Thanks to a huge day from star running back Darius Taylor, the Minnesota Football Team hit the road and beat No. 24 Illinois 25-17 on Saturday in Champaign, Ill., ending the an 0-10 streak against teams coached by Bret Bielema.

Departure left guard Tyler Cooper was ruled out before the gameforcing the Gophers to shake up their offensive line. Redshirt freshman Phillip Daniels was forced into his first start, but that didn’t stop Minnesota from winning in the trenches.

An early 20-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich was the only score of the first quarter. Illinois tied things up with a basket of their own in the second quarter, and the start of the game showed it was shaping up to be an old-fashioned Big Ten West brawl.

Taylor found the end zone on an impressive 29-yard run for the first touchdown of the game. It was the start of one of his most impressive games in a Gophers uniform.

Illinois running back Josh McCray responded with a long touchdown run on the next drive, tying the game at 10-10. Despite some questionable clock management, Minnesota settled for a field goal before halftime and avoided disaster, with Illinois missing a 55-yard attempt.

The only points in the third quarter were a Kesich basket and the Gophers led 16-10. Just when it looked like they had control of the game, punter Mark Crawford attempted to pick up a first down on fourth-and-12, but was unsuccessful. Illinois took advantage of the snafoo with a touchdown and the Gophers’ lead dissipated.

With their backs against the wall, Max Brosmer and the Gophers offense drove 75 yards down the field for a go-ahead touchdown, but failed on a two-point conversion attempt, resulting in only a lead 22-17 to the Gophers.

Kesich then added his fourth field goal of the day, and Minnesota was able to hold off a late push from Illinois, thanks to a strip-sack by Jah Joyner. The U won its sixth game to secure its bowl eligibility for the fourth straight year.

Taylor finished his monster day with 22 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown, and his impressive streak as a receiver continued with nine catches for 58 yards. He looked like the best player on the field.

The Gophers will face a road matchup against Rutgers and senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis next Saturday in Piscataway, New Jersey, as they look to extend their winning streak to five.