The Minnesota Golden Gophers broke through in the third quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini, as running back Donnell Kirkwood found the end zone to give the Gophers a 10-3 lead, which they're now carrying into the fourth quarter. Kirkwood scored from 3 yards out on a second-and-goal, and he's been a big part of this offense thus far.
More accurately, he's been the biggest part of this offense. He has 18 carries for 109 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Rodrick Williams Jr. has added nine carries for 53 yards as his backup, while quarterback Philip Nelson has only thrown for 38 yards off of five completions.
Illinois had the lead after the first quarter, when Nick Immekus kicked a 20-yard field goal, but Minnesota tied it up in the second quarter with a 20-yarder from Jordan Wetstein. Both drives stalled out a couple yards out from the end zone. Illinois hasn't been able to get much done, even though Nathan Scheelhaase has been accurate, completing 9 of 13 for 116 yards.