Virginia Wins Eighth in a Row, 30-10

Alvin Pearman ran for 104 yards, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and Virginia shut down Clemson, 30-10, in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Thursday night at Charlottesville, Va.

Pearman, who replaced Wali Lundy at tailback in the third quarter, scored on a two-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 23-10, then secured the victory with another two-yarder with 5:14 remaining.

No. 10 Virginia, 5-0 and 2-0 in the ACC, has won eight in a row and is ranked higher than at any point since it was No. 7 in 1998. Clemson (1-4, 1-3) lost its fourth in a row.

The Tigers drove 80 yards in six plays on their opening drive, but had only seven first downs and 131 yards thereafter.

The Cavaliers certainly looked ready after a slow start against the Tigers.

“When you drive it down like that in pretty convincing style, you’re expecting you can do it again,” quarterback Charlie Whitehurst said. “We didn’t.”

Instead, all the Tigers added was a 43-yard field goal by Jad Dean on their third possession -- a drive that covered only 16 yards. Connor Hughes had field goals of 21, 43 and 50 yards for Virginia and the Cavaliers rushed for 239 yards and passed for 225.

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Backup quarterback Damion Carter threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Otho Graves in overtime, giving Southern Mississippi a 35-29 victory over Houston in a Conference USA game at Hattiesburg, Miss.

The Golden Eagles (4-0, 3-0), who were outgained, 518-338, have won 12 conference games in a row. Kevin Kolb completed 19 of 36 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown for the Cougars (1-5, 1-3).

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The season appears over for suspended Arizona State running back Loren Wade. The Arizona Republic reported that the sophomore, who started the first three games for the Sun Devils (5-0), was under investigation for possible violations of NCAA rules surrounding the payment of a utility bill.

Wendy Adams, a former compliance assistant in the Arizona State athletic department, reportedly put her name on Wade’s account so he wouldn’t be responsible for a $200 deposit. The paper also said Wade was being investigated for borrowing Adams’ car. The school fired Adams after the discovery and confirmation of the utility bill.

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A U.S.-based group, Sports World Interactive, wants to stage a bowl game beginning in December 2005 in Toronto between teams from the Big East and Mid-American conferences. The plan won support form a committee of the Toronto Council.... Arizona Coach Mike Stoops suspended freshman defensive lineman Yaniv Barnett after his second arrest on marijuana possession charges.... Colorado junior linebacker Chris Hollis’ season is over because of a sprained neck he suffered two weeks ago in practice. Colorado tailback Bobby Purify (bruised shoulder) is expected to play Saturday against Oklahoma State.