Last-place Minnesota rallied for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner with just 16 seconds left, as the Golden Gophers grabbed a stunning 38-34 Big Ten win over host Illinois on Saturday.

The loss prevented the Illini from becoming bowl-eligible.

Minnesota (2-9, 1-6 Big Ten) snapped a nine-game losing streak and handed interim head coach Jeff Horton his first career win when quarterback Adam Weber drove the Gophers 80 yards in the closing minutes, capped by DeLeon Eskridge’s 2-yard scoring run. Last week, Illinois also lost a late fourth-quarter lead before falling 67-65 in triple overtime at Michigan.

Illinois (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) rallied from a 17-7 halftime deficit with a strong second-half offensive performance and took a 34-24 lead with 8:16 remaining on a 55-yard touchdown run by Mikel Leshoure, who topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

Minnesota's Troy Stoudermire returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the Illinois 4, and two plays later Eskridge scored to cut the Illini lead to 34-31, setting the stage for Weber’s heroics.

The Illini can still gain bowl eligibility with one more win, but their two remaining games are on the road.