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RSSAir let out: Gophers spoil Juice's big day
H&R Executive Sports Editor
CHAMPAIGN - An exciting burst of momentum: Gone.
The joy of a glorious, sun-kissed homecoming afternoon: Wiped away.
Hopes for a run that just might keep Illinois in the Big Ten title hunt: Adios, at least for now.
All of Illinois' worst football fears came home to roost on Saturday.
Despite record-setting performances by quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn, Illinois could not prevent an ambush by an upstart Minnesota football team that avoided big mistakes and held on down the stretch.
Minnesota, needing a victory like this to validate its stunning turnaround, got just that, surviving a late scare to win 27-20. In the process, the Gophers silenced a sellout Memorial Stadium crowd that held out hope until the game's final play.
Williams' 45-yard Hail Mary heave turned into an end zone jump ball. But when Illini receivers Benn, Chris Duvalt and Will Judson could not grab the final, desperation pass, the game was over.
``A program-changing victory,'' is what jubilant Minnesota coach Tim Brewster called it.
Illini coach Ron Zook had a different view.
``Like I told our football team, we didn't deserve to win that game,'' Zook said. ``The offense, defense and special teams all had their part in it. We had our chances to win and didn't capitalize.
``That's what you worry about all week. My hat's off to (Minnesota). We're going to regroup and we're going to find out what kind of team we are now.''
Actually, Illinois was supposed to find that out this week. It was supposed to follow last week's 25-point romp at Michigan with a homecoming victory against a surprising Minnesota team that was 1-11 last year and looking to improve to 6-1 this season.
But missed scoring chances deep in Minnesota territory, horrible special teams play, three turnovers and some breakdowns on defense could not overcome the stunning statistics produced by Williams and Benn.
Williams posted 503 yards of total offense, the greatest effort in Memorial Stadium history. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 462 yards. That included fourth-quarter touchdown strikes of 54 and 35 yards to freshman A.J. Jenkins.
Benn hauled in 12 catches for 181 yards, the most yardage by an Illini since David Williams gained 208 yards in 1984.
Impressive numbers, but proof that statistics can lie, or at least be offset by mistakes and missed opportunities.
Illinois (3-3, 1-2) trailed 7-3 at the half. Minnesota scored on the opening drive of the game, taking the ball at the 40 when Illini place kicker Michael Cklamovski kicked the ball out of bounds.
A 25-yard connection from quarterback Adam Weber to wideout Eric Decker accounted for the only touchdown in the half.
But Illinois missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt and settled for another field goal, despite having first-and-goal at the Minnesota 10 late in the second quarter.
For the second week in a row, Illinois fell behind 14-3, this time when Minnesota running back Deleon Eskridge ran in from less than a yard out early in the third period.
After another field goal by Matt Eller closed the margin to 14-6, Illinois had chances to take control.
But late in the third quarter, Illinois failed to get a single point despite having first-and-goal from the Minnesota 5. Williams was stuffed on first down, then appeared to stretch over the goal line on a second-down run. But a video review of the play ruled it dead inches from the end zone.
On third down, Williams' quarterback sneak gained nothing. And on fourth down, Williams faked a handoff to Jason Ford, then bootlegged toward the end zone and again appeared to get in. At first, the officials called it a touchdown. But another video review determined Williams' knee touched down before the ball crossed the goal line.
``It's one of those things,'' Williams said. ``They schemed it up and they were prepared for the bootleg. They played well in the red zone. I thought I crossed (the goal line), but obviously my knee was down.''
So Minnesota took its 14-6 lead into the fourth quarter. And Illinois could have been finished when Eskridge zigzagged 46 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-6 with 11 minutes to play. The extra point kick missed.
But 70 seconds later, Illinois was in the end zone for the first time all day. When no defender lined up opposite Jenkins, he waved his hand and Williams spotted him. The pass hit the freshman in stride, and he raced 54 yards into the end zone to make it 20-13 with 10:01 to play.
After the Illini defense forced a punt, Illinois took over at its own 12-yard line. But on first down, Williams was hit from behind while looking to pass. The ball popped free and was scooped up by Gopher Simoni Lawrence, who ran 9 yards into the end zone to give Minnesota a 27-13 lead.
Illinois still wasn't done. First Williams hit Will Judson for 44 yards. Then, he fired a strike to Jenkins, who made a leaping catch at the back of the end zone for a touchdown with 4:47 to play. Now Minnesota's lead was 27-20.
Finally, the Gophers coughed the ball up for the only time of the game. Safety Donsay Hardeman forced a fumble, and tackle Corey Liuget recovered at the Illini 41 with 2:31 to play.
Williams quickly moved the offense to the Minnesota 25. But his arm was hit just as he was trying to release a second-down pass, and the ball fluttered into the arms of Ryan Collado, whose interception gave the Gophers the ball with 1:02 to play.
There was still one more chance. After the defense held, Illinois got the ball back with 33 seconds left at the Illini 33. A 22-yard completion to Benn moved it into Minnesota territory. But the comeback hopes ended when the Hail Mary toss tumbled to the turf, incomplete.
Now Illinois must regroup and prepare to host Indiana next Saturday night. But the sting of this unexpected loss had players shaking their heads.
``You come out and play a decent team like Minnesota and we have opportunity after opportunity after opportunity,'' said linebacker Brit Miller, who had eight tackles and a quarterback sack. ``Gosh, it hurts to lose that one.''
mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983
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