The Minnesota Golden Gophers have tied the Illinois Fighting Illini, and they did it the old-fashioned way. . .by running, and running, and running some more.
After an Illinois punt had Minnesota starting on their own 32-yard line, the Gophers handed the ball to Donnell Kirkwood on their first play from scrimmage, and he promptly picked up 38 yards and pushed Minnesota into Illinois territory. Kirkwood picked up nine yards on his next carry as well, and then freshman Roderick Williams took over for a couple of carries to move the Gophers down to the Illinois 16-yard line.
Kirkwood then took over again, and carried the Gophers to a first-and-goal at the Illinois 8. Much like Minnesota did earlier in the game, however, the Illinois defense stiffened up. After the lone pass that Philip Nelson threw on the drive fell incomplete on third-and-goal, the Gophers brought in Jordan Wettstein for a 20-yard field goal attempt, which he made to tie the score at three.
Hasn't been a whole lot of action in this first half of play in Champaign, folks. Stay tuned to SB Nation Minnesota for all your updates, because if something does happen, we'll have it here first.