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Penn State Dominates Arizona

© Chuck Bednar

Chafie Fields scored on a 70-yard run and a 37-yard pass reception as No. 3 Penn State embarrassed No. 4 Arizona 41-7 in the Pigskin Classic on Saturday. Quarterback Kevin Thompson threw for two touchdowns, and the Nittany Lions rolled to a 31-0 halftime lead in a victory that begs the question -- is Penn State that good, or is Arizona that bad?

The game was a complete disaster for the Wildcats, who surrendered five sacks to the Nittany Lions defense and lost quarterback Keith Smith with a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Arizona's Trung Canidate, the Pac-10's leading rusher last year, gained just 31 yards on 10 carries. It was the Wildcat's worst loss since a 56-14 defeat to Arizona State in 1996.

"This needed to happen to us because we wanted to experience a good team like this," Arizona coach Dick Tomey told reporters after the game. "They whipped us in every aspect of the game."

Thompson completed 5-of-8 pass attempts for 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Fields carried three times for 110 yards and caught three passes for 76 yards. LaVar Arrington led the defense with seven tackles before leaving in the third quarter with a leg injury. Cordell Mitchell, Larry Johnson, Aaron Harris, and Omar Easy also added touchdowns for Penn State. Leo Mills' 1-yard scoring run with just 47 seconds left helped the Wildcats to avoid the shutout.

"Any game you win by that amount, against a a good team like Arizona, I'd say it's a statement game," Arrington said "I don't think we were ever worried."

"That was a big win on national TV, against the No. 4 team in the country," added Fields. "If that's not fun, I don't know what is. This sets the tone for the season."

Miami 23, Ohio State 12 -- Quarterback Kenny Kelly threw for one touchdown and ran for another as the 12th-ranked Hurricanes stormed into the national spotlight by downing No. 9 Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic on Sunday.

The game was sloppy at best, with both teams committing numerous turnovers and penalties. The Buckeyes, who lost their first season opener since 1986, managed only 220 total yards to Miami's 398. Ohio State scored just a field goal in the second half en route to their lowest point total since a 13-9 loss to Michigan in 1996.

Florida State 41, Louisana Tech 7 -- Peter Warrick dazzled viewers with a stunning 20-yard touchdown run late in the first half that broke a 7-7 tie and put the Seminoles up to stay. Warrick took a handoff from quarterback Chris Weinke and ran toward his left. After reversing his field twice and breaking several tackles, Warrick scored with 39 seconds left in the half.

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