NEWS & NOTES: Sept. 26

With all the big games in college football on Saturday, an easily overlooked marquee matchup takes place in the Mid-American Conference when Bowling Green meets Marshall.

Even though it's early, the winner of this contest has a definite leg up in the MAC's East Division.

Bowling Green (3-0) upset Missouri in the season opener, then rolled to a 42-23 victory over Temple this past week. Marshall (1-1) lost to Florida in its opener before defeating Massachusetts 49-20.

Since Marshall's Sept. 15 game with TCU was postponed, followed by an off week, it will be interesting to see if the Thundering Herd have a lot of rust to shake off. A major plus for Bob Pruett's squad is that it is led by gifted junior quarterback Byron Leftwich.

As for Bowling Green, the key thus far has been the performance of the defense. Through three games, the Falcons are allowing just 49.5 yards rushing per game. Strong performances have been turned in by NT Brandon Hicks and DEs Ryan Wingrove and Chris Glantzis. This group has been able to wreak havoc behind the line of scrimmage, disrupting things before the play has a chance to get started. Hicks was named MAC Player of the Week after recording seven tackles, a pair of sacks, three QB hurries and a 31-yard interception return in the win over Temple.

Offensively, the Falcons have shown the most improvement on the line. Last year, they allowed a MAC-leading 51 sacks. Through the first three games, they have yet to allow a sack, with RT Malcolm Robinson regarded as the standout.

Bowling Green QB Andy Sahm is coming off a solid effort against Temple that included TD strikes of 45 and 28 yards to wideouts Kurt Gerling and David Bautista, respectively.

Even though it's early, the winner of this contest has a definite leg up in the MAC's East Division. By the way, to replace its canceled Sept. 15 game against South Carolina, Bowling Green will go on the road to face Northwestern on Nov. 17.

ILLINOIS TURNS UP HEAT ON DEFENSE
As Illinois travels to the Big House this week to face Michigan, coach Ron Turner hopes the Illini's defensive improvement continues. In key road battles, defense and special teams are critical.

Last season, Illinois had all kinds of problems on defense, but thus far in 2001 Turner has to be encouraged by the step up in performance. With a more aggressive approach, the Illini defense has been able to force 12 turnovers, highlighted by a line that uses a rotation system featuring eight to 10 players.

Another huge plus has been the quality play of CBs Eugene Wilson and Christian Morton. Against Louisville and highly regarded QB Dave Ragone last week, Morton came through with a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned for a TD.

Against Louisville, Illinois' offense wasn't able to break any coast-to-coast runs, but Antoineo Harris and Rocky Harvey accounted for 167 yards on the ground.

Over the past two games, senior QB Kurt Kittner has struggled. In fact, he's completing just 49 percent of his aerials. The windy conditions against Northern Illinois on Sept. 8 resulted in a few misfires, and he wasn't on top of his game in the win over Louisville. Against the Cardinals, Kittner completed just 18 of 39 passes for 301 yards (plus two TDs and two interceptions). In his defense, Kittner was flushed out of the pocket on a few occasions and forced to throw the ball away.

BAYLOR ALSO GETTING IT DONE WITH D
Don't look now, but the Baylor Bears have equaled their win total from last season already, opening the campaign 2-0, highlighted by a 16-13 overtime victory last week against New Mexico.

The Bears aren't ready to compete for postseason action, but they are definitely making strides under Kevin Steele, in his third year as head coach. Over the final five games of 2000, Baylor allowed the opposition to score 59, 48, 56, 47 and 50 points. This year, the Bears have given up just 16 points in two games.

The improvement can be traced to the play of the front seven, whose nine sacks have already equaled last season's total for the entire defense. Seven different players have recorded sacks; DE Aaron Lard leads the way with two.

Overall, though, the Bears' top play-maker had been sophomore CB Bobby Hart. The versatile and athletic 5-foot-11, 185-pounder had an interception against New Mexico and returned a punt 41 yards in the fourth quarter to set up a field goal.

And how about this stat: During the second half of the first two games, the opposition did not convert a third down against the Bears, going 0-for-19. Overall, the Bears have allowed the opposition to convert just 17 percent of third-down opportunities.

Offensively, QB Greg Cicero has lacked consistency throwing the football. But the 6-4, 215-pound junior has been able to get the ball into the hands of Baylor's primary weapon, WR Reggie Newhouse. In two games, the 6-1, 200-pound junior standout has 13 receptions for a 13.5-yard average and one TD.

While the Bears are 2-0 out of the blocks, the schedule is much more challenging the rest of the way. After facing Iowa State (2-0 ) in Ames this week, the Bears have a rugged five-week stretch against Texas A&M at College Station, Nebraska, at Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas.

NEW QB BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO CYCLONES
This week, Baylor faces an Iowa State squad led by one of the Big 12's more exciting newcomers, QB Seneca Wallace. The former juco standout has more than adequately filled the shoes of Sage Rosenfels, really putting on a show in the early going.

Some background on Wallace: He originally signed with Oregon State, working as a DB in '98 during his redshirt season. He transferred to Sacramento City College for the following season, beginning that year as a starting WR and the backup QB. After the No. 1 QB was injured, Wallace stepped in, and the rest is history, as they say. He went on to excel at the juco level, and thus far he's been outstanding with the Cyclones.

A 6-1, 188-pounder, Wallace can beat you with his arm while ranking as one of the more elusive, dangerous running QBs you will come across. In the season opener against Northern Iowa, Wallace rushed for 97 yards on five carries, including TD runs of 27 and 60 yards. The 60-yarder was the longest scamper by an Iowa State QB in 26 years.

Then, this past week against Ohio, Wallace showed he could beat you through the air as well, completing 15 of 28 passes for 250 yards. He also rushed for 35 yards and a TD. Exceptionally quick feet allow him to stop on a dime and change direction, making it nearly impossible for defenders to corral him in the open field.

Assisting Wallace is the All-American play turned in by senior RB Ennis Haywood (219 yards vs. Ohio). Another key performer against Ohio was sophomore wideout Lane Danielson. On the Cyclones' first play from scrimmage, Danielson went 32 yards on a reverse pitch. On another reverse, which actually became an option pitch from Wallace, he took it in from 15 yards out for a TD. Danielson also hauled in a career-high seven receptions for 110 yards.

BUCKEYES SHUT DOWN FOSTER (BUT NOT BRUINS)
It was obvious that Ohio State's focus going into its game with UCLA last week was to contain Bruins senior RB DeShaun Foster. Ohio State limited Foster to just 66 yards rushing on 29 carries and caused him to fumble four times, two of which resulted in turnovers.

While Foster wasn't able to do his usual damage, UCLA QB Cory Paus provided the solid performance necessary for the Bruins to win. Paus completed 16 of 25 passes for 262 yards and one TD. He hasn't thrown an interception since the Washington game late last season.

This week, when the Bruins go on the road to face Oregon State, the key will be to eliminate all the costly mistakes that plagued them against Ohio State.

COLORADO ON THE REBOUND
Colorado is on its way to completely turning things around from the 3-8 campaign of last season. Entering an off week, the Buffaloes (3-1) are preparing for their road battle against Kansas State on Oct. 6. Colorado's game at Washington State (scheduled for Sept. 15) has been cancelled, eliminating what would have been a potentially rough road trip.

While the final score of 27-16 against Kansas last week doesn't look that impressive, keep in mind that Colorado finished with 525 total yards (to 278 for the Jayhawks). And remember, had it not been for five turnovers and a missed opportunity late in the game against Fresno State in the season opener, the outcome of that game would have been different.

Beginning on Oct. 6, the Buffaloes enter a three-game stretch that includes challenging road battles against Kansas State and Texas. Sandwiched between is a home game with Texas A&M.

Talented RB Marcus Houston, who has been out all season with a groin injury, could be back on the practice field within the next few days -- adding to the impressive depth Colorado has at this spot. Chris Brown (378 yards), Bobby Purify (337 yards) and Cortlen Johnson (175 yards) have carried the load thus far.

Senior TE Daniel Graham is performing at an All-American and first-round level. Against Kansas, he had three receptions for 43 yards, while a fourth catch was called back because of a penalty. Graham continues to operate as an extension of the offensive line with his strong blocking skills.

On defense, senior SS Michael Lewis continues to make plays all over the field. He's coming off a team-leading, 12-tackle effort against Kansas.