The Minnesota Golden Gophers find their backs against the wall in the first of two must-win games to close out the regular season. First up: The Illinois Fighting Illini.
With starting defensive tackles Steven Richardson and Scott Ekpe on the sidelines, the Gopher defense couldn't stop the run against Iowa, allowing the Hawkeyes to rush for 272 yards. Richardson pulled a calf muscle in practice prior to the Ohio State game and Ekpe has been out with an undisclosed injury since before the Purdue game, so there is no telling whether either of them will be back for Saturday against Illinois.