Big Ten Roundup : Northwestern Loses, 17-6, in Interim Coach’s Debut

Tracy Smith capped a 55-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge with three minutes to play at Evanston, Ill., Saturday, clinching a 17-6 victory for Duke over Northwestern.

The loss, Northwestern’s sixth straight dating back to last year, spoiled the debut of interim Coach Francis Peay, who took over for Dennis Green last spring.

Duke’s drive to its clinching touchdown started midway through the fourth quarter after Bill Lucas intercepted a Mike Greenfield pass.

Until Lucas’ interception, Duke had made only one first down in the second half. But the Blue Devil defense, led by linebacker Mike Junkin, repeatedly turned back Northwestern’s scoring threats.

Junkin twice stopped the Wildcats on fourth-and-one plays, once at the goal line on the first play of the fourth quarter. He had 15 tackles, 5 of which were solos, including 2 for losses.

“Northwestern had numerous opportunities to score in the second half, yet we didn’t yield,” Duke Coach Steve Sloan said. “Our defense did the job and stopped them in the scoring zone.”

Peay lamented his team’s missed opportunities and praised Duke’s defense.

“Give them credit. They are a very physical team and that’s what you have to be if you are going to be a factor,” Peay said. “We came in prepared, but it’s going to have to be for someone else to decide and assess to see what kind of job I did.”

Illinois 23, Louisville 0--At Champaign, Ill., Lynn McClellan scored on a two-yard run after Louisville fumbled away the opening kickoff, and Illinois glided to a nonconference victory.

Quarterback Shane Lamb added a 51-yard touchdown pass, and Chris Siambekos kicked three field goals for the Illini (1-0).

Illinois’ defense battered the Cardinals. Starting quarterback Ed Rubbert was sacked five times, then replaced by Jay Gruden, who was intercepted three times.

After McClellan put the Illini on the scoreboard two minutes into the game, Siambekos widened the margin to 10-0 with a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter. He then kicked a 29-yarder in the fourth quarter to give the Illini a 13-0 lead.

Lamb, who completed 13 of 24 passes for 223 yards, excited the rain-dampened crowd of 72,822 with his 51-yard touchdown pass to James Gordon later in the fourth quarter as Illinois pulled ahead, 20-0. Siambekos added a 36-yard field goal.