While Michigan State dominated their in-state rival Wolverines to improve to 4-0 in Big Ten play, Ohio State needed double overtime to put away pesky Penn State in Happy Valley to move to 3-0 in conference play. Minnesota suffered their first conference defeat at the hands of the Illini as the Big Ten West turned even more chaotic as Wisconsin and Nebraska both won to remain at one conference loss.
Wisconsin 52, Maryland 7
Wisconsin took Maryland behind the woodshed in this one as the Badgers raced out to a 24-0 halftime lead on their way to an easy victory. Melvin Gordon continued his great play again this week, rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns. The Wisconsin defense was excellent all day, holding Maryland to 175 total yards, including just 46 on the ground.
It was 52-0 late in the 4th quarter before C.J. Brown finally found Stefon Diggs for the Terrapins’ only score of the game. Both teams hit the road next weekend, Maryland goes to Penn State and Wisconsin takes on Rutgers.
Illinois 28, Minnesota 24
In the upset of the weekend, Minnesota fell to Illinois in Champaign after V’Angelo Bentley scooped up a fumble and took it to the house in the 4th quarter for the game-winning score. The Illini jumped out to an early 14-0 lead only to see their advantage slip away in the 3rd quarter thanks to a pair of David Cobb touchdown runs.
Reilly O’Toole threw for a touchdown and ran in another as Illinois won their first conference game of the season while simultaneously handing the Gophers their first Big Ten loss. Minnesota is idle on Saturday while Illinois makes the trip to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes in primetime.
Nebraska 42, Rutgers 24
Once again, it was the Ameer Abdullah show for Nebraska as they handled Rutgers easily to move into a tie for first in the Big Ten West at 3-1. Abdullah had 225 yards rushing with three scores, plus 90 return yards and 26 receiving yards.
Gary Nova was just 8-19 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown before he had to leave the game with a right knee injury. It is still unknown whether he will be able to play this weekend when the Scarlet Knights host Wisconsin. Nebraska will host Purdue after the Boilermakers had a bye week to prepare.
Michigan State 35, Michigan 11
The Wolverines were dominated by their in-state rivals for the second year in a row, losing by 24 points a year after losing 29-6. Michigan State outgained the Wolverines on the day 446-186 and allowed just 61 yards on the ground. Jeremy Langford ran for 177 yards and three scores as the Spartans won for the sixth time in seven tries in this series.
Devin Gardner finished 15-30 passing for just 125 yards and was picked off twice by the Spartan defense. The Wolverines now have one passing touchdown and 11 interceptions against Power 5 conference teams this season. Michigan State is idle this weekend to prepare for Ohio State and the Wolverines will host Indiana.
Ohio State 31, Penn State 24 (2OT)
J.T. Barrett had his worst game since the Virginia Tech debacle, but rebounded well in the overtime periods to lead Ohio State to the victory in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. Barrett had just 74 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score early in the second half. The redshirt freshman finished with 75 yards rushing and two overtime touchdowns.
Christian Hackenberg was 31-49 passing for 224 yards and a touchdown but was sacked by Joey Bosa on 4th down in the second overtime on the most important play of the game. DaeSean Hamilton had 14 catches, a Penn State record, for 126 yards. Ohio State hosts Illinois on Saturday while Penn State will play Maryland in Happy Valley.
What was your biggest take away from this weekend? Will the Buckeyes have an easier time of things this weekend with the Illini? Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the upcoming slate of games!
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