10A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 25, 2001 Crucial games abound on Big Ten schedule Wolverines get spark from freshman duo By Josh Holman For The Daily When last week's games saw several upsets and Penn State coach Joe Pater- no finally tie the NCAA's all-time Divi- sion I-A win record, only one thing was confirmed in the Big Ten: It's unpre- dictable. Michigan is the only Big Ten team still undefeated in conference play as it heads to Iowa. Illi- nois, Purdue and ACROSS Ohio each all own one loss, but by no the Big Ten means do they have easy schedules remaining. NORTHWESTERN (2-2 BIG TEN, 4-2 OVERALL) AT No. 20 PURDUE (2-1, 41), 12:10 P.M. ESPN2: Northwestern opened the season as a contender for the Big Ten title. Now it finds itself in the middle of the pack, hoping to remain in contention for a bowl game. The Wildcats have suffered their share of heartbreak losses this season, includ- ing last week's 38-35 loss to Penn State. The Wildcats have proved they can put an efficient offense on the field, led by senior quarterback Zak Kustok. Kus- tok is the Big Ten leader in total offense, compiling 1,430 passing yards, along with 359 yards on the ground. But Northwestern's defense will be the unit put to the test against Purdue. Purdue has had time to recover and prepare for Northwestern with a bye week after a 24-10 loss to Michigan two weeks ago. Freshman quarterback Brandon Hance has put up respectable numbers in his first season and should be able to strike against a Northwestern defense that has proved shaky. Even if Kustok and running back Damien Anderson execute up to the standards they're capable of, the Boiler- makers' defense should perform well enough to keep the Wildcats out of striking distance. Purdue has already pulled in 11 interceptions this year and could turn the game around quickly with a big turnover. This is a matchup that should produce a lot of points with Purdue ending up on top. Purdue 38, Northwestern 34 OHIO STATE (2-1, 4-2) AT PENN STATE (1-3, 1-4), 12:10 P.M. ESPN: Paterno should return home to a noisy Happy Valleythis week after finally tying Bear Bryant's all-time Division I-A win record at 323 last week against North- western. It took the Nittany Lions five tries to do it, but they now have some- thing to motivate them in an otherwise dismal season. Quarterback Zack Mills found run- ning back Eric McCoo from four yards out with 22 seconds remaining to finally put the Nittany Lions on the winning side of the scoreboard. Penn State was forced to come from behind five times, a fact that might be exciting for the fans, but can be upsetting for a coach. The Nittany Lions cannot fall behind and expect to stay competitive against By Michael Rosen For the Daily Zak Kustok's Northwestern team is off to; Ohio State, a team still very much in position to emerge as the conference champion. The Buckeyes' defense has been the driving force behind the team's success this year, rescuing an offense that has been sputtering. Even the home crowd in Columbus is aware of the offense's troubles - quarterback Steve Bellisari was booed repeatedly in last week's vic- tory over San Diego State. If the offense does come together for the Buckeyes, Paterno will find himself waiting again at least one more week for win No. 324. Ohio State 24, Penn State 7 MICHIGAN STATE (1-2, 3-2) AT WIS- CONSIN (2-2, 4-4), 12:10 P.M ESPN- PLUS: The Spartans suffered two losses at the hands of Minnesota last week. They lost the game 28-19, and lost A strong sense of optimism for the upcoming season looms in the mind of Michigan women's tennis coach Bitsy Ritt. Despite the loss of the three sen- iors - Marya Farah, Szandra Fuzesi and Allison Sinclair -- the Wolverines still have reason for hope. Key returning players, including jun- ior Joanne Musgrove and sophomore Chrissie Nolan, are looking to begin where they left off last year. AP PHOTO Ritt's squad will get a chance to see a disappointing Big Ten season what it can do at the 2001 Omni Hotel Regional Championships, which begin quarterback Ryan Van Dyke for at least today in Madison. All players will see three weeks after he fractured his jaw. action except for the two seniors, Lisa Now Michigan State faces the hefty So and Jennifer Vaughn, who have been task of winning at Camp Randall Stadi- plagued by a sprained ankle and torn um with Jeff Smoker taking the snaps. muscle, respectively. Junior running back T.J. Duckett will Even with these pestering inconven- have to post productive yards on the iences, Ritt claims that the team will get ground if Michigan State wants to put a good look at the competition it is up any pressure on Wisconsin. against this season. She is especially The Badgers boast the conference's excited to see what damage her fresh- leading rusher in Anthony Davis and man doubles duo will do, as Michelle leading receiver in Lee Evans. Davis DaCosta and Leanne Rutherford have has carried the ball more than any other already taken the Big Ten by surprise. running back in the conference and has The freshmen serve as a two-fold asset produced 922 yards, but Evan's 960 to the Wolverines. Ritt said that in addi- receiving yards show that the Badgers tion to their fundamentally sound singles can do more than just run the ball. The games, the two players have an even bet- combination will be too much for a ter doubles game. Recognizing their ver- Michigan State team that is allowing satility, Ritt paired them together. ' 22.8 points per game. Her keen attention to detail paid off, Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 17 as the newcomers won the Wolverine MADISON Who: Michigan at Omni Hotel Regional champi- onships Latest: The Wolverines will take on some of the best teams in the Midwest in Madison. Fall Invitational Doubles Tournament and proved themselves a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten. The new acquisitions have had a tremendous impact on the Wolverines even before the start of the regular sea- son, which begins at the end of January. In practice, they push their team- mates to a higher level of play as they consistently give Kavitha Tipirneni and Chrissie Nolan a run for their money. As a result, "We have a deeper line- up," Ritt said. There are several aspects of their game which make DaCosta and Ruther- ford so strong, For instance, the two have active communication. Instead of giving hand signals when on-serve, the two get together and talk after each point and discuss what their approach to the next point will be. In addition, their great hands and aggressiveness allow for a solid net game - they serve and volley extreme- ly well. Finally, their opponents cannot relax and assume that they will cruise through their own service games. DaCosta and Rutherford possess dominant return games, allowing them to rush the net and set up their forecourt game. i RESEARCH TECHNICIAN We are currently seeking a Research Technician to work in the Department of Physiology and Molecular Medicine. Responsibilities will include standard molecular biology techniques and tissue culture. Animal work involves gener- ating transgenic mice, maintaining a mouse colony, timed mating and dissections. Will also be responsible for con- ducting experimental research, ordering and maintaining reagents and materials. This is a full-time grant funded position. Qualified candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field. Must be able to keep accurate records, have knowledge of laboratory techniques, good interpersonal skills, work independently and be famil- iar with computers. We offer an excellent benefit package, which includes the Public Employees Retirement System with employee contribution, "medical coverage, paid sick and vacation time, tuition reimbursement and 10 paid holi- days. For more detailed information regarding vacancies and- additional benefits, please visit our website at www.mco.edu/depts/hr. For consideration, submit resume to: Human Resources Medical College of Ohio 3065 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614 EO/AA Employer M/F/DN e nwreQUIZ Please 8fse t~er oil iS or No- ESl1 9 will be and I]Kow 11 know exactly what my careerwt an lifen 1"It wll ae me happy for the rest of moylie 'it win mairmnppa t co family, M $. I do not feel stressed about school , fa te~brm p.erdo nal frelaion s or life in general r personl reated great short-term and longem golsfo msedand I am reachin~g them. o -i felo mpeit comfotablewith what is going on 4. I feel compity of in the world todayI want inife andIhave a I.1understandwhtIwninlfan hveapn to get there. life who is solely focused on 6. I have someone in myiachieve my goals. me and is helpina gefet job out there for me, .1low there wsat it is and how to get it. .l o erso arelations PsP are bringing me happiness and satisfaction.ow 9. I am one of the best communicators 1fo; people always listen to m eers and by my fam 10.1 feel respected by all of .y p NO Q Q Q Q rectlYto ausweedNOt anly' of these questilU",' C If you - - IUM H:LDKAMP/Daily The women's tennis team will face the cream of the Big Ten in Madison. Comoast High Speed Internet ~ ~ ~ I ~ / I 'til end of year. V 4 I ,~ I fl AP, "wk F F Nag