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. 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