CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, Minnesota pulled off a comeback to secure a 25-17 win against No. 24 Illinois, thanks to a late-game 1-yard touchdown pass from Max Brosmer to Jameson Geers, alongside Dragan Kesich’s fourth field goal within the final five minutes. This victory marks the Golden Gophers’ fourth consecutive win, improving their record to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play, while Illinois falls to 6-3, with their second loss in a row.

Max Brosmer had a solid performance, completing 22 of 37 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. Darius Taylor was pivotal for the Gophers as he rushed for 131 yards and found the end zone on 22 carries, also leading the team as a receiver with nine catches for 58 yards. Elijah Spencer contributed as well, with six receptions totaling 67 yards. For Illinois, quarterback Luke Altmyer finished 20 of 33 with 226 yards through the air and one touchdown but struggled with two critical fumbles during the game.

The Illini’s attempt to score on their final possession ended at Minnesota’s 27-yard line when Jah Joyner sacked Altmyer, causing a fumble that was recovered by Danny Striggow. For Illinois, Pat Bryant made five catches for 72 yards, while Zakhari Franklin scored a touchdown on five receptions for 71 yards. Josh McCray added 71 rushing yards on seven attempts, including a touchdown.

Illinois took a brief lead in the fourth quarter, leading 17-16 with just under ten minutes to play, after Altmyer connected with Franklin for a 21-yard touchdown pass. This occurred following a failed fake run attempt by Minnesota punter Mark Crawford, which gave Illinois favorable field position at their own 46-yard line.

**The Takeaways**
For Illinois, this game marks the end of their perfect home record this season, dropping to 5-1 at home. Coach Bret Bielema’s overall record against Minnesota now stands at 10-1, having previously defeated the Gophers seven times during his tenure at Wisconsin from 2006 to 2012. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s performance suggests they have turned a corner since losing to Michigan on September 28, demonstrating strong defensive capabilities, particularly in the passing game, having allowed only six touchdown passes this season, with the most recent being the one to Franklin.

**Poll Implications**
After experiencing a seven-week streak in the rankings, Illinois is anticipated to drop out of the polls next week. Conversely, Minnesota may potentially enter the rankings due to their impressive recent performances, including victories against ranked opponents.

**Next Up**
For their upcoming games, Illinois will host Michigan State on November 16, while Minnesota is set to travel to Rutgers next Saturday.