![Gopher Top Illinois to Become Bowl Eligible](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2012/11/Donnell-Kirkwood.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gopher Top Illinois to Become Bowl Eligible
The Gopher football team defeated Illinois 17-3 at Illinois Saturday to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2009. Minnesota fell behind 3-0 but tied the game at 3 going into halftime. Donnell Kirkwood ran 28 times for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns for Minnesota and Philip Nelson threw for just 78 yards and ran for 24 yards for the Gophers.
Minnesota was playing without its top 2 receivers A.J. Barker and Derek Engel. Minnesota out gained Illinois 309 to 276. The Gophers improve to 6-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten. Minnesota will play at Nebraska at 2:30 next Saturday, pregame on AM 1390-the Fan at 1:30.
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