The Michigan Daily -- SportsMonday - September 23, 2002 - 5B
"A HORRIBLE WIN IS BETTER THAN A PRETTY LOSS."
-- JUNIOR RUNNING BACK CHRIS PERRY
WEEKEND'S BEST
HOW THE AP TOP 25 FARED
THE LAST STRAW FOR BOBBY?: Things
can't get much worse for Michi-
gan State coach Bobby Williams.
His Spartans lost their second
straight game at Spartan Stadium
Saturday, losing to Notre Dame,
21-17.
Michigan State looked to be in
control after an amazing touch-
down grab by Charles Rogers. He
was able to catch the ball with
Notre Dame cornerback Shane
Walton all over him, and then
plant his back foot into the end
zone for a score that lifted Michi-
gan State to a 17-14 lead with
1:45 left to play.
But the Michigan State defense
crumbled against freshman quar-
terback Pat Dillingham, who hit
Arnaz Battle for a 60-yard touch-
down pass to win the game on the
ensuing drive.
ESCAPE FROM CINCY: After steam-
rolling Washington State last
week in Columbus, the Buckeyes
probably didn't expect upstart
Cincinnati to be much of a test.
But without freshman standout
Maurice Clarett playing for Ohio
State, the Bearcats were able to
jump out to a 9-0 lead which
turned into a 12-7 lead at the half.
Ohio State fought back to take
the lead when Craig Krenzel
rushed for a six-yard touchdown
with 3:44 to play.
In a last-ditch effort to win the
game, two Cincinnati receivers
dropped passes in the end zone
from quarterback Gino Guidugli.
NEW AP
TOP 25
(first-place votes in parentheses)
Associated Press Poll for week of September 9.
Games updated through September 15.
Team:
1. Miami (Fla.)
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. Tennessee
5. Florida State
6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Georgia
9. Oregon
10. Florida
11. Southern Cal.
12. Notre Dame
13. Washington
14. Michigan
15. Penn State
16. Washington State
17. N.C. State
18. Nebraska
19. Texas A&M
20. UCLA
21. Iowa State
22. Wisconsin
23. California
24. Louisiana State
25. Kansas State
Last week:
beat Boston College 386
Bye
This
Bye
Sout
beat Houston 41-11 at Ti
lost to No. 10 Florida 30-13 Rutg
beat Duke 48-17 at Lc
beat Cincinnati 23-19 India
beat No. 19 Texas A&M 13-3 at W
beat Northwestern State 45-7 New
beat Portland State 41-0 Bye
beat No. 4 Tennessee 30-13 Kent
lost to No. 25 Kansas State 27-20 Oreg
beat Michigan State 21-17 Bye
beat Wyoming 38-7 Idaho
beat Utahl10-7. atlIll
beat Louisiana Tech 49-17 lowa
beat Montana State 45-28 at CE
beat Texas Tech 51-48 (OT) Mas
lost to No. 17 Southern Cal 40-3 at UC
lost to No. 7 Virginia Tech 13-3 Louis
lost to Colorado 31-17 at S
beat Troy State 42-12 Nebr
beat Arizona 31-10 Bye
lost to Air Force 23-21 Wash
Bye Miss
beat No. 11 Southern Cal. 27-20 Bye
week:
h Florida
ulane
gers
ouisville
ana
estern Michigan
Mexico State
ucky
on State
10
inois
alifornia
sachusetts
CLA
siana Tech
an Diego State
aska
bington State
sissippi State
TEAM
1. Miami (Fla.) (69)
2. Oklahoma (3)
3. Texas (2)
4. Florida State
5. Virginia Tech
6. Ohio State
7. Florida
8. Georgia
9. Oregon
10. Notre Dame
11. Tennessee
12. Penn State
13. Washington
14. Michigan
15. Kansas State
16. Washington State:
17. N.C. State
18. Southern Cal.
19. Iowa State
20. Nebraska
21. Wisconsin
22. Louisiana State
23. Oregon State
24. Texas A&M'
25. Colorado State
4-0
3-0
3-0
4-0
4-0
4-0
3-1
3-0
4-0
4-0
2-1
3-0
2-1
3-1
4-0
3-1
5-0
2-1
4-1
3-1
5-0
2-1
4-0
2-1
3-1
PTS
1,845
1,717
1,699
1,661
1,501
1,436
1,369
1,312
1,213
1,170
1,070
998
887
805
732
668
657
528
485
477
470
255
228
207
189
PVS
1
2
3
5
7
6
10
8
9
12
4
15
13
14
25
.16
17
11
|21
18
22
24
19
Dropped Out:.No. 20 UCLA,
No. 23 California
Notre Dame's Amaz Battle
i
AP PHOTO
Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers makes an acrobatic fourth quarter touchdown catch to give the Spartans a 17-
14 lead. But the Irish marched down field on the ensuing drive to perform their own dramatics, and win the game 24-17.
SCOUTINC THE NATION
THE DAILY'S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The week's edition features three players that had to prove themselves this
season - North Carolina State's T.A. McClendon, Colorado's Chris Brown and
Florida's Rex Grossman. While Brown and Grossman were expected to help
their team compete for the national title, heralded freshman McClendon was
expected to take some of the offensive weight from Philip Rivers' shoulders.
On Saturday, all three proved that they can play how they are expected to.
T.A. MCCLENDON,
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Why McClendon?: As analysts go ga-
ga for Ohio State freshman Maurice
Clarett, North Carolina State's T.A.
McClendon is not ready to give
Clarett the title of "Best true fresh-
man running back." McClendon
rushed for 150 yards and an amazing
five touchdowns in the Wolfpack's 51-
48 victory over Texas Tech in Lub-
bock. McClendon had been splitting
carries with Gregory Golden, but he
made the most of his opportunity to
be the featured back against the Red
Raiders. McClendon won the game for
North Carolina State in overtime with
a bruising 10-yard run for the game's
final score.
N.C. State's T.A. McClendon
CHRIS BROWN
COLORADO
Why Brown?: Colorado and running
back Chris Brown had been a disap-
pointment entering Saturday's game
against UCLA. All that changed as
Brown rushed for 188 yards and three
touchdowns in the Buffaloes 31-17 vic-
tory over the Bruins in Los Angeles.
Before Saturday, Brown and Colorado
had underachieved, losing to Southern
Cal. and Colorado State. But in typical'
Colorado fashion, it quelled its naysay-
ers with Saturday's empahtic win after.
two early losses. Although the Buf-
faloes can find solace in the win, a for-
mindable Big 12 schedule is just
around the corner, and in order repeat
as champions, Colorado will need
Brown to continue his terrific play. Colorado's Chris Brown
REX GROSSMAN,
FLORIDA
mf, q Why Grossman?: A preseason Heis-
man trophy candidate, quarterback
Rex Grossman had yet to show his
< chops until a rain-soaked day in
Knoxville, Tenn. While the Volunteers
suffered from miscues and four first
half turnovers, Grossman and the
Gators built up an insurmountable 24-
0 first half lead. Grossman ended the
game with 324 yards passing and
three touchdowns.
With his performance he partially
redeemed himself, his team and new
coach Ron Zook, by proving that
Florida can play against top-ranked
opponents. He also threw his name
back into the wide-open Heisman
race. With the help of wide receiver
Florida's Rex Grossman Taylor Jacobs, Grossman should con-
AP PHOTOS tinue his incredible play.
GAME PROGRESSION
First Quarter:
The Wolverines miss a golden
opportunity to score when Chris
Perry fumbies in the end zone,
turning the ball over. The play was
set up by a 27-yard interception
return by safety Julius Curry and a
7-yard rush by kicker Phil Brabbs
on a fake field goal attempt at the
Utah 10-yard line.
The Wolverines finally capitalize on
good field position as John
Navarre connects with Braylon
Edwards on two big pass plays,
including a 12-yard touchdown
with 1:36 left in the first quarter.
Brabbs makes the point after
touchdown.
Michigan 7, Utah O
Second Quarter:
Two lengthy runs by fullback B.J.
Askew and tailback Tim Bracken
set up a 37-yard field goal attempt
for Brabbs. Brabbs connects for
his only make on the day to extend
Michigan's lead with 4:24 to go
before half.
Michigan 10, Utah O
Thanks to an impressive punt return
by Julius Curry, Michigan is left with
solid field position at Utah's 43 to
start a drive late in the half. But after
an 18-yard scamper by Navarre, the
Wolverines squanders another
opportunity to break the game open.
An unsuccessful run by Bracken
and a 3-yard screen pass to Askew
set up a bad snap from shotgun.
Navarre fell on the fumble, but the
Wolverines lose 11 yards on the
play and are taken out of field goal
range.
Finley punts 37 yards into the end
zone, resulting in a touchback.
Michigan 10, Utah O
Third Quarter:
Another lengthy drive for Michigan
results in zero points for the
Wolverines. Starting at their own
20, the Wolverines drive 45 yards
on 13 plays, taking the ball to the
Utes' 35-yard line. But the drive
stalls after two straight incomple-
tions by Navarre, setting up
Brabbs' pooch punt that roiled
harmlessly into the end zone.
Michigan 10, Utah O
Fourth Quarter:
After 51 minutes of action, Utah's
offense finally crosses midfield -
and it pays off. The Utes cap off a
seven-play, 80-yard drive with a 29-
yard touchdown pass from Lance
Rice to receiver Travis LaTandresse.
The score put Utah in striking dis-
tance with 5:58 remaining in the
game.
Borreson made the extra point.
Michigan 10, Utah 7
A defensive stand by Utah forces.
Michigan to punt. The Utes get the
ball at their own 26-yard line with
just under two minutes to go.
But two straight holding calls
force Utah into 1 st and 29 from
their own 16-yard line. Rice hits
two completions to get Utah back
to the original line of scrimmage.
But the drive falls short when
Julius Curry intercepts a fourth-
down pass by Rice.
Navarre kneels and runs out the
clock.
Michigan 10, Utah 7
NEWS AND NOTES
Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers made
what might have been the most memorable play from this
young season Saturday when he caught an improbable
touchdown pass that gave the Spartans a 17-14 lead.
But he also made some college football history.
Rogers tied an NCAA record by catching a touchdown
pass in his 12th straight regular-season game. The record
is shared by Marshall's Randy Moss, Michigan's Desmond
Howard and Pacific's Aaron Turner. Including last year's
Silicon Valley Bowl, Rogers has caught TD passes in 13
consecutive games. The NCAA does not count
postseason games toward records.
Bowling Green quarterback Josh Harris and running back
Joe Alls were among 22 Falcons who were stuck in a hotel
elevator for 20 minutes before a 39-16 victory over Kansas.
Brigham Young tailback Marcus Whalen, the No. 6
rusher in the country, left Saturday's game against
Georgia Tech with a pulled groin. He went to the
lockerroom midway through the second quarter, and he
didn't expect to return.
Alabama senior running back Ahmaad Galloway's
career is ending sooner than he expected. Galloway tore
ligaments in his knee Saturday in Alabama's 20-7 win
over Southern Mississippi.
Galloway is a senior who already has one redshirt year,
and he's played in too many games this season to apply
for a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA.
Under NCAA rules, players can use the waiver to seek an
extra year of eligibility only if they have played in 20 per-
cent or fewer of their team's games. Galloway has played
in four games, 31 percent of the Crimson Tide's 13-game
schedule.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Colorado earned its first big win of the year Saturday
with a 30-17 victory at UCLA, but Buffaloes' coach
Gary Barnett was not exactly on cloud-nine,
"At least this week, I'm not going to go home and kick
my dog," he said.
In the third quarter of Saturday's 30-13 Florida win,
Tennesse public relations agent Bud Ford lost track of
how many fumbles his beloved Vols had tallied.
"Was that the eighth or the ninth" he said.
Wisconsin earned its fifth win of the young season
against Arizona 31-10. After a couple of ho-hum show-
ings, the Badgers looked good enough to quarterback
Brooks Bollinger.
"There's been some concern about not playing our
best football, yada, yada, but right now we're sit-
ting 5-0," he said.
Wyoming (0-4) surpassed its school record for most con-
secutive losses, set during the 1930 season.
"I think everybody has sold us out for dead," said
Wyoming linebacker Tyler Gottschalk, who led the team
with 16 tackles against Washington. "But I don't think
we're dead."
Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson came off the
bench to lead the Wildcats to a 27-20 upset over
Southern Cal. But coach Bill Snyder was not
impressed.
"As of right now, he's one of our quarterbacks," said
Snyder, who graded Roberson's performance "some-
where between average and C-minus."
AP PHOTO
Illinois' Brandon Lloyd.
WHO'S NEXT:
ILLINOIS
Illinois, the defending Big Ten champi-
ons has fallen on some hard times with
a 1-3 start. The Fighting Ililini were
embarrassed at home in a 38-35 loss
to San Jose State on Saturday. But the
Kurt Kittner-less Illini hope to bounce
back against the Wolverines this Satur-
day and avenge their 45-20 loss at the
Big House last season.
BIG TEN STANDINGS
9
Crowded
at the top
Now three weeks into the sea-
son, there is finally some sepa-
ration between The Michigan
Daily football writers. Horn lost
his stranglehold on first place
after Phillips dropped an 11-4
showing this week. They are
now tied for the lead at seven
games above .500.
The difference was made when
Phillips was the only writer to
pick Utah against Michigan
and an underrated Kansas
State team against an overrat-
ed Southern Cal. team.
Smith and McCollough both
able tchgatt lativg
STAFF PICKS
WEEK 3 SELECTIONS
ALL PICKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD.
CORRECT PICKS IN BOLD.
MICHIGAN (-9.5) vs. Utah
WIsCONSIN (-5.5) vs. Arizona
PENN STATE (-14.5) vs. Louisiana Tech
PURDUE (-10) vs. Wake Forest
MiCHIGAN STATE (-2) vs. Notre Dame
ILLINoIS (-23) vs. San Jose State
Ohio State (-17) at CINCINNATI
IowA (-21.5) vs. Utah State
David
Horn
Michigan
Wisconsin
Penn State
Purdue
Michigan State
San Jose State
Cincinnati
Iowa
J. Brady
McCollough
Team
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Ohio State
Penn State
Michigan
Iowa
Michigan State
Purdue
Northwestern
Indiana
Illinois
Big Ten
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
Joe
Smith
Jeff
Phillips
Michigan Utah Mchigan
Arizona Wisconsin Wisconsin
Penn State enn State Louisiana Tech
Purdue Purdue Purdue
Notre Dame Mkchigan State Michigan $tate
Illinois Illinois Illinois
Ohio State CIn InnatI Ohk: St.e
Iowa Iowa Utah State
THIS WEEKEND'S RESULTS
MICHIGAN 10, Utah 7
OHIO STATE 23, CINCINNATI 19
Notre Dame 21, MICHIGAN STATE 17
PENN STATE 49, Louisiana tech 17
WISCONSIN 31, Arizona 10
MINNESOTA 41, Buffalo 17
IowA 48, Utah State 7
Wake Forest 24, PURDUE 21
NORTHWESTERN 49, Navy 40
INDIANA 39, Central Michigan 29
San Jose St. 38, ILLINoIS 35
Overall
5 0
4 0
4 0
3 0
3 1
3 1
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
1 3
I
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