Barring an unexpected rally in the final quarter, Illinois appears destined for its sixth consecutive loss, as it trails Minnesota 27-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
The story of the game has been the play of Minnesota QB MarQueis Gray. The versatile junior has been steady through the air, completing 7/12 for 85 yards and a TD. However, he has been simply unstoppable running the ball, rushing for 127 yards on 23 carried and 2 TD's. Senior RB Duane Bennett has rushed for 30 yards on 13 carries.
Illinois was able to find a way to get on the scoreboard in the third quarter, as the Fighting Illini delivered an impressive drive to narrow the deficit. The 12-play scoring drive was anchored by QB Reilly O'Toole, who threw the ball effectively. O'Toole has completed 6/14 for 41 yards, but was at his best leading the drive that was capped off by a TD run from Troy Pollard.
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