MINNEAPOLIS -- Freshman running back Shannon Brooks carried 17 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns, leading Minnesota to a 32-23 win over Illinois at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Minnesota (5-6), which needs a win next week against No. 25 Wisconsin to become bowl eligible. It also marked the first win for Tracy Claeys as head coach.

Illinois (5-6) dominated much of the second half and had the ball near midfield with under five minutes to play down by one point. But quarterback Wes Lunt was sacked on second down and the Fighting Illini were eventually forced to punt.

Two plays later, Brooks raced 75 yards for a touchdown to make it a seven-point game and Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner ran in the two-point conversion to make it a two possession game with 1:25 to play.

Lunt finished 34-of-47 passing with 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior running back Josh Ferguson carried 20 times for 105 yards for Illinois, which also needs a win next week against No. 20 Northwestern to gain bowl eligibility.

Leidner completed 15 of 25 for just 88 yards through the air, connecting with freshman Rashad Still on a 1-yard touchdown pass just before halftime. Leidner also had 64 yards rushing on 10 carries.