Big Fourth Quarter Lifts Minnesota

A 20-0 fourth quarter by Minnesota keyed a 44-20 Big Ten victory over Indiana Saturday at Minneapolis as the Gophers (7-3, 4-3) reached seven victories for the first time since 1985. Indiana (4-6, 3-4) is assured of its fifth consecutive losing season.

Thomas Hamnerhad 174 yards in 34 carries and quarterback Billy Cockerhamran for 111 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota.

Defensively, the star was cornerback Jimmy Wyrick. With Minnesota clinging to a 27-20 lead with 10 minutes left and Indiana driving, Wyrick, picked on all day by Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El, returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.

Randle El had gone 18 quarters without throwing an interception.

No. 17 Michigan State 34, Northwestern 0--The Spartans (8-2, 5-2) got a shutout over the Wildcats (3-7, 1-6) at Evanston, Ill., and T.J. Turner returned a fumble for a touchdown and intercepted a pass to set up another score, and Plaxico Burress had three touchdown receptions. Burress finished with five catches for 164 yards.