NU perfectly happy with second-half surge

Northeastern quarterback Anthony Orio was nearly perfect as a passer and the Huskies played shutout ball in the second half in a 35-17 victory over Towson yesterday at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Balltimore.

Orio was 17 for 20 for 238 yards and two scores as the Huskies improved to 2-3 in winning their Colonial opener.

Sean Schaefer completed 31 of 46 passes for 358 yards, and ran for a touchdown for the Tigers (2-4, 0-2).

The Huskies, who scored the game's final 28 points, trailed at halftime, 17-13, and finally took the lead when Orio hit a wide-open Chris Plum for a 30-yard score with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Plum caught five passes for a career-high 109 yards and two scores.

An interception by sophomore Nate Thellen gave the Huskies the ball back at the Tigers' 43. Moments later, backup quarterback John Sperrazza lined up at flanker, took a pitch from Orio, and hit Rob Theoudele for a 37-yard score for a 28-17 lead with 5:47 left in the quarter.

Alex Broomfield (102 yards rushing) finished a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 5-yard score with 13:12 to play.

In the final minute of the first half, Schaefer drove the Tigers to Northeastern's 17, but Mark Bencivengo missed a 38-yard field goal attempt and the Tigers' lead was just 3 at the break.

"We knew we had to play better defense in the second half," said Northeastern coach Rocky Hager. "Sean [Schaefer] is an incredibly good quarterback and he will gobble you alive if allow him to sit back there and pick out his receivers."

Villanova 38, William & Mary 28 - Christopher Whitney had a hand in 246 yards and four scores to help the Wildcats (4-1, 2-0) hold off the Tribe (2-2, 0-1) in Williamsburg, Va. Whitney completed 20 of 27 passes for 186 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and added 19 carries for 60 yards and a score.

James Madison 56, Hofstra 0 - Rodney Landers threw for three scores and ran for another as the Dukes (5-1, 3-0) beat up the Pride (2-3, 1-1) in Harrisonburg, Va. Landers rushed for 133 yards, 45 coming on a scoring run in the second quarter.

Richmond 56, VMI 16 - Justin Rogers returned two fumbles for touchdowns and Josh Vaughan had 123 yards and two scores to propel the Spiders (4-2) over the Keydets in Lexington, Va.