We're about halfway through the first quarter in Champaign, and the Illinois Fighting Illini have drawn first blood in their match-up with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Minnesota got the ball first, and got the ball into Illinois territory before the drive stalled out and they had to punt it away. Illinois started out on their own 9-yard line, and started their drive with a 16-yard run. On the next play, the Illini hit a huge play courtesy of a flea flicker that resulted in Nathan Scheelhaase hitting Spencer Harris for 49 yards down to the Minnesota 26-yard line.
The Illini converted a third down to give themselves first-and-goal at the Minnesota 8-yard line, but the Minnesota defense stiffened and stopped the Illini short of the goal line. Illinois has to settle for a 20-yard field goal from kicker Nick Immekus to take an early 3-0 lead.
This game is a big one for Minnesota, as a victory will give them six wins and their first taste of bowl eligibility in the Jerry Kill era.
With about seven and a half minutes left in the first quarter, the Minnesota Golden Gophers trail the Illinois Fighting Illini by a score of 3-0.