The Minnesota Golden Gophers will look to extend their winning streak to four games but they'll have to do it against a healthy Illinois team on Saturday morning.
According to Jeremy Werner of 247 Sports, Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant and cornerbacks Kaleb Patterson and Torrie Cox Jr. will be available against the Gophers after leaving last week's loss to Oregon with injuries.
Bryant entered concussion protocol after last week's loss to the Ducks but still leads Illinois with 510 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season. Bryant is second on the team with 34 receptions and is a top target across from fellow receiver Zakhari Franklin.
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Cox also entered concussion protocol and has started five games for the Illini, making 11 tackles and a pair of interceptions while Patterson is coming off a lower leg injury, making 21 tackles with two tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups in eight starts this season.
The return of a top weapon in Bryant and both starting corners should make Saturday's game interesting.
Illinois' official availability report released two hours before kickoff shows that Daniel Brown, Terrance Brooks and Joe Barna have been ruled out for Saturday's contest. Defensive back Tyler Strain is questionable to play.
Luke Altmeyer is having a strong season for Illinois, throwing for 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season and will have his full passing attack at his disposal.
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It also makes things interesting for Max Brosmer, who has similar stats with 1,776 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions and has thrown for 862 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions during the Gophers' winning streak.
Making things more difficult is the status of starting left guard Tyler Cooper, who is reportedly out with an injury according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The Pioneer Press's Andy Greder also reports that Tony Nelson is a candidate to fill in after getting extensive action in the Gophers' win over Maryland last weekend.
The Gophers will battle the Illini with a 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday.