B1G Weekly Recap: B1G Struggles Continue for Second Straight Week

After going just 8-5 overall last week, the Big Ten found a way to one-up itself and do even worse this weekend. Not counting the Penn State victory over Rutgers, the conference went just 3-6, with no wins over teams from the Power 5 conferences. Ohio State, That Team Up North, and Nebraska were the only teams to score nonconference victories in week three.

West Virginia 40, Maryland 37

In one of the more entertaining games of the weekend, West Virginia snuck past Maryland on a last-second Josh Lambert field goal as time expired. Clint Trickett had a career day for the Mountaineers, throwing for 511 yards and four touchdowns. C.J. Brown led the way for the Terrapins as he rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown on just 18 carries.

Former Ohio State target Stefon Diggs had five catches for 127 yards and a score as Maryland just couldn’t come all the way back from a 28-6 deficit to get the W. Next up, Maryland visits old ACC rivals Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.

Bowling Green 45, Indiana 42

In another entertaining affair, Indiana took a trip up to Bowling Green to take on the MAC school, and left with its first loss on the season. The Hoosiers would take a 42-39 lead on a Nate Sudfeld quarterback sneak on 4th down with just over two minutes remaining. But Indiana couldn’t hang on to that lead. James Knapke led the Falcons down the field and threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Roger Lewis with just nine seconds left on the clock.

Knapke threw for 395 yards on school records for completions (73) and attempts (46). The Falcons ran 113 (ONE-HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN) plays in their upset win over Indiana. The Hoosiers hit the road again next weekend to play Missouri.

Michigan 34, Miami (OH) 10

The Wolverines pulled away in the second half after a shaky start, including three turnovers, left the score at 17-10 at the break. They finally pulled away in the second half, with touchdowns by Jake Butt and Derrick Green capping the afternoon.

Green has already eclipsed his rushing yardage (332) and touchdown (3) totals from last year, feasting on lesser teams of Appalachian State and Miami (OH), while he only had 25 yards on 13 carries in the loss to Notre Dame. The Wolverines host Utah next Saturday in the Big House.

Iowa State 20, Iowa 17

Another Big Ten team went down on a last-second field goal in this rivalry game in Iowa City. Cole Netten hit the game-winning 42-yard field goal with two seconds left. Kirk Ferentz had actually tried to ice Netten by using his final timeout prior to Netten’s first attempt, which was missed. The Cyclones reset after the timeout, and Netten made Ferentz pay.

The Hawkeyes gained just 275 total yards as they lost to Iowa State for the third time in four years. Iowa will look to get back on the winning track next week when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers.

TCU 30, Minnesota 7

Minnesota went down to Texas to take on the Horned Frogs and left with its tail between its legs. The Golden Gophers were dominated by TCU, trailing 30-0 before Maxx Williams caught a 12-yard consolation touchdown pass from Chris Streveler with 11 minutes left in the game. Minnesota turned the ball over five times in the loss.

TCU will make a return trip to Minnesota next fall as a part of the home-and-home series. The Golden Gophers host San Jose State Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Washington 44, Illinois 19

This one was over almost as soon as it started, as Washington jumped out to a 35-5 lead after just 20 minutes of game time. Shaq Thompson matched the Illini’s total of two touchdowns himself for the Huskies. Shaq Thompson plays defense. That’s not a good sign, Illinois.

Thompson picked off Wes Lunt in the first quarter and returned it 36 yards for the score and then scooped up a fumble in the second quarter and took it to the house as Washington cruised to the victory. The loss dropped Illinois to 2-1 on the season and they will host Texas State next week.

Notre Dame 30, Purdue 14

Purdue hung around with Notre Dame for the majority of this one, something Michigan certainly can’t say. The Boilermakers even led late in the second quarter before Everett Golson ran in from 15 yards out to give the Irish the lead for good as they went up 17-14. Golson was the story in this one, throwing for 259 yards and two scores while adding 56 rushing yards and the TD.

Purdue had just 56 rushing yards themselves and added three turnovers in their seventh straight loss to the Fighting Irish. At 1-2, the Boilermakers will look to get back to .500 when Southern Illinois comes to Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday.

Penn State 13, Rutgers 10

Penn State rudely welcomed Rutgers into the Big Ten as they scored a last-minute touchdown to defeat the Scarlet Knights in their first conference game. Bill Belton ran in from five yards out to give the Nittany Lions their only lead of the game. Rutgers led 10-0 at halftime and held on to that lead until the Belton touchdown despite Gary Nova throwing five interceptions.

Christian Hackenberg threw for 300 yards again as he ended with 309 yards and a pick as Penn State jumped to first place in the Big Ten East. Rutgers visits the Naval Academy next week while Penn State hosts Massachusetts.

Nebraska 55, Fresno State 19

Things went a little easier this week for Nebraska than they did a week ago when they needed a miracle Ameer Abdullah touchdown to defeat McNeese State at home. This week, the Cornhuskers traveled to Fresno and put a beatdown on the Bulldogs. Big plays highlighted the victory for Nebraska as Jordan Westerkamp caught a 70-yard TD from Tommy Armstrong Jr., Ameer Abdullah had a 57-yard rushing score, and De’Mornay Pierson-El took a punt back 86 yards to house, all in the first half.

Nebraska improved to 3-0 on the season and will look to go to 4-0 next week when the Hurricanes of Miami come into Lincoln for a highly anticipated showdown.

What were your thoughts on this week’s conference performance? Just glad it can’t get much worse than this? Let us know in the comments if you think the Big Ten can turn it around next weekend.

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