Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs with the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini - David Berding/Getty Images
The Minnesota Gophers entered their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in a four-way tie for the Big Ten West Division lead. And before the game even started, two of those teams, Nebraska and Wisconsin, had already suffered defeats in earlier games.
So, the Gophers had a splendid opportunity with a win, to exit their game against the Illini with a least a two-way tie for the division lead. The stakes were high on this sunny, but crispy Minneapolis afternoon.
Bad Start for the Gophers
The game started poorly for the Gophers as Sean Tyler fumbled the opening kickoff and Illinois recovered on the Minnesota 20-yard line. Three plays later, Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer hit a streaking Tip Rieman over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Illinois kicker David Olano shanked the ensuing kickoff, and the Gophers started their drive on the Illini 35-yard line. After some initial runs by Jordan Nubin, Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis decided to air the ball out.
Kaliakmanis to Jackson Again
He tossed a nicely thrown ball to Daniel Jackson on the left sideline for a 24-yard gain. On the ensuing play, Kaliakmanis hit Elijah Spencer in the middle of the end zone for a Minnesota score This tied the game at 7-7.
But Altmyer would march Illinois down the field for another long drive. Mixing the run and the pass, the Illini would put together a 14 play, 75-yard drive that would culminate in an Altmyer to Isaiah Williams connection for a nine-yard touchdown reception.
The big play in the drive was an 18-yard strike from Altmyer to Pat Bryant over the middle for a first down at the Minnesota 22-yard line. Thankfully on the next drive, the Gophers would get a boost from a key player.
Gophers Tie the Game
Under-utilized tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford would be the focal point of the next drive. He would account for 58 of the Gophers 74 yards on the drive including the dramatic final play. On that play, Kaliakmanis hit Spann-Ford over the middle, and he sprinted into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown reception. The score was knotted again at 14-14.
The Gophers then got the defensive stop that they were looking for. Altmyer led the Illini on a 12 play, 46-yard possession fueled by their quarterback’s strong arm and nifty moves.
But the drive would stall on the Minnesota 29-yard line and the Illini would line up for a 47-yard field goal attempt. Fortunately for the Gophers, Caleb Griffin’s kick would go way, way to the right and Minnesota would take over on downs.
Gophers Take the Lead
Next the Gophers executed a methodical, workman like drive that brought them down to the Illinois 22-yard line. From there, kicker Dragan Kesich would finish the job converting a 36-yard field goal into a 17-14 Gopher lead. The drive was a perfect mix of running and passing including a key third down reception by veteran receiver Chris Autman-Bell.
On the next drive, Gophers lineman Danny Striggow would make a clutch sack of Altmyer to extinguish any hopes of an Illinois late half drive. The Gophers then ran the clock out and went to the locker room still leading 17-14.
Defense Comes Up Big
The Minnesota Gophers started the second half with a huge defensive play. On the Illini’s second play of the half, Jah Joyner stormed Altmyer producing a strip sack. The loose ball was recovered by Chris Collins at the Illinois 12-yard line and the Gopher had a golden opportunity to extend their lead.
But they unfortunately could not record a first down and they had to settle for a Kesich 34-yard field goal attempt. The kick was good, and the Gophers led 20-14.
In this seesaw battle, the llini offense next would exploit a Minnesota defensive lapse for their go-ahead touchdown. On first down, Altmyer would throw a short swing pass to running back Kaden Feagin for what looked like a short gain.
Illinois Regains the Lead
But the Gopher defenders failed to close and Feagin sprinted down the right sideline for a 54-yard touchdown reception. The Illini regained the lead at 21-20.
Both defenses stiffened and their offenses were stopped on their next three drives. The Gophers defensive line contributed two sacks during this sequence to help stymie the Illini.
After another disappointing possession by the Gophers, their defense forced a turnover that would be a potential game changer. On third and three from the Illinois 20-yard line, Altmyer hit Williams for a 14-yard gain.
Defense Comes Up Big and Gophers Score
At the end of the play, Gophers’ linebacker Cody Lindenberg stripped Williams of the ball. The fumble was recovered by defensive back Justin Walley at the Illinois 34-yard line and Minnesota had created an excellent scoring opportunity.
Two plays later, Kaliakmanis hit Jackson with a beautiful pass in the right corner of the end zone for 31-yard touchdown reception. The two-point conversion failed but the Gophers had regained the lead at 26-21.
Safety Tyler Nubin then demonstrated why he is an All-American caliber defender. Altmyer attempted a long pass to Williams into Minnesota territory. Nubin stepped in front of the pass at the Minnesota 39 and the Gopher defense had halted another Illini drive.
Heartbreaker
But the Illini had one more heart stopping drive in them. On fourth and 11 from the Illinois 15-yard line, John Paddock came in to play quarterback in a very dire situation for his team. He replaced Altmyer who had been injured on the previous play.
Paddock completed two passes, one to Williams and one to Bryant to move the ball to the Minnesota 46-yard line. Paddock than threw a deep bomb to Williams at the Minnesota 10-yard line. The streaking Williams took it in the rest of the way for an Illinois touchdown. The two-point conversion was not converted but the Illini now led 27-26.
There were 50 seconds left on the game clock when the Gophers took possession of the ball for the last time in the game. Four plays later, Minnesota was out of timeouts and out of hope. Illinois escaped Huntington Bank Stadium with a hard-earned win.
Gophers Move On
Coach P.J. Fleck’s Gophers next go on the road to play Purdue in West Lafayette Indiana. They’ll have to regain their momentum as they face an upset minded Purdue team. Then they play Ohio State in Columbus and finish their Big Ten season hosting Wisconsin.
The Gophers certainly do not have an easy road, but they still remain only one game back in their division race. Here’s hoping for a better outcome next Saturday.
To read more of Greg’s articles, please click here
