Gophers defeat No. 24 Illinois to qualify for bowl

Thanks to a great day from star running back Darius Taylor, the Minnesota football team went on the road and beat No. 24 Illinois State 25-17 on Saturday in Champaign, Ill., ending an 0-10 streak against Bret Bielema-coached teams.

Starting left guard Tyler Cooper was ruled out before the game, forcing the Gophers to shake up their offensive line. Redshirt freshman Phillip Daniels was forced into his first start, but that didn’t stop Minnesota from winning in the trenches.

Dragan Kesic’s early field goal from 20 yards was the only score of the first quarter. Illinois tied the game with a field goal of its own in the second quarter, and the start of the game showed it was turning into an old-school Big Ten West celebration.

Taylor found the end zone on an impressive 29-yard run for the first touchdown of the game. It was the start of one of his most impressive games in a Gophers uniform.

Illinois running back Josh McCray responded with a long touchdown run of his own on the next drive, tying the game 10-10. Despite some questionable clock management, Minnesota settled for a field goal before the half and avoided disaster as Illinois missed a 55-yard attempt.

The only points in the third quarter came from Kesich’s field goal, and the Gophers led 16-10. Just when it looked like they were in control of the game, punter Mark Crawford attempted to pick up a first down on fourth-and-12 but failed. Illinois took advantage of the setback with a touchdown, and the Gophers’ lead evaporated.

With their backs against the wall, Max Brosmer and the Gophers offense drove 75 yards down the field for the go-ahead touchdown but failed on the two-point conversion attempt, leaving the Gophers only 22-17 lead.

Kesich later made his fourth field goal of the day, and Minnesota was able to hold off Illinois’ late surge with a game-sealing strip sack from Jah Joyner. The U won their sixth game and secured their spot in the cup for the fourth year in a row.

Taylor finished his monster day with 22 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown, and his impressive streak as a receiver continued with nine catches for 58 yards. He looked like the best player on the field.

The Gophers look forward to a road game next Saturday against Rutgers and former quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in Piscataway, New Jersey, as they look to extend their winning streak to five.