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Illinois Postgame Notes
Illinois 28, RV/#24 Minnesota 24
Memorial Stadium // Oct. 25, 2014 // Attendance: 44,437

Team Notes

1. With Minnesota entering the game ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, today's win marks the Illini's first over an opponent ranked in either the Associated Press or coaches poll since a 17-14 victory over No. 22 Arizona State on Sept. 17, 2011.

2. Trailing 24-21 after three quarters, Illinois mounted its fourth fourth-quarter comeback this season, surpassing the 1992 and 2001 seasons when the Illini had three fourth-quarter comeback wins. Illinois overcame a 9-7 deficit against Youngstown State in its season opener and won 28-17; then beat Western Kentucky 42-34 after trailing 27-21 entering the fourth quarter; UI also trailed 28-25 entering the final quarter against Texas State before winning 42-35.

3. Illinois had three takeaways (two fumbles, interception) in a game for the second time this season. Today's total equals the most takeaways since notching four in the season opener against Western Michigan on Sept. 1, 2012.

4. In addition to forcing three turnovers, the Illini defense came up big throughout the day, forcing five three-and-outs on the day and holding the Gophers to just 86 total yards in the first half. UI forced a three-and-out on four of Minnesota's first five possessions.

5. While the Gophers ended up with 411 yards of offense, more than half of that total came on just a handful of plays. Minnesota tallied 223 yards on five big plays. Of the remaining 66 plays, the Gophers accounted for 188 yards, an average of just 2.8 yards per play.

6. Illinois began the game with its longest scoring drive of the year in terms of time. The 11-play, 75-yard drive lasted 5:29 and was capped off by Reilly O'Toole's 3-yard touchdown pass to Jon Davis. The Illini have scored on their opening drive in seven of eight games this season.

7. The Illini entered halftime with a 14-3 lead, marking their largest advantage at the break this season and first halftime lead since the season opener against Youngstown State.

Individual Notes

1. With his 12-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown, junior V'Angelo Bentley became the first Illinois player in school history to record a kick return, punt return, interception return and fumble return for a touchdown in his career. His game-changing play gave the Illini a 28-24 lead with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, which UI held onto for its fourth win of the season.

2. Senior quarterback Reilly O'Toole rushed for a career-high 59 yards and picked up his third career rushing touchdown, a 9-yard run that gave the Illini a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. O'Toole also finished 14-for-21 with 118 passing yards and a touchdown.

3. Sophomore linebacker T.J. Neal Jr. led the team with a career-high 12 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, and forced the key fumble that Bentley returned for the game-winning touchdown.

4. Junior linebacker Mason Monheim hauled in his second career interception and first since 2012.

5. Senior STAR Earnest Thomas III registered a career-high 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble late in the game to end a potential Gopher scoring drive deep in Illinois territory. It was the seventh forced fumble of his career, which ties him four fourth on the fourth-most in school history.

6. Junior defensive lineman Jihad Ward pounced on Thomas III's forced fumble, the first fumble recovery of his Illini career.

7. Freshman wide receiver Mike Dudek completed his first career pass, a 22-yard strike to Geronimo Allison. He also finished with a team-high five catches for 41 yards.

8. Senior punter Justin DuVernois averaged 48.7 yards on nine punts, including a long of 61 yards, twice, and four punts over 50 yards. He pinned the Gophers inside the 20 four times and inside the 10 twice on the day.