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University of Minnesota Athletics
True Freshmen Impress in Victory
11/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 23, 2015 
By Daniel Kobren
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Game Recap
Typically, a team relies on their veteran players to make big plays. But Saturday, the youngest members of the team made a huge impact against Illinois. Several true freshmen had career days in the 32-23 victory for the Gophers.
Minnesota leaned on Shannon Brooks for much of their offense. He accounted for 174 rushing yards on 17 carries for three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run to seal the game. This is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week's second 170-plus yard game of the season as he ran for 176 against Purdue. Brooks' three-score game was the most scored by a Minnesota running back since David Cobb had three touchdowns against Ohio State in 2014. He also accounted for more than half of the Gophers offensive yards (343).
Receiver Rashad Still made one of the most important plays of the game. With eight seconds remaining in the half and the Gophers at the one-yard line, quarterback Mitch Leidner lobbed a pass to the corner of the end zone where Still hauled it in for the touchdown. This play gave Minnesota a 21-13 lead going into half and momentum for the rest of the game.
On special teams and defense, no player made as much of an impact as KiAnte Hardin. With Jalen Myrick injured, Hardin took over both kick returning and cornerback duties. Hardin made a crucial pass break up in the end zone and also tipped a pass to Antonio Johnson for the only interception of the game. On kickoff returns, he had a 60-yard and a 32-yard return to set the Gophers up with great field position. Hardin returned six kicks for 165 yards, which was the most return yardage since Troy Stoudermire had 192 against Ohio State, Oct. 31, 2009.
Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Game Recap
Typically, a team relies on their veteran players to make big plays. But Saturday, the youngest members of the team made a huge impact against Illinois. Several true freshmen had career days in the 32-23 victory for the Gophers.
Minnesota leaned on Shannon Brooks for much of their offense. He accounted for 174 rushing yards on 17 carries for three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run to seal the game. This is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week's second 170-plus yard game of the season as he ran for 176 against Purdue. Brooks' three-score game was the most scored by a Minnesota running back since David Cobb had three touchdowns against Ohio State in 2014. He also accounted for more than half of the Gophers offensive yards (343).
Receiver Rashad Still made one of the most important plays of the game. With eight seconds remaining in the half and the Gophers at the one-yard line, quarterback Mitch Leidner lobbed a pass to the corner of the end zone where Still hauled it in for the touchdown. This play gave Minnesota a 21-13 lead going into half and momentum for the rest of the game.
On special teams and defense, no player made as much of an impact as KiAnte Hardin. With Jalen Myrick injured, Hardin took over both kick returning and cornerback duties. Hardin made a crucial pass break up in the end zone and also tipped a pass to Antonio Johnson for the only interception of the game. On kickoff returns, he had a 60-yard and a 32-yard return to set the Gophers up with great field position. Hardin returned six kicks for 165 yards, which was the most return yardage since Troy Stoudermire had 192 against Ohio State, Oct. 31, 2009.
Players Mentioned
RB
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Running Back
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DB
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Defensive Back
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Quarterback
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DB
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WR
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Defensive Back
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