Quad-City Times from Davenport, Iowa • 68

TAG QUAD-CITY TIMES COLLEGE FOOTBALL 'Sunday, Nov. 30, 1997 NCAA DIVISION l-AA PLAYOFFS TOP OTCqJ 0B 1 -M1 ASSOCIATED PRESS Renaud celebrates with the crowd after a second-quarter touchdown. slam Nittany Lions tied it up," Michigan State coach Leathernecks use luck; Stecker for win By Craig Cooper QUAD-CITY TIMES MACOMB, 111. There wasn't much question before Saturday that the Western Illinois football team was good. The Leathernecks were 10-1 in the regular season, they beat Gateway Conference powers Youngstown State and Northern Iowa, and they have perhaps the best player in the country who will not receive a Heisman Trophy vote in running back Aaron Stecker.

Against Jackson State, though, the Leathernecks had to rely on thing else that has been on their side this season. Western was also fortunate against Jackson State while winning 31-24 for the Leathernecks' first-ever NCAA playoff victory Stecker, who rushed for 244 yards on 37 carries, turned one of them into the winning touchdown with just 37 seconds remaining after Jackson State lost a fumble attempting to pass. Western Illinois defensive end Dave Watson made a great individual play, knocking the ball from quarterback Grailyn Pratt, who was attempting to pass, and recovering himself. Passing in a game almost certainly headed for overtime might not sound like the conventional coaching wisdom. Jackson State coach James Carson explained it this way: "We were trying to win and not have to go to overtime.

So was Western. Like the cliche says, 'It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'" And Western loves Carson for that winner-takes-all attitude. first two plays after the turnover went for a combined 8 yardsv On third-and-2 from the 15, Stecker went to the line of scrim-mageand found a linebacker. He stopped, danced a bit and broke loose into the end zone. "We had it in our grasp, but we let it slip away," Carson said.

"When I saw him on field, I thought Stecker looked like Barry Sanders. That says a lot." He showed some of Sanders' elu-siveness for the touchdown that put Western into the quarterfinals at home Saturday y-tAlTweek, I talked about us having totstPP Aaron Stecker. We weren't effective, and that's why they won. We gave up too many yards," Carson said;" A year ago, Stecker was still a Wisconsin Badger. He transferred at the semester, becoming one of 14 transfers from Division I-A programs at Western.

Stecker rushed for 1,957 yards and 25 touchdowns in the regular season. Jackson State was effective against him in the first half, limiting the junior to 88 yards. Jackson State was still having some success limiting Stecker in the second half and was able to build a 24-14 lead before the cave-in came. Western Illinois scored two touchdowns and a field goal in the final 9 minutes, 15 seconds of the game. "This group of players feels like it can come back no matter what the score is," Western coach Randy Ball said.

"We did a great job of staying with the offense. We kept playing and kept trying." Immediately after the Southwest Athletic Conference champions scored to go ahead 24-14, Western Illinois went 71 yards in 6 plays with a huge lift from a running back other than Stecker. Former Davenport West prep Eric Rogers, called on when Stecker was banged up for the second time in the game, came up with one of the plays of the game for the Leathernecks. Rogers broke loose for a 34-yard run to the Jackson State 8. Stecker got well quickly and scored the touchdown from 8 yards up the middle.

"You get kind of nervous in that situation," Rogers said. "You hope you don't fumble, but you have to put all thoughts like that out of your head. What it comes down to is just doing what you have been trained to do." Rogers also had to return on the Leathernecks' next possession, which culminated with a 26-yard tying field goal by Keith Jones with 2:08 left. Rogers couldn't get in on first down from the 3. The tying kick seemed to take the pressure off the Leathernecks and put it squarely on Jackson State.

Jackson State, which gave up a touchdown late in the first half with an ill-advised pass attempt, essentially gave up the winner the same way when Watson stripped the ball with 1:23 left. The first big defensive play resulted from a coaching decision that even Carson admitted was highly questionable. Jackson State was in front 10-7 in the final seconds of the second quarter. Rather than just let the clock run out, a pass play was called. Jeff Blanch picked up a loose ball and went in from 10 yards out.

"In hindsight, with only 21 seconds before halftime, we should have just run down the clock," Carson said Instead of going in at the break down by a field goal, Western Illinois went in with a four-point lead. "That was a huge play," Ball said of Blanch's touchdown. Western Illinois, 0-3 previously in NCAA playoff games, now will host a quarterfinal game on Saturday. 1997 Western Illinois schedule Aug. 29 Western 41 Eastern Illinois 0 Sept.

6 Western 45, Truman State 18 Sept. 1 3 Western 31 Alcorn State 1 7 Sept. 20 Marshall 48, Western 7 Oct. 4 Western 45, Southern Utah 6 Oct. 11 Western 29, Northern Iowa 22 Oct.

18 Western 37, Indiana State 3 Oct. 25 Western 37, Southwest Missouri State 7 Nov. 1 Western 31, Southern Illinois 26 Nov. 8 Western 37, Illinois State 23 Nov. 22 Western 24, Youngstown State 21 Nov.

29 Western 31 Jackson State 24 Dec. 6 NCAA l-AA quarterfinal game in Macomb. The statistics Jackson Stat 7 3 7 7 24 Wssttm Illinois 7 7 0 17 31 First quarter Western Minois Jamatne Blaykx 20 pass from Jeff Heckhnski Keith Jones kick Drive 7 plays, 55 yards, 3 20. Time remaining 10 08 Key play Blayiock 22 run. Score Western Illinois 7-0.

Jackson State Carlos Knight 1 run Adam Harris kick. Drive 9 plays, 71 yards, 3 00 Time remaining 6 59 Key play Knight caught an 1 6-yard swing pass from quarterback Grailyn Pratt to convert a thtrdand-5 situation. Score Western Illinois 7, Jackson State 7. Second quarter Jackson State Hams 32 field goal Drive 1 3 plays. 67 yards, 3:54.

Time remaining 5 05 Key play Sylvester Morns made a great catch to turn a pass from designated passing quarterback Mark Washington into a 21 -yard gain to the Western Illinois 22. Score Jackson State 10-7. Western Illinois Jett Blanch 10 fumble return. Jones kick Drive 13 plays. 67 yards.

3:54 Time remaining :13. Key play Pratt dropped to pass and the baH slipped out of his hand, allowing Blanch to run into the end zone Score Western Illinois 14-10. Third quarter Jackson State Destry Wright 1 1 run. Harris kick Drive 14 plays. 75 yards.

5 50 Time remaning 4 30 Key play The Jaguars barely converted a tourffl-and-1 play then two plays later Pratt hit Daryle Heidefburg on an weti -executed. 17-yard bootteg pass Score Jackson State 17-14 Fourth quarter Jackson State Ronnie Wet 6 pass from Pratt Harm kick Drive 10 plays. 79 yards. 4 14 Time remaining 11 13 Key play Jackson State converted two long third-down situations and scored on mifO-and-goal from the 6. Score Jackson State 24-14.

Western Ihnots Aaron Stecker 8 run. Jones kick Drive 6 plays. 71 yards 1 44 Time remaining 9 24 Key play Davenport's Enc Rogers, called on when Stecker was banged up. broke a 34-yard run to the Jackson State at which Sleeker took over again. Score Jackson State 24-21 Western IHmow Jones 26 fiekj go Dnve 12 plays, 71 yards.

4 51 Time remaining 2 08 Key ptay Stecker galloped tor 23 yards to the Jackson State 15 Score Western Minora 24-24 Western Illinois Stecker 16 run. Jones kick Drive 3 plays 23 yards. 44 Time rematnmg 37 Key ptey Western defensive end David Watson snipped the ban on a rush and recovered Pratt tumble himselt at the Jackson State 23. Score Western Illinois 31-24. A 8.980.

(3) Tennessee 17, Vanderbilt 10 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Jamal Lewis gained 1 96 yards and No. 3 Tennessee -clinched the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title with a 17-10 victory' over Vanderbilt Saturday. The Volunteers (10-1, 7-1) earned their first division crown since the league split into divisions in 1992, and will play Auburn for the SEC title and automatic alliance bowl berth next Saturday at Atlanta. Vanderbilt (3-8, 0-8) put up yet another valiant defensive effort the Com-- modores held on to the league's No.

1 -c defensive ranking by holding the Vols to 339 yards but ended without a conference victory for the second straight year. Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning ended his home career with 12 comple- tions in 27 attempts for 159 yards and touchdown, the first TD he has thrown in the past three years against Vanderbilt, as Tennessee won its 1 5th in a row over their cross-state rivals. Manning also threw an interception directed the Tennessee band in "Rocky Top" after the game when the Vols seniors took a victory lap. The Volunteers seemed to have figured out the Vanderbilt defense in the second half, but couldn't hang onto the ball. Ten-' nessee fumbled at or inside the Com-.

modores 20 three times in the half. The Vols' defense was up to the task, however, holding Vandy to 21 5 total yards and coming up with four turnovers. Vols cornerback Dwayne Goodrich intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble. (14) Georgia 27, Georgia Tech 24 ATLANTA Mike Bobo threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Corey Allen with eight seconds remaining and No. 14 Georgia pulled off a stunning victory over Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs' seventh straight win over their state rival.

The Yellow Jackets appeared to have clinched an upset when Charles Wiley powered up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 with 48 seconds remaining. A two-point conversion gave. Tech a 24-21 lead. But Georgia (9-2) moved for the winning touchdown in four plays and benefited from a critical pass interference penalty on Tect) (6-5) that wiped out Travares Tillman's interception with 14 seconds toga After the penalty, Bobo lofted a pass' into the left corner of the end zone and Allen, guarded closely by Tech cornerback Kofi Smith, managed to grab the ball anpV; drag his left foot just inside the line before tumbling out of bounds. 'z'l The Georgia players danced in the end zone drawing two penalties for excess sive celebration while Tech players i kneeled on the field in anguished disbelief.

The situation had been exactly the oppo-, site less than a minute earlier when Tectr drove for its first lead of the game. The only drawbacks for Georgia on this day: Tennessee clinched the SEC Eastern Division title with a 17-10 victory over Vanderbilt and Hines Ward failed to become the first player in NCAA Division l-A history to accumulate 1 ,000 career yards In rushing, passing and receiving. (16) Syracuse 33, Miami 13 MIAMI Donovan McNabb threw two touchdown passes and ran 43 yards for a I third as No. 16 Syracuse beat Miami to win' the Big East title and secure a spot in the bowl alliance. The Orangemen (9-3) won their eight straight game and are probably headed to the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes (5-6) fin-.

ished with their first losing season since 1979. McNabb was one of three Orangemen. to rush for at least 100 yards. He had 100J while running backs Dee Brown and Kyle. Mcintosh each topped 100 yards as Syra- cuse beat Miami for the first time in 17 years.

1 Miami managed just 208 total yards I 56 rushing while Syracuse had 358 1 1 yards in avenging a 38-31 loss last year which knocked the Orangemen out of the Orange and Into the Liberty Bowl. Except for three probation years, the Hurricanes have been to a bowl game i every year since 1979, but won't play in the, postseason this year. .) Syracuse took a 7-0 lead on its opening', drive, capped by a 4-yard TD pass from i McNabb to Jim Turner. McNabb hit Turner again just over two minutes later with a 49-J yard TD pass. The second TD was set up when Miami failed to convert on a fake punt on their first possession, coming up one yard short.

Syracuse took over and McNabb threw the! TD pass on first down. Tebucky Jones scored on a 1 -yard run for Syracuse on his first rush of the sea- son. Mississippi 15, (22) Mississippi State 14 STARKVILLE, Miss. Stewart Patridge" threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Andre Rone with 25 seconds left, and Mississippi then converted on a 2-point conversion to i beat No. 22 Mississippi State in a game marred by a pregame fight.

Patridge completed six passes as Ole Miss (7-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), which hadn't scored since the opening 4 possession of the game, drove 63 yards in 1:47 after a missed field goal by Missis- sippi State's Brian Hazelwood. After the second Patridge-to-Rone touchdown of the game, the Rebels refused to settle for overtime. Patridge hit Cory Peterson, who had a defender right 2 on his back, for the game-winning points. Mississippi State (7-4, 4-4) had one test! chance and got to midfield before Matt Wyatt, the starting quarterback who had been on the bench since midway through the second quarter, was intercepted by Timothy Strickland. During warm-ups about 40 minutes before the game, a brawl broke out between the two teams.

The fight, which included some heaving slugging and a coui pie of flying helmets had to be broken up by coaches and security personnel, including Mississippi Highway Patrol officers. Since ramps leading to both looker rooms are in the same area, the teams 1 were sent in and out separately for the rest' of the day. Pregame brawls have been common- place in this rivalry, but until Saturday had mostly involved some pushing and Seven SEC teams are eligible tor the postseason, and with the league guaraiv i teed only five spots, Mississippi State and Ole Miss are the two teams that could be left out. Mississippi State had a chance to put the game out of reach before the game- winning drive by Ole Miss, but Hazelwood was wide left en a 52-yard field goal attempt t- I Michigan State tailback Marc Spartans Irvin, Renaud shine in the victory EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Joe Paterno expected Michigan State to run the ball.

He just never dreamed the Spartans would run it so well. Sedrick Irvin and Marc Renaud each ran for more than 200 yards against No. 4 Penn State as Michigan State rolled to a 49-14 victory Saturday, virtually killing the Nittany Lions' hopes for a berth in an alliance bowl game. "I was surprised with the way they ran," Paterno said. "I knew they were going to run, but I thought it would be a contest.

They're good backs, but we've got to tackle better than we did." Irvin rushed 28 times for 238 yards and three touchdowns; he also caught one of two TD tosses by Todd Schultz. Renaud rushed 21 times for 203 yards, including a 42-yard scoring dash. Afterward, Michigan State (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) accepted an invitation to play in the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day. It was the first time the Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2) ever had two players run for 200 yards against Robinson Grambling State falls to rival Southern NEW ORLEANS (AP) Eddie Robinson ended his 56-year career with a loss, tears, cheers and a call from the president of the United States. "This is a day I'll never forget," the 78-year-old Robinson, who has won more games than any coach in college football, said.

Marcus Jacoby threw three touchdown passes as Southern University beat Grambling State 30-7 in the Bayou Classic, but not even another loss could dim the celebration of Robinson's remarkable career. President Clinton called to congratulate Robinson. "I'll remember this forever coming from you," Robinson told Clinton. "We're so pleased you paused to look at the game." Long after the game ended a throng of admirers surrounded Robinson, who sobbed openly. "We love you Eddie," fans called from the stands.

"You're our hero, coach Rob," others yelled. Robinson, who started at Grambling in 1941, finished with a 408-165- LEATHERNECK SCOREBOARD 4 6 All of a sudden they get loose, they get confident, and they take off. Then we can't get in a groove." JOE PATERNO Penn State coach them. The Spartans' 452 total rushing yards were the most ever allowed by Penn State, topping the previous mark of 425 yards by Notre Dame in 1989. "I thought we practiced well this week," Paterno said.

"The thing I don't think people realize is how good Michigan State is, and that worried me. Michigan State really killed themselves all year." Penn State was outplayed through much of the first half, but came back from a 14-0 deficit to tie the score 14-14 at 3:45 of the third quarter. Then, the Spartans answered with two TD in a span of 2:56 and added three more TDs. "What I was most proud of is the way we came back after they goes out 15 record. His teams have won or shared 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and eight black college national championships.

"These 56 years I've been about the happiest man in the world, coaching the best athletes in the world," Robinson said. "Coaching is the most rewarding profession and no man is too good to coach America's youth." A half century ago, most Americans had never heard of Grambling, La. In fact, most Louisiana resi Robinson dents didn't know where the tiny backwater was. That was before Robinson put the town and the university on the map. On Saturday, better than 64,000 fans and a national TV audience watched as the man who has won more games than any college coach walk the sidelines for the final time.

Grambling completed its third straight losing season for the first time ever. Both Southern and Grambling fans stood and cheered when Robin- play drive capped off by a 1 yard run by quarterback Derrin Lanker. With 4:44 left in the first quarter, Christensen scored on a 3-yard run and the Storm poured it on from there. A key to the win was Simpson's pressure on Lanker, who had passed for a school-record 3,344 yards and 27 TDs in leading the Auggies to a 10-1 record before Saturday. He threw well again Saturday, connecting on 29 of 39 passes for 302 yards, but there were also five interceptions.

Augsburg got only 83 yards on the ground. "'JP'V. Nick Saban said. "There have been times when we've shown a capacity to not be able to respond to a situation like that." It was Michigan State's first victory over a ranked opponent since Nov. 4, 1995, when the Spartans upset No.

7 Michigan. It was also the first time the Spartans had knocked off a team ranked higher than No. 5 since a 1990 victory over Michigan. Penn State's Curtis Enis rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries, including a 54-yard TD dash, giving him a school-record eight straight games of 100 yards or more, breaking the mark set by Blair Thomas in 1989. Enis has 17 career games of 100 yards.

Mike McQueary, 13 of 27 for 176 yards with three interceptions, passed 14 yards to Joe Jurevicius for Penn State's other touchdown. Still, the Nittany Lions were held to 313 yards and only 14 first downs. Penn State turned the ball over four times. "These things are hard to explain," Paterno said. "All of a sudden they get loose, they get confident, and they take off.

Then we can't get in a groove." with loss son, surrounded by photographers took the field. They chanted "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie," when he and his wife of 57 years, Doris, were honored at halftime. "This is really beyond my imagination," Robinson said. "But I know anything is possible here in America." Robinson, who started the athletic department at Grambling and built the football program in the days when black players were excluded from many white colleges, had many of his former players on hand for the game. "If I could just play three downs for him today, my heart would be overjoyed," former Grambling player Ernie Ladd told the team before the game.

"Because I know what he's meant to guys like Buck Buchanan, Rosey Taylor and hundreds of other players." Robinson was given a final year, hoping to leave on a wining record, but could not beat teams he once handled easily. Robinson's successor at Grambling will be announced Dec. 4. Robinson himself is expected to remain at the school in some capacity outside the athletic department. "When you live by the pass, you die by the pass," said coach Jack Osborn.

"Simpson is a big, physical team and was the better team today." Simpson coach Jim Williams said, "People were in the right places and we took away their best weapon." Leman rushed for 129 yards for Simpson, now 12-0, while Jorgensen completed 13 of 20 passes for 187 yards. Simpson next plays Mount Union, which defeated John Carroll 59-7 Saturday. The score Western Illinois 31 Jackson State 24 rjlextup Western Illinois (11-1) will be at home on SaHirday-in the quarterfinal round ot the playoffs. Paytons cause stir I of Jackson State's best-known athletic alums were in attendance. iEddift Payton, a former special teams piayer-in the NFL, was doing the Jackson radio broadcast.

He is the golf coach at tit school. JPayWn's brother, Walter, the NFL Hall of Fame with the Chicago Bears, spent most of the game on the Jackson State sideline. He aii was a halftime guest on the radio broadest. The Paytons are part of a rich tradition at Jackson State. Walter Payton is one of 10 former first-round NFL draft picks turned out by the school.

Walter's pick for his award Aaron Stecker, the Western running back yjho plowed for 244 yards on 37 carries and scored twice on Saturday, is considered the top candidate for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top offensive player in Division f-AA football. jrhe award's winner will be announced on Monday: me Wd deserves it," said Payton, the leading rusher. "He put on a gbod show." ISaturdas effort by Stecker won't impact fjie voting. The votes have already been tabulated; iy'rrvnonored just to be a candidate for the award, and I'm honored that Walter Payton to see the game," Stecker said. Western notes The Leathernecks are 6-0 at home this season." Western now is 3-1 when trailing after tflree quarters.

The Leathernecks also came iiom behind in key Gateway Conference games against Northern Iowa and fbungstown State. The touchdown by defensive tackle Jeff Blanch was the second of the season tor the defense. j. Aaron Stecker has rushed for 2,201 wstds and 27 touchdowns this season. His 1967 In the regular season was fourth-best i NCAA Division l-AA history.

The 1 1 victories is a Western Illinois rscord Western Illinois has 14 players who transferred from Division I programs. Quote of the day From 265-pound Western Illinois defensive tackle Jeff Blanch, who scored a key touchdown on a 10-yard fumble recovery just Hefara.baftirne: djdnt want to fall down or drop the NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS Simpson storms into semifinals JSU WIU 21 48-199 283 89 21-36-0 9-18-0 19 12 3-33 7 4-37 0 3-3 2-1 6-45 9-34 29 19 30:41 IndtvKJuat statistics Augsburg defense can't slow the Storm INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) Brad Jorgensen threw four touchdown passes and Cory Christensen rushed for three more as Simpson crushed Augsburg of Minnesota 61-21 Saturday in a NCAA Division III quarterfinal playoff game. Both teams scored on their opening possessions, starting with Jorgensen connecting with Guy Leman for a 12-yard score to finish off a 64-yard, 11-play drive. Augsburg answered with an 84-yard, 14- First downs Rushes-yards Passing Comp-Att-Int Return Yards Punts-Avg. FumWes-Lost Penalties-Yards Time ot Possession Rushing Jackson State Wright 2198.

Knight 13-54. Pratt 5-8. Heideiburg 1-0. Washmqton 3-immus 16) Illinois, Stecker 37-244. Rogers 5-36 Biakx 2-13.

Josephs 1-4. HecWmsta 3-tmmus 19) Peeeing Jackson State Pratt 17-30-0-217. Washington 4-6-0-66 IHmotS Heckhnski 9-1B-0-89 Receiving Jackson State HeidHburg 12-180 Bradford 3-21 Morris 2-42. Knight 2-27. ThKjpen 1 -7.

Webb 1 -6. lifcoois Bakx 2-41. Ferre 2-18 Gcrtm 2.a Josephs 2-3. Walsh 1-14. 5.