Adam Weber redeemed himself in a big way. Tim Brewster had his biggest coaching win.

Athletics director Joel Maturi was glad University of Minnesota's quarterback and head football coach both silenced their critics for one night in Saturday's exciting 42-34 victory over Michigan State at TCF Bank Stadium.

"I certainly don't know everything, but I'm close enough to know how well Adam has played, even when his numbers haven't been as good as people would have liked them to be," Maturi said of Weber, who passed for a career-best 416 yards and five touchdowns with an interception and a fumble. "I know the preparation that was put in. I know the belief of coach Brewster. It's good to see that they had success. I've never lost confidence. I don't feel differently about coach Brewster or Adam Weber, but I'm happy for them."

Weber, who had no touchdown passes and five interceptions in his previous three games, became the school's all-time leading passer, surpassing Bryan Cupito with 7,509 yards. The Shoreview native also has 50 career touchdown passes, six away from breaking Cupito's record of 55.

The Gophers (5-4, 3-3) are two wins away from matching last season's total. Seven wins would be more impressive this year because of a tougher schedule. They're also a win away from being bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season, with two home games coming up against Illinois and South Dakota State.

Illinois (2-6, 1-5) won its first Big Ten game Saturday with 377 rushing yards and 500 total yards in a 38-13 win over Michigan.

"We're still one game away from being bowl eligible with three games left to play," Maturi said. "Our kids feel good about themselves about last night, as they have every right to. But now we've got a more talented Illinois team to play than people first realized. You saw what they did against Michigan."

CBSSports.com predicts that Minnesota will play Jan. 2 against Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. That's based on the fact that the Gophers, who haven't played in a New Year's Day bowl since 1962, are fifth in the Big Ten standings. They lost to Kansas in the Insight Bowl in Arizona last season.

"I'm happy for him," Maturi said of Brewster. "One thing I know about coach Brewster, his heart and soul is in it. He's about as passionate an individual as I've ever met. He's very emotional. I know he felt the kids had a great week of preparation. I think it showed on the field."

Maturi wasn't pleased that Brewster's team set a school and Big Ten record with 17 penalties for 156 yards. But he thought the offense and defense responded well after Ohio State and Penn State won by a combined score of 58-7 the previous two weeks.

"If you lose, that becomes a major story, but those are correctible kinds of things," Maturi said of the penalties. "I thought (offensive coordinator) Jedd Fisch called one heck of a game."

Briefly: Weber was named Big Ten offensive player of the week Sunday after his record-setting performance. Weber also earned conference player of the week honors in 2007 and 2008. The last Gophers quarterback to throw for 400 yards was Cory Sauter against Michigan State in 1995.

Senior defensive tackle Garrett Brown was named Big Ten defensive player of the week. Brown set career highs with seven tackles and three tackles for loss, while also forcing and recovering a fumble.