Wisconsin Sidesteps an Upset

Not this year, Cincinnati.

Eddie Faulkner, subbing for the nation’s second-leading rusher, scored on a spinning 16-yard run in overtime as No. 4 Wisconsin beat Cincinnati, 28-25, Saturday at Madison, Wis., to avoid a second consecutive loss to the Bearcats.

The Bearcats (2-1) were about to beat Wisconsin again when Faulkner bounced off the line and spun away from safety DeJuan Gossett, who had him by the sleeve.

“I thought we let one slip away,” Cincinnati Coach Rick Minter said.

As Faulkner pranced into the end zone, the Badgers (3-0) stormed the end zone, relieved after their third consecutive close call.

“I don’t even remember the last run, to tell you the truth,” Faulker said. “I just remember coming to the line of scrimmage and seeing the opening. When the safety rubbed off, I was like, ‘I’ve got to get in now if it’s one on one.’ ”

A loss to the Bearcats would have been devastating to the Badgers, but not as stunning as last year’s 17-12 stumble. This time, the Badgers were depleted by suspensions and the Bearcats, fresh off a victory over Syracuse, were strengthened by experience and a 2-0 start.

In addition to star running back Michael Bennett, the Badgers were without their two best defensive players, tackle Wendell Bryant and All-American cornerback Jamar Fletcher, and their top two receivers, Chris Chambers and Nick Davis.

They were among a dozen players who served suspensions for receiving unadvertised discounts at a shoe store.

The Badger suspensions end after next Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Northwestern.

No. 17 Ohio State 27, Miami (Ohio) 16--A 3-0 record is about all that’s perfect about the Buckeyes, who did not play well in a victory at Columbus, Ohio, over the RedHawks (2-1).

Jonathan Wells ran for two touchdowns--including the clinching score after a Miami penalty in the fourth quarter.

Through wins over Fresno State, Arizona and the RedHawks, the Buckeyes have shown flashes of talent and strength but have also been stalked by mistakes, penalties and dumb plays.

“I could get up here and alibi about how we played and moan and complain about it. Instead I’d rather credit Miami,” Ohio State Coach John Cooper said.

No. 20 Texas Christian 41, Northwestern 14--LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns in 39 carries for the Horned Frogs (2-0) beat the Wildcats (2-1) in a nonconference game at Fort Worth, Texas.

Tomlinson ran for 125 yards in 17 carries in the first half, and had a 34-yard touchdown run nullified by a holding penalty. Near the end of the third quarter, Tomlinson also had a 74-yard touchdown run negated by a holding call.

No. 22 Michigan State 13, Missouri 10--T.J. Duckett ran for 131 yards and a touchdown as the Spartans (2-0) beat the Tigers (1-2) at Columbia, Mo.

David Schaefer’s 27-yard field goal with 10:48 to go was the difference.

The Spartans, with freshman Jeff Smoker starting at quarterback in place of injured Ryan Van Dyke, struggled against Missouri, which was coming off a 62-9 loss at Clemson.

Minnesota 34, Baylor 9--Thomas Tapeh, a 228-pound freshman, ran for 183 yards and caught a touchdown pass as the Gophers (2-1) wore down the undersized Bears (1-1) at Waco, Texas, in the first meeting between the two schools.

Baylor lost junior quarterback Greg Cicero, who was hit hard by Karon Riley and suffered a broken collarbone in the first quarter. Cicero, from Anaheim Servite High and Palomar College in San Marcos, will miss six to eight weeks.

Iowa State 24, Iowa 14--Sage Rosenfels completed 17 of 26 passes for 228 yards and ran for two touchdowns at Iowa City as the Cyclones (3-0) knocked off the Hawkeyes (0-3) for the third year in a row. It is Iowa State’s longest winning streak in the series since 1980-82. Iowa leads the rivalry, which began in 1894, 33-15.

Kentucky 41, Indiana 34--Matt Layow scooped up a fumble and returned it 21 yards for the game-winning touchdown as Wildcats (2-1) beat the Hoosiers (0-2) at Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky’s Jared Lorenzen completed 33 of 48 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns.