Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 29

inbiana COLLEGE FOOTBAT j. passes give Penn State lift By GENAROC. ARUMS Associated Press Writer STATE COLLEGE Penn State had an 11-point lead at halftime against Cincinnati on Saturday, but the offense was so- so and the fans packed into Beaver Stadium were relatively sedate Before his team returned to the field for the third quarter, Nittany Lions head coach Joe. Paterno told his offense to throw long. "He said 'They can't handle our wideouts let's throw quarterback Michael Robinson said.

Robinson connected on three long passes after halftime, including a 59-yard touchdown catch by Justin King that sparked a quiet crowd and Penn State's offense in a 42-24 rout of the Bearcats (1- "THEY KNOW what they're doing, Dan ton io said of the Nittany Lions. "They do it fast, and they do it with a lot of power. Mark Oantonio, King and fel- Cincinnati coach low speedy freshman wideout Derrick Williams were two of Paterno's prized offseason recruits as the head coach sought to revive an offense that sputtered last year for Penn State (2-0). "You get in a tough ball game and you get someone who can go out there and get a 60-yarder," said Paterno, who won his 345th career game. "King made a great play.

Yes, I think that is exactly what has been our problem." The scoring throw to King was one of a career-high three TDs on the day for Robinson, who also ran for a score. He also had a 45-yard scoring strike to Deon Butler and hit Williams for a 41-yard completion to set up another score in the second half. Penn State's defense was solid for most of the game, getting good pressure on Cincinnati freshman quarterback Dustin Grutza, who was making his second colle- giatestart. The Bearcats did manage two touchdowns in the last minute of play, including a 5-yard scoring catch by Ernest Jackson with 18 seconds left after Cincinnati recovered an onside kick. A two-point conversion made the score 42-24.

It was the first time that a team scored more than 21 points in a game against Penn State since the Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State 41-10 on Nov. 22,2003. "That hurt me. I didn't want to come in because of (the streak said Matthew Rice, who had 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss. Cincinnati, which ran for 293 yards last week in its season opener against Eastern Michigan, was held to 31 yards on the ground on Saturday.

Mark Dantonio, in his second year as Cincinnati's head coach, said Penn State's swarming defense reminded him of Ohio State's defense during.the Buckeyes' 2002 national title season, when he was Ohio State's defensive coordinator. know what they're doing," Dantonio said of the Nittany Lions. "They do it fast, and they do itwith a lot of power." The big-play offense came along after halftime, though Robinson fumbled to end Penn State's first series in the third quarter. Penn State got the ball back after Calvin Lowry hit Grutza and Paul Cronin- recovered the ball at the Nittany Liori 41. On the first play of the series, Robinson hit King in stride down the right sideline.

Cincinnati cornerback Mike Mickens slipped and King ran untouched into the end zone, holding the ball in his hand below his waist, for his first collegiate touchdown to give Penn State a 21-3 lead. The touchdown riied up the crowd as fans cheered and chanted "Go PSU!" Penn State has five touchdowns off six opponents' turnovers this year, including three off four Cincinnati turnovers on Saturday. Penn State's defense held Cincinnati without a first down on the ensuing series to get the ball back for Robinson, who hit Williams on the next series down the left sideline for a 41-yard completion to the Cincinnati 6-yard line. Two plays later, PEIM M- CHRISTOPHER Press PENH STATE Michael Robinson stretched into the end zone for a first-quarter touch- Austin Scott jumped into the end zone from one yard out to give Penn State a 283 lead. After a pass interference call on Alan Zemaitis gave Cincinnati the ball on the Penn State 27, Grutza eluded several defenders as the pocket collapsed, then found Derick Ross in the right corner of the end zone to cut the lead to 28-10.

"They've got a really good defense and they got through a few times, but that's the name of the game," Grutza said. "You've got to make plays. I'm not just going to sit there and take the sack, I'm going to try and make a play on my feet." The Bearcats are one of the youngest teams in Division I-A, with only six returning starters from last year's squad and just one senior, defensive Adam Roberts, starting on defense. Fighting Irish hold off Michigan 17' takes in red zone," Michiean By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. A mere two games into his Notre Dame tenure, Charlie Weis has joined Knute Rockne in the record books.

And even though he isn't interested in any comparisons to the famed Fighting Irish coach, if. Weis keeps winning games like he did Saturday at No. 3 Michigan he might not have a choice. Brady Quinn threw two touchdown passes in the first half and the 20th-ranked Fighting Irish held on (o beat the Wolverines 17-10, making Weis the first Notre Dame coach to win his first two games on the road since Rockne in 1918. "If I answered by dignifying that, (Bill) Parcells and (Bill) Belichick would humiliate me," Weis said' about his coaching mentors when asked about his connection to Rockne.

"I've just coached two games and they've played two games. Let's come back and revisit that in about 10 years." Notre Dame (2-0), xvhich won at then-No. 23 Pittsburgh last week, snapped the Wolverines' 16-game winning streak at Michigan Stadium and handed them their first loss against a nonconference team at home" since 1998. The Irish years removed from losing 38-0 in Ann Arbor also won at Michigan for the first time since 1993. "I'm happy for the team, but I worry about their heads," Weis said.

told them to enjoy this tonight, but not top much. You don't want to have a big win like this, then lay an egg at home the next week." CARLOS Press NOTRE DAME coach Charlie Weis led the fighting Irish to an upset of third-ranked Michigan. Notre' Dame hosts Michigan State next Saturday. Weis helped New England win three Super Bowls as Belichick's offensive coordinator, and earned his first championship ring with the New York Giants as one of Parcells' assistants. Against Michigan, the offensive guru began with a shotgun formation and an empty backfield.

The Irish didn't use a huddle at times during the opening 12- play drive and didn't have a third down. "I think that sent a message to start the game like that," said Quinn, who ended the impressive possession with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rhema McKnight. The Wolverines (1-1) slowed down Notre Dame's offense, but they squandered several chances in the fourth quarter to pull within a TD before finally capitalizing on their third opportunity. "We just made too many mis- takes in the red zone," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "You can't get the there and give it away Tike we did and expect to win a game like this." On a fourth-and-3, Chad Henne lofted a 25-yard pass to Mario Manningham with 3:47 left to make it 17-10.

The Wolverines then forced Notre Dame to punt, but four incomplete passes later, the Irish were celebrating on the sideline. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, players ran into the end zone to celebrate with their fans. "Coming into the Big House and getting a win can be a once- in-a-lifetime experience," Victor Abiamiri said. "You want to do everything you can to let it sink in." Notre Dame didn't need much help to beat the Wolverines for the third time in four years, but instant replay overturned two calls in its favor in the fourth quarter. On a sneak from inside Notre Dame's 1, Henne was ruled down, but a review showed that he fumbled and that the Irish's Chinedum Ndukwe recovered the ball in the end zone.

On the ensuing possession, officials ruled that Quinn fumbled, but a review showed that his knee was down, allowing the Irish to keep the ball deep in their territory. Each time, Michigan's student section responded by throwing water bottles and other debris on the field. "I'm confident and hopeful those calls were properly made because if they weren't, that would obviously be an issue," Carr said. Quinn was 19-for-30 for 140 yards and Darius Walker ran for 104 yards for the Irish. D.J.

Fitzpatrick's 43-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter gave Notre Dame a 17-3 lead. On its next possession, Walker fumbled, giving Michigan some hope. The Wolverines drove to Notre Dame's 5, but were turned away after being stuffed on two runs and two passes that fell incomplete. They got inside Notre Dame's 1 on their, next possession, before Henne's fumble. Henne was 19-of-44 for 223 yards with a TD.

He was intercepted at Notre Dame's 1 in third quarter and had the key fumble in the fourth. Kevin Grady, replacing the injured Mike Hart, ran for 79 yards. lason Avant caught five passes for 90 yards. The game was a defensive struggle as the Wolverines were held to their lowest point total since Iowa beat them 34-9 in 2002. That game started a home- winning streak that Notre Dame snapped in front of 111,386 fans.

Both teams lost a key player in the first half. Michigan running back Michael Hart left after being hit hard by linebacker Corey Mays in the first quarter. Notre Dame's McKnight twisted his right knee after being tackled by Brandent Englemon on an incomplete pass in the second quarter. Steve Breatson's 30-yard reverse on the last play of the first quarter gave Michigan the ball in Irish territory for the first time. Garrett Rivas' 38-yard field goal made it 7-3.

Notre Dame responded with its second 12-piay drive for a TD, capped by Quinn's 5-yard pass to Jeff Samardzija for a 14-3 lead with 4:24 left in the second quarter. After the Irish's strong start offensively, Michigan's much-maligned defense held them in check for the most part, limiting them to 244 yards. "We lost a football gamei but I think we found a defense," Carr said. Young TD pass carries Longhorns to victory By MLPM D. RUSSO AP Sports Writer COLUMBUS, Ohio Young connected in the clutch and won it for Texas with his arm, instead of his like a star quarterback is supposed to.

Young, best known for his highlight-reel runs, threw a 24-yard go-ahead touchdown to Limas Sweed with 2-37 left and No. 2 Texas defeated No. 4 Ohio State 2522 Saturday night in the much-anticipated first meeting between two of college football's most storied programs. Young's floatingTD pass over a defender capped a 72-yard drive during which his biggest plays were through the air, including a third-and-6 completion of 9 yards to Jamaal Charles. His second TD pass of the game made the score 23-22 and the defense did the rest.

The Longhorns' which time and time again toughened after turnovers and special teams gave Ohio State good field position, had the biggest takeaway of the game when Drew Kelson stripped a scrambling Justin Zwick and Brian Robi. son recovered and returned it inside the 20. Ohio State (1-1) held the Longhorns (20) out of the end zone, but Larry Dibbles sacked Troy Smith for a safety, and Texas coach Mack Brown had his second straight huge victory over a BigTen team. The Longhorns defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl, when Young launched his 2005 Heisman Trophy campaign with 192 yards rushing. Young proved against the Buckeyes he can pass it when he needs to as well.

One Ohio State player had said the Buckeyes' goal was to put an end to Young's Heisman campaign. And while Bobby Carpenter and Ohio State's swift linebacMng crew hemmed in Young after some good runs early, they couldn't keep him from passing for 270 yards. "When you have to play extra people in the box to stop his run it's going to leave you a bit vulnerable to the pass," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "I thought he played hard. He kept getting hit and beat up and kept coming back.

And his team won." Young also had made a couple of those poor decisions and bad throws he was intercepted have caused him to be labeled a tailback playing quarterback. But he finished 18-for-29 and ran 20 times for 76 yards. Tressel was true to his promise, playing both Zwick and Troy Smith at quarterback. Neither distinguished himself, and it looks like the quarterback competition will resume for the Buckeyes. Smith ran for 27 yards, threw a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and led Ohio State on five scoring drives.

Zwick was 9-for-15 for 66 yards and led Ohio State to one of John Huston's school- record tying five field goals. Ohio State came up with three turnovers in Texas territory, but the Buckeyes could only manage three field goals against defensive end Tim Crowder and the Texas defense. FRANK SOLICH Sunday, September 11, 2005 C-3' Ohio U. gets new outlook By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ohio first look at Ohio's schedule gave Frank Solich a fright. Northwestern.

Pittsburgh. Virginia Tech. The Bobcats' new coach was concerned that they could take three drubbings, setting up yet another lost season like all the rest. One interception changed' everything. Dion Byrum's 85-yard touchdown return in overtime gave the Bobcats a 16-10 victory over Pitt on Friday night before the biggest home crowd in their history, providing Solich with the perfect start to his re- building program.

"We have a very tough ule," the former Nebraska coach said. "You looked at it and we were going to be heavy un-- derdogs in all three games. We, could have gotten off to the kind- of start that they'd gotten off to. before. I worried mat we wouldn't be able to overcome that." Now, Pitt coach Dave Wannstv edt is the one worrying.

The Panthers (0-2) have drubbed by Notre Dame and- upset by an Ohio team that had' only one drive of more than plays all game. A team that went 8-4 and played in the Fiesta Bowl last season has big problems. "I'm feeling sick," defensive tackle Thomas Smith "There is a sickness in my ach. We fooled ourselves into thinking we are a better team'I than we are." The Panthers' defensive line' got "run over during a 42-21 loss, to Notre Darnel On Friday, the fense gave up two and managed only one field goal against the Bobcats (1-1), who had'lost all seven previous'games against For the first time since 1984, the Panthers are 0-2. Up next is a game at Nebraska.

"We just completely took away any kind of confidence that we. might have been able to lish on offense," Wannstedt "It's so disappointing right now. It's obvious we're not a very good; team. Last week it was the de-: fense, and this week it was offen-1 sively." Second-year starter Tyler Palko threw three interceptions, morel than negating a fast start that silenced the crowd of 24,545 the biggest at Peden Stadium. LaRod, Stephens ran back the opening- kickoff 95 yards.

Everyone was thinking: Same old Bobcats. In the last 35 years, Ohio has had only six winning seasons. "That's about as bad a start as you're going to get," Solich said. "You've got people in the seats, the players are really excited. To have someone return the opening kickoff kind of takes all the wind out of you." Another score by the Panthers could have taken everything out of the Bobcats.

Instead, Palko threw an interception that Byrum returned 38 yards for a touchdown, and ended Pitt's only drive of the first half by throwing an interception in the end zone. "They didn't hit us in the heart," Byrum said. Pitt silenced the crowd again with a field goal that tied it with 7 seconds left and sent it to overtime. Pitt got the bail first, ran a couple of times, then let Palko" drop to throw a quick pass on third down. Byrum saw it coming, cut in front of Joe same receiver he victimized for the first touchdown and ran untouched 85 yards for his third touchdown in two games.

The senior cornerback also caught a' pitchout and ran it back 62 yards in an opening 38-14 loss at Northtvestem. "He's been in the right spot three times for us," Solich said. "I don't know if there's anybody else in the country who has gotten off to a start like that." Byrum studied the Panthers', offense and noticed that Palko' sometimes throws the ball with-', out checking on the Byrum took a couple of gambles that decided the game. "I don't want to knock him, but I studied film and they throw a lot of timing routes," Byrum "Sometimes he just throws it to a spot. If you read it and get to the spot, he'll throw it right to you." Spwte Imn Ml.