BIG TEN ROUNDUP : Illinois Dominates at Ohio State, Again

As the Illinois players left Ohio Stadium with a 24-10 victory over 17th-ranked Ohio State Saturday, they yelled, “This is our home.”

For the fourth consecutive time, it was.

Jasper Strong caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Johnson on the last play of the third quarter to give Illinois the lead for good in winning for the fourth time in a row at Ohio Stadium.

Not since Illinois won its sixth in a row at Columbus in 1929 has a team won more than three consecutive games on Ohio State’s home field.

Ohio State Coach John Cooper, whose job security might be a little shakier because of the loss, said Illinois deserved to win.

“They completely dominated us in the fourth quarter, converting third down after third down after third down,” Cooper said. “We knew going in they had a good defensive team. They’re as good as advertised.”

During a conference call earlier in the week, Illinois linebacker Dana Howard guaranteed a victory. He did his part Saturday with 14 tackles, including two sacks, and also intercepted a pass deep in Illinois’ territory.

“They voted me captain and last Monday I said what I thought they wanted me to say,” Howard said. “The team backed me up today. It’s a team game and a team sport.”

Illinois, 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, came into the game leading the nation in total defense, allowing just 180 yards and eight points a game. Ohio State (4-2, 1-1) piled up 363 yards, but quarterback Bob Hoying threw three interceptions and the Illini came up with the big plays.

No. 24 Wisconsin 46, Northwestern 14--Terrell Fletcher carried 26 times for a career-high 186 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Badgers rallied behind their relentless rushing attack to defeat the Wildcats (1-3-1, 0-2) at Evanston, Ill.

The Badgers (3-2, 2-1) trailed, 14-10, at halftime but Fletcher took over. Teammate Brent Moss, who gained 145 yards in 19 carries for his 16th consecutive game of more than 100 yards, had to leave the game late in the third quarter because of a sprained ankle.

“After Brent went down I had to make some things happen,” Fletcher said. “I felt I could always do it and then I got the chance in the second half.”

Fletcher had 133 of his 186 yards in the second half, with 80 coming after Moss was sidelined.

It was the seventh time in their careers and third time this season that Moss and Fletcher had rushed for 100 yards in the same game.

When Moss went down, Fletcher was there to comfort him. “Brent and I are good friends,” he said. “He was screaming. We thought it was his knee and we felt better because it was just his ankle.”

Moss said he’s not sure if he can play next Saturday against Purdue.

Purdue 49, Minnesota 37--Mike Alstott rushed for a career-high 183 yards and scored four touchdowns, and Burt Thornton had nine receptions for 166 yards to lead the Boilermakers at West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue came from behind three times before breaking a 35-35 deadlock on a 48-yard run by Alstott, who also scored on runs of 38, 11 and two yards. With the victory, Purdue (4-1, 2-0) matches its best start since 1984 and avenged last season’s 59-56 loss to Minnesota.

Minnesota (2-4, 0-3) was led by Chris Dawkins, who had a career-high 234 yards in 31 carries, including scoring runs of 47 and seven yards, as the two teams produced 1,165 yards.