BIG 12/TOP 25 BOXES; Vandy gets first 5-0 start since 1943

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 5, 2008

Outgained 253-60 in the first half, the Wildcats forced two turnovers in the third quarter and made it look easy on their first scoring drive.

#12 Florida 38, arkansas 7 -- At Fayetteville, Ark., Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes, and Jeffrey Demps ran for 103 yards and two long TDs to help No. 12 Florida beat Arkansas.

The Gators led 17-7 late in the third quarter when Jerry Franklin picked off Tebow, snapping the Heisman Trophy winner's streak at 203 passes without an interception. The Florida defense held though, and Tebow came back to lead his team on an 83-yard drive that ended with his 21-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin.

Chris Rainey then scored on a 75-yard run, spinning past a tackler and outrunning everyone to the end zone to make it 31-7. Demps completed the scoring with a 48-yard run with 1:04 remaining.

The Gators (4-1, 2-1) might be snapping out of their funk in time to host LSU next weekend in a huge Southeastern Conference matchup. Florida was upset by Mississippi 31-30 last weekend.

Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) made a game of it for a while after losing to Alabama and Texas by a combined 77 points, but the Razorbacks wasted several chances in Florida territory. Michael Smith ran for 133 yards and a touchdown for Arkansas.

The teams combined for 21 penalties, including 13 in the second quarter.

#6 penn state 20, purdue 6 -- At West Lafayette, Ind., Evan Royster ran for 141 yards and a touchdown, and No. 6 Penn State beat Purdue.

Royster also had 53 yards on four catches for the Nittany Lions (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten).

Daryll Clark completed 18 of 26 passes for 226 yards and ran for a score for Penn State, which outgained Purdue 422 to 241 in its last test before next Saturday's showdown at Wisconsin.

Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter finished 13-for-22 for 112 yards. He moved past Mark Herrmann into second place on the school's career yards passing list, but on a day in which the 10,000 career yards passing milestone was in reach, he fell short and was benched in the fourth quarter. The loss left Painter with an 0-9 record against ranked teams in his career, and Purdue coach Joe Tiller has lost 15 straight against ranked opponents.

Kory Sheets led Purdue (2-3, 0-1) with 59 rushing yards on 18 carries. He broke a tie with Mike Alstott to set a school record with 40 career rushing touchdowns.

Penn State's Joe Paterno chose to coach from the press box because of a lingering right hip injury. The 81-year-old Paterno was hurt while performing an onside kick during practice on Aug. 28. It was the first time this season he didn't start a game on the sideline.

#20 virginia Tech 27, kentucky 13 -- At Blacksburg, Va., Darren Evans ran for two touchdowns, quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for another and No. 20 Virginia Tech defeated Western Kentucky.

The Hokies (5-1) built a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter and were on their way to an expected rout of the Hilltoppers when their offense began to sputter.

Western Kentucky (2-4) added a field goal late in the third quarter, then recovered an onside kick, suddenly making the game interesting.