Illini Rally to Win Again

Another miserable start, another comeback win for No. 15 Illinois.

Illinois overcame two Penn State kick returns for touchdowns by intercepting four passes in a 33-28 victory Saturday at Champaign, Ill.

“We showed heart and character. Our guys did not panic,” Coach Ron Turner said.

The Illini, 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten, might not have, but their fans were close to it after Larry Johnson returned a kickoff 97 yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 3:29 remaining. It was the only touchdown of the second half for the Nittany Lions (3-5, 2-4).

Illinois got the ball back on its 20. After two incompletions, Kurt Kittner found Brandon Lloyd open on the sideline for a 30-yard completion and connected with Aaron Moorehead for 13 yards.

Illinois then ran five times, the last a 13-yard touchdown run by Rocky Harvey for the winning score with 1:19 remaining.

“This team has the attitude that they’re not going to be denied no matter what happens, no matter what is thrown at them,” Turner said. “Our guys get stronger as the game goes on and they keep wearing on people.”

This was the third consecutive game Illinois has trailed in the second half but rallied to win.

Cornerback Eugene Wilson had three of Illinois’ four interceptions. The third, a one-handed grab he returned 29 yards to the Penn State 15, set up a 31-yard field goal by Peter Christofilakos.

In addition to Wilson’s performance, Illinois sacked Penn State three times and forced the Nittany Lions into completing only 11 of 33 passes for 148 yards.

“We were doing really well early moving the ball and we just went downhill,” Coach Joe Paterno said. “We got tired.”

No. 12 Michigan 31, Minnesota 10--B.J. Askew and Chris Perry combined for 172 yards rushing and three touchdowns at Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Wolverines (7-2, 5-1) led just 14-10 at halftime, but scored 10 points on their first two second-half possessions and held the Gophers (3-6, 1-5) scoreless over the final 30 minutes.

Michigan won its 13th consecutive game over Minnesota, which means the Little Brown Jug trophy will remain in Ann Arbor.

Despite the lopsided win, Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr appeared unhappy with the play of quarterback John Navarre, who finished 12 of 22 for 144 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

Carr, who had a few animated discussions with Navarre, let backup quarterback Jermaine Gonzales play in the second quarter and allowed him to run several plays later in the game.

Indiana 37, No. 22 Michigan St. 28--Levron Williams ran for 251 yards and three touchdowns as Indiana rolled up 489 yards on the ground at East Lansing, Mich.

Antwaan Randle El ran for 149 yards and a touchdown and became the NCAA Division I-A career rushing leader among quarterbacks. Fullback Jeremi Johnson added 96 yards and a touchdown for the Hoosiers (3-5, 3-3).

Michigan State (5-3, 3-3) still needs one more win to become bowl eligible. Indiana kept its bowl hopes alive but will need to win its three remaining games to be eligible for the postseason.

Ohio St. 35, Purdue 9--Steve Bellisari threw three touchdown passes and Ohio State intercepted three passes and forced two safeties as the Buckeyes easily won at Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State (6-3, 4-2) can still share the conference title by winning its final two games.

Bellisari has been booed at home all season for his mediocre play. For the second game in a row, however, he made the big plays. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 263 yards without an interception.

Purdue (5-3, 3-3) struggled all game. Quarterback Brandon Hance completed 10 of 22 passes for 122 yards.

Iowa 59, Northwestern 16--Jeremy Allen scored three touchdowns and Kahlil Hill caught six passes for 133 yards at Evanston, Ill.

The Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-4) kept their bowl hopes alive by dominating the Wildcats, scoring on their first three possessions of each half.

Northwestern (4-5, 2-5), playing without leading rusher Damien Anderson, who has a dislocated shoulder, lost its fourth in a row.