There seems to be some very interesting outcomes from both teams in the history of the Illini-Gophers football series and yesterday was no exception.
Here are some of the more interesting games since 1988.
1988 was a 29-29 tie at the old HHH Metrodome. First year head coach John Mackovic and transfer QB Jeff George. I believe we had to come back to tie. Minnesota finished 2-7-2 that season.
1992. This game frustrated me. Another game at the Metrodome. We had a 17-3 lead in the 4th quarter and they came back late in the game to get within one point. They go for two and get it for the win. We then upset OSU in Columbus the following week with backup QB. Gophers finish 2-9 that season. The next day the Bears played the Vikings there and had a 20-0 lead in the 4th before Harbaugh's audible set the Viking comeback in motion.
1993. The "it's freezing and we are losing by 11 late in the game and I am leaving because I am cold" game. No, I stayed but I almost left. Who could forget that comeback.
1994 We are trying to get bowl eligible and are favorites to win. Gophers are 3-5. Another game at the dome. I think we spotted them a 14-0 before winning 21-17.
1996 Another game at the Dome. The battle of lame duck coaches. Jim Wacker vs. Lou Tepper. We were leading very late in the 4th and making a goal line stand against them. Tepper says let them score as he is confident there is enough time for our offense to get the ball within FG range to win. That did not happen.
2000. Game at the dome the week after the screw job we got against scUM. I don't think we were ever motivated to play that game and we lose big time.
2002. Another game at the dome. This one on Thursday night due to the Twins being in the playoffs. We need to win to stop our season from going into a tailspin. We hang with them for a little bit and the wheels fell off.
2008. We just beat scUM in Ann Arbor. We were favored but a few stopped short of either first down or TD calls and we lose by 6.
2009 A disappointing season but an upset of scUM the week before. First game at the TCF Stadium. We are not favored and use backup QB Jacob Charest instead of Juice Williams. Somehow will pulled this one off and our last W and one of only a few for what was supposed to be a competitive season.
2010. How the heck did we lose this one. Home game and heavily favored. We are trying to lock up a bowl game. They are 1-9. Tim Brewster fired and they are playing with a interim HC. They lead most of the game. We take a lead in the 4th only for them to come back.
2011. We go there after losing five in a row and they are 2-9. Not even a competitive game for us. We just wanted the season to be over. We all know what happens to Zook after that game.
2014 Our season seams to be going nowhere. We. are 3-4 and got beat at home by a terrible Purdue team. Beautiful late October day for Homecoming. How we pulled that one off, I don't know but it kept us in bowl contention.
2018. Just got blown out by Purdue the week before. Hardy Nickerson dismissed as DC and Lovie takes over that role. Don't know how not only won that game but dominated them
2021. Just at total surprise. Yes we had upset Penn State in Happy Valley but then laid a turd against mediocre Rutgers at home. Did not expect to win this game on the road.
2022 Classic battle between two evenly matched teams and we win at home.to secure a bowl game in mid-October.
Here are some of the more interesting games since 1988.
1988 was a 29-29 tie at the old HHH Metrodome. First year head coach John Mackovic and transfer QB Jeff George. I believe we had to come back to tie. Minnesota finished 2-7-2 that season.
1992. This game frustrated me. Another game at the Metrodome. We had a 17-3 lead in the 4th quarter and they came back late in the game to get within one point. They go for two and get it for the win. We then upset OSU in Columbus the following week with backup QB. Gophers finish 2-9 that season. The next day the Bears played the Vikings there and had a 20-0 lead in the 4th before Harbaugh's audible set the Viking comeback in motion.
1993. The "it's freezing and we are losing by 11 late in the game and I am leaving because I am cold" game. No, I stayed but I almost left. Who could forget that comeback.
1994 We are trying to get bowl eligible and are favorites to win. Gophers are 3-5. Another game at the dome. I think we spotted them a 14-0 before winning 21-17.
1996 Another game at the Dome. The battle of lame duck coaches. Jim Wacker vs. Lou Tepper. We were leading very late in the 4th and making a goal line stand against them. Tepper says let them score as he is confident there is enough time for our offense to get the ball within FG range to win. That did not happen.
2000. Game at the dome the week after the screw job we got against scUM. I don't think we were ever motivated to play that game and we lose big time.
2002. Another game at the dome. This one on Thursday night due to the Twins being in the playoffs. We need to win to stop our season from going into a tailspin. We hang with them for a little bit and the wheels fell off.
2008. We just beat scUM in Ann Arbor. We were favored but a few stopped short of either first down or TD calls and we lose by 6.
2009 A disappointing season but an upset of scUM the week before. First game at the TCF Stadium. We are not favored and use backup QB Jacob Charest instead of Juice Williams. Somehow will pulled this one off and our last W and one of only a few for what was supposed to be a competitive season.
2010. How the heck did we lose this one. Home game and heavily favored. We are trying to lock up a bowl game. They are 1-9. Tim Brewster fired and they are playing with a interim HC. They lead most of the game. We take a lead in the 4th only for them to come back.
2011. We go there after losing five in a row and they are 2-9. Not even a competitive game for us. We just wanted the season to be over. We all know what happens to Zook after that game.
2014 Our season seams to be going nowhere. We. are 3-4 and got beat at home by a terrible Purdue team. Beautiful late October day for Homecoming. How we pulled that one off, I don't know but it kept us in bowl contention.
2018. Just got blown out by Purdue the week before. Hardy Nickerson dismissed as DC and Lovie takes over that role. Don't know how not only won that game but dominated them
2021. Just at total surprise. Yes we had upset Penn State in Happy Valley but then laid a turd against mediocre Rutgers at home. Did not expect to win this game on the road.
2022 Classic battle between two evenly matched teams and we win at home.to secure a bowl game in mid-October.
