ILLINOIS WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA IN A FOOTBALL GAME

It was homecoming week at the University of Minnesota as Illinois came to town for a football game on Oct. 5. It was a cool cloudy day on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Coming into the game Illinois had an overall record of 2-2 while Minnesota’s overall record was 4-0.

Minnesota kicked off to start the game. Illinois started their first drive on their own 35-yard line. The ball went out of bounds. Illinois kept the ball on the ground on their opening drive. Illinois Daniel Barker came up with a reception. That kept the ball moving down the field. On 4th-and-3 Illinois punted the ball. 

Minnesota took over on their own 10-yard line. Minnesota looked to get the ball into Rodney Smith’s hands. Minnesota started Tanner Morgan at the quarterback spot. On 4th-and-4 Minnesota punted the ball.

Illinois took over on their own 27-yard line. They couldn’t move the ball on offense. Illinois punted the ball.

Minnesota took over deep in their own zone. They kept the ball on the ground as Illinois tackled Minnesota. Minnesota was picked off by Dele Harding and he ran it back for a 40-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 6:58 left in the first quarter, the score was Illinois 7, Minnesota 0.

Minnesota took over on its own 25-yard line. Minnesota switched between their running and their passing attack as they looked to confuse the Illinois defense. Minnesota Shannon Brooks looked to keep his feet moving as he looked to get first downs. 

Illinois called a timeout with 4:52 left in the first quarter. The score was Illinois 7, Minnesota 0.

Minnesota looked to the running game often in the first half. They were able to chew up little bits of yards as they moved the ball down the field. On 4th-and-5 Minnesota punted the ball.

Illinois took over on their own 5-yard line. Illinois was picked off by Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr. Minnesota took over on the Illinois 12-yard line. On 4th-and-8 Minnesota attempted a 28-yard field goal which was good.

With 52 seconds left in the first quarter, the score was Illinois 7, Minnesota 3.

Illinois took over on their own 32-yard line.

After one quarter of play, the score was Illinois 7, Minnesota 3.

Illinois tried to move the ball down the field again. The defensive pressure that Minnesota applied made it difficult for Illinois to move the ball down the field. Illinois punted the ball on 4th-and-8.

Smith kept his feet moving as he was able to get down the field and past the Illinois defense. Minnesota’s Smith came up with a 64-yard carry for a first down. Brooks and Smith did most of the carrying of the ball. Tyler Johnson came up with a 12-yard touchdown reception by Tanner Morgan. The extra point attempt was good.

With 11:23 left in the second quarter, the score was Minnesota 10, Illinois 7.

Illinois got the ball back on their own 25-yard line.

Illinois called a timeout with 10:53 left in the second quarter. The score was Minnesota 10, Illinois 7.

Illinois quarterback Matt Robinson looked to move the ball down the field and get his teammates the ball where they could get first downs. The defensive pressure that Minnesota applied made it difficult for them to move the ball. On 4th-and-7 Illinois elected to punt the ball.

Minnesota took over on its own 13-yard line. Minnesota Smith had a 16-yard run for a first down. Minnesota punted on 4th-and-9.

Illinois took over on their own 30-yard line. Illinois running back Reggie Corbin came up with long runs that moved the chains for Illinois. Illinois used short runs down the field to move the ball. Illinois attempted a 43-yard field goal attempt which was no good as it went wide right.

With 4:40 left in the second quarter, the score remained Minnesota 10, Illinois 7. 

Minnesota moved the ball down the field once again. Minnesota’s Rodney Smith came up with an 18-yard run. Rashod Bateman came up with a reception that made the chains move. Brooks came up with a 21-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was no good.

With 1:32 left in the score was Minnesota 16, Illinois 7.

Illinois looked to move the ball down the field deep in their zone late in the second quarter. Illinois kept on firing the ball down the field as they looked to score late.

Illinois called a timeout with 17 seconds left in the quarter. The score was Minnesota 16, Illinois 7.

Illinois attempted a 46-yard field goal which was good.

With 13 seconds left in the second quarter, the score was Minnesota 16, Illinois 10.

Minnesota ran out the clock to end the second quarter.

Illinois kicked off to start the third quarter. The ball went into the end zone and Minnesota took over on their own 25-yard line. Minnesota’s Bateman came up with a 58-yard reception. Minnesota continued to bring the ball down the field. Chris Autman-Bell came up with a 7-yard reception for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

With 12:53 left in the third quarter, the score was Minnesota 23, Illinois 10.

Illinois got the ball back after the touchdown. Illinois kept the ball on the ground early in the quarter. Illinois punted on 4th-and-2.

Minnesota took over on its own 35-yard line. Minnesota used the running attack early in the third quarter. Tyler Johnson came alive in the third quarter as he came up with a 20-yard first down reception. Brooks came up with a 21-yard run for a first down. They kept on moving the ball down the field. Minnesota Brevyn Spann-Ford came up with a 12-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was good.

With 7:52 left in the third quarter, the score was Minnesota 30, Illinois 10.

Illinois continued to push the ball down the field as they looked to move the ball down the field. The Minnesota defense stepped up big and was able to get to the quarterback. Illinois was not able to move the ball down the field and on 4th-and-10 Illinois punted the ball.

Minnesota took over on their own 2-yard line. Smith looked to take the ball downfield as he looked for holes in the Illinois defense. Illinois picked off Morgan’s pass and Jake Hanson came up with a 7-yard fumble return for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

With 2:27 left in the third quarter, the score was Minnesota 30, Illinois 17.

The ball went into the end zone on the kickoff for a touchback. Minnesota started on its own 25-yard line.

Minnesota called a timeout with 2:27 left in the third quarter. The score was Minnesota 30, Illinois 17. 

Minnesota looked to move the ball down the field once again. Brooks came up with a huge 25-yard run for a first down.

After three quarters of play, the score was Minnesota 30, Illinois 7.

Minnesota looked to get into the end zone early in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota called a timeout with 13:34 left in the fourth quarter. The score was Minnesota 30, Illinois 17. 

Minnesota moved the ball down the field as they looked to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Smith came up with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 12:48 left in the fourth quarter, the score was Minnesota 37, Illinois 17.

Illinois got the ball back on their own 25-yard line. Illinois looked to go into a hurry-up offense as they looked to get the ball down the field quickly. The defensive pressure made it difficult for Illinois to move the ball down the field. On 4th-and-7 Illinois went for it and turned it over on downs.

Minnesota moved the ball down the field as everyone on the offense had their chance to get the ball. They were able to come up with first downs.

Minnesota called a timeout with 1:43 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 37, Illinois 17.

Minnesota’s Lance attempted a 27-yard field goal attempt which was good.

With 51 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the score was Minnesota 40, Illinois 17.

Illinois tried to move the ball down the field but were not able to move the ball.

Minnesota was too much for Illinois to handle. Both teams played well throughout the game. Minnesota Smith played well throughout the game. 

Neither team gave up but, in the end, Minnesota came away with the 40-17 victory over Illinois.

According to Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck with this win, Minnesota won its 700th game in program history.