The Gophers found a way to jump-start their sputtering offense and it had nothing do with their quarterback change.
If anything, the Gophers won their first Big Ten game Saturday in spite of their quarterback and some head-scratching play calls.
They can thank third-string running back Kobe McCrary for saving their bacon. The 240-pound sledgehammer rumbled for 153 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 24 carries in relief of injured Shannon Brooks.
McCrary served as a one-man wrecking crew and the Gophers defense suffocated the youngest offense in college football to give coach P.J. Fleck his first Big Ten win, 24-17 over Illinois on homecoming at TCF Bank Stadium.
A change at running back had far greater impact than Fleck's decision to give Demry Croft his first career start at quarterback.
"Kobe put people on his shoulders, literally," Fleck said.
McCrary broke a tie score in the fourth quarter after offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca came to his senses and didn't ask Croft to throw the ball.
Croft had a nightmarish debut as the starter after replacing Conor Rhoda. The struggles at that position did not disappear. Croft threw two second-half interceptions, completed only five passes and finished with 47 yards passing.