It’s been six long years since Illinois had a victory like this to celebrate and so much to be excited about.Freshman Rejus Benn scored two touchdowns, including a 90-yard kickoff return, and the Illini defense intercepted Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli three times Saturday in a 27-20 victory over No. 21 Penn State.

Illinois hadn’t beaten Penn State or any ranked team since 2001, when the Illini went to the Sugar Bowl. The program has been a wreck since, with five straight losing seasons, but third-year coach Ron Zook appears to have the Illini moving in the right direction.

“Right now, I don’t want to say we’ve turned it around — we haven’t turned it around — but we’ve made some progress,” Zook said.

Illinois (4-1) is 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1991.

 Kellen Lewis threw two touchdown passes and was officially credited with a third when he ran 71 yards after picking up a teammate’s fumble, leading Indiana to a 38-20 victory over Iowa on Saturday.

Lewis made a play almost every time the Hoosiers (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) needed one as they extended Iowa’s losing streak in conference play to seven and recorded their biggest victory over the Hawkeyes since a 52-20 win in 1945.

Iowa (2-3, 0-2) played added to its difficulties with penalties and breakdowns in pass protection. Jake Christensen passed for 308 yards and three TDs but was sacked nine times, with end Jammie Kirlew getting four of those sacks.

The Hawkeyes also missed two field goals, including a straight-on 25-yarder, and an extra point. The haven’t won a Big Ten game since beating Purdue 47-17 last Oct. 7.

Lewis had standard touchdown throws of 39 yards to James Hardy and 4 yards to Ray Fisher in staking the Hoosiers to a 14-0 lead. His most memorable play came on an 8-yard completion to Josiah Sears midway through the second quarter.

They lost on the field, fought in the dugout, fell out of contention before the season’s midpoint. Then, the Chicago Cubs did something that defied their long history of failure and disappointment.Somehow, they pulled together and won the division.

Chicago’s two biggest offseason investments took them the final step toward the playoffs on Friday night. Alfonso Soriano hit another leadoff homer, Carlos Zambrano kept his cool, and the Cubs clinched the NL Central with a 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

“Hopefully we can have a few more little parties like this,” said Lou Piniella, who enjoyed a champagne shower in his first season as the Cubs manager. “They’re fun.”

This celebration was so unexpected.

 Nathan Vasher wouldn’t rule out playing Sunday, but a noticeable limp and a cautious tone indicated the Chicago Bears may be without the cornerback when they visit the Detroit Lions.The Bears’ other starting cornerback, Charles Tillman, could miss the game, too.

Vasher tweaked his groin in last week’s 34-10 loss to Dallas, Tillman suffered a high ankle sprain. Without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris (sprained knee), Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs (hamstring) and strong safety Adam Archuleta (broken hand) the Bears’ vaunted defense barely resembles a monster.

“I’m trying to battle back and see if I can get out there this week,” Vasher said Thursday.

Will he play against the Lions?

“I still haven’t gotten the heads-up about it,” Vasher said. “I’m just basically sore right now.”

The Bears held Vasher, Tillman, Briggs, Harris and offensive linemen Ruben Brown (ankle) and Fred Miller (knee) out of practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Archuleta and running back Adrian Peterson (calf) participated on a limited basis again, while defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (hip) and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (knee) were upgraded to full participation. So there was some good news for a team that’s reeling.

The Rex Grossman era in Chicago is about to end.  The Bears plan on benching Grossmand for veteran Brian Griese.  This will surely spell the end of his days in Chicago at the end of the year.  Add Rex to the long list of QB’s that showed the city of Chicago how not to play the most important position on the field.

Look at this list and tell me who was the worst:

Shane Mathews, Cade Mcnown, Rex Grossman, Craig Krentzel, Kordell Stewart, Steve Stenstrom, Jim Miller, Moreno. 

Nice List!

Rex Grossman still had his health when he walked off the field. But he may not have his starting job much longer after his latest meltdown.Grossman threw three interceptions as the Chicago Bears fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Sunday night, and he did not get a vote of confidence from his coach a day later. Now, the question is: Will he start this week at Detroit?

“Will Rex Grossman start Sunday?” coach Lovie Smith asked on Monday, repeating the question. “Well, our evaluation process is going on right now, and if you come out to practice Wednesday, you’ll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions.”

Has Smith made a decision?

“I’m always thinking ahead,” he said.

Smith gave his usual answer when asked Sunday night about Grossman — “Rex Grossman is our quarterback” — but his tone was different on Monday, fueling speculation Brian Griese might start Sunday against Detroit.

Grossman’s supporters would have a hard time arguing against the move, considering he ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.

But is Griese the answer?

Tony Romo looked desperate early on, scrambling, rushing throws and doing all he could to avoid the Chicago defense. The only thing he didn’t do was go away.It looks like the Cowboys won’t, either.

Romo passed for 329 yards after a rough start, Anthony Henry had two interceptions for the second straight week and Dallas made a big statement, beating the Bears 34-10 on Sunday night.

The Cowboys showed just how serious a contender they are in the NFC during the second half, outscoring the Bears 31-7. Dallas is 3-0 for the first time since 1999.

“I think this journey that we’re going on has been pretty fun, and I think it’s going to be really exciting for the rest of the year,” Romo said.

He again showed that last season’s rise from obscurity to the Pro Bowl was no fluke, going 22-for-35 with two touchdowns and an interception.

He led the Cowboys on an 89-yard touchdown drive to start the second half, breaking a 3-3 tie. And he put the Cowboys ahead for good, 17-10, with a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the third period that capped a 91-yard drive.

Henry added a 28-yard interception return early in the fourth quarter to make it 27-10, and Marion Barber scored from the 1 after breaking off a 54-yard run.

It was a terrible night all around for the Bears (1-2).

The defending conference champions lost four Pro Bowl players to injuries: linebacker Lance Briggs (groin), cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and guard Ruben Brown (ankle).

 Derrek Lee was a member of the Florida Marlins four years ago when they came to Wrigley Field and won the NL championship series. What he heard from the crowd Sunday in the Chicago Cubs‘ regular-season finale at home sounded very familiar.”This is playoff atmosphere already. I remember playing here in ‘03 in the playoffs, this is pretty close right now. I’m excited if we are able to get into the playoffs what it will be like,” Lee said.

Lee homered and Carlos Zambrano earned his career-best 17th win to help the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0.

The victory, coupled with Milwaukee’s 7-4 loss in Atlanta, pushed Chicago’s lead in the NL Central to 3 1/2 games with six to go — all away from home.

The Cubs, who have won 10 of 12, are off Monday before hitting the road to play Florida and Cincinnati as they try to wrap up their first playoff berth in four years. The second-place Brewers have seven games left — all at home — against the Cardinals and Padres.

Notre Dame hit new depths Saturday, becoming the first team in the school’s 119-season history to lose its first four games.Brian Hoyer threw four touchdown passes and Javon Ringer rushed for 144 yards to lead Michigan State to a 31-14 victory.

The Irish have now lost six in a row, the second longest losing streak in school history, and allowed at least 30 points in each game.

Michigan State (4-0) became the first opponent to win six in a row at Notre Dame Stadium, and got some revenge for last year’s stunning Fighting Irish comeback in East Lansing.

The Spartans blew the game open with a pair of third-quarter TDs, a 16-yard catch by Mark Dell and a 30-yard catch by Kellen Davis on a fourth-and-2 play to make it 31-14. Davis also had a 3-yard TD catch and Devin Thomas had a 7-yard scoring catch.

Alfonso Soriano’s slow start is long forgotten. Now that summer is turning to fall, Soriano is where he expected to be — leading the Chicago Cubs as they make a serious postseason run.Soriano hit two homers Saturday — giving him 11 this month — and the Cubs kept up their late-season power display to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 and solidify their lead in the NL Central. Chicago has won 9 of 11.

“I got my timing at the right time. September is the last month and the team needed that offense,” Soriano said, adding that he’s definitely playing his best baseball of the year.

The Cubs extended their lead to 2 1/2 games over Milwaukee, which lost 4-3 in 11 innings at Atlanta.

The Fighting Irish are 14 point underdogs to a non-ranked team at home.  I am only 32 years old, but can you tell me the last time that happened.  Notre Dame is the only team in Division 1 yet to have a TD.  Maybe Charlie Weiss should look into recruiting Tom Brady’s son.