Big Ten Roundup : Defense Is the Key in Florida State’s 31-3 Win

The coach of the nation’s leading offensive team found himself crediting his defense Saturday after sixth-ranked Florida State downed Michigan State, 31-3, at East Lansing, Mich.

“Our defense was the key today,” Bobby Bowden said after the Seminoles’ fourth straight victory. “The defense kept Michigan State bottled up all game long. We keyed on (tailback Lorenzo) White and the quarterback (Bobby McAllister).”

While the Seminole defense was keeping Michigan State out of the end zone, Florida State flanker Ronald Lewis ran 56 yards on a reverse for one touchdown and made a diving catch for another to lead the offense.

Lewis’ first score, in the third quarter, broke open a 7-3 game. His second, on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Danny McManus, put the game out of reach.

Michigan State Coach George Perles made no bones about his team’s performance.

“We played a very poor game collectively. We got beat in the running game and the passing game,” he said. “We got beat by a better team. That’s how simple it is.

Asked if he invoked the name of legendary Michigan State Coach Duffy Daugherty, who died Friday, to try to inspire the Spartans, Perles said:

“I won’t use that. Duffy wouldn’t want to be involved in that, and I don’t want to be involved in that.”

The packed Spartan Stadium crowd grew silent briefly before the game in tribute to Daugherty.

Michigan State (1-2) failed to generate a consistent attack all day. The Spartans were forced to punt 12 times--a team record--and settled for only a 35-yard field goal from John Langeloh.

Iowa 38, Kansas St. 13--At Iowa City, Iowa, Kevin Harmon totaled 193 yards rushing and pass catching, and reserve quarterback Dan McGwire threw two touchdown passes to lead the 19th-ranked Hawkeyes in a game marred by 12 turnovers.

Iowa quarterbacks Chuck Hartlieb, Tom Poholsky and McGwire each threw a pair of interceptions, and Tony Stewart lost a fumble as the Hawkeyes (3-1) won despite seven turnovers.

McGwire completed 11 of 18 passes for 139 yards.

Kansas State, a heavy underdog, turned the ball over five times and fell to 0-3.

Indiana 20, Missouri 17--At Bloomington, Ind., Dave Schnell passed for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns to Ernie Jones, including the 25-yard game-winner with 1:21 remaining.

“I felt we could do pretty much anything passing-wise,” said Schnell, who hit 19 of 31 attempts.

The Tigers had taken a 17-13 lead with 3:49 left on a 1-yard touchdown run by Robert Delpino before the Hoosiers started the winning drive from their 21.

Jones, who also caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Schnell, totaled 9 receptions for 120 yards.

Indiana’s victory left both teams at 2-1 this season.

Minnesota 30, Central Michigan 10--Quarterback Rickey Foggie, making his 1987 debut after an NCAA-mandated two-game suspension, rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown to lead the Gophers in a nonconference game at Minneapolis.

Foggie, who was suspended after accepting a loan from assistant coach Larry Beckish and then not disclosing the information to NCAA officials, scored on a 33-yard run in the second quarter to break open a close game.

Linebacker Jon Leverenz was in on 12 tackles and intercepted a pass to lead the defense for Minnesota, which is off to its first 3-0 start since 1982. Central Michigan is 1-2, its worst start since 1982.

Wisconsin 30, Ball St. 13--Wisconsin’s Todd Gregoire kicked three field goals to set a Big Ten career record at Madison, Wis., as the Badgers defeated winless Ball State before a Camp Randall Stadium crowd of 51,825.

The Badgers (2-1) had all they could handle from Ball State (0-3) before breaking the game open in the fourth quarter.

Gregoire made field goals of 54, 26 and 28 yards to bring his career total to 56. He entered the game tied with Illinois’ Chris White (1983-85), who kicked 53.

His 54-yard field goal was a modern school record.

Northwestern 16, Northern Illinois 16--At Evanston, Ill., John Ivanik kicked a 36-yard field goal with six seconds to play to give Northern Illinois (1-1-1) a tie with Northwestern.

The Wildcats (0-2-1) had moved in front, 16-13, with 6:56 left on a 19-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mike Greenfield, who set a school record for career total yards with 5,468, moving past Sandy Schwab, who had 5,401.