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Big Ten weekend
Weekend wrap-up
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No. 20 Purdue 28, No. 16 Notre Dame 23 |
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Drew Brees threw for 317 yards, but it was two field goals in the fourth quarter by Travis Dortch and a goal-line stand -- aided by Notre Dame's misplaying the final few seconds -- that made the difference at the end.
The Irish wasted away their last chance when they spent their last time out but still wound up with a busted play with 12 seconds remaining. Purdue linebacker Mike Rose swamped Jarious Jackson back at the 11-yard line, and the clock expired on the Irish. It was the third time in a row that the Irish botched the final seconds of a half, including the end of the first half Saturday (when they should have had a field-goal attempt), and at the end of last week's 26-22 loss to Michigan.
SportsLine's Mark Alesia writes that the Irish simply can't keep beating themselves ... can they?
Full game story. |
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No. 2 Penn State 20, Pittsburgh 17 |
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Pittsburgh, 34-point underdogs, gave No. 2 Penn State a scare for the second consecutive year. Travis Forney kicked a tiebreaking 24-yard field goal with 1:20 left and LaVar Arrington blocked a 52-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
After two nearly flawless performances, the Nittany Lions (3-0) got off to a slow start, and were able to muster only 22 yards rushing against the fired-up Panthers. Quarterbacks Kevin Thompson (17 of 29 for 232) and Rashard Casey (4 of 5 for 88 yards) made up for the ineffective rushing attack. Penn State visits Miami for a Top 10 showdown next week.
Full game story. |
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No. 6 Michigan 37, Rice 3 |
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The Wolverines were bigger, stronger, faster and deeper, especially at quarterback. Things didn't get any easier for Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and his question to avoid a quarterback controversy.
In the big win over Notre Dame, starter Tom Brady clearly was the man. But even though Brady was efficient against Rice, it was sophomore Drew Henson who sparked the team and got the Wolverines into the end zone. He scored one TD and passed for another, completing 8 of 14 passes for 109 yards. Brady was 10-for-15 for 115. Michigan (2-0) visits Syracuse next week. Full game story. |
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No. 9 Wisconsin 50, Ball State 10 |
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Wisconsin bruiserback Ron Dayne entered the game needing to average 158 yards in his final 10 games to break the NCAA major-college rushing record, and he gained 158 yards. He didn't play the fourth quarter in the lopsided win, but the Badgers didn't need much from him since return specialist Nick Davis amassed 227 yards on returns and receptions.
Dayne finished with 31 carries that included a 2-yard rush for a touchdown, his fourth of the season. Full game story. |
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No. 13 Ohio State 42, No. 14 UCLA 20 |
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The Bruins took a quick 10-0 lead, but the Buckeyes soon took control. Ohio State got fine performances from both quarterbacks, as starter Austin Moherman completed 10 of 19 passes for 107 yards with an interception, and Steve Bellisari was 11-for-16 for 159 yards.
Ken-Yon Rambo caught two touchdown passes from Bellisari, and Michael Wiley ran in for a couple of scores for Ohio State, which faces Ohio and Cincinnati the next two weeks before the imposing sequence of games against Wisconsin, Purdue and Penn State.
UCLA was playing without nine starters, suspended for illegally using handicapped-parking passes.
SportsLine's Dennis Dodd writes that coaches are waffling too much on their QB decisions.
Full game story |
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Michigan State 51, Eastern Michigan 7 |
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The Spartans, who opened strong by beating Oregon last week, made it 2-0 heading into next week's game at Notre Dame. MSU held a 492-130 advantage in total yards as true freshman T.J. Duckett gave Spartan fans a rush with his 83 yards on eight carries, with one touchdown. Game story. |
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Northwestern 17, Texas Christian 7
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Sam Simmons returned a first-quarter punt 87 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildcats went from there to give Randy Walker his first victory as coach at Northwestern. Nick Kreinbrink passed for 220 yards, as TCU failed to bounce back from a heart-breaking loss to Arizona last week.
Game story.
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Illinois 38, San Diego State 10
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Illinois moved to 2-0 for the first time since 1992 years as Kurt Kittner threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Third-year coach Ron Turner's offense seems to be kicking into gear, as the Illini -- who face high-flying Louisville next week -- have scored 79 points in their first two games.
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North Carolina 42, Indiana 30 |
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In the battle of the Carolina-Hoosier point guards, Ronald Curry and Antwaan Randle El each accounted for three touchdowns… but the Tar Heels had more going for them. |
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Iowa State 17, Iowa 10 |
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The Cyclones beat Iowa for the second year in a row -- something that had not happened since 1981-82. The Hawkeyes fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter, and never quite recovered. |
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Minnesota 35, Louisiana-Monroe 0 |
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The Gophers got three touchdowns from tailback Thomas Hamner, as well as touchdowns from the defense and special teams. They're 2-0, with an easy one against Illinois State next week before opening the Big Ten season at Northwestern. |
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