GOPHERS 16, INDIANA 7

Last update: October 6, 2008 - 2:18 AM

GOPHERS 16, INDIANA 7

Recap: For the first time in a long time, the Minnesota defense made the difference. The Gophers held the Hoosiers to 10 first downs, the fewest by a conference opponent in nearly a decade. The Gophers got four sacks, an interception and recovered two fumbles, holding a Hoosiers team that entered averaging 249 rushing yards a game to only 49. On offense, Adam Weber hit Eric Decker 13 times for 190 yards in one of the most impressive receiving performances in school history.

UP NEXT: AT ILLINOIS

When, where: 11 a.m. Saturday, Champaign, Ill.

TV, Radio: ESPN, 830-AM

Records: Gophers 5-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten; Illinois 3-2, 1-1

The skinny: The Gophers defense will focus on trying to squeeze Illini quarterback Juice Williams, who is coming off one of the best games of the weekend. Williams passed for 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 121 yards and two TDs in a 45-20 whipping of the Wolverines at Michigan. He had no turnovers. His 491 yards of total offense were the most any player has had in Michigan Stadium. Don't be fooled by the Illini's record. Their losses came to No. 3 Missouri and at No. 6 Penn State. The Illini offense will be a big test for Gophers defensive coordinator Ted Roof and his players. Oh, and it's also Illinois' homecoming.

BIG TEN SNEAK PREVIEW

NO. 6 PENN STATE AT WISCONSIN

When, where: 7 p.m. Saturday, Camp Randall Stadium

Records: Penn State 6-0, 2-0 Big Ten; Wisconsin 3-2, 0-2

The skinny: Wisconsin just had its 16-game home winning streak ended by Ohio State thanks to a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive. Wisconsin has lost consecutive tight games at Michigan and against the Buckeyes. Any chance of a high conference finish rests on this game, the third in a killer three-game stretch. Penn State comes in with national championship dreams, an explosive spread offense and a stingy defense. Lucky Badgers. Their conference schedule includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois.

Still rising

It's only going to get harder as the season goes on for teams to stop Ohio State's 1-2 punch of Terrelle Pryor and Chris Wells. Pryor, a freshman, continues to get comfortable at quarterback, and Wells had 168 rushing yards Saturday against a good Wisconsin defense. This doesn't look much like the Ohio State team that lost to Southern California.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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