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Michigan State's Ringer Runs Over Notre Dame

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State gave Javon Ringer the ball all game and Notre Dame couldn't do much about it.

Ringer ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries, carrying the Spartans to a 23-7 win over the Fighting Irish on Saturday.

Michigan State (3-1) took a 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter, then sealed the victory by handing off to Ringer on all seven plays of a 77-yard drive that he capped with his second score with 2:16 left.

The Irish (2-1) turned the ball over three times and missed two field goals, hurting their chances of starting 3-0 for the first time since 2002 and the second time in 12 years.
Jimmy Clausen was 24 of 41 for 242 yards with a TD and two interceptions, one in the end zone on a play that was overturned by a video review.

Clausen was sacked three times - after not being sacked once in the first two games - and was hurried and hit numerous times. Brandon Long was credited with 2 1/2 sacks.

Ringer led the nation with nine touchdowns and 104 carries after three games, coming off career highs with 43 carries and 282 yards in a shutout win over Florida Atlantic. He took another step toward stardom with his performance against an Irish team geared to stop him and his highlight of the day was a 63-yard run that set up his second TD.

PURDUE 32,

CENTRAL MICHIGAN 25

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kory Sheets broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown run with a minute left in the game to lift Purdue to victory against Central Michigan.

Central Michigan (2-2) appeared set to pull off an upset after taking a 25-24 lead with 1:18 to go on a 6-yard touchdown pass by Dan LeFevour followed by a 2-point conversion pass to Antonio Brown.

But the Boilermakers (2-1) got a 39-yard kickoff return from Desmond Tardy and the Chippewas were hit with a 15-yard facemask penalty. On first down, Sheets took a handoff from Curtis Painter, made a cut that faked out several defenders and raced into the end zone. Painter followed with a 2-point conversion pass to Greg Orton.

OHIO STATE 28, TROY 10

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Acclaimed freshman Terrelle Pryor tossed four touchdown passes to lead sluggish No. 13 Ohio State to victory over Troy.

In the wake of an ugly 35-3 defeat at top-ranked Southern California, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel had said that the nation's top quarterback recruit last spring and fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman would split the job 50-50 against the Trojans (2-1).

But Pryor started and played all but two snaps until the game was decided - and a less-than-capacity crowd loudly booed Boeckman when he threw a first-half incompletion on one of those.

PENN STATE 45, TEMPLE 3

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Daryll Clark threw two touchdown passes and ran for an 11-yard score and No. 16 Penn State rolled to victory against Temple.

Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno watched the second half from the press box.

The 81-year-old Paterno has been complaining of a sore right leg. After a scoreless first quarter, he watched the Nittany Lions build a 31-0 lead in the second quarter before moving upstairs with his assistants.

NORTHWESTERN 16,

OHIO 8

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern got off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 1962 by blocking two field goals, recovering two fumbles and holding pesky Ohio (0-4) to four yards rushing.

The Wildcats survived an offensive drought in the second half and four interceptions by C.J. Bacher.

BALL ST. 42, INDIANA 20

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - MiQuale Lewis ran for 166 yards and four touchdowns, helping Ball State overcame the loss of receiver Dante Love to beat Indiana.

It was the first time the Cardinals (4-0) beat a BCS-conference school.

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