The Week

Both Miamis won—the Hurricanes from Florida beat Louisville 24-12, and the Redskins from Ohio downed Kentucky 15-14.

1. ALABAMA (1-0)
2. N.C. STATE (2-0)
3. MARYLAND (2-0)

MIDWEST

Northwestern's worst fear was put to rest. The Wildcats won't have another winless season this year. That was assured by a 27-22 victory over Wyoming that broke a 12-game non-winning streak. The Wildcats held off the Cowboys when Safety Ben Butler intercepted a pass with 1:19 left, his second end-zone theft of the fourth quarter. Giving the offense some unaccustomed oomph was sophomore Mike Kerrigan, a third-string quarterback who passed for 193 yards and one touchdown.

Less difficulty was encountered by three other Big Ten teams: Michigan State zapped Oregon 41-17, Indiana trampled Vanderbilt 44-13 and Wisconsin brought down Air Force 38-0. Powering the Spartan offense were Derek Hughes (three touchdowns on runs of two, three and 100 yards, the last with a kickoff return) and Steve Smith (154 yards rushing, plus five receptions for 63 more). Hoosier Cornerback Tim Wilbur did it all, making six tackles, busting up two passes, recovering a fumble and running back an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.

Minnesota's new coach, Joe Salem, sprang a new offense on visiting Ohio State—a double wing T with a man in motion. The Gophers scored the first two times they had the ball to take a lead over the Buckeyes for the first time since 1972 and were on top 17-7 at halftime. From there on, though, State tightened its defense and Quarterback Art Schlichter perked up the offense, most notably with a 32-yard touchdown jaunt in the fourth period that gave OSU a 21-17 victory. Minnesota lost despite a 221-yard rushing effort by Fullback Garry White and despite having a 505-to-295-yard edge in total offense.

All the scoring at Illinois came in the third period, Gerry Ellis of Missouri sandwiching scoring runs of 19 and 24 yards around a three-yarder by Mike Holmes of the Illini. Ellis finished with 173 yards rushing, and the Tigers made their 14-6 lead stand up.

Among the other Big Eight teams to beat outsiders were Nebraska, which throttled Utah State 35-14, and Oklahoma, which labored past Iowa 21-6. Jeff Quinn became the first Husker quarterback since 1964 to run for 100 or more yards, ending up with 112. Also among Nebraska's 551 yards gained were 96 passing yards by Quinn and 167 rushing yards by I. M. Hipp, who scored three times. Oklahoma had the same old problem: fumbles. The Sooners lost five of their seven bobbles. Three were coughed up by Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims, who gained 106 yards in 23 carries and scored twice.

For the first time since 1963 Colorado was blanked at home, losing 44-0 to Louisiana State. The Tigers scored in every period, stole four passes and yielded only 21 yards rushing.

1. NEBRASKA (1-0)
2. NOTRE DAME (1-0)
3. OKLAHOMA (1-0)