Posted at: 11/07/2009 10:20 PM

Gophers fall at home to Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Terry Hawthorne returned an interception for
a touchdown and Clay Nurse had four of Illinois' seven sacks to
lead the Illini to a 35-32 victory over Minnesota on Saturday.
      Jacob Charest threw for 185 yards and a touchdown after
replacing Juice Williams, who left in the first quarter with an
injured left ankle. Illinois (3-6, 2-5 Big Ten) led 28-7 at
halftime.
      Jon Hoese scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Minnesota
(5-5, 3-4). Gophers linebacker Keanon Cooper blocked a punt that
Ben Kuznia scooped up for a score to pull Minnesota within three
points with 3 minutes to play.
      The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, and the Gophers
couldn't overcome a dreadful first half from quarterback Adam
Weber.
      Weber went 5 of 17 for 74 yards with a fumble and the
interception returned for a score in the first half against
Illinois.

      (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)