Minnesota beat Illinois 40-17 today in Champaign. That is the most points ever scored in Champaign by the Gophers. With the win, Minnesota becomes bowl eligible for the fifth straight year. The Gophers capitalized on three Illinois turnovers to get out to a big lead that they never relinquished. Rodney Smith led Minnesota’s offense with his 5th 100 yard rushing game of the season.
Let’s start with Illinois’s turnover problem. The Illini started the game with a botched snap, had a muffed punt, and later in the fourth Jeff George Jr. fumbled again while being sacked. Illinois also had a safety in the second half.