CHICAGO - It sounds like something out of a backyard touch football game. No matter who has the ball, there's only one end zone and teams have to switch around when it's their turn.
Turns out, that's how Northwestern and Illinois will settle things today at Wrigley Field after deciding that the friendly confines were just a little too tight - and a little too unsafe.
The Big Ten announced Friday that the schools had agreed to some drastic and unusual changes for the game at the home of the Chicago Cubs - including running all offensive plays toward the end zone that doesn't happen to come within a foot or so of a padded brick wall. That change was approved along with a few others by the NCAA.
The problem is that the east end zone nearly abuts the right field wall, which has been heavily padded. The field is laid out east-west for the first football game at Wrigley since the Bears left for Soldier Field after the 1970 season.
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The Illini (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) need a win against Northwestern (7-3, 3-3) this week or next week against Fresno State to become eligible for a bowl game.
The Illini and Wildcats will run their offenses toward the dugout on the third base side. All kickoffs will go the other way and after a change in possession, officials will reposition the ball to point offenses to the west. The only time a player would end up in the east end zone would be after a turnover, a punt or a safety.
Boise State, Moore trounce Fresno State
BoiSE, Idaho - Kellen Moore overcame a shaky first quarter to throw for 333 yards and four touchdowns, and No. 3 Boise State handed Fresno State its first shutout in 12 years with a dominating 51-0 win on Friday night.
Moore threw an interception and fumbled in the first quarter. He responded by dissecting the Fresno State secondary, regularly finding his favorite targets - Titus Young and Austin Pettis - wide open. Young and Pettis caught two touchdown passes each.
Moore, just a junior became Boise State's all-time leader in yards passing.
Boise State (10-0, 6-0 WAC) held Fresno State (6-4, 4-3) to just 125 total yards and nine first downs and extended the nation's longest win streak to 24.
Extra points
Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan and two women were injured in a two-car crash on Hawaii's Big Island. Brennan was in serious condition Friday at a Honolulu hospital.
While at Hawaii, Brennan became the NCAA career leader in touchdown passes, throwing 131 from 2005-07.
