Miami of Ohio Gets Past Toledo, 23-16

Josh Betts threw for 295 yards, and Miami of Ohio’s defense forced four turnovers Tuesday night that helped set up a 23-16 Mid-American Conference victory over Toledo at Oxford, Ohio.

Miami (6-3, 5-1) scored 17 points off Toledo’s turnovers, then turned to its defense in the fourth quarter. Toledo (6-3, 5-1) reached the Miami 20-yard line in the closing minutes, but consecutive sacks of Bruce Gradkowski secured the victory.

Toledo’s final turnover, a fumble by Trinity Dawson, set up Miami’s go-ahead touchdown. Betts threw a 26-yard pass to Ryne Robinson, and Luke Clemens ran the final yard for a 23-16 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Quinton Broussard’s fumble at the Toledo 32-yard line set up Miami’s second field goal for a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Gradkowski’s two-yard sneak tied it later in the quarter, but the extra-point kick was blocked.

Flanker Lance Moore caught a screen pass and ran 36 yards to put Toledo ahead, 13-6, in the second quarter, but Miami tied it on Clemens’ seven-yard run, set up by another Toledo fumble.

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Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton is questionable for Saturday’s game at Iowa because of an injured left hip.

Orton was injured in last week’s 13-10 loss at Northwestern. He was benched for backup Brandon Kirsch in the third quarter, partly because he was injured and partly because he was ineffective.

Purdue Coach Joe Tiller said he was in no hurry to announce a starter for Saturday.

“We could hold it as long as game time,” Tiller said. “We will delay the decision as long as possible.”

Orton said he was feeling much better on Tuesday than he was against Northwestern, and he thought he would be ready to go for the game in his home state.

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California offensive coordinator George Cortez returned to work, a week after undergoing surgery to repair a detached retina.

Cortez, also the fourth-ranked Golden Bears’ quarterbacks coach, missed the team’s last two games. He will resume his role as coach Jeff Tedford’s top assistant this week in preparation for Saturday’s game against Oregon.

Cortez’s duties will be limited this week with the Bears, who have a three-game winning streak and their highest ranking since 1952. Tedford again limited his public appearances this week to focus his time on preparation.

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Florida State suspended Craphonso Thorpe for Saturday’s game against Duke because the receiver has missed too many classes, Coach Bobby Bowden said. Thorpe has a team-high 31 catches for 361 yards and one touchdown.... Kansas starting Adam Barmann, who hurt his right shoulder in Saturday’s loss to Iowa State, will not play again this season, the Kansas City Star reported.... Georgia Tech tailback P.J. Daniels, the second-leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference, has a bruised knee and will miss Saturday’s game against North Carolina State. Junior Chris Woods will get the start.