We were a 9.5 point underdog going into yesterday's game. I don't think there were many Illini fans out there thinking we would cover the spread let alone win by 24.
There have been some crazy games we have played against the Gophers. Games we were not supposed to win, but did. Games where we were the favorite and stunk it up. And games with crazy finishes.
Here are some that I remember. Feel free to add more if you remember them and additional comments on the games I remember.
1988 - We have a 24-7 lead in the 3rd quarter at home and allow them to take a 27-24 lead with :57 seconds left in the game. Doug Higgins ties it with a FG with :01 seconds left.
1992 - At the old Metrodome. Going into the game, Gophers are 0-3. We have a 17-3 lead in the 4th and late in the game, the score a TD to bring it within 1 point. They go for 2 and win.. We did go on to upset OSU in Columbus the next week. I also remember the Bears had a game at the dome the next day. They lead the Vikings 20-0 in the 4th and Jim Harbaugh calls an audible on a play, which Ditka was mad about and lead to an eventual Vikings come back to win 21-20.
1993 - Early November game and blustery snow at Memorial Stadium. Gophers beat Wisky the week before. We are down by 11 with 5:00 minutes left in the game and we make a furious come back. I wish I remember more of the details of that comeback. I almost left the game.
1994 - Another game I wish I remember the details. We needed to win this game to qualify for a bowl especially with #2 Penn State and Wisconsin left on the schedule. We played at the dome. I think we had a 17-0 deficit before coming back to win 21-17.
1996 - The lame duck coach bowl at the dome. Tepper and Wacker both fired earlier in the week and just playing out the remaining season. I believe we had a lead in the 4th and the Gophers took a late lead.. I was told the Tepper told the defense to let them score instead of make a goal line stand so that they would have enough time left to get a possession to get the ball in FG range so we could win. That theory failed.
2000 - We have to go to the dome after the screw job we got from the refs the week before that stole our win against scUM. I think there must have been a team hangover as we got destroyed by a mediocre team.
2008 - The TD that was taken away by instant replay that would have let us tie the game.
2009 - A disappointing season so far. Even though we just beat scUM in a surprise win, I don't think we were favored to win at the new TCF stadium. Jacob Charest our QB that day and we manage to win.
2010 - The game after the exhausting 3OT 67-65 loss to scUM. Another team hangover. We had to rally to lead late only to lose to a 1-9 Gopher team.
2011 - The game were we gave up on the season and sealed Zook's fate as head coach. A 27-7 loss to a then 1 win team.
2014 - Gophers come to Memorial Stadium with a 6-1 record. Looks like our season is heading south again. Gopher's passing game is awful and somehow we beat them on our way to a surprising season ending with a minor bowl game.
There have been some crazy games we have played against the Gophers. Games we were not supposed to win, but did. Games where we were the favorite and stunk it up. And games with crazy finishes.
Here are some that I remember. Feel free to add more if you remember them and additional comments on the games I remember.
1988 - We have a 24-7 lead in the 3rd quarter at home and allow them to take a 27-24 lead with :57 seconds left in the game. Doug Higgins ties it with a FG with :01 seconds left.
1992 - At the old Metrodome. Going into the game, Gophers are 0-3. We have a 17-3 lead in the 4th and late in the game, the score a TD to bring it within 1 point. They go for 2 and win.. We did go on to upset OSU in Columbus the next week. I also remember the Bears had a game at the dome the next day. They lead the Vikings 20-0 in the 4th and Jim Harbaugh calls an audible on a play, which Ditka was mad about and lead to an eventual Vikings come back to win 21-20.
1993 - Early November game and blustery snow at Memorial Stadium. Gophers beat Wisky the week before. We are down by 11 with 5:00 minutes left in the game and we make a furious come back. I wish I remember more of the details of that comeback. I almost left the game.
1994 - Another game I wish I remember the details. We needed to win this game to qualify for a bowl especially with #2 Penn State and Wisconsin left on the schedule. We played at the dome. I think we had a 17-0 deficit before coming back to win 21-17.
1996 - The lame duck coach bowl at the dome. Tepper and Wacker both fired earlier in the week and just playing out the remaining season. I believe we had a lead in the 4th and the Gophers took a late lead.. I was told the Tepper told the defense to let them score instead of make a goal line stand so that they would have enough time left to get a possession to get the ball in FG range so we could win. That theory failed.
2000 - We have to go to the dome after the screw job we got from the refs the week before that stole our win against scUM. I think there must have been a team hangover as we got destroyed by a mediocre team.
2008 - The TD that was taken away by instant replay that would have let us tie the game.
2009 - A disappointing season so far. Even though we just beat scUM in a surprise win, I don't think we were favored to win at the new TCF stadium. Jacob Charest our QB that day and we manage to win.
2010 - The game after the exhausting 3OT 67-65 loss to scUM. Another team hangover. We had to rally to lead late only to lose to a 1-9 Gopher team.
2011 - The game were we gave up on the season and sealed Zook's fate as head coach. A 27-7 loss to a then 1 win team.
2014 - Gophers come to Memorial Stadium with a 6-1 record. Looks like our season is heading south again. Gopher's passing game is awful and somehow we beat them on our way to a surprising season ending with a minor bowl game.
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