Iowa 40, Purdue 20
Iowa clinched a share of the West Division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championsihp Game with a 40-20 win over Purdue on Saturday. Iowa will play Nebraska next week in quest of their first-ever perfect 12-0 regular season and to keep their national playoff hopes alive. Iowa played shaky at times, but quarterback C.J. Beathard kept making plays to keep Iowa unbeaten. Purdue lost starting quarterback David Blough early with a head injury and Austin Appleby came in and played well as Purdue had Iowa on the ropes in the second and third quarters, and trailed just 20-13 at halftime. Purdue actually outgained Iowa in total yardage 405 yards (268 pass, 137 rush, 1 turnover) to 387 yards (213 pass, 174 rush, 1 turnover). C.J. Beathard was 12-of-20 for 213 yards with 3 TD passes in the win. Jordan Canzeri led the Hawkeyes on the ground with 13 carries for 95 yards and a TD and LeShaun Daniels rushed for 31 yards and 2 TDs. Beathard added 12 yards on 7 carries. Henry Krieger Coble and Tevaun Smith led Iowa in receiving with 4 catches for 76 yards (1 TD) and 4 catches for 73 yards, respectively. For Purdue, Austin Appleby was 23-of-40 for 259 yards with 1 TD. Markell Jones had 24 carries for 87 yards and a TD and DeAngelo Yancey hauled in nine receptions for 117 yards in the loss.
Michigan 28, Penn State 16
Michigan stayed in contention for the East Division title with a 28-16 win over Penn State in Happy Valley. Jake Rudock threw for 256 yards and two scores to lead the Wolverines. Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg was harrassed all day and was sacked four times in the loss. Michigan gained 343 total yards (256 pass, 87 rush, 2 turnovers). Penn STate gained only 207 total yards (137 pass, 70 rush, 1 turnover). Rudock ended the day going 25-of-38 for 256 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. De'Veon Smith had 13 carries for 39 yards with a TD and Jehu Chesson had four catches for 69 yards to lead Michigan. For Penn State, Christian Hackenberg was 13-of-31 for 137 yards with 1 TD. Saquon Barkley had 15 carries for 68 yards and Chris Godwin hauled in three passes for 51 yards in the loss.
Rutgers 31, Army 21
Paul James rushed for three touchdowns and Josh Hicks, who just switched to safety from running back, recorded an interception and a fumble recovery as Rutgers went on the road to beat Army, snappinga four-game losing streak. Hicks switched as injuries plagued the Scarlet Knights heavily going into this game. Rutgers will try to beat Maryland next week for a fifth win and a possible bowl berth. Army was driving late in the fourth quarter to stay close with Rutgers before Hicks intercepted a Black Knight pass in the end zone to seal the win. Army outgained Rutgers 401 yards (140 pass, 261 rush, 2 turnovers) to 359 yards (254 rush, 105 pass, 0 turnovers). Chris Laviano was 13-of-21 for 105 yards in the win. Paul James had 18 carries for 116 yards and 3 TDs while Robert Martin added 17 carries for 99 yards and a score. Leonte Carroo was the top receiver for Rutgers with four catches for 37 yards. For Army, Chris Carter was 4-of-6 for 140 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT wihle also rushing 20 times for 111 yards and a TD. Edgar Poe hauled in two receptions for 95 yards for a TD as well in the loss.
Indiana 47, Maryland 28
Indiana was down early 21-3 to the Terrapins when Kevin Wilson changed up the offensive game plan and turned to shootout mode. The changed worked as the Hoosiers rallied for a 47-28 win, the first win in conference play this year for Indiana. When down 21-3, the Hoosiers scored three touchdowns in a span of four minutes and 33 seconds to take a 30-21 halftime lead, and Indiana never looked back. Despite running back Brandon Ross rushing for the fourth highest single game total in school history (250 yards), Maryland lost its eighth straight game. Indiana outgained Maryland 555 yards (385 pass, 170 rush, 1 turnover) to 489 yards (170 pass, 319 rush, 0 turnovers). Nate Sudfeld went 23-of-35 for 385 yards with 4 TD pases in the win. Devine Redding had 24 carries for 130 yards and Simmie Cobbs Jr. grabbed nine passes for 192 yards in the win. For Maryland, Caleb Rowe was 10-of-19 for 88 yards with a TD while Shane Cockerille was 11-of-22 for 82 yards. Brandon Ross had 19 carries for 250 yards and 3 TDs while Levern Jacobs had four catches for 50 yards in the loss.
Minnesota 32, Illinois 23
Also plagued by injuries, Minnesota leaned on several true freshmen and picked up a nice 32-23 win over Illinois in Minneapolis. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Gophers as they stay in contention for a postseason game. The win was the 11th in the last 15 meetings between the two schools for Minnesota, including five of the last seven. It was also the first win for new Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys. Illinois got within one point with 6:56 remaining in the game and got the ball back at the 16 yard line with under five minutes to play before the Illini attack fell flat. Illinios outgained Minnesota 433 yards (279 pass, 154 rush, 3 turnovers) to 343 yards (88 pass, 255 rush, 1 turnover.) For Minnesota, Mitch Leidner was 15-of-25 for 88 yards and a TD. Shannon Brooks had 17 carries for 174 yards and 3 TDs and K.J. Maye had four catches for 31 yards in the win. For Illinois, Wes Lunt was 34-of-47 for 279 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Josh Ferguson had 20 carries for 105 yards and Malik Turner had 11 catches for 126 yards and a TD in the loss.
Northwestern 13, Wisconsin 7
An odd ending to the game saw Northwestern with a late goal-line stand to hold off Wisconsin 13-7 in Madison. Wisconsin had several chances near the end zone to tie or win the game but couldn't close as the Wildcats move to 9-2 on the year and snapped a five-game winning streak for Wisconsin. With 1:47 left, Joel Stave drove the Badgers down to the Northwestern 1-yard line, but Stave was forced to leave the game before the final play due to injury after getting hurt on a sack. Bart Houston's pass to Tanner McEvoy in the end zone was just out of reach on a fourth and goal from the 11 with two seconds left to end the game. Neither team played well offensively in this game with Northwestern barely edging out Wisconsin in total offense 209 yards (60 pass, 149 rush) to 203 yards (229 pass, -26 rush). Wisconsin committed five turnovers in the game and was held to minus-26 yards rushing by Northwestern. Clayton Thorson was 9-of-20 for 60 yards in the win. Justin Jackson carried 35 times for 139 yards and a TD and Garrett Dickerson had two catches for 24 yards to lead the Wildcats. Northwestern also recorded five sacks in the win. For Wisconsin, Joel Stave was 20-of-34 for 229 yards with 2 INT. Corey Clement had 10 carries for 24 yards and a TD and Jazz Peavy had five catches for 88 yards in the loss. The win was Northwestern's first in Madison since 2000.
Michigan State 17, Ohio State 14
Connor Cook, arguably the best quarterback in Michigan State history, sat out this game with a shoulder injury, but backup Tyler O'Conner led Michigan State to a victory. The Spartans, like their game against Michigan, never led at any point in the game until they kicked a game-winning 41 yard field goal as time expired in Columbus. The win snaps Ohio State's 23-game winning streak and is the first Big Ten regular season loss in the Urban Meyer era. In fact, it is just the second Big Ten loss total in the Urban Meyer era as Michigan State also beat the Meyer-led Buckeyes in the 2013 Big Ten championship game. The loss likley knocked Ohio State out of the playoff race while the Spartans likely re-entered it. The Spartans completed just one pass in the second half, but used an stout defense and an efficient ground game to seal the win. Michigan State gained 294 total yards on the day (91 pass, 203 rush) and held Ohio State to just 132 total yards (46 pass, 86 rush). Michigan State committed two turnovers in the game, while the Buckeyes had none. Tyler O'Connor was 7-of-12 for 89 yards with 1 TD pass in the win. Gerald Holmes had 14 carries for 65 yards and a TD while Aaron Burbridge had four catches for 62 yards in the win. For Ohio State, J.T. Barrett was 9-of-16 for 46 yards and a TD and was the team's leading rusher with 15 carries for 44 yards. Ezekiel Elliott, who entered the game with 15-straight 100-yard rushing performances, touched the ball only 12 times for 33 yards and scored a TD. Jalin Marshall was the top Buckeye receiver with two catches for 22 yards and a TD.
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Standings
East Division
1. Micihgan (9-2, 6-1)
1. Michigan State (10-1, 6-1)
1. Ohio State (10-1, 6-1)
4. Penn State (7-4, 4-3)
5. Indiana (5-6, 1-6)
5. Rutgers (4-7, 1-6)
7. Maryland (2-9, 0-7)
A three-way tie exists atop this division and all three teams can still make it to Indianapolis. If Michigan State beats Penn State next week, the Spartans will go to the conference title game having secured wins over both Michigan and Ohio State. If MSU loses to Penn State, then the winner of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game next week would advance to Indianapolis.
West Division
1. Iowa (11-0, 7-0)
2. Northwestern (9-2, 5-2)
2. Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2)
4. Nebraska (5-6, 3-4)
5. Illinois (5-6, 2-5)
5. Minnesota (5-6, 2-5)
7. Purdue (2-9, 1-6)
Iowa has clinched the West Division title outright and a berth in the Big Ten championship game.
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Games for the Final Week of Regular Season
Friday, November 27
2:30 p.m.
Iowa at Nebraska (ABC)
Saturday, November 28
11:00 a.m.
Indiana at Purdue (BTN)
Maryland at Rutgers (BTN)
Ohio State at Michigan (ABC -or- ESPN)
2:30 p.m.
Northwestern vs. Illinois (at Soldier Field) (ESPN2 -or- ESPNU)
Penn State at Michigan State (ABC, ESPN -or- ESPN2)
Wisconsin at Minnesota (BTN)
Iowa clinched a share of the West Division title and a berth in the Big Ten Championsihp Game with a 40-20 win over Purdue on Saturday. Iowa will play Nebraska next week in quest of their first-ever perfect 12-0 regular season and to keep their national playoff hopes alive. Iowa played shaky at times, but quarterback C.J. Beathard kept making plays to keep Iowa unbeaten. Purdue lost starting quarterback David Blough early with a head injury and Austin Appleby came in and played well as Purdue had Iowa on the ropes in the second and third quarters, and trailed just 20-13 at halftime. Purdue actually outgained Iowa in total yardage 405 yards (268 pass, 137 rush, 1 turnover) to 387 yards (213 pass, 174 rush, 1 turnover). C.J. Beathard was 12-of-20 for 213 yards with 3 TD passes in the win. Jordan Canzeri led the Hawkeyes on the ground with 13 carries for 95 yards and a TD and LeShaun Daniels rushed for 31 yards and 2 TDs. Beathard added 12 yards on 7 carries. Henry Krieger Coble and Tevaun Smith led Iowa in receiving with 4 catches for 76 yards (1 TD) and 4 catches for 73 yards, respectively. For Purdue, Austin Appleby was 23-of-40 for 259 yards with 1 TD. Markell Jones had 24 carries for 87 yards and a TD and DeAngelo Yancey hauled in nine receptions for 117 yards in the loss.
Michigan 28, Penn State 16
Michigan stayed in contention for the East Division title with a 28-16 win over Penn State in Happy Valley. Jake Rudock threw for 256 yards and two scores to lead the Wolverines. Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg was harrassed all day and was sacked four times in the loss. Michigan gained 343 total yards (256 pass, 87 rush, 2 turnovers). Penn STate gained only 207 total yards (137 pass, 70 rush, 1 turnover). Rudock ended the day going 25-of-38 for 256 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. De'Veon Smith had 13 carries for 39 yards with a TD and Jehu Chesson had four catches for 69 yards to lead Michigan. For Penn State, Christian Hackenberg was 13-of-31 for 137 yards with 1 TD. Saquon Barkley had 15 carries for 68 yards and Chris Godwin hauled in three passes for 51 yards in the loss.
Rutgers 31, Army 21
Paul James rushed for three touchdowns and Josh Hicks, who just switched to safety from running back, recorded an interception and a fumble recovery as Rutgers went on the road to beat Army, snappinga four-game losing streak. Hicks switched as injuries plagued the Scarlet Knights heavily going into this game. Rutgers will try to beat Maryland next week for a fifth win and a possible bowl berth. Army was driving late in the fourth quarter to stay close with Rutgers before Hicks intercepted a Black Knight pass in the end zone to seal the win. Army outgained Rutgers 401 yards (140 pass, 261 rush, 2 turnovers) to 359 yards (254 rush, 105 pass, 0 turnovers). Chris Laviano was 13-of-21 for 105 yards in the win. Paul James had 18 carries for 116 yards and 3 TDs while Robert Martin added 17 carries for 99 yards and a score. Leonte Carroo was the top receiver for Rutgers with four catches for 37 yards. For Army, Chris Carter was 4-of-6 for 140 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT wihle also rushing 20 times for 111 yards and a TD. Edgar Poe hauled in two receptions for 95 yards for a TD as well in the loss.
Indiana 47, Maryland 28
Indiana was down early 21-3 to the Terrapins when Kevin Wilson changed up the offensive game plan and turned to shootout mode. The changed worked as the Hoosiers rallied for a 47-28 win, the first win in conference play this year for Indiana. When down 21-3, the Hoosiers scored three touchdowns in a span of four minutes and 33 seconds to take a 30-21 halftime lead, and Indiana never looked back. Despite running back Brandon Ross rushing for the fourth highest single game total in school history (250 yards), Maryland lost its eighth straight game. Indiana outgained Maryland 555 yards (385 pass, 170 rush, 1 turnover) to 489 yards (170 pass, 319 rush, 0 turnovers). Nate Sudfeld went 23-of-35 for 385 yards with 4 TD pases in the win. Devine Redding had 24 carries for 130 yards and Simmie Cobbs Jr. grabbed nine passes for 192 yards in the win. For Maryland, Caleb Rowe was 10-of-19 for 88 yards with a TD while Shane Cockerille was 11-of-22 for 82 yards. Brandon Ross had 19 carries for 250 yards and 3 TDs while Levern Jacobs had four catches for 50 yards in the loss.
Minnesota 32, Illinois 23
Also plagued by injuries, Minnesota leaned on several true freshmen and picked up a nice 32-23 win over Illinois in Minneapolis. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Gophers as they stay in contention for a postseason game. The win was the 11th in the last 15 meetings between the two schools for Minnesota, including five of the last seven. It was also the first win for new Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys. Illinois got within one point with 6:56 remaining in the game and got the ball back at the 16 yard line with under five minutes to play before the Illini attack fell flat. Illinios outgained Minnesota 433 yards (279 pass, 154 rush, 3 turnovers) to 343 yards (88 pass, 255 rush, 1 turnover.) For Minnesota, Mitch Leidner was 15-of-25 for 88 yards and a TD. Shannon Brooks had 17 carries for 174 yards and 3 TDs and K.J. Maye had four catches for 31 yards in the win. For Illinois, Wes Lunt was 34-of-47 for 279 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Josh Ferguson had 20 carries for 105 yards and Malik Turner had 11 catches for 126 yards and a TD in the loss.
Northwestern 13, Wisconsin 7
An odd ending to the game saw Northwestern with a late goal-line stand to hold off Wisconsin 13-7 in Madison. Wisconsin had several chances near the end zone to tie or win the game but couldn't close as the Wildcats move to 9-2 on the year and snapped a five-game winning streak for Wisconsin. With 1:47 left, Joel Stave drove the Badgers down to the Northwestern 1-yard line, but Stave was forced to leave the game before the final play due to injury after getting hurt on a sack. Bart Houston's pass to Tanner McEvoy in the end zone was just out of reach on a fourth and goal from the 11 with two seconds left to end the game. Neither team played well offensively in this game with Northwestern barely edging out Wisconsin in total offense 209 yards (60 pass, 149 rush) to 203 yards (229 pass, -26 rush). Wisconsin committed five turnovers in the game and was held to minus-26 yards rushing by Northwestern. Clayton Thorson was 9-of-20 for 60 yards in the win. Justin Jackson carried 35 times for 139 yards and a TD and Garrett Dickerson had two catches for 24 yards to lead the Wildcats. Northwestern also recorded five sacks in the win. For Wisconsin, Joel Stave was 20-of-34 for 229 yards with 2 INT. Corey Clement had 10 carries for 24 yards and a TD and Jazz Peavy had five catches for 88 yards in the loss. The win was Northwestern's first in Madison since 2000.
Michigan State 17, Ohio State 14
Connor Cook, arguably the best quarterback in Michigan State history, sat out this game with a shoulder injury, but backup Tyler O'Conner led Michigan State to a victory. The Spartans, like their game against Michigan, never led at any point in the game until they kicked a game-winning 41 yard field goal as time expired in Columbus. The win snaps Ohio State's 23-game winning streak and is the first Big Ten regular season loss in the Urban Meyer era. In fact, it is just the second Big Ten loss total in the Urban Meyer era as Michigan State also beat the Meyer-led Buckeyes in the 2013 Big Ten championship game. The loss likley knocked Ohio State out of the playoff race while the Spartans likely re-entered it. The Spartans completed just one pass in the second half, but used an stout defense and an efficient ground game to seal the win. Michigan State gained 294 total yards on the day (91 pass, 203 rush) and held Ohio State to just 132 total yards (46 pass, 86 rush). Michigan State committed two turnovers in the game, while the Buckeyes had none. Tyler O'Connor was 7-of-12 for 89 yards with 1 TD pass in the win. Gerald Holmes had 14 carries for 65 yards and a TD while Aaron Burbridge had four catches for 62 yards in the win. For Ohio State, J.T. Barrett was 9-of-16 for 46 yards and a TD and was the team's leading rusher with 15 carries for 44 yards. Ezekiel Elliott, who entered the game with 15-straight 100-yard rushing performances, touched the ball only 12 times for 33 yards and scored a TD. Jalin Marshall was the top Buckeye receiver with two catches for 22 yards and a TD.
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Standings
East Division
1. Micihgan (9-2, 6-1)
1. Michigan State (10-1, 6-1)
1. Ohio State (10-1, 6-1)
4. Penn State (7-4, 4-3)
5. Indiana (5-6, 1-6)
5. Rutgers (4-7, 1-6)
7. Maryland (2-9, 0-7)
A three-way tie exists atop this division and all three teams can still make it to Indianapolis. If Michigan State beats Penn State next week, the Spartans will go to the conference title game having secured wins over both Michigan and Ohio State. If MSU loses to Penn State, then the winner of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game next week would advance to Indianapolis.
West Division
1. Iowa (11-0, 7-0)
2. Northwestern (9-2, 5-2)
2. Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2)
4. Nebraska (5-6, 3-4)
5. Illinois (5-6, 2-5)
5. Minnesota (5-6, 2-5)
7. Purdue (2-9, 1-6)
Iowa has clinched the West Division title outright and a berth in the Big Ten championship game.
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Games for the Final Week of Regular Season
Friday, November 27
2:30 p.m.
Iowa at Nebraska (ABC)
Saturday, November 28
11:00 a.m.
Indiana at Purdue (BTN)
Maryland at Rutgers (BTN)
Ohio State at Michigan (ABC -or- ESPN)
2:30 p.m.
Northwestern vs. Illinois (at Soldier Field) (ESPN2 -or- ESPNU)
Penn State at Michigan State (ABC, ESPN -or- ESPN2)
Wisconsin at Minnesota (BTN)
