The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - November 13, 2000 - 5B Henson intercepted thrice THE HENSON FAC Before Saturday's game, quarter- F hark Dcrew Ha-n n r ew I q t A rnn 1 Oa R. ' Chris Duprey Daily Sports Editor After 193 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, Michigan's Drew Henson finally threw one. Actually, he threw three. It appears the law of aver- ages got some revenge on the junior quarterback. Still, if there was a day Henson could pick to throw three picks, Saturday was it. The Wolverines seized control from Penn State in the second quarter and ver let go, minimalizing the importance of the bad eaks. None of the interceptions were due to poor decisions or FOOTBALL reads by Henson. All three were either the result of Henson being Notebook hit as he delivered the football or via a tipped ball. "They were able to get some pressure up front," Henson said. "I was pressing a little bit." As one would expect, the interceptions, coupled @th a fumble on a punt return that the Wolverines id recover, left coach Llovd Carr less than ecstatic about that phase of the game. "I don't like the way we played offensively because I don't like turnovers," Carr said. "I felt we were careless with the football." The interceptions were Henson's first of the sea- son, a span of seven games. KICKING WOES: Penn State missed out on early opportunities to increase the 3-0 lead it had estab- lished in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions' kicking ame was especially troubled, missing a combined 4- 5 field-goal attempts and all but forcing Penn State coach Joe Paterno into four-down scenarios later in the game. Kicker Ryan Primanti, on for all but one of the field-goal tries, never got into his groove. Paterno said he thought a rough day might be ahead after a forewarning from one of his assistants. Offensive coordinator "Fran Ganter said to me (before the game), I don't want to get you con- cerned, but Ryan had a terrible warmup,"' Paterno said. Freshman David Kimball came out for a try, replacing Primanti, and failed as well. Primanti admitted not adjusting well to Michigan's frequently torn-up Prescription Athletic Turf, but didn't use it as an excuse. "I just didn't have it today," he said. THE uAST wORD: Reaction from the Penn State lockerroom was mixed about Michigan's final touch- down of the day. Penn State had no timeouts left and the Wolverines, three yards away from the goal, opted not to let the clock expire. They had a 27-11 lead at the time. Instead, Michigan hurried to run one final play. That play was a handoff to freshman Chris Perry, who jogged in untouched with one second left. Perry said the coaches called the play, and the offense car- ried it out. Paterno, ever one the game's statesmen, saw no problem with the game-ending sequence. "I didn't have any problems with that," Paterno said. "They didn't throw the ball, they just ran it." Penn State running back Eric McCoo was a little more riled, saving Michigan's actions were a sign of "total disrespect" to the Nittany Lions. "It's definitely going to be on my mind next time we play them" (Oct. 6, 2001, in State College) McCoo said. "I'm not going to forget it. "As a player, personally, that was just like a slap in the face."- INJ RY IPDIALt: Linebacker Eric Brackins didn't practice all week and missed the Penn State game with an undisclosedi njury. Linebacker Evan Coleman twisted his right ankle late in the game, but should be alright for Ohio State. Fifth-vear senior kicker Jeff Del Verne was replaced on extra points by Hayden Epstein. Carr said that Dcl Verne was injured, but didn't go into detail. secutive passes without an inter- ception. Credit an All-American offensive line and Henson's intelligence with the ball in and out of the pocket in hold- ing on that long. Here are Henson's stats for the past two seasons and then Saturday. GAME-BY-GAME PERFORMANCE vs. Illinois 8-of-17, 141 yards, 1 TD vs. Wisconsin 15-of-27, 257 yards, 1 TD vs. Purdue 26-of-35, 256 yards, 3 TD vs. Indiana 14-of-18, 233 yards, 2 TD vs. Michigan State 17-of-31, 138, 0 TD vs. Northwestern 23-of-35, 312 yards, 4 TD vs. Penn Statey 14-of-29, 212 yards, 2 TD, 3 I NTs Before Penn State Seven games, 117-of-192, 1549 yards, 13 TD, 0 INT After Penn State Eight games, 131-of-221, 1761 yards, 15 TD, 3 INT w., . ., ' . I : M , ;, , , "" A' DANA UNNANE/'Daiy 1999 totals: 10 games, 47-of-90, 546 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT GAME PROGRESSION FIRST QUARTER: After one miss from 49 yards out, Penn State kicker Ryan Primanti is successful from 35 yards out. Penn State 3, Michigan O SECOND QUARTER: Primanti really looked foolish on a 39-yard attempt to begin the sec- ond quarter. The kick was not only wide right but short, and Penn state again came away without points after a sustained drive. The Wolverines took advantage of the opportunity. Quarterback Drew Henson orchestrated a 11-play, 78- yard drive that included two third- down conversions. After a 19-yard rumblin gpass-and- catch from Henson to S.J. Askew, senior Anthony Thomas punched it in from seven yards out. Michigan 7, Penn State 3 After a Penn State punt, Henson threw his first interception of the day to Justin Kurpeikis. The Nittany Lions were successful in moving the ball until they neared the red zone. Thenthey stalled. Penn State coach Joe Paterno inserted freshman David Kimball to kick for Primanti. Kimball missed a 38-yarder and the kicking woes continued. Michigan seized control with a 79- yard drive in eight plays. A 15-yard reception by Bil Seymour was goodenough for the touchdown. Michigan 14, Penn State 3 Penn State appeared to have the last drive of the half, but a James Whitley interception gave Michan another offensive possession. The Wolverines settled for a 33-yard field goal by Hayden Epstein. Michigan 17, Penn State 3 THIRD QUARTER: Another Penn State possession culminates in another field-goal try. Again, the Nittany Lions fai A 39- yard try by Primanti was blocked Michigan moved down the field, helped b a screenp ass to Thomas or 46 yards, and kicked a field goal of its own, again by Epstein. Michigan 20, Penn State 3 FOURTH QUARTER: A fourth-down stop of Rashard Casey by the Michigan defense continues the momentum. Askew hits the Penn State defense again, this time a 40-yard reception for a Michigan touchdown. Michigan 27, Penn State 3 Mat Senneca replaced Casey at quarterback for Penn State. He exploited a hole in Michigan's cov- erage and went deep to Bryant Johnson for a 50-yard touchdown. The two-point pass brought the game within two possessions with 10:31 remaining. Michigan 27, Penn State 11 Michigan was unable to, move the football, but was successful in draining some clock. The Nittany Lions received the ball back on a punt, but were stopped again on fourth down, ending their best chance to make it a game again. Another Penn State possession ended in an interception by Todd Howard with 3:24 left. The Wolverines seized the chance to run some more game clock. Helped by a running-into-the-kicker penalty, Michian moved the ball downfield on he round. A 32- yard run by Chris Perry put Michig an in position to score, if it wanted. Lloyd Carr decided that he did want the Wolverines to run one final play from scrimmage. Perry ran it in from ayard out with one second remaining. The extra point was blocked, an Penn State ran out the clock. Final: Michigan 33, Penn State 11 WHAT'S NEXT: OHIO STATE First. place to Rose - slim but not impossible. Need to beat Ohio State and Northwestern and Purdue must lose to Illinois and Indiana respectively. Right now, Michigan is looking at the Citrus Bowl if it can win at Ohio State, the second place bowl for the Big Ten. Should the Citrus Bowl take Michigan, it would play the SEC second place team. If Michigan loses to Ohio State, it would likely fall to the Alamo Bowl, in Sani Antonio and play a Big 12 team, possibly Texas or Texas A&M. Two weeks ago, Michigan-Ohio State looked to have BCS ramifications. A week later it looked like the game would be insignificant. Now the game is for a share of the Big Ten title and possibly for the Rose Bowl. .............. ........- . . - - -.-.-. -- BIG TEN STANDINGS State makes Big Ten race interesting with win over Purdue EAST LANSING (AP) - Michigan State may have shocked the college football world, but the Spartans are not surprised one bit. Michigan State beat Purdue 30-10 on Saturday, adding yet another upset to a season full of them. T.J. Duckett ran for 174 yards and a touch- down to keep the Spartans (2-5 Big Ten, 5-5 overall) bowl hopes alive. *The Boilermakers (5-2, 7-3) can still advance to the Rose Bowl with a victory next week at home against Indiana because of Iowa's loss at Northwestern. Michigan State led the entire game and broke it open with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Entering the game, it ranked No. 2 in the NCAA against the pass while Purdue was the nation's fourth-best passing team. Those who believe a good defense will beat a .iod offense were, correct once again. Purdue's Drew Brees was 26-of-43 for 279 yards with one touchdown and three intercep- tions. Michigan State will not be headed for a glam- orous bowl if it beats Penn State next week on the road, but it would be a satisfying way to close a disappointing season. Purdue in turn played its worst game of the year at the worst time. NORTHWESTERN 27, IowA 17: One of the worst defenses in the Big Ten figured out how to 'op the most potent offense in the conference. Kyle McCann threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and Iowa's defense bot- tied up Northwestern's potent offense as the Ilawkeves earned a 27-17 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday. Northwestern coach Randy Walker said Iowa's defensive effort was "outstanding" and knocked the Wildcats off stride. "I think this was as good a job as we've had against our offense," Walker said. "This was one those days when we just never really caught fur rhythm. Iowa (3-4 Big Ten, 3-8 overall) won consecu- tive games for the first time since 1997 while holding Northwestern (5-2, 7-3) to 377 yards - 109 below its conference-leading average of 486 yards. Iowa's defense was giving up 447 yards per game - No. 10 in the conference - but didn't allow Northwestern's offense to get on track. The Wildcats didn't score a point in the first quarter, the first time that's happened all season. ,)KLAHOMA 35, TEXAs A&M 31: Not even that had beaten them 31 times in the last 32 years, but also put themselves in a strong posi- tion for a second shot at Oklahoma. Overcoming sleet and snow and a late Nebraska charge, the Wildcats beat the Huskers 29-28 on a frightful Saturday night, ruining the Nebraska's national title hopes and giving them- selves a clear path to the Big 12 North title. A Nebraska victory would have wrapped up the North Division title for the Huskers (5-2, 8- 2) and given them a rematch in the conference championship game Dec. 2 with Oklahoma, which beat them 31-14 and replaced them as No. 1. By beating woeful Missouri next week, Kansas State (5-2, 9-2) will be the North champ and quite likely draw Oklahoma. Quincy Morgan caught seven passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including the game- winner with 2:52 to play when he took Jonathan Beasley's pass over the middle and turned it into a 12-yard touchdown play. Then with 50 seconds left and a heavy snow falling, Eric Crouch's pass bounced off the hands of Matt Davison on fourth-and-5 and Kansas State went to 2-18 against Top 10 teams in the Bill Snyder era. Snyder is 2-11 against Nebraska. OREGON 25, CALIFORNIA 17: The Oregon Ducks haven't looked like champions the past month, but four straight close victories have put the Rose Bowl within their grasp. Joey Harrington ran for two second-half touchdowns and passed for another as Oregon clinched at least a tie for the Pac-10 title by ral- lying to beat California 25-17 Saturday. The Ducks (7-0 Pac 10, 9-1 overall) could earn a Rose Bowl berth with a win over Oregon State next weekend." Kyle Boller completed 15 of 39 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown as Cal (2-5, 3-7) nearly pulled off a huge upset despite .a relapse of its early season offensive struggles. Harrington was 20-of-35 for 252 yards in an erratic performance, but his 29-yard scoring pass to Keenan Howry with 12:38 to play was the difference. Howry hauled the pass in with his fingertips to give the Ducks an 18-17 lead. Oregon added another score after the Golden Bears botched a punt, giving the Ducks the ball at the Cal 14. Five plays later, Harrington's I- yard run made it 25-17 lead with 4:48 to go. Cal got the ball back twice more, but Boller threw an interception and was unable to move the team on the last possession. Iowa's Kevin Kasper, left, runs from Northwestern'sI down reception. Iowa won the game 27-17 the largest, and perhaps loudest, crowd to watch a football game in the state of Texas could deter Oklahoma. Torrance Marshall kept the Sooners' national championship drive alive when he scored on a 41-yard interception return in the fourth quarter to rally Oklahoma to a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday. Marshall's first career interception came with 7:18 left in the game, completing a comeback from a I0-point, fourth-quarter deficit. With Texas A&M ahead 31-21, Heupel -just 2-for-8 on third-down conversions at the time - made three straight third-down plays leading to a Harold Blackmon, right, during a third quarter touch- Moments later, Marshall gave the Sooners the lead when he stepped in front of a pass by A&M's Mark Farris and weaved his way into the end zone to give Oklahoma its first victory in College Station since 1903. The Aggies had a final chance to win the game when they took over on the Oklahoma 44 with 1:33 left, but Farris' fourth-down pass com- pletion fell five yards short of a first down and Oklahoma took over with 36 seconds left. The Sooners ran out the clock and breathed a collec- tive sigh of relief. KANSAS ST. 29, NEBRASKA 28: On a cold and snowy night, the Kansas State Wildcats got everything they were wishing for. The Wildcats not only edged a Nebraska team Team Purdue Northwestern .Michigan Ohio State Wisconsin Penn State Minnesota Iowa Illinois Indiana Michigan State Big Ten 5 2 5 2 5 2 52 2-yard touchdown run Griffin with 7:43 left. by fullback Quentin 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 Overall 7 3 7 3 7 3 8 2 7 4 4 7 5 5 3 8 5 5 3 7 5 5 " WEEKEND'S BEST HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED Associated Press Poll for week of November 6. Games updated through November 5. NEW AP TOP 25 DUCKEMT RUNS OVER PURDUE T.J. Duckett ran for 174 yards and a touchdown as Michigan State knocked off No. 9 Purdue. His efforts helped to keep Michigan State's bowl hopes alive. m, SEMINOLE PASSING ATTACK Chris Weinke threw for 324 yards and five touchdowns - three to Marvin Minnis - as No. 3 Florida State beat Wake Forest 35-6. The Seminoles continued to build up their confidence as they prepare for their showdown with the Gators. Their Orange Bowl dreams are still very much alive. IRISH RUNNER HAS CAREER DAY Tony Fisher ran for a career-high I nC . .-V- n t - tnttri . nA s C (first-place votes in parentheses) 1. Oklahoma 2. Miami (Fla.) 3. Florida State 4. Nebraska 5. Florida 6. Oregon 7. Washington 8. Virginia Tech 9. Purdue 10. Oregon State 11. Notre Dame 12. Nnrthwestem beat No. 23 Texas A&M 35.31 beat Pittsburgh 357 beat Wake Forest 35-6 lost to No. 16 Kansas St. 29-28 beat No. 21 S. Carolina 41-21 beat California 25-17 beat UCLA 35-28 beat Central Florida 44-21 lost to Michigan State 30-10 beat Arizona 33-9 beat Boston College 2&16 lost to Iowa 27-27 Texas Tech at Syracuse Florida Colorado (Nov. 24) at Florida State at Oregon State at Washington State Virginia Indiana Oregon at Rutgers Illinois TEAM 1. Oklahoma (70) 2. Miami (Fla.) 3. Florida State 4. Florida 5. Oregon 6. Washington 7. Virginia Tech 8. Oregon State 9. Kansas State 10. Nebraska 11. Notre Dame 12. Ohio State 9-0 8-1 10-1 9-1 10-1 9-1 9-1 9-1 9-2 8-2 7-2 8-2 PTS 1,774 1,690 1,629 1,551 1,490 1,429 1,328 1,263 1,124 1,101 1,006 957 PVS 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 10 16 4 11 13 THIS WEEKEND'S RESULTS Michigan 33, Penn State 11 Wisconsin 43, Indiana 22 Ohio State 24, llinois 21 Iowa 27, Northwestern 17 Michigan State 30, Purdue 10 Minnesota Idle SATURDAY'S GAMES Michigan at Ohio State, noon, ABC Iowa at Minnesota, 12:10 Illinois at Northwestern, 3:30 Indiana at Purdue, 3:30 Michigan State at Penn State. 3:30 I E : '' : T littr I I I }