Minnesota Improves To 6-1 With Win Over Illinois

Associated Press CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Minnesota hassled Juice Williams all day, sacking him five time and taking his fumble back for a decisive touchdown in the Golden Gophers' 27-20 upset... Saturday. After Minnesota's Willie VanDeSteeg brought down Williams at the Fighting Illini 9 late in the fourth quarter, Simoni Lawrence scooped up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown and a 27-13 lead for the Golden Gophers (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten). Just a week after he put up 431 combined yards in a win over Michigan, Williams was 26-of-41 passing for 462 yards and two touchdowns. Illinois (3-3, 1-2) turned the ball over three times. Fast Facts • A season after finishing 1-11, Minnesota is 6-1 and bowl-eligible with Saturday's win at Illinois. • The Golden Gophers are 6-1 for the third time since 2002. Prior to that '02 season, their last 6-1 start was in 1967. • Illinois entered the game averaging 210.8 yards on the ground, but Minnesota held the Illini to just 88. -- ESPN researchmore>>