The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 37

www.thejournalnews.com College Footbail ax The Journal News Friday, November 23, 2001 5C Illinois 34, Northwestern 28 IlllnOlj 13 I 15-28 3 14 17 i-34 TOP 25 Illinois makes BCS bid. ww i ft ir Ml FG Christofilakos 34, 4:11. Stcon Quarttr Ill-Hodges 2 pass from Kittner (Christofilakos kick), 14:00. NU-Simmons 20 pass from Kustok (kick failed), 11:18. Ill-Young 33 pass from Klttner (Christofilakos kick), 9:14.

NU-Schveighardt 3 pass from Kustok (Wasielewski kick), 6:06. Third Qiurtar III FG Gockman 52, 5:23. IIMJoyd 12 pass from Kittner (Christofilakos kick), 1:53. IIHJoyd 15 pass from Kittner (Christofilakos kick), :02. Fourth Quarter NU-Simmons 25 pass from Kustok (Wasielewski kick), 10:32.

NU-Patrick 41 pass from Kustok (Wasielewski run), 5:49. ri 4 First downs Rushesyards NU 25 42-201 266 1941-1 19 0233 00 4-33 II 32 47183 387 3343-1 35 4130 21 435 Comp-AtUnt Return Yards Punts-Avg. Fumbleslost Penalties-Yards Tit Time of Possession 26:41 33:19 ill V' INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Victory over Northwestern gives Illini at least a share of Big Ten title The Associated Press CHAMPAIGN, 111. Illinois players jumped into the crowd, danced on the field and then made their way to the gold trophy marking their first Big Ten title in more than a decade. Now they wait to see where that trophy takes them.

The No. 10 Illini earned at least a share of the conference crown with a 34-28 victory over Northwestern yesterday. "We had one goal and that was to win the Big Ten championship. This team was not going to let anything derail them from that goal," coach Ron Turner said. The Illini (10-1, 7-1 BigTen) finished with their best regular-season record since the 1983 Rose Bowl team and are still in the hunt for a Bowl Championship Series bid.

Illinois will win the Big Ten outright and the automatic BCS bid if Michigan loses to Ohio State tomorrow. If the Wolverines win, Illinois could still receive an at-large BCS bid, but would likely need some help. Turner said the Illini have done enough on their own. "Do we deserve to be in a BCS game? Yeah, we do," he said. "We're 10-1, and our only loss is against a top-10 team.

There's no question about it." As they have all season, the Illini beat the Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) on a standout performance by senior quarterback Kurt Kittner. The four-year starter mixed short passes with a handful of long throws to complete 33 of 43 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns. He also had one interception. "We were consistent the entire game. We didn't have to rely on big plays all the time," said Kittner, who became the school's win-ningest quarterback with the victory.

"It was one of my best games." The Illini led 34-13 early in the fourth quarter then hung on as Northwestern scored twice to make it close. fl 'V l( If 1 RUSHINO-Normwestem, Stuckey 22-127, Simmons 1-35, Kustok 16-32, Wright 2-5, Patrick 1-2. Illinois, Harvey 19-96, Davis 24-79, Uoyd 1-8, Kittner 2-4, team Mminus 4). PASSING-Nortlmestem, Kustok 19-41-1-266. Illinois, Kittner 3343-1-387.

RECEIVING-Northwestem, Simmons 5-95, Stuckey 431, Patrick 363, Aikens 3-26, Schweighantt 2-14, Foster 1-30, Witherspoon 1-7. Illinois, Uoyd 12-140, Young 7-123, Harvey 3-38, Moorehead 3-23, Hodges 3-18, lewis 2-29, Davis 2-12, McClellan 14. Fordham 41, Columbia 10 CotomUa 7 3 I 0-10 ForMaa 14 10 It 7-41 First Quart Col-McCall 1 run (Warren kick), 11:59. Ford-Dudley 10 run (Colsant kick), 9:32. Foid-Oudley 43 pass from Carney (Colsant kick), 6:47.

Second Quarter Ford FG Colsant 28, 14:56. Col-FG Warren 24, 7:54. Ford-Johnson 7 pass from Carney (Colsant kick), 2:53. Third Quarter Ford-Whyte 6 pass from Carney (Colsant kick). 10:56.

Ford-FG Colsant 19, 7:38. Fourth Quarter Ford-Modebki 15 pass from Carney (Colsant kick), 13:18. The Associated Press Northwestern 's Marvin Ward almost intercepts a pass intended for Brandon Lloyd. The Associated Press Although the last five Nebraska-Colorado games have been decided by a total of 15 points, Eric Crouch and the Huskers are Qpoint favorites. TODAY'S MATCHUPS No.

2 Nebraska (ll-O) at No. 14 Colorado (8-2) TimeTV: Una: Nebraska by 9V4 Outlook: Colorado is a win away from Big 12 championship game. The Cornhuskers are two wins away from a spot in the national championship game in the Rose Bowl. With QB Craig Ochs still hobbled by ankle injury, the Buffaloes will go with Bobby Pesavento. Hell have help behind him from a running back foursome led by Cortlen Johnson, who had a big game against Nebraska last season.

LB Jamie Burrow will lead the Cornhuskers' effort against Buffs' ground attack. CB Keyuo Craver will be waiting if Pesavento lets any passes go astray. Colorado defensive line, featuring Justin Bannan and Tyler Brayton, must be stellar to contain Nebraska QB Eric Crouch and I-back Dahrran Diedrick. Huskers TE Tracey Wistrom has battled a sore knee but will continue to play. No.

Texas (9-1) at Texas (7-3) TimeTV: NoonABC Line: Texas by 13 Outlook: Texas must win and get help from Oklahoma State to play for the Big 12 title. An at-large BCS berth might be a more realistic goal. QB Chris Simms has been on a tear since the Oklahoma loss. WRs Roy Williams and J. Johnson are his top targets.

Simms must keep the ball away from Aggies DB Sammy Davis. has struggled to find consistent running game. Nagging injuries to RB Derek Farmer haven't helped. QB Mark Farris will have to find passing lanes against tough Longhorn secondary anchored by Quentin Jammer and Nathan Vasher. No.

17 Louisville (10-1) at TCU (4-5) TimeTV: 6ESPN Une: Louisville by 8 Outlook: Already Liberty Bowl-bound, Louisville goes for a perfect C-USA record and tries to protect its national ranking. The Homed Frogs must win their last two to avoid a losing campaign. Cardinals QB Dave Ragone and WR Deion Branch are clicking. TCU CBs Marvin Godbolt and Jason Goss will try to slow them down. Frogs QB Casey Printers is most effective with quick, short throws.

Hell need those skills against the Louisville defensive line, led by Dewayne White and Michael Josiah. San Jose State (3-7) at No. 23 Fresno State (9-2) Time: 4 Line: Fresno State by 28 Outlook: More big numbers are likely for Bulldogs QB David Carr Co. No. 24 Arkansas (7-3) at LSU (6-3) TimeTV: Line: LSU by Outlook: LSU is back in the West Division race in the Southeastern Conference, needing to win its last two.

The Razorbacks must beat LSU and hope the Tigers beat Auburn next week to play for the SEC championship. The Arkansas offense has found identity with a multifaceted rushing attack QB Matt Jones (6-5, 215 pounds) is hard to bring down, and TBs Fred Talley and Cedric Cobbs are performing well. LSU LB Trev Faulk figures to have a busy day. The Tigers will send TB LaBrandon Toefield against Arkansas LB Jermaine Petty, who will try to clog the inside. WR Josh Reed could help open things for LSU.

Combined wire services Illinois took a seven-point late lead in the third quarter on John Gockman's 52-yard field goal, then forced Northwestern to punt on its next possession. "We came to win today and we prepared to win, but Illinois made the big plays when they needed them just like they have all season," Northwestern defensive end Napolean Harris said. Northwestern threatened Illinois late in the game with two touchdown passes from Zak Kustok, and had a chance with the ball on its own 12 with 2:18 remaining. However, the Wildcats failed to get a first down, missing on four straight pass plays, and Illinois ran out the clock. It was the sixth-straight loss of the season for the Wildcats.

Kustok was 19 of 41 for 266 yards with four touchdown and one interception. Tor-ri Stuckey ran for 122 yards on 20 carries. "It was disappointing. We gave ourselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Illinois made the plays that champions make," coach Randy Walker said.

Illinois will likely play in the Citrus Bowl if the school is shut out of the BCS. "Now that we've won the Big Ten if time to move on the bigger and better things," Illini receiver Brandon Lloyd said. Col Ford First downs 19 22 Rushesyards 43150 38169 Passing 120 294 CompMnt 19-26-1 16-22-0 Return Yards 1 48 PuntsAvg. Fumbles-Lost 2-2 1-0 Penalties-Yards 2-14 6-60 Time of Possession 33:59 26:01 Carney helps Fordham rout Columbia, 41-10 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING-Columbia. Reese 21-100, Hunsberger 945.

Columbia, Watson 23-119, Gaskin 421, Dudley 1-10, House 310. PASSING-Columbia, McCall 12-16-1-72, Hunsberger 7-10MM8. Fordham, Carney 16-22-0-294. RECEtVlNG-Columbia, Chmelka Ml, Reese 414, Van Zant 2-20, Peck 2-5. Fordham, Dudley 7-159, Porco 2-39.

Scores for the Rams, the first on a 10-yard run at 9:32 of the first quarter that made it 7-7, and the second on a 43-yard pass from Carney at 6:47 that gave Fordham a 14-7 lead. Brian Colsant kicked field goals from 28 and 19 yards for Fordham, which posted its best record since returning to I-AA in 1989. The Rams were 9-2 in 1988, their last year in Division III. Jeff McCall's 1-yard run at 11:59 of the for Sept. 15, but was postponed following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

Carney's four scoring passes gave him 27 for the season, bettering the mark of 19 set by Steve O'Hare in 1998. He connected on 16 of 22 for 294 yards, giving him 2,700 for the season and erasing the mark of 2,687 set in 1995 by Joe Moor-head. Fordham also snapped a five-game losing streak against the Lions (3-7), who still lead the series 8-2. Javarus Dudley scored two touchdowns Rams' QB sets records for TDs and passing yards The Associated Press NEW YORK Mark Carney threw four touchdown passes and set two school records in leading Fordham to a 41-10 victory yesterday over Columbia at Rose Hill. Fordham (74) extended its winning streak to five in the season finale for both teams.

The game was originally scheduled EAST Fordham 41, Columbia 10 SOUTH ETSU 34, VMI 23 Morris Brown 42, Clark Atlanta 38 Tennessee St. 64, Jackson St. 33 Tuskegee 31, Alabama St. 27 MIDWEST Illinois 34, Northwestern 28 SOUTHWEST Nicholls St. 28, Arkansas St.

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