Homecoming spoiled by Weber, Gophers

By Wes Anderson

Thanks to a baffling, error-filled performance, an Illinois comeback bid came up short and Ron Zook couldn’t bring his Homecoming woes to an end in a disastrous 27-20 loss to Minnesota on Saturday.

A.J. Jenkins had two touchdown receptions, but the Illinois offense consistently fizzled in scoring range, and Juice Williams had three late turnovers, a fourth down run, a fumble, and an interception that prevented the Illini (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) from closing the gap.

Williams finished 26-of-41 for 462 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

The Illini gained only 88 yards on the ground on 33 carries for an average of 2.7 yards.

Gophers quarterback Adam Weber picked apart the Illinois defense (18-of-26, 184 yards and one touchdown), and Minnesota (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) preserved their lead with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception with just over a minute left in the game.

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When facing a Big Ten opponent, Zook is 0-3 on Homecoming at Illinois.