The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - November 6, 2000 - 5B
MIC 51
Poor defense no problem
when a team is victorious
By Chris Duprey
Daily Sports Editor
EVANSTON - Both Northwestern and
Michigan surrendered more than 50 points apiece on
Saturday. Both gave up more than 500 yards.
Fundamentally, the performances of the two
teams were about equal. Both were offensively spec-
tacular and defensively putrid. Both made mistakes
some costlier than others.
But there were no sins that existed in the
Northwestern lockerroom after its comeback victo-
ry over the Wolverines - proof of what winning
does to erode mistakes.
Michigan wide receiver David Terrell had his way
with corner Harold Blackmon all day on Saturday.
Terrell was able to haul in almost every ball Drew
Henson laid out for him, striking for three touch-
downs and 117 yards on the day.
Blackmon tried to defend Terrell straight-up. He
ed to clutch and grab.
He even tried direct pass interference - and even
then, Terrell once managed to make a play on the
ball. Terrell was Blackmon's boss for all 60 minutes,
and there was nothing Blackmon could do about it.
"I would just like to say that Henson is a great
quarterback, and he put it in places I didn't think he
could," Blackmon said, smiling, vindicated.
Damien Anderson, the Wildcats' electric tailback,
needed a fumble from his counterpart, Anthony
Thomas, to erase his own blunder. Moments earlier,
on 4th-and-goal from the Michigan 12, a wide-open
Anderson wrong-footed himself and dropped the
touchdown pass that would have given
Northwestern the lead.
Anderson had 268 yards and two touchdowns, a
fine game, but the feeling he took away from the
afternoon would certainly have been impacted had
Thomas not donated the football.
"I kind of lost it in the lights, but there's no excus-
es, Anderson said afterward. "I should've caught
that ball."
"It was a tougher catch than he wanted it to be,"
Northwestern coach Randy Walker said.
After the game ended, Walker was all smiles
answering questions about his offense.
"When we go out and execute, defenses cant stop
you," Walker said. "You can only stop vourself"
Concerns about the defense,m mcanwhile, were left
for another day. The impact of allowing I5 points to
anyone, even Michigan's offense, won t work on a
weekly basis against evervone - even Michigan's
defense.
Walker opted to leave the hard-core analysis for
later in the week. He was content to let his defense
off the hook in this one.
"I've been in some good-scoring games. but ioth-
ing like this" he said good-naturedly. '3-0, 54-51.
they all work for me.
Michigan, obviously, will not let itself off the
hook for the numerous mistakes that cost it the
PETER CORNUE F
It seemed every Michigan defender was chasing after Northwestern running back Damien Anderson,
who rushed for 268 yards against the Wolverines.
gane. The Wolvetines didn't have much to say after- Michigan already escaped with a road victory t
th
ward.
Coach Lloyd Carr commissioned the veto power,
answering some questions from the media and
declining others.
Whether Carr wants to address his concerns with
the media or not, he'll have to face the music and
address them with his team.
seasonsin which it didn't play well at all defensivel
- Illinois back on Sept. 23. That night, Carr said h
had "never been prouder" oflhis team for pulling o
the wits.
Saturday, Carr's defense played much worse. Stil
had the Wolserisses won, he might have been just a
happy. But they didn't.
Michigan State hands the ball away in loss to Buckeyes
COLUMBUS (AP) - The formula for success
at Ohio State remains quite simple.
"We're 7-2 right now because we're not turning
the ball over and we're getting turnovers, Buckeyes
coach John Cooper said. "Our kicking game's been
pretty sound. We're playing pretty good defense.
hat's how you win."
Safety Michael Doss jump-started the lethargic
Buckeyes with a 73-vard fumble return and the
defense shut down Michigan State in the last three
quarters as Ohio State beat the Spartans 27-13 on
Saturday.
Derek Combs helped the Buckeyes play keep-
away with the ball in the second half, running for
153 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan State (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) couldn't sus-
tain a 13-3 lead, turning the ball over four times and
urrendering seven sacks.
"Seventeen points on turnovers. You take that
away and it's a whole different ball game," Spartans
coach Bobby Williams said. "It's not what they did.
It's what we did:'
The Buckeyes (7-2, 4-2), after giving up 115
yards in the first quarter, allowed only 96 yards in
the final three periods.
Michigan State running back TJ. Duckett had 76
rushing yards at halftime but only seven in the sec-
ond half.
After building the 10-point lead on touchdown
uns of 1 yard by Little John Flowers and 6 yards by
iquarterback Jeff Smoker, the Spartans had first
downs at the Ohio State 39, 22,42 and 46 in the sec-
ond quarter but didn't score on any of them.
ItlIoIs 42, INDIANA 35: Kurt Kittner survived a
quarterback duel with Antwaan Randle El, scoring
on a 1-yard sneak with 25 seconds left to give
Illinois a 42-35 victory over Indiana on Saturday.
Randle El ran for 209 yards and four touchdowns,
and Kittner threw for 277 yards and three TDs.
Randle El took a last swing with a 51-yard bomb
at Illinois' Walter Young batted down in the end
ne as time ran out.
The Illini (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) couldn't stop Randle
El, or any other Indiana runner. The Hoosiers
rushed for 447 yards, including 161 by Levron
Williams.
Randle El tied it at 28 with a 12-yard run with
13:26 left in the game. But Kittner responded with
a 49-vard pass to Greg Lewis, who landed at the 4.
Antoneo Harris ran it in with 10:59 left.
The Illini seemed to finally come up with a
fensive stop with eight minutes left. On fourth-
and-14, Randle El stayed in as the punter and com-
pleted a long pass for an apparent first down.
The Hoosiers, however, had an ineligible receiv-
er downfield. Randle El did kick the second time,
but several seconds after his kick, Illinois' Brandon
Moore knocked him five yards back.
The resulting penalty gave the Hoosiers a first
down, and several plays later, Randle El spun off
three different tacklers fora 5-yard touchdown to tie
yards and 133 points in losses to Indian,
Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Minnesota led 12-3 with 1:20 left in the first ha
when Mason's peculiar call backfired.
On fourth-and-8 from the Badgers' 40, Maso
opted to try a field goal even though he has th
nation's leading punter in Preston Grsening, an
kicker Dan Nvstrom had already missed a sho
field goal and an extra point.
Nystrom's attempt barely reached the end zon
and the bumbling Badgers, playing without injuri
Michael Bennett, the nation's fourth-leading rushe
had ne' life.
Tellis Redmon rushed 30 times for 211 vards an
a touchdown for Minnesota.
MIANII 41, VIRGINIA TECH 21: Third-ranks
Miami was ready for Michael Vick, whether he w
healthy or hurt.
Hobbled by a sprained right ankle that limits
him to 19 first-half plays, Vick sat on the bent
with a white towel draped over his head in the se
ond half and watched the Hurricanes beat Virgin
'ech 41-21 on Saturda.
Virsmia Tech (8-1. 6-1 ) saw its 19-game regula
season winning streak end along with its bidt
return to the title game.
This ended Miami's five-game losing streakt
VirginiaT ech.
Dave Meyer, a fifth-year senior, started in pla
of Vick but was unable to move the Hokies in ts
first three series.
Vick called 19 plays and accounted for 14 yards-
three carries for 5 yards; 2-f-5 passing for 9 yards
1".OIOIDA ST. 54, CITNIsON 7: Thsey call it sout
love, and Bobby Bowden doled out a bundle to h
son Tommy on Saturday niht.
Chris WAike s threw for 21 vards and No.
Florida State rolled to a 54-7 victory, turnis
Bowden Bowl II into a complete embarrassment f
Clemson and coach Tommy Bowden.
The Semimoles (9-1, 7-0) improved to 37-0
Atlantic Coast Conference games at home, ar
clinched the ACC title for the ninth straight time.
Clemson (8-2. 6-2) lost its second straight after.
8- start, and will spend an oil week soothing egos
The Seminoles finished with 771 sards, the mo
ever allowed by Clemson, and drilled home ju
how far Tommy Bowdens rebuilding project h
yet to go.
Somebody asked iommy if he still loves h
daddy after such a beating.
"Yeah," lie said. "But not as much."
Of course, winning is one thing, and pouring itt
is another.
T]hat's what Bobbs Bowden seemed determiss
to do, as he left Weinke in to lead the Seminoles
their 47th point, then kept his starting defense in
prevent what would have been a consolation touc
dlown. , . . . -
- Comiiledir ' Dail ySpor't s r ii
Stv' Juckic
GAME PROGRESSION
FIRsT QUARTER:
Northwestern wins the coin toss
and in a slightly unusual decision,
elects to receive the ball. The
Wildcats make a statement on an
85-yard. nine-olay drive.
Quarterback Zak Kustok sneaks it
in from one yard out.
Northwestern 7, Michigan O
As always, the Michigan offense
comes out hiazing. Two long dri-
ves both culminate in touchdowns
-- one on a run by Anthony
Thomas, the other on an 1 1-yard
strike from Drew Henson to David
Terrell.
Michigan 14, Northwestern 7
SECOND QUARTER
The Wildcats come back and also
have success moving the ball.
After they et inside the 20, the
Michigan defense holds and forces
a 24-yard field goa attempt by Tim
Long.
Michigan 14, Northwestern 10
Two touchdown passes to Terrell,
sandwiched around a very rare
three-and-out by the Michigan
defense, give the Wolverines their
second 28-10 lead of the pass two
road games. Can they hotd this
one?
Michigan 28, Northwestern 10
Northwestern has no problem
making up yardaze and attacks the
18-point deicit thanks to a key
18-yard pass from Kistok to Sam
Simmons on 3rd-and-iD. Two
Damien Anderson runs later, its an
11-point game.
Michigan 28, Northwestern 17
The Wildcats fool Michigan with
'5 an onside kick and get the ball
back with 3:56 in the half. Over
the fina four minutes.
Northwestern manages two field
goals.
Is Michigan 28, Northwestern 23
e
t THIRD QUARTER:
The Michigan offense realizes it's
l going to have to score on amost
every possession o win. Without
as needing a third down, the
Wolverines punch it in quick.
Michigan 35, Northwestern 23
The two teams trade touchdowns,
but Michigan gains a point when
the Wildcats bobbe n extra point.
Michigan 42 Northwestern 29"
a, A 45-yard rush by Anderson again
pulls Northwestern within one
score.
If Michigan 42, Northwestern 36
Hayden Epstein makes his biggest
contribution of the year, a 52-yard
se field goal into the breeze. That
makes it a two-possession game
id again.
rt Michigan 45, Northwestern 36
e, FOURTH QUARTER:
d Kustok's second rushing touch-
down of the day along with a
another Long field goa give
d Northwestern the lead.
Northwestern 46, Michigan 45
nd Michigan's final touchdown of the
day, a homas run, gives it the
as lead again.
Michigan 51, Northwestern 46
A dropped pass in the endzone by
Anderson seems to blow any
c- chances the Wildcats have of win-
ia ning. Thomas comes to the res-
cue, fumbling as Michigan tries to
kill the clock. With 20 seconds left,
Kustok-to-Simmons is the winning
a- combination.
to Northwestern 54, Michigan 51
Michigan's last chance, a 57-yard
Stry by Epstein, never Hets kiked.
The snap was ood, ut holder
John Navarre didn't corral it. The
c ganse is over.
e g Finals Northwestern 54,
he Michigan 51
-- WHAT'S NEXT:
ph 1 PENN STAT
is
First place to Rose - gone with the loss
to Purdue.
ng Second place to Florida Citrus - gone
or with the loss to Northwesterns.
Right now, Michian is looking at the
Outback Bowl tie last of the New
Iu Year's Day Bowls for Big Ten teams.
nd Though it rmay seem unlikely to lose to a
seam cnoing off a some loss to Iowa,
n te Wolverines have astounded their
anfans in the past.
St Despite its struggles. Penn State should
be tough, hoping to play spoiler at the
st end of the season.
as The only question seems to be, which
Michigan defense will show up - the
tip one that held Antwaan Randle El and
up 54 points inrsegulation after a bpe?
on BIG TEN STANDINGS
AP P-)TO
The Iowa players and mascot go nuts after knocking off Penn State. The win brought Iowa to 2-4 in the
Big Ten and dropped the Nittany Lions, who head into the Big House this weekend, to 3-3.
it at 35 with 5:08 left.
Kittner drove the lisni 78 yards hor the final
score.
Iosa 26, P1NN Sm. 23 (201): Nate KaedingO
kicked a 26-ard field oal in the second insrisme,
and Ryan Hansen intercepted a pass to give Iowa a
26-23 vitory over Penn State on Saturdas.
Rashard C asey's pass on the first play of Penn
State's possession was intended for tight end Tony
Stewart. The ball hit Stewat, but Hansen doe to
catch the ball and end the game.
Casey had a 6-yard touchdown run to give Penn
State (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten) a 23-16 lead in the first
overtime. Iowa (2-8. 2-4) answered with an Ih-yard
touchdown run by Liadell Betts.
Ryan Primanti, who made three field goals in
regulation, had a chance to w i on the last plav of
regulation, but his 56-yard field-goal attempt fell
just short.
The loss keeps coach Joe Paterno two games
behind Beat Bryant for major college victonies.
With the loss, Pmcnn State is assured of nissing a
bowl game fior the first time since going 5-6 i1988.
WiscosstN 41, M tN sot s 20: Wisconsin
recovered from a slow start with the help Of a cu--
ous call by Minnesota coach Glen Mason, and the
Badgers scored three touchdowns in the fourth
quarter to beat the Gophers 41-20 on Saturday.
The Badgers (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) snapped a three-
game home losing streak, their longest since 1990,
thanks to the play of Brooks Bollinger, who threw
for 204 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a
ccareer-shigh 127 yards and a score.
The iophers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) lost their third
straight and must beat Iowa in their final regular-
season game to become bowl eligible in consecu-
tive years for the first time since 1960-61.
Just three weeks ago, the Gophers were talking
Rose Bowl after holding Ohio State to 200 total
vards. But since then, they've surrendered 1,574
Team
Purdue
Northwestern
Michigan
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
Minnesota
ilinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan State
BiO Ten
5 1
5 1
4 2
4 2
3 3
3 4
3 4
2 4
2 4
2 4
1 5
Overall
7 2
7 2
6 3
7 2
4 6
6 4
5 5
5 4
386
2 8
4 5
--- _ .
WEEKEND'S BEST
HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED"
Associated Press Poll for week of October 30.
Games updated through November 5.
NEW AP
TOP 25
FATHER TAKES IT To SON:
Bobby Bowden showed why daddy
knows best, defeating son Terry's
Clemson Tigers 54-7.
28-year-old quarterback Chris
Weinke continued to sparkle for
Florida State, with 521 passing
yards and two touchdowns.
i~
AP PHOTO
Weinke now has thrown for a
rhool record 3.490 yards this sea-
son, with two games left to play.
Bobby kept his offense in until the
score was 47-7, and the first-string
defense played the entire game.
CROUCH SETS CORNHUSKER RECORD:
Nebraska Quarterback Eric
Crouch rushed for 127 yards and
four touchdowns, breaking the
career rushing yardage record,
with 2,152 yards.
Crouch has scored 16 rushing
touchdowns this season, with at
least three in three games.
Nebraska rushed for 493 yards in
its 56-17 drubbing of Kansas.
DoRSEY OUTSHINES VICK:
Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey
threw for 283 yards and three
touchdowns, leading Miaimi to a
41-21dvictory openVirginia Tech.
Michael Vick played 19 plays for
the Hokies, which netted 14
yards. Vick also fumbled and
threw an interception before giv-
ing way to backup Dave Meyer.
- Nate Linsley
(first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Oklahoma
2. Virginia Tech
3. Miami (Fla.)
4. Florida State
5. Nebraska
G. Florida
7. Oregoni
8. Washington
9. Texas Christian
10. Clemson
11. Purdue
12. Michigan
13. Southern Miss
14 Oregon State
15. Notre Dame
1. Ohio State
17. Georgia
18. Mississippi State
19. Kansas State
20. Texas
21. Northwestern
22. South Carolina
23. Auburn
24. Texas A&M
25. Georgia Tech
beat Baylor 567 at No. 24 Texas A&M
lost to No. 3 Miami 41-21 at Central Florida
beat No. 2 Virginia Tech 41-21 vs. Pittsburgh
beat No. 10 Clemson 54-7 vs. Wake Forest
beat Kansas 56-17 vs. No. 19 Kansas State
beat Vanderbilt 43-20 vs No. 22 South Carolina
beat Washington State 27-24 (OT)vs California
beat Arizona 35-32 vs. UCLA
lost to San Jose State 27-24 vs Fresno State
lost to No. 4 Florida State 54-7 idle
idle at Michigan State
lost to No. 21Northweste 54-51vs Penn State
lost to Louisville 49-28 at Ala.-Birmingham
TEAM
1. Oklahoma (70)
2. Miaimi (Fla.i
3. Florida St. (1)
4. Nebraska
5. Florida
6. Oregon
7. Washington
S. hisginia Tech
9. Purdue
10. Oregon St.
11. Notre Dame
12. Northwestern
13. Ohio St.
14. Georgia
15. Mississippi St.
16. Kansas St.
17. Clemson
18. Teoas Christian
15. Texas
20. Michigan
21. South Carolina
22. Auburn
23. Texas A&M
24. Georgia Tech
25. Southern Miss
Dropped Out: None
PTS PVS
8-0
7-1
9-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
s-1
7-2
8-1
6-2
7-2
7-2
6-2
6-2
8-2
8-2
7-s
7-2
6-3
7-2
7-2
7-2
6-2
6-2
1,774
1,633
1,512
1.499
1,429
1,371
1,260
1,196
1,127
863
839
819
727
707
673
584
571
527
426
353
342
328
220
217
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
11
14
15
21
16
17
18
19
10
9
20
12
22
23
24
25
13
THIS WEEKEND'S RESULTS
NoRTHwESTERN 54, Michigan 51
ILLINois 42, Indiana 35
Iowa 26, PENN STATE 23 (OT)
OsIO STATE 27, Michigan State 13
WiscoNsN 41, Minnesota 20
Purdue Idle
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Penn State at Michigan, 1 p.m.
Wisconsin at Indiana, 2 p.m.
Ohio State at Illinois, noon
Northwestern at Iowa. noon
Purdue at Michigan State, noon
Minnesota Idle
'M' SCHEDULE
beat California 3832
idle
beat Michigan State 27 13
idle
beat Kentucky 35-17
beat Iowa State 5610
beat Texas Tech
beat No. 12 Michigan 54-51
idle
idle
beat Oklahona State 21-16
idle
at Arizona
vs. Boston College
at Illinois
at No. 23 Auburn
vs. Alabama
at No 5 Nebraska
at Kansas
at Iowa
at No. 6 Florida
vs. No. 17 Georgia
vs No. 1 Oklahoma
vs. Virginia
Date
Sept. 2
Sept. 9
Sept. 16
Sept. 23
Sept. 30
Oct. 7
Oct. 14
Oct. 21
Nov. 4
Nov. 11
Nov. 18
OQooneot Time-TV/Result
BOWUING GREEN W, 42-7
RICE Win.38-7
at icLA L23-20
at illinois W 35-31
WiscoNSIN W. 13-10
at Purdue L. 32-31
IsIiso W. 58-0
MICHIGANSTPATE W. 14-0
at Nothwestern c. h5-h1
PENN STATE 12:10 p.m.
at Ohio State Noon. ABc
__________________________ L _______________________
I