Gophers blank Illini, 45-0

You are Here: Home > Gophers blank Illini, 45-0

Gophers blank Illini, 45-0
By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer
Oct 23, 2004 - 4:53:00 PM

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Minnesota running back Marion Barber III is lifted up by Greg Eslinger (61) after his 8-yard touchdown run against Illinois in the second quarter Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Marion Barber III ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, helping Minnesota rebound from consecutive devastating defeats with a 45-0 homecoming victory over Illinois on Saturday.

Barber gained 138 yards on 11 carries for the Gophers (6-2, 3-2), the nation's third-leading rushing team whose Big Ten title hopes were crushed by losses at Michigan (27-24) and Michigan State (51-17).

Bryan Cupito completed 10 of 21 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown for Minnesota, which became bowl eligible. The Gophers, however, currently trail four teams in the conference race and will still have a tough time reaching their goal of finally playing on New Year's Day. They finish with Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The Illini (2-6, 0-5) were held to 72 yards rushing and dropped their 13th straight Big Ten game.

Laurence Maroney ran 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota, and the Gophers held a conference opponent scoreless for the first time since a 12-0 win over Indiana on Oct. 20, 1990.

Jakari Wallace caught four passes for 91 yards, and Paris Hamilton had an 82-yard TD reception on the final play of the third quarter.

Redshirt freshman Brad Bower started at quarterback for Illinois, which kept the decision on Jon Beutjer's replacement a secret until kickoff.

Minnesota was missing two injured starters -- cornerback Trumaine Banks and strong safety Justin Fraley -- after allowing 636 yards last week, but Illinois couldn't capitalize.

Bower showed some mobility, rushing for 39 yards, and he went 14-for-20 for 131 yards. Chris Pazan came in for the last two series of the second half, though, and his second pass attempt was costly.

With the Gophers leading 10-0, Jamal Harris intercepted Pazan's throw at the Minnesota 44. Cupito threw a 45-yard pass to Wallace on third down, and Barber darted to corner of the end zone for an 8-yard score with 58 seconds left before the half to make it 17-0.

Steve Weatherford punted eight times for Illinois, posting a 46.5-yard average -- surely a bad sign when the team's most impressive performer was the punter. The Illini were shutout for the first time since a 27-0 loss at Penn State on Oct. 31, 1998.

Beutjer, a senior who has started 20 games over the last three seasons, was benched after he threw three interception in the second half against Michigan last week.

Barber hogged most of the highlights. He scored early in the second quarter, bouncing off a tackler near the line of scrimmage and scooting to the outside for a 44-yard run.

Midway through the third, Barber ran right, stepped back and threw to a wide-open Ernie Wheelwright for a 21-yard score to put Minnesota up 24-0.