Morning Box Score: Notre Dame, Northwestern Win Three Straight, Illini Shut Out Charleston Southern
By Tim Bearden in News on Sep 16, 2012 2:35PM
Illinois 44, Charleston Southern 0
The Illini were missing starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase for the second week, but it's hard to say they "missed" him per se. Following a beat down by Arizona State last week, backup quarterback Reily O'Toole put on a 333 yard and five touchdown show at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Freshman running back Dami Ayoola put together an impressive run on a fourth-and-1 try, bouncing around and fighting through tight coverage for a long touchdown run. Charleston Southern only threatened once during the game thanks to a strong defensive showing by the Illini.
(20) Notre Dame 20, (10) Michigan State 3
Notre Dame looks like they're the real deal this season, after beating 10th ranked Michigan State in impressive fashion Saturday night. After an impressive opener in Dublin, Notre Dame couldn't shake criticism early in the season, but the nay-sayers may be eating their words. For the first time in seven years the Fighting Irish beat a top 10 ranked opponent and are off to their best start in a decade. Starting quarterback Everett Golson went 14 of 32 for 178 yards and one touchdown Saturday night. Le'Veon Bell carried the running attack with 77 yards on 19 carries to keep Notre Dame in the spotlight this season.
Northwestern 22, Boston College 13
The Wildcats kicked their way to victory Saturday as kicker Jeff Budzien tied a school record—he went five-for-five in field goal tries. Running back Mike Trumpy helped Northwestern put a nail in the coffin late in the fourth by rushing for a total of 106-yards and one touchdown. The Wildcats have now beaten three BCS teams this season. Quarterback Kain Colter threw for 144 yards and rushed for 66 in Saturdays victory.
The Huskies won a nail-biter Saturday against Army in their home opener. They led at halftime 28-19, then Army scored 15 unanswered points in the third to make it a tight game for Northern. But quarterback Jordan Lynch remained unflappable, facing a 40-35 deficit late in the game. With 4:29 left in the game, Lynch connected with Martel Moore for an eight yard touchdown—their second of the game—to give Army their fifth consecutive home opening loss. Lynch also put up 125 yards on the ground on top of 342 passing yards.
The Pirates avenged their four-game losing streak to the Cubs Saturday and their longest of the season at seven. Jason Berken got the starting nod for the Cubs and struggled in his debut, giving up eight hits and six runs—only two of which were earned—in four innings of work. The Cubs tried to rally late in the game, but Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan held on in a bases loaded, one-run bottom of the ninth to preserve the win by striking out right-fielder Dave Sappel.
Francisco Liriano almost got a no run-no hitter Saturday against the Minnesota Twins and gave up only one hit in seven innings of work. Unfortunately that one hit was a two-run homer from third baseman Trevor Plouffe in the seventh. Jesse Crain stayed perfect for the Sox in the eighth to preserve the save for closer Matt Thornton and hold onto their division lead. Adam Dunn returned for the Sox Saturday and went two for four at the plate with a walk and a run. Paul Konerko hit the only Sox home run of the game and the Sox stay at the top of the division.