second half, the teams would spar with each with both defenses dominating. With just over 11 minutes left in the third quarter, Minnesota’s offense would go on a protracted drive highlighted by clutch catches by Daniel Jackson and Spencer.
They moved it down to the Illinois 20-yard line, and Kesich converted his third field goal of the day, a 38-yarder to up the Gophers lead to six. Sacks by Jack Henderson and Joyner helped stymie the Illini offense during their third-quarter drives.
Down the Stretch and a Victory
Minnesota attempted to increase their score when punter Mark Crawford took a fourth-down snap and ran right for ten yards, just two yards shy of a first down. And Altmyer and the Illini would make Minnesota pay for this gamble as he hit a streaking Franklin Zakhari for a 21-yard touchdown and a 17-16 Illinois lead.
However, Brosmer had a few more tricks up his sleeve as he led Minnesota on a 75-yard drive culminating with a Jameson Geers one-yard touchdown reception. The big play in this drive was a 37-yard over-the-shoulder reception by Jackson that moved the ball down to the Illinois 38-yard line.
The Gophers would stop the Illini on the next series with a fourth-down pass breakup by Kerry Brown. Minnesota would use the short field as Kesich converted his 46-yard field goal, extending the Minnesota lead to 25-17. The field goal was Kesich’s fourth of the day.
Altmyer ran the two-minute offense for Illinois, moving the ball down to the Minnesota 16 with 36 clicks left on the clock. But the next play was a heartbreaker for Illini fans as Joyner would swoop in for the strip sack, which was recovered by Striggow at the Minnesota 27, effectively ending the game. The Gophers walked away with a hard-fought victory over the 25th-ranked Illini.
Closing
Taylor had a monster day, rushing for 131 on 22 carries and the touchdown. He would also add 58 yards on 9 receptions through the air. Justin Walley and Brown led the Gophers in tackles with seven. And the Minnesota defense added four Altmyer sacks.
Minnesota travels to New Jersey to play Rutgers next Saturday. Illinois has a bye week next week and come home to play the Michigan State Spartans on November 16.
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