BIG TEN ROUNDUP : Illini Offense Stalls, but Defense Stiffens to Key 21-3 Victory

Fifth-ranked Illinois remained unbeaten in Big Ten play, defeating Wisconsin, 21-3, Saturday at Madison, Wis.

Illinois Coach John Mackovic credited his team’s defense, which had to play well because the offense was not productive.

“Offensively we had way too many turnovers, but fortunately our defense did what was needed,” said Mackovic, whose team is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten. “They kept the pressure on Wisconsin’s quarterbacks, which reduced their effectiveness.”

Illinois fumbled five times and lost three, but the Illini defense also recovered four fumbles, held the Badgers (1-6, 0-4) to 15 yards rushing, and kept the pressure on Wisconsin quarterbacks Tony Lowery and Sean Wilson, who were sacked five times.

Lowery left the game in the third quarter with a bruised back.

Quarterback Jason Verduzco passed for two touchdowns and Wagner Lester ran for a third to lead the Illini offense.

Lester, who played high school football in Racine, Wis., said the Fighting Illini were not looking ahead to next Saturday’s showdown against Iowa, which holds a share of the Big Ten lead.

“I wouldn’t say we took Wisconsin lightly,” Lester said. “We just didn’t prepare for the physical game it turned out to be. They played real tough and came out and got right after us.”

Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez said Illinois’ defense was as tough as any the Badgers have faced this season. “They are confident and physical and that’s how you win football games--playing like that,” Alvarez said.

Verduzco threw a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shawn Wax to open the scoring on the first play of the second quarter. The Illini got the ball back three plays later when Lowery fumbled on the Badger 23 and Erik Foggey recovered.

Four plays later, Lester ran in from six yards out to give the Illini a two-touchdown advantage.

Wisconsin scored 26 seconds before the end of the first half on a 43-yard field goal by Rich Thompson. The field goal was set up by Scott Nelson’s interception and return to the Illini 33.

With a stiff wind and chilly temperatures affecting both teams, Illinois fumbled three times in the third quarter and the Badgers twice. Thompson also missed a 52-yard attempt in the quarter.

Illinois got its final touchdown on Verduzco’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Elbert Turner with 4:53 left in the game.

Illinois is now 9-1-1 in its last 11 meetings with Wisconsin.

No. 15 Iowa 56, Northwestern 14--Hawkeye tailbacks Nick Bell and Tony Stewart played only half the game at Iowa City, but Wildcat Coach Francis Peay saw about as much as he wanted.

“What did I think about the pair of Tony Stewart and Nick Bell? Thank God we play Iowa only once a year,” Peay said.

Matt Rodgers threw for two first-half touchdowns and Bell scored three times before halftime.

Iowa (6-1, 4-0) plays at Illinois next Saturday.

Northwestern (2-5, 1-3) dropped its 17th consecutive game to the Hawkeyes. The Wildcats haven’t won at Iowa City since 1971.

The Hawkeyes put the game away early by scoring touchdowns on five of their first six possessions, including 29 points in the second quarter. Coming into the game, Iowa had outscored its opponents 79-37 in the second quarter.

“Our backs, I thought, both Stewart and Bell ran extremely hard, breaking tackles, twisting and turning,” Iowa Coach Hayden Fry said. “They’ve done that in several ball games. I try to rotate them to keep them fresh.”

Bell gained 136 yards in 16 first-half carries, and scored the game’s first touchdown on a six-yard run. He also scored on runs of 16 and 26 yards in the second quarter to help Iowa build a 35-0 halftime lead.

Stewart, who rotates with Bell at tailback, carried 15 times for 122 yards before coming out early in the third quarter.

No. 20 Michigan 45, Indiana 19--Wolverine quarterback Elvis Grbac completed 14 of 18 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns as the Big Ten’s top offense manhandled the conference’s leading defense at Bloomington, Ind.

Michigan safety Tripp Welborne set up scores with a 60-yard punt return and a pass interception.

Jon Vaughn, the nation’s rushing leader, gained 91 yards--including a 47-yard touchdown run--despite sitting out much of the game with a sore ankle. Vaughn’s season rushing total is 1,011 yards.

The Wolverines improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers are 4-2-1 and 1-2-1.

Indiana got a touchdown late in the second quarter on an eight-yard pass from Chris Dyer to Rob Turner, who sprained his right ankle on the play, and on runs of one yard by Cal Miller and 16 yards by Vaughn Dunbar in the final quarter.

Michigan State 55, Purdue 33--Tailback Tico Duckett rushed for 210 yards in 34 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Spartans (3-3-1, 2-2) dominated the injury-riddled Boilermakers (1-6, 0-4) at East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State had 34 first downs and 423 yards rushing, while Purdue was held to six first downs and six yards rushing. But Purdue did manage 253 yards passing, most of it coming late.

Duckett scored on runs of two, 14, 15 and three yards. Hyland Hickson had 103 yards in 16 carries, including touchdown runs of one and six yards. Sebeatian Small scored on a one-yard run and John Langeloh kicked field goals of 24 and 33 yards for Michigan State.