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Games In Order From Best To Worst

Michigan at Minnesota

Final Score: Michigan 29, Minnesota 26
Pick: Michigan 24, Minnesota 10
Line: Michigan -13.5, o/u: 38.5

In a heartbreaking loss after a tough week for Minnesota, instead of kicking the game-tying field goal to force overtime, interim head coach Trecy Claeys chose to go for it on the final play of the game on 4th-and-goal from the one. QB Mitch Leidner was stuffed, and Michigan came away with the tough, emotional win. The Gophers appeared to have won the game on a touchdown pass from 22 yards out to Drew Wolitarsky with 19 seconds to play, but he was ruled down at the one. After a poorly executed pass play, Minnesota had time for one last shot, and got stuffed. Wilton Speight came in for an injured Jake Rudock and found Jehu Chesson for a 12-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes to play to take the lead, and his two-point conversion pass to Amara Darboh would turn out to be the big difference-maker, putting the Wolverines up three. Leidner ran for a 24-yard score and found Rashad Still for a 52-yard touchdown pass, but Michigan stayed alive in the second half on a six-yard Jabrill Peppers run. Minnesota outgained Michigan 461 yards to 296 in the first game of the post-Jerry Kill era, but it couldn’t get that one extra yard.

Player of the Game: In a losing cause, Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner completed 16-of-33 passes for 317 yards and a score, and ran 11 times for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Nebraska at Purdue

Final Score: Purdue 55, Nebraska 45
Pick: Nebraska 37, Purdue 17
Line: Nebraska -9, o/u: 56

Anthony Brown came up with three interceptions and David Blough threw four touchdown passes as Purdue stunned Nebraska. The Huskers turned the ball over five times, and the Boilermakers took advantage highlighted by a big third quarter with three of Blough’s scoring passes including two to David Yancey on an 83-yard play and a nine-yarder for a 42-16 lead. But Nebraska didn’t quit, roaring back for 29 fourth quarter points to keep the pressure on. However, just when the Huskers appeared to be rolling after a fourth down stop, Frankie Williams picked off a pass for the Boilermakers, Markell Jones ran for a score, and the upset was theirs. Ryker Fyfe threw for 407 yards and four scores, but he also threw four picks. Purdue didn’t turn the ball over.

Player of the Game: Purdue QB David Blough completed 28-of-43 passes for 274 yards and four scores, and ran ten times for 82 yards and a score.

Maryland at Iowa

Final Score: Iowa 31, Maryland 15
Pick: Iowa 31, Maryland 17
Line: Iowa -17, o/u: 53.5

The offense didn’t get the running game cranked up, but it didn’t need to with the defense forcing four takeaways and with a few early scores making it a relative breeze. LeShun Daniels, Akrum Wadley and Derrick Mitchell all scored on short runs on the way to a 21-0 halftime lead, but the D put it away with Desmond King taking one of the Perry Hills interceptions 88 yards for a score. The Terps still fought back with a William Likely return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, but the Hawkeyes were never really threatened. Iowa outgained Maryland just 293 yards to 241.

Player of the Game: Iowa SS Miles Taylor made a team-high eight tackles with an interception and fumble recovery.

Rutgers at Wisconsin

Final Score: Wisconsin 48, Rutgers 10
Pick: Wisconsin 27, Rutgers 17
Line: Wisconsin -20.5, o/u: 51.5

And that’s the difference when the star is back. Corey Clement stepped into the game and ran for three touchdowns as Wisconsin ran to an easy win. Joel Stave found Alex Erickson for a backbreaking 31-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter on the way to a 34-3 lead – the defense took care of the rest. Rutgers only managed a 21-yard Kyle Federico field goal in the first quarter, and didn’t get into the end zone until late in the third on a 50-yard pick six from Blessuan Austin. Clement responded with a big run leading to a four-yard Dare Ogunbowale touchdown run to keep the destruction going. Rutgers gained just 165 yards of total offense.

Player of the Game: Wisconsin RB Corey Clement ran 11 times for 115 yards and three scores.

Illinois at Penn State

Final Score: Penn State 39, Illinois 0
Pick: Penn State 17, Illinois 14
Line: Penn State -4.5, o/u: 43

Penn State had no problems from the start with anything but extra points. Christian Hackenberg threw two first quarter touchdown passes and caught a 14-yard scoring pass on a third quarter trick play, but the first two extra points were blocked. It didn’t matter. Tyler Davis was able to his two field goals, and Saquon Barkely and Mark Allen ran for fourth quarter scores on the way to the blowout. Illinois was held to just 167 yards of total offense with just 37 rushing yards.

Player of the Game: Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg completed 21-of-29 passes for 266 yards and two scores, and he caught a pass for a 14-yard score.