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.

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.

ILLINOIS TOOK ON MINNESOTA IN A WOMENS BASKETBALL GAME

It was cancer awareness day on Feb. 9 as Illinois and Minnesota squared off in a women's basketball game at Williams Arena. Both teams wore shirts that read, “United We Fight”.

Illinois came into the game with an overall record of 9-14 and were 2-8 in the Big Ten. Minnesota came into the game with an overall of 14-9 and were 3-6 in the Big Ten.

Minnesota won the tip. Both teams started in a zone defense. Minnesota looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

Minnesota’s Rachel Banham looked to get her teammates involved in the offense. She was called out plays that she wanted ran. Banham looked to get the ball into the hands of Amanda Zahui who was on the low block. Zahui was able to get the ball in the post and wanted to make layups.

Illinois called a timeout with 16:56 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 6, Illinois 2.

Minnesota was not afraid to swing the ball around the three-point line as they looked to shift the defense. Minnesota was able to attack the zone defense that Illinois was playing.

There was a media timeout with 15:19 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 9, Illinois 2.

Zahui was able to consistently hit three point shots.

 

Illinois took a lot of time off the shot clock as they passed the ball around the three-point line. They would start looking for their shot with under 10 seconds left on the shot clock.

 

Illinois Amber Moore came off the bench and provided an offensive spark as she was able to connect on mid-range jump shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 10:57 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 18, Illinois 12.

 

Minnesota was able to score baskets in transition. Banham made good passes to Zahui who was able to make layups in transition.

 

Illinois’ Alexis Smith took the ball hard to the basket as she tried to make layups. Minnesota did a good job of Smith down as she drove to the basket.

 

There was a media timeout with 7:54 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 20, Illinois 12.

 

Illinois came out of the timeout and went to a zone defense. They switched up between man-to-man and zone throughout.

 

On the offensive end Illinois came to life after the media timeout. Moore continued to hit shots in traffic. She was also able to hit a few mid-range jump shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:12 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 24, Illinois 21.

 

Minnesota continued to attack the basket late in the first half.

 

Illinois’ Ivory Crawford and Moore continued to shoot well late. They both stepped up and were able to knock down big shots.

 

At halftime the score was Illinois 28, Minnesota 27.

 

The second half got off to a quick start for Minnesota as Banham got hot from behind the three-point line and got the lead back.

 

Minnesota called a timeout with 17:38 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 32, Illinois 28.

 

Minnesota got careless with the ball as they turned it over and Illinois was able to get points off the turnovers.

 

Banham continued to shoot well from behind the three-point line. She picked up her third foul with 16:31 left in the game however. She continued to play.

 

There was a media timeout with 15:37 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 35, Illinois 32.

 

Illinois was able to create havoc on the defensive end. They made Minnesota go into a panic on offense. Minnesota didn’t turn the ball over however on the trap.

 

There were many loose balls in the second half.

 

There was a media timeout with 11:54 left in regulation. The score was Illinois 38, Minnesota 37.

 

The score continued to go back and forth in the second half. Neither team gave up any easy baskets.

 

Illinois called a timeout with 10:21 left in regulation. The score was Illinois 43, Minnesota 39.

 

Illinois got hot in the second half. They were able to get past the Minnesota defenders and get to the basket.

 

There was a media timeout with 7:50 left in regulation. The score was Illinois 46, Minnesota 41.

 

Banham continued to hit her three-point shots in the second half. That kept Minnesota in the game.

 

Illinois continued to attack the glass late in regulation. They were able to slow down the Minnesota offense. Crawford continued to come up with some big plays. Her teammates kept on feeding her the ball.

 

Illinois called a timeout with 4:10 left in regulation. The score was Illinois 56, Minnesota 49.

 

The score continued to go back and forth late in the contest.

 

The game was tied at 58 with 2:05 left in regulation.

 

Zahui came up big down the stretch late in the game as she was able to make a layup that gave Minnesota had a two point lead with just under a minute to go.

 

Zahui was not afraid of contact and gave Minnesota an emotional boost of energy. She continued to hit layups late.

 

Minnesota came away with the 66-61 victory over Illinois.

 

As a team Illinois shot 20-57 from the field. That included going 8-27 from behind the three-point line. They were 13-14 from the free throw line. Illinois brought down a total of 27 rebounds, 18 of them on the defensive end. Illinois was lead in scoring by Crawford with 18 points, and Moore with 15 points.

 

Minnesota shot 24-50 from the field. That included going 6-15 from behind the three-point line. They were 12-15 from the free throw line. Minnesota brought down a total of 38 rebounds, 28 of them on the defensive end.

 

After the game Minnesota head coach Pam Borton and players Banham and Zahui spoke to the media about the game.

MINNESOTA COMES UP SHORT DOWN THE STRETCH

The Minnesota men's basketball team put forth a valiant effort Thursday night, however, couldn't make enough plays down the stretch and fell to Illinois 52-41 at Assembly Hall in Champaign.

The Gophers, who are fighting for an NCAA Tournament bid, led by one with 10:09 remaining in regulation but went without a field goal for the final 6:21 of the game before falling by double digits.

Damian Johnson paced the Gophers with a game-high 18 points and three blocks. Ralph Sampson III added eight points and Travis Busch poured in five. Colton Iverson grabbed eight rebounds in the loss. Minnesota falls to 20-8 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten play with two games remaining in the regular season .

Mike Davis posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini. Trent Meacham scored 13 and Demetri McCamey added 10. The 20th-ranked Illini improve to 23-6 overall and 11-5 in the Big Ten.

Early, it appeared as if Minnesota was prime to upset the Illini in their final road game of the season.

Led by the play of Johnson, Minnesota jumped out to leads of 9-2 three minutes into the game and 15-11 eight minutes into the contest. Johnson scored 12 of Minnesota's first 15 points of the half and was responsbile for seven of Minnesota's 11 made field goals over the first 20 minutes of play. In total, Minnesota went 11-of-32 (34.4 percent) in the first half. Meanwhile, Illinois didn't fair much better - going 11-of-31 (35.5 percent) from the field. Still, the Illini went on a 5-0 run to close the half and took a 28-23 lead into the locker room.

Minnesota rallied back in the second stanza, eventually taking a 39-38 lead with 10:09 left in regulation following a layup by Travis Busch.

The Gophers' lead was short lived, though.

A layup by Davis put the Illini up by one with 9:45 remaining and Bruce Weber's squad never looked back.

A jumper by Sampson III pulled Minnesota to within one, 42-41, with 6:21 to go. But the Gophers went without a field goal for the remainder of regulation and Illinois finished the game on a 10-0 run. For the game, Minnesota shot 31.7 percent (19-of-60). The Illini shot 21-of-50 (42 percent).

Minnesota returns to action Wednesday as the Gophers face Wisconsin at Williams Arena.