With 36 seconds left in the game, Gophers defensive end Jah Joyner forced a game sealing fumble recovered by Danny Striggow.
Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer kneeled the ball out and his team escaped Illinois’ Memorial Stadium with a 25-17 victory over the Illini on Saturday.
The Gophers earned their sixth win of the season, making them eligible for a bowl game. Coming into Saturday’s match, the Gophers were riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Maryland and tying their match against Rhode Island for the most points all season.
Striggow said initially he did not win at the line of scrimmage, so he just started going through his normal rushing progression until he saw the ball dribbling in front of him.
“We work on fumble recovery, forcing fumbles every day in practice,” Striggow said. “Instinct kicked in.”
Leading into the fourth quarter, Minnesota had the upper hand on the scoreboard, 16-10.
During Illinois’ first possession of the fourth quarter, the Illini offense picked apart the Gophers defense with three completions of over 15 yards. Illini quarterback Luke Altmeyer capped off the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Zakhari Franklin.
The Gophers got the ball back with about nine minutes left to play, but were down 17-16. Brosmer encouraged his team to keep working on the sideline before the drive.
“Number one thing is just stick to it and keep your head down,” Brosmer said. “Just go 1-0 every single play.”
After a first down incompletion, Brosmer lofted the ball to his receiver, Daniel Jackson, who bolted 37-yards. The Gophers marched down the field powered by three straight gains of over 10 yards.
After the game Brosmer said he was impressed by Jackson on this play and his ability to track the ball.
“He made an outstanding play that moved and generated energy for us,” Brosmer said.
Minnesota capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Geers on a bootleg, but the team failed their attempt for two extra points.
The Gophers did not end up needing the extra point boost, in fact they maintained control of the lead for most of the game.
In the first quarter, Minnesota cornerback Justin Walley turned over the ball for his second straight week when he flipped Altmyer upside down and fumbled the ball.
The Gophers drive halted at the two yard line and resulted with Dragon Kesich giving the Gophers the lead as he kicked a 20-yard field goal.
After a punt from each team the Illini were powered by a 25-yard pass to Pat Bryant putting them in Gopher territory. Illinois got on board, tying the game at 3.
Minnesota wasted no time getting into the endzone on their next drive. Brosmer completed three of five passes before Darius Taylor ripped off a 29-yard touchdown run. The Illini answered with a rushing touchdown of their own after Josh McCray broke multiple tackles and sped his way into the endzone on a 42-yard run.
Brosmer refused to settle as he methodically moved the Gophers down the field, setting up a field goal to put his team ahead 13-10 at halftime.
Darius Taylor led the rushing attack in the first half with 73 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Spencer added 42 receiving yards from Brosmer’s 99 total to lead the team heading into the break.
Coming out of the locker room, Brosmer led the Gophers on a scoring drive controlling the ball for about seven minutes. Minnesota executed an even attack with four rushes and seven passes.
Brosmer finished the game completing 23 out of 27 passing attempts with 213 yards and a touchdown. Head coach P.J. Fleck said Brosmer continues to make the right decisions on the field.
“He’s just tough, he hangs in the pocket,” Fleck said. “He’s got great leadership.”
During the fourth quarter the Gophers attempted a fake punt on fourth and 12 but Mark Crawford, the punter, fell short of the first down marker. The Illini took over with a short field.
Fleck said the fake punt attempt was a decision made by Mark Crawford since the play call allows the punter to make the decision based on the defense.
“We haven’t ran that in forever,” Fleck said. “But the one look they gave us was perfect for it.”
The Gophers had an eight point lead, but when it came time for Illinois to have possession, they came out firing.
But it was not enough.
As the clock ran out the Gophers were on top securing their fourth consecutive conference win.
Fleck will take his team to Piscataway, New Jersey on Nov. 9 to take on the Gophers’ former quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and his new team, the Scarlet Knights.
