TCU Controls Home Opener Against Northwestern
9/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By JOEL ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 243 yards on 39 carries had two touchdowns as No. 20 TCU beat Northwestern 41-14 on Saturday, September 16.
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| TCU tail back LaDainian Tomlinson (5) cuts between Northwestern defender Napoleon Harris (8) and Harold Blackman during the first quarter. (AP Photo/LM Otero) |
Tomlinson ran for 125 yards on 17 carries in the first half, and had a 34-yard TD run nullified by a holding penalty. Near the end of the third quarter, Tomlinson also had a 74-yard touchdown run negated by a holding call.
"It was just another day at the office," Tomlinson said. "I could have had 350, but I feel I still played well."
TCU (2-0) has won seven straight, its longest winning streak since 1984. Northwestern is 2-1.
TCU's Casey Printers completed 8 of 12 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 74 yards and a touchdown.
TCU got off to a quick start after Cedric James returned the opening kickoff 42 yards to the TCU 45. After a 6-yard pass completion, Tomlinson rushed for 45 yards on the next four plays.
Two plays later, TCU's Chris Kaylakie kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the Horned Frogs a 3-0 lead.
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| TCU corner back Jason Goss (39) pulls in the interception against Northwestern's wide reciever Teddy Johnson (18) during the second quarter (AP Photo/LM Otero) |
Northwestern's offense was bottled up by the swarming Horned Frogs defense all afternoon. The Wildcats only crossed midfield twice and gained 258 yards of offense. They had four turnovers.
"I believe in our defense," TCU head coach Dennis Franchione said. "You always respect a team's ability to come back. I had confidence that our defense wouldn't let them."
Northwestern's Zak Kustok completed 12 of 20 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown. He threw three interceptions.
"I don't think we ever really got into a rhythm," Kustok said. "They put a lot of pressure on me, but we were shooting ourselves in the foot."
Northwestern tailback Damien Anderson ran for 90 rushing on n 18 carries and had a touchdown.
