A full slate of conference games for the first time in 2015 was on the schedule for the Big Ten this weekend. The Wolverines became the first time in 20 years to shut out three straight opponents when they blanked Northwestern in a Top 25 matchup. Wisconsin rallied in the closing seconds in Lincoln to keep their hopes of another Big Ten West championship alive.
Ohio State 49, Maryland 28
Ohio State struggled to find its footing early yet again, but managed to get its act together to outscore the Terrapins 28-7 after a Perry Hills touchdown run made it 21-all just a few minutes into the second half. Ezekiel Elliott hit 100 yards once again and the QB tandem of Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett proved effective, as the Buckeyes went 6-for-6 on touchdowns in the red zone.
Perry Hills was a nuisance to the Silver Bullets, passing for 133 yards on just 10-27 passing but the scrambler ran the ball 25 times for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Maryland gets a week off to prepare for a visit from Penn State while the Buckeyes will unveil their black uniforms for the first time Saturday when the Nittany Lions come to Columbus.
Penn State 29, Indiana 7
Penn State made quick work of Zander Diamont and the Indiana Hoosiers. Christian Hackenberg threw two touchdowns and ran in two more for the Nittany Lions who had some struggles on special teams, with Joey Julius missing two extra point attempts in the first half.
Diamont and the Hoosier offense never got off the ground, gaining just 234 total yards and converting on just three of their 16 third down attempts. Indiana tries to get back on track this weekend when Rutgers heads to Bloomington and Penn State takes a trip west to take on the Buckeyes.
Iowa 29, Illinois 20
Jordan Canzeri was the workhorse for the Hawkeyes as they improved to 6-0 for just the 7th time in school history. Canzeri totes the rock an amazing 43 times on Saturday, racking up 256 yards and a score.
Illinois was no pushover and had their chances to win this football game before Iowa ultimately emerged victorious. A 53-yard touchdown pass from Wes Lunt to Geronimo Allison early in the 4th quarter cut the lead to three points, but the Illini would get no closer. Illinois will get their bye week out of the way before hosting Wisconsin in two weeks and Iowa goes to Northwestern where they could put a stranglehold on the B1G West crown.
Michigan 38, Northwestern 0
This one was over the minute the ball was kicked for the first time. Jehu Chesson took the opening kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown and the Wolverines never looked back. Drake Johnson and Jake Rudock added touchdown runs before the 1st quarter was over and even Derrick Green managed to find the end zone late in the ball game.
The Wolverine defense took the headlines once again though, shutting out their third consecutive opponent and allowing just 168 yards of total offense. College GameDay heads to Ann Arbor this weekend for the Wolverines matchup against Michigan State and Northwestern heads back to Ryan Field to take on undefeated Iowa.
Minnesota 41, Purdue 13
In a game some were picking the Boilermakers to pull off the upset, Minnesota led just 10-6 at halftime before blowing the doors off things with four 3rd quarter touchdowns. Shannon Brooks got the rout started early in the half with a 71 yard run before Mitch Leidner and Brandon Lingen hooked up for a pair of red zone touchdowns.
David Blough attempted nearly 50 passes in the loss, completed just 21 of them for 207 yards and a touchdown while getting picked off three times. Minnesota goes back home on Saturday to take on a struggling Nebraska team and Purdue hits the road for the first time this B1G season to play Wisconsin.
Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 21
If you were told Joel Stave threw the ball 50 times in a game, you wouldn’t believe that Wisconsin was anywhere near their opposition. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday and the Badgers managed to claim a come-from-behind win over Nebraska. Stave completed 24 of those passes for 322 yards and a touchdown.
Rafael Gaglianone was first the goat and then the hero in this one for Wisconsin. Gaglianone doinked a field goal off the right upright with just 1:26 left in the game but the Badgers got the ball back and Gaglianone redeemed himself by hitting a 46-yarder with just four ticks left on the clock. Wisconsin will head back to Madison at 1-1 in the conference and a visit from Purdue up next while Nebraska will go on the road to Minnesota.
Michigan State 31, Rutgers 24
Michigan State needed a 3-yard touchdown run from LJ Scott with just :43 left in the game to avoid being upset by the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers benefitted from Leonte Carroo’s return as Carroo caught 7 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns.
Connor Cook led the way for the Spartans, throwing for 357 yards and two touchdowns the much close than anticipated victory. Michigan State will stay on the road next week in Ann Arbor while Rutgers looks to rebound at Indiana.
Will Iowa essentially lock up the Big Ten West with a victory over Northwestern? What’s your prediction for the game in Ann Arbor?
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