The Illini get the momentum shift they need on an explosive play from their power back
Down 10-3 against Minnesota late in the second quarter, No. 24 Illinois had just given up a 29-yard rushing touchdown to Gophers running back Darius Taylor.
On the following drive, after quarterback Luke Altmyer found receiver Zakhari Franklin for a 15-yard pickup on second-and-18, the Illini were facing a third-and-short and decided to go to the ground. Having struggled to generate offense on the ground all half , Illinois was in desperate need of a game-breaker to help open the field for Altmyer and the passing game – and maybe even make a dent on the scoreboard.
They got both. On the handoff running back Josh McCray cut back twice – first against the grain and then shifting again – shed multiple tackles and recovered his balance to outrun the only Gophers defenders with a chance to make a play for a 42-yard touchdown.Minnesota followed with a quick drive capped by a 45-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead into halftime. The Gophers will receive the second-half kickoff, but McCray's run may have finally given the Illini offense the opening it needed.
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