College football

Big Ten: Beating Michigan buoys Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Troy Smith barely got on the field for Ohio State earlier this season. After the Buckeyes' biggest game of the year, he had trouble getting off.

With former high school teammates Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. leading the way, the Buckeyes pushed their troubles into the background for at least a day with a 37-21 upset of No. 7 Michigan on Saturday.

"I'm pretty much at a loss for words," said Smith, the quarterback who didn't play in three of the first five games after losing the starting job. "It's unbelievable. Coming off the field, I nearly got my neck broken by fans."

Smith was swarmed by thousands of fans who flooded onto the field, dancing and singing and hugging, tightly.

He ran for 145 yards and Ginn set a conference record with his fourth punt return touchdown. The two then left to catch Glenville High School's playoff game. Both starred for the Tarblooders.

The Wolverines still clinched a Rose Bowl berth when Wisconsin lost to Iowa. Michigan and the Hawkeyes tied for the conference title, but the Wolverines claimed the invitation thanks to their 30-17 victory over Iowa this season.

Ohio State's fourth season under coach Jim Tressel has been tough. The Buckeyes lost their first three conference games and fell out of the rankings. Just when things started looking better on the field, problems arose off.

Two weeks ago former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett accused Tressel, his staff and boosters of giving him and other players improper benefits. An NCAA investigation is about to begin.

But it's never a bad day in Columbus when Ohio State beats Michigan.

"(Former Ohio State) coach Earle Bruce always says that if the Ohio State coach wins against Michigan, he can walk down the main streets of Columbus," said Tressel, 3-1 against the Buckeyes' archrival. "If he loses, he'd better walk the back alleys. It's that important."

IOWA 30, WISCONSIN 7: Drew Tate threw three touchdowns and the host Hawkeyes forced four turnovers to claim a share of the Big Ten title on Saturday.

Michigan's loss raised the stakes for the 80th meeting between the Badgers and Iowa, putting the conference championship on the line for both teams. The Hawkeyes won their second league title in three years.

For the Badgers, a promising season has crumbled the past two weeks with losses by a combined 79-21.

After a rocky start, Tate settled down and finished 15-of-24 for 186 yards. He fired two TDs to Clinton Solomon, including a 51-yarder late in the first half, and another to Scott Chandler late in the third quarter.

PENN ST. 37, MICH. ST. 13: Joe Paterno ended his 39th season at Penn State as a winner.

The Nittany Lions scored four third-quarter touchdowns to knock the Spartans from bowl contention, and students who booed the team during three previous home losses chanted "Joe Paterno" and "Joe Pa, Joe Pa" as the game wound down.

There have been calls for the 77-year-old coach to step down, though Paterno again dismissed any suggestion this season might be his last.

"Have I ever said I wasn't (coming back)? Is that wishful thinking? I'm planning to be back next year," Paterno said.

PURDUE 63, INDIANA 24: Kyle Orton threw for 522 yards and six touchdowns, setting a school record with 530 total yards, to lead the host Boilermakers.

Orton, considered a top Heisman Trophy candidate before an injury and a four-game losing streak knocked him out of the race, needed one half to throw for 401 yards and five TDs.

Purdue finished with a conference record 763 yards and scored 60 for the first time since 1913.

NU 28, ILLINOIS 21 (OT): Brett Basanez connected with Jonathan Fields on a 7-yard scoring pass in overtime as the host Wildcats kept their bowl hopes alive and handed Illini coach Ron Turner a loss in what might have been his last game.

Illinois scored a go-ahead touchdown on a fake field goal attempt early in the fourth. But Jeff Backes returned a punt 73 yards for a score to tie it at 21, and Jason Reda's last-second 31-yard field goal attempt for the Illini sailed left.

[Last modified November 21, 2004, 00:16:21]