Roberson makes the most of his big opportunity

College football hasn't exactly been kind to Brandon Roberson.

The Northwestern senior entered the 2005 season as the team's top running back after outclassing several competitors, including Tyrell Sutton, in preseason camp. But Roberson sprained his ankle in the first quarter of the 2005 opener and didn't return.

Sutton stepped in and put a stranglehold on the position, relegating Roberson backstage.

The roles reversed Saturday against Nevada after Sutton injured his right ankle in the second quarter with Northwestern down 17-7.

"I was like, 'Brandon, this is your time,' " said third-string running back Omar Conteh.

Roberson capitalized with 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on only 13 carries. Midway through the third quarter, he broke off a 76-yard run on an option pitch, eclipsing his previous single-game total by 12 yards.

He capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run over left guard.

"It's been worth it," Roberson said. "My first priority is winning, and whoever's the guy, I'm totally behind that person. My opportunity came today, and I was just glad I could step up."

Conteh also pitched in, hauling in a 16-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Bacher to give Northwestern a 27-24 lead with 11:14 left. With no receptions in 20 previous games, Conteh caught a screen pass in the right flat as Northwestern snuffed out a blitz.

"It was the perfect call," Conteh said. "I was like, 'One-on-one with the defender? Touchdown.'"

During practice, Roberson and Conteh try to get as many repetitions as possible with the first team, just in case they are summoned.

"I really haven't had a whole game like since … awhile," Roberson said. "It was just exciting to get back out there and show what I can do, really get conditioned back in game shape."

Sutton update: Standing outside the locker room after the game, Tyrell Sutton was cautiously optimistic about his injured right ankle. Sutton, who held an ice pack and walked with a slight limp, confirmed that he had made the decision not to return to the game.

The junior went down on a 4-yard pass play early in the second quarter, missed one series, then came back and gained 32 yards on a screen pass before departing.

"It just wasn't where he thought it was on the sideline," said coach Pat Fitzgerald, who didn't immediately know the extent of Sutton's injury. "He did a great job communicating with our medical staff."

Stepping up: Several Northwestern defenders made a push for starting spots with a strong second-half performances. Junior end Kevin Mims could leapfrog David Ngene after forcing a fumble and sacking Nick Graziano on the game's final 2 plays. The second sack came in the end zone, marking Northwestern's first safety since 2001, against Iowa.

Junior Mike Dinard, competing with senior Eddie Simpson at weak-side linebacker, finished with a team-high 11 tackles (1 for loss) and forced a fumble.