Morning Box Score (Homecoming Edition): NU Loses Thriller, Illini Roll

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 24, 2010 2:00PM

College Football

Michigan State 35, Northwestern 27: Michigan State scored 14 points in the final quarter and executed a beautiful fake punt to set up a score to remain undefeated and overcome three Dan Persa touchdowns, spoiling NU's homecoming game. Spartans quarterback Kurt Cousins threw for a season high 331 yards and three touchdown passes.

Illinois 43, Indiana 13: Illinois built a 27-10 halftime lead and tightened up the defense in the second half, capitalizing on five Indiana turnovers and routing the Hoosiers in the Illini's homecoming game. Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a pair of touchdowns in the victory.

Navy 35, Notre Dame 17: After 43 straigh victories, Notre Dame has now lost three of the last four meetings to the Midshipmen. Ricky Dobbs scored three touchdowns and Alexander Teich ran for 210 yards as the Midshipmen thoroughly dominated the Irish in East Rutherford, NJ.

Northern Illinois 33, Central Michigan 7: No contest in De Kalb as Chad Spann rushed for three touchdowns and the HUskies notched their first victory over the Chippewas in three years.

Hockey

Blue Jackets 3, Blackhawks 2: With marty Turco given the night off, Corey Crawford let in a deflected shot from Antoine Vermette at 6:29 in the third period as the Blue Jackets handed the Hawks their second straight loss after a four-game win streak. Patrick Sharp scored again for the Hawks and Jonathan Toews notched a goal and an assist.

Soccer

Fire 4, Chivas USA 1: Freddie Lungberg was the story her, scoring a goal and assisting on another by Brian McBride, playing in his final MLS game, as the Fire rolled past Chivas USA. McBride and CJ Brown, a Fire Original, ends his Fire career setting records for most games and minutes played.