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Gophers vs. Fighting Illini to End the Season - OPEN THREAD

TV: BTN
Game Time: 2:30
Radio: 100.3 FM, 1130 AM

Gopher Football closes out the season, can they finish on a high note?

The Stats

Minnesota Golden Gophers Illinois Fighting Illini
Points / Game 17.6 24.3
Pass Yards 156.3 196.9
Rush Yards 152.3 179.3
3rd Down % 36.8% 45.3%
Key Offensive Player to Watch Duane Bennett A.J. Jenkins
Points Allowed/Game 33.9
19.5
Pass Yards 229.3 165.8
Rush Yards 191.4 122.2
3rd Down % 47.6% 32.9%
Key Defensive Player to Watch Kim Royston Whitney Mercilus

Three Questions

  1. Can we keep the Illini defensive line off Gray? - Whitney Mercilus has a league leading 13.5 sacks, the entire Gopher defense has 14. I fear him.
    Will we have an answer for A.J. Jenkins? - The senior receiver leads the Big Ten with 80 receptions, we have had trouble containing receivers this year.
    Can we send the seniors out with a win? - It is senior day and last year we sent off the seniors with a win over Iowa. Can we end their careers on a positive note again this year?

The Answers

This Gopher team has improved throughout the year while Illinois is riding a five game losing streak. A loss to the Gophers might end the Ron Zook era in Illinios. But what happens to Illinois doesn't concern me, I'd like to see the Gophers continue to get better and possibly end the season with a win. To win we will need to contain big plays and find away to move the ball on what is a pretty good offense.

Let's end the season with a W.