The Gophers' Big Ten winning streak peaked with a 25-17 win at No. 24 Illinois fourth place

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – Max Brosmer wasn’t at his best for most of the game. His receivers had difficulty creating separation. And a failed fake punt on fourth-and-12 early in the fourth quarter led to Illinois taking a one-point lead.

But in the end, the Gophers got the offensive response and two defensive stops they needed to earn a 25-17 victory over No. 24 Illinois on Saturday afternoon in front of 58,088 fans at Memorial Stadium.

Brosmer's 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jameson Geers gave the Gophers a 22-17 lead with 5:14 left in the fourth quarter. Brosmer's two-point conversion pass to Nick Kallerup was incomplete, meaning Illinois was able to take a touchdown lead.

Instead, Gophers safety Kerry Brown intercepted Josh McCray for a 2-yard loss on third down and intercepted Luke Altmyer's pass on fourth down, giving Minnesota the ball at the Illini 31 with 3:17 left. Dragan Kesich hit a 46-yard field goal – his fourth of the game – with 1:52 left to make the score 25-17.

Needing a TD and a two-point conversion to tie the game, the Illini drove to the Minnesota 16 with Altmyer scrambling for 10 yards on third-and-5. But Gophers defensive end Jah Joyner sacked Altmyer and forced him to fumble, and Danny Striggow recovered at the 27. A knee by Brosmer and the Gophers had their fourth straight win.

The Gophers (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) won their fourth straight game and achieved bowl eligibility. They have three games left — at Rutgers, at home against No. 3 Penn State and at Wisconsin — to try to improve on that record. In addition, the Gophers ended a three-game losing streak against Illinois (6-3, 3-3) and snapped coach Bret Bielema's 10-game winning streak against Minnesota. Bielema was 10-0 against the Gophers, winning seven times at Wisconsin and the last three times with the Illini before Saturday.