Wisconsin Overcomes Adversity

Michael Bennett rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown as No. 4 Wisconsin survived the suspension of five starters in a lackluster 19-7 victory over Western Michigan on Thursday night at Madison, Wis.

Three hours before kickoff, Wisconsin said 26 players had been suspended from one to three games for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store. Eleven players served all or part of their suspensions against Western Michigan.

Receivers Chris Chambers and Nick Davis and offensive tackle Ben Johnson were the only offensive starters out Thursday. All-American cornerback Jamar Fletcher and linebacker Bryson Thompson were the missing defensive starters.

In the Badgers’ first game since the graduation of NCAA career rushing leader Ron Dayne, Wisconsin’s offense struggled to produce the methodical drives once led by the Heisman Trophy winner. Bennett got 30 carries but rarely broke into the Bronco backfield, and Wisconsin’s passing game was erratic.

No. 5 Miami 61, McNeese St. 14--Ken Dorsey threw three touchdown passes and Santana Moss gained 204 all-purpose yards as Miami easily defeated Division I-AA McNeese State at Miami.

The Hurricanes totaled 630 yards, most of it coming in the first half. Dorsey, Moss and many other starters sat out much of the second half while their backups picked up playing time.

OTHER GAMES

Sam Simmons had over 200 yards in kick returns to spark Northwestern’s 35-17 win over Northern Illinois at Evanston, Ill. . . . Rudi Johnson rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns to lead Auburn to a 35-21 win over Wyoming at Auburn, Ala. . . . Chanston Rodgers ran for three touchdowns as Marshall easily beat Division I-AA Southeast Missouri State, 63-7, at Huntington, W.Va. . . . Baylor ended a 16-game road losing streak with a 20-7 win over North Texas at Denton, Texas. . . . David Reaves threw a nine-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter as Division I-AA Appalachian State upset Wake Forest, 20-16 at Winston-Salem, N.C.