Gophers replay

Illinois 28, Gophers 24

The recap: Illinois jumped to a 14-0 lead and held the Gophers to three first-half points. The Gophers bounced back with a 21-point third-quarter, taking the lead, but David Cobb fumbled and V'Angelo Bentley returned it 12 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

What was learned: The Gophers overcame a bad start one week earlier against Purdue but paid for it this time. Mitch Leidner has yet to prove he can carry the team to victory in games where the opposing defense shuts down the running game.

You might have missed:

• Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky suffered a high ankle sprain and coach Jerry Kill said Sunday that it's "not good." Kill said the team might have to pull another redshirt to add receiving depth. True freshman receiver Jerry Gibson has yet to play, but he was part of the 70-man travel squad to Illinois.

• Kill said a flu bug is making its way through the team. Jonah Pirsig, Maxx Williams and Drew Goodger all threw up on the sideline during the game, and Berkley Edwards threw up on Friday night.

• Damien Wilson led all Big Ten players with 3 ½ tackles for loss. Fellow linebacker De'Vondre Campbell had a team-high 11 tackles, including 2 ½ tackles for loss.

UP NEXT: Iowa

Time TBA, Nov. 8, TCF Bank Stadium

TV: TBA • Radio: 100.3-FM

Records: Gophers 6-2, 3-1 Big Ten; Iowa 5-2, 2-1

The skinny: The Gophers were 4-0 heading into the Iowa game the past two years, and were humbled in both times, by scores of 31-13 and 23-7, respectively. After going 5-3 in the Big Ten last year, Iowa has had a frustrating season, including losses to Iowa State (2-5) and Maryland (5-3). The Hawkeyes rank 11th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (27.0 points per game) and seventh in scoring defense (21.9). The Gophers have a bye this week, while Iowa plays at home against Northwestern.

JOE CHRISTENSEN