Final at TCF Bank Stadium. #ILLvsMINN pic.twitter.com/2rgfR3qWOQ
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 21, 2015
Illinois Fighting Illini 23
Minnesota Gophers 32
Freshman running back Shannon Brooks ran 75 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Gophers 32-23 Saturday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium.
First win as Head Coach. #CoachClaeys pic.twitter.com/oDrP2TpJ46
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 21, 2015
It snapped a four-game losing streak, and was the first victory for Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys, who took over the team after Jerry Kill retired midseason.
Brooks has 174 yds and 3 TDs; Hardin has two pass breakups and long returns; Huff two critical sacks; Still with TD catch.
— Chip Scoggins (@chipscoggins) November 21, 2015
Brooks’ late touchdown came as Minnesota was hanging on with just a one-point lead, and was hoping to run out the clock to preserve the win.
Once again, Shannon Brooks is really good. This @GopherFootball RB is going to be fun to watch for years to come. https://t.co/Y5LTXeJ41U
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 21, 2015
"It's the greatest feeling." -Brooks, on how he felt after his 75-yard touchdown run
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 21, 2015
Quarterback Mitch Leidner ran into the end zone on the two-point conversion to make it a two-possession game for Illinois, who got the ball back with 1:25 left but couldn’t score.
The Gophers scored most of their points in the first half, and led 21-13 at halftime. But they struggled mightily in the third quarter as Illinois’ offense opened the third quarter with a 75-yard touchdown drive to close within one point.
Minnesota scored a field goal on the ensuing drive to make it 24-20.
Illinois outgained the Gophers 131-1 in the third quarter, controlling the ball for more than 11 minutes, the Star Tribune notes.
Minnesota had lost its last three games to Big Ten powerhouses Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa.
With the win, the Gophers (5-6, 2-5 Big Ten) keep up their hopes of going to a postseason bowl game.
Claeys: "The axe was the one trophy we weren't able to get for Coach Kill so we want to get that for him next weekend." #Gophers
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) November 21, 2015
They close out the season next Saturday at home against the Wisconsin Badgers, and a win there would lock up a bowl bid.
