Needing a TD and two-point conversion to tie, the Illini drove to the Minnesota 16, with Altmyer scrambling for 10 yards on third-and-5. But Gophers defensive end sacked Altmyer and forced him to fumble, and Danny Striggow recovered at the 27. One kneel-down by Brosmer, and the Gophers had their fourth consecutive victory.
The Gophers (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) won their fourth consecutive game and achieved bowl eligibility. They have three games remaining - at Rutgers, home against No. 3 Penn State and at Wisconsin -- to try to pad that record. In addition, the Gophers ended a three-game losing streak against Illinois (6-3, 3-3) and stopped coach Bret Bielema's 10-game win streak against Minnesota. Bielema was 10-0 against the Gophers winning seven times at Wisconsin and the previous three with the Illini before Saturday.