EVANSTON, Ill. — Big-time teams have the ability to make some big-time plays.
Northwestern University did just that Saturday afternoon to take the upper hand against the University of Maine.
The 16th-ranked Wildcats returned two interceptions for touchdowns, blocked a field goal and blocked a punt that set up a score to earn a 35-21 victory over the Black Bears in front of 32,726 fans at Ryan Field.
Northwestern of the Big Ten Conference, playing with the “big boys” in the Football Bowl Subdivision, had their hands full while improving to 4-0.
UMaine (3-1) was bidding for its second win over an FBS foe this season. However, coach Jack Cosgrove’s squad racked up more first downs and outgained the hosts in total yards 379-373 and could not overcome the Wildcats’ big-play capabilities.
The Black Bears, who open Colonial Athletic Association play next Saturday at Richmond, committed three turnovers.
The first game-changing play came during the final minute of the first half. Marcus Wasilewski’s pass over the middle bounced off the shoulder pads of Derrick Johnson and into the hands of linebacker Damien Proby.
He raced 49 yards for a touchdown to give Northwestern a 14-0 halftime lead and the momentum.
The Black Bears turned the ball over on their next snap four minutes into the third quarter. This time, Wasilewski was wrapped up by Proby but shifted the ball to his left hand and floated an ill-advised toss that was picked off by end Dean Lowry and returned 19 yards for a score.
UMaine, which might have had six points on the board had it not failed to convert two first-half field gols by Sean Decloux, trailed by three scores and could not make up the difference.
Wasilewski directed the offense through a methodical performance that helped the Bears earn a six-minute edge in time of possession. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and the two interceptions.
The senior was taken out of the stadium on a cart after being injured in the second half. He sustained a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit at the hands of Wildcats safety Traveon Henry midway through the third quarter that appeared to result in an injury to his shoulder.
Wasilewski returned to finish off UMaine’s first scoring drive with an 11-yard toss to tight end Justin Perillo (8 receptions, 81 yards), then hit senior wideout John Ebeling (5 catches, 44 yds.) on a 1-yard scoring toss early in the fourth quarter.
Wasilewski was reinjured late in the fourth quarter when he was sacked by Lowry.
Ebeling took a handful of snaps, while redshirt freshman Dan Collins engineered a late touchdown drive after a Northwestern fumble.
Northwestern answered UMaine’s first touchdown with a 74-yard drive that culminated in a 7-yard scoring run by rugged fullback Mike Trumpy (17 carries, 94 yds.). It gave the hosts a 28-7 lead five seconds into the final period.
The Bears responded with a 77-yard march of their own that featured a 60-yard completion from Wasilewski to Johnson (7 rec., 90 yds.). It set up a 1-yard toss from Wasilewski to Ebeling that made it 28-14.
However, the Wildcats went right back down the field, covering 70 yards on eight run plays. Quarterback Kain Colter iced it with a 5-yard run with 7:49 remaining, making it 35-14.
Colter (5-for-9 passing, 85 yds.) was held in check, but Northwestern racked up 251 rushing yards and seemed to wear down the Bears as the game progressed. Tony Jones caught six passes for 69 yards and a score.
Sophomore tailback Nigel Jones led the UMaine ground game with 73 yards on 16 carries, including a 10-yard scoring run late for the final margin.
Sophomore linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves continued his hard-hitting play, pacing the defense with 11 tackles, including 4 1/2 for a loss of yardage, and a forced fumble. Linebackers Troy Eastman and Chris Mulumba, and safety Jamal Clay, added six tackles apiece.
Chi Chi Ariguzo led the Northwestern defense with a game-leading 12 tackles, while Henry and Collin Ellis added nine each.
Despite a TV report to the contrary, UMaine was without senior defensive end Mike Cole (chest) for the second straight week because of an injury. Senior tailback Rickey Stevens also was knocked out of Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
Northwestern started strong, moving 76 yards on nine plays on its first possession of the contest. Colter found Jones in the right flat for a 27-yard TD hookup to put the ‘Cats on top for good.
UMaine came right back, using its short passing game to move down the field. However, the Bears failed to get points on the board when Decloux’s 32-yard field-goal try from the left hashmark was blocked by Tyler Scott.
The Bears mounted another good drive starting on the last play of the first quarter and netted 59 yards in 14 plays. That march stalled at the Northwestern 17 and this time Decloux appeared to hook his 38-yarder wide left.
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