Iceland12
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http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...-grades-minnesota-decent-not-good-enough.html
Player of the Game: Minnesota’s Shannon Brooks
Freshman from Georgia averaged a first down every carry and finished with 174 yards and three touchdowns. His 75-yard dash late in the game clinched it for the Gophers. The Big Ten is going to have its hands full if Minnesota is able to keep healthy blockers in front of him.
OFFENSE: Minnesota B-, Illinois B
At times, Wes Lunt looked like the best quarterback in the Big Ten, completing pass after pass after pass. But the team struggled in the red zone, and part of that falls on the quarterback.
DEFENSE: Minnesota B-, Illinois C+
The Illini earned an A for the first two downs. But the Gophers were golden on third down, which drops the Illinois grade. The Mike Phair/Tim Banks unit needs to put more pressure on the QB.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Minnesota B, Illinois C
Without Taylor Zalewski’s field goals, the Illini aren’t in the game in the fourth quarter. But the punting was a struggle, and the coverage teams need work.
OVERALL: Minnesota B, Illinois C
No question, Illinois had a chance to win. And it let the game slip away after dominating the Gophers in the third quarter. Minnesota needs to beat Wisconsin next week to become bowl eligible.
Player of the Game: Minnesota’s Shannon Brooks
Freshman from Georgia averaged a first down every carry and finished with 174 yards and three touchdowns. His 75-yard dash late in the game clinched it for the Gophers. The Big Ten is going to have its hands full if Minnesota is able to keep healthy blockers in front of him.
OFFENSE: Minnesota B-, Illinois B
At times, Wes Lunt looked like the best quarterback in the Big Ten, completing pass after pass after pass. But the team struggled in the red zone, and part of that falls on the quarterback.
DEFENSE: Minnesota B-, Illinois C+
The Illini earned an A for the first two downs. But the Gophers were golden on third down, which drops the Illinois grade. The Mike Phair/Tim Banks unit needs to put more pressure on the QB.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Minnesota B, Illinois C
Without Taylor Zalewski’s field goals, the Illini aren’t in the game in the fourth quarter. But the punting was a struggle, and the coverage teams need work.
OVERALL: Minnesota B, Illinois C
No question, Illinois had a chance to win. And it let the game slip away after dominating the Gophers in the third quarter. Minnesota needs to beat Wisconsin next week to become bowl eligible.