Minnesota turns turnovers into points, downs Illinois 40-17

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Rodney Smith rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Minnesota turned a pair of early Illinois turnovers into scores on the way to a 40-17 win Saturday.Smith’s first touchdown was a 20-yard burst up the middle with 2:16 left in the first quarter, giving the Golden Gophers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) the lead for good at 14-7. It followed a fumbled punt by Illinois’ Darius Mosely, recovered by Antione Winfield Jr. at the 20.

Thanks to the two early fumbles and a short punt, Minnesota started first-half drives at the Illinois 20, 9 and 49, and all ended with touchdowns.

Jeff George Jr., Illinois’ (2-6, 1-4) third-string quarterback and the son of Illini legend and longtime NFL quarterback Jeff George, started his second straight game and went 16-34 for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Illinois starter Wes Lunt suited up for the game but sat out his third straight game with a back injury. Second-string quarterback Chayce Crouch, injured in a win over Rutgers two weeks ago, did not dress for the game. Information about his condition was not immediately available.

Illinois receiver Malik Turner left the field on a stretcher after a hit by Minnesota safety Duke McGhee. Turner was taken to a local hospital but information about his injury was not immediately available. McGhee was flagged for targeting and ejected from the game.

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