Morning Box Score: NU Loses First Game, Illini Win First

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 10, 2010 2:00PM

Purdue 20, Northwestern 17: Poor special teams play sabotaged NU's chance to match its best start in 48 years. The Wildcats actually were ahead 17-13 in the fourth quarter when Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short blocked Stefan Demos' 41-yard field-goal attempt. The Boilermakers then drove 68 yards for the final score, with fullback Dan Dierking scoring on a 7-yard run with 3:54 remaining. NU quarterback Dan Persa passed for 305 yards in the loss.

Illinois 33, Penn State 13: It didn't ook good for Illinois when return man Jack Ramsey fumbled the opening kickoff (the Illini recovered). Ramsey three fumbles on special teams didn't bite the Illini in their collective duff as they took it to an injury-ridden Penn State defense in Happy Valley. Matt Leshoure ran for 119 yards and Nate Bussey scored on a 16-yard interception return to help Illinois even their Big Ten record at 1-1.

Notre Dame 23, Pittsburgh 17: David Ruffer's four field goals helped Notre Dame hold off the Panthers in South Bend. The Irish's spread offense was clicking on all cylinders in the first half, as they built a 17-3 halftime lead. Pittsburgh had ample chances to win the game, but struggled scoring in the red zone.

Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2: Leave it to Detroit to spoil the Blackhawks home opener and championship banner raising ceremony. Valtteri Filppula, including the game winner on a third-period power play, to pace the Wings. After the game, the Blackhawks refused to use the banner ceremony as an accuse for being off their game. Check back at noon as we'll have a gallery of photos from the ceremony.