CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Rodney Smith rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Minnesota turned a pair of early Illinois turnovers into scores on the way to a 40-17 win Saturday.

Smith's first touchdown was a 20-yard burst up the middle with 2:16 left in the first quarter, giving the Golden Gophers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) the lead for good at 14-7. It followed a fumbled punt by Illinois' Darius Mosely, recovered by Antione Winfield Jr. at the 20.

Thanks to the two early fumbles and a short punt, Minnesota started first-half drives at the Illinois 20, 9 and 49, and all ended with touchdowns.

Jeff George Jr., Illinois' (2-6, 1-4) third-string quarterback and the son of Illini legend and longtime NFL quarterback Jeff George, started his second straight game and went 16-34 for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Illinois starter Wes Lunt suited up for the game but sat out his third straight game with a back injury. Second-string quarterback Chayce Crouch, injured in a win over Rutgers two weeks ago, did not dress for the game. Information about his condition was not immediately available.

Illinois receiver Malik Turner left the field on a stretcher after a hit by Minnesota safety Duke McGhee. Turner was taken to a local hospital but information about his injury was not immediately available. McGhee was flagged for targeting and ejected from the game.

With 12:13 remaining in the game, Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr. was sacked in the end zone for safety. The Gophers took a 30-14 lead over the Illini. The Illini lost the field position battle the entire game due to turnovers and special teams. Prior to the safety, Minnesota downed a punt inside the Illinois 5-yard line. Minnesota TD drives went for 9, 20, 49, and 10 yards. Illinois punter Ryan Frain averaged just 34.3 yards per punt on the day. Kendrick Foster longest kickoff return went for just 14 yards.

Minnesota scored 17 points off of Illinois turnovers. Incredibly, Illinois turned the ball three times inside their own 20-yard line, two by George. On the Illini’s first possession of the game, George collided with an offensive lineman and fumbled at the Illinois 9-yard line. Gophers’ running back took a handoff on the next play from scrimmage and scampered into the end zone to give Minnesota an early 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Darius Mosely muffed a punt that was recovered by the Gophers at the Illinois 20-yard line. Again, Minnesota scored on its first play after recovering the fumble, this time on a run by Rodney Smith. Mid-way through the 4th quarter, George again fumbled when he was sacked, ultimately resulting in a Minnesota field goal.

With junior wide receiver Malik Turner going out with an injury, Illinois doesn’t have any explosive play-makers. The longest play of the game was a 28-yard run by Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Entering the game, Illinois ranked No. 123 in the nation in offensive plays of over 10 yards or more vs. FBS opponents. Running backs Kendrick Foster and Reggie Corbin both have the quick-cut ability to grind out some yards, but lack the acceleration to run to daylight and break off chunk plays. Illinois running backs often get tackled from behind when it appears like they might have a chance to score. The Illini could never get the running game going against Minnesota, rushing for 89 yards on 34 attempts, an average of just 2.6 yards per rush.

Reggie Corbin, freshman running back, rushed 14 times for 83 yards, good for 5.9 yards per carry. Corbin’s longest run went for 19 yards. On the Illini’s first quarter scoring drive, Corbin rushed 4 times for 39 yards. Freshman receiver Dominic Thieman had his best game as an Illini with 4 catches before leaving with an injury. Senior WR Zach Grant got his first career touchdown on a 31-yard pass from George.

Dawuane Smoot, senior defensive end, had his most disruptive game of the year, spending a lot of time in the Minnesota offensive backfield. Smoot finished 8 tackles and one sack, but those numbers don’t tell the entire story. Smoot was load of the Gophers to contain, blowing up plays and chasing Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner. Pro scouts will like what they see on film from this game.