CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Max Brosmer threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Geers and Dragan Kesich kicked his fourth field goal of the game in the final five minutes, rallying Minnesota to a 25-17 victory over No. 24 Illinois on Saturday.
It was the fourth consecutive win for Minnesota (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten), while Illinois (6-3, 3-3) dropped its second straight. Brosmer completed 22 of 37 passes for 213 yards and a TD. Darius Taylor ran for 131 yards and a TD on 22 carries and he was the Golden Gophers’ leading receiver with nine catches for 58 yards.
Elijah Spencer had six catches for 67 yards. “We knew there was going to be a great crowd and it would be hostile. So what?” Minnesota coach P.
J. Fleck said. “Illinois is ranked.
So what? We kept it all internal.” Luke Altmyer was 20 of 33 for 226 yards and a TD for Illinois, but lost two fumbles. Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Altmyer’s ball security is a problem that needs to be corrected.
But he said the issue isn’t entirely Altmyer’s fault. “When the QB position goes well, the QB gets a lot of credit,” Bielema said. “When things don’t go well, the QB gets a lot of blame.
We need to help Luke out.” Illinois’ final drive ended deep in Minnesota territory when Altmyer was sacked by Jah Joyner and his fumble was recovered by Danny Striggow on the Gophers 27. Pat Bryant had five catches for 72 yards and Zakhari Franklin caught five passes for 71 yards and a TD for Illinois.
Josh McCray rushed seven t.
