Big Ten Recap: Week Three
The Wolverine takes a look around the Big Ten in the third week of the college football season:
Illinois (2-1)
Illinois was handled at No. 22 South Florida on Friday night, 47-23 ... The Bulls were in command throughout the night, leading 23-9 at halftime and 37-9 heading into the fourth quarter ... In just his third collegiate game, freshman receiver Ricky Smalling racked up 99 yards on only three catches ... The two teams combined for 31 penalties and were just five away from the all-time FBS record of 36 set in 1986, between San Jose State and Fresno State.
Iowa (3-0)
Iowa received a bit of a scare from North Texas on Saturday, but ultimately wound up winning, 31-14 ... The Mean Green held a 14-10 halftime lead, but were outscored 21-0 in the second half ... Sophomore quarterback Nathan Stanley came into the game having thrown three more touchdown passes (eight) than any other Big Ten quarterback and tossed two more.
Minnesota (3-0)
Minnesota continued its hot start under new head coach P.J. Fleck, blowing away Middle Tennessee State, 34-3 ... The Gophers held the Blue Raiders scoreless in the second half, marking the third straight game they've accomplished that feat this season ... Junior running back Shannon Brooks missed the game with injury — redshirt junior Rodney Smith and senior Kobe McCrary each ran for 107 yards in his place.
Nebraska (1-2)
Nebraska suffered an embarrassing 21-17 home loss to Northern Illinois on Saturday ... The Cornhuskers grabbed a 17-14 advantage for their first lead of the day with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter, but gave it right back just minutes later and weren't able to score again ... Although he threw for 299 yards, redshirt junior quarterback Tanner Lee also tossed three interceptions ... The loss snaps Nebraska's eight-game home-winning streak.
Northwestern (2-1)
Northwestern bounced back from last week's blowout loss at Duke by defeating Bowling Green, 49-7 ... Redshirt junior quarterback Clayton Thorson threw for two touchdowns and a career-high 370 yards ... Senior tight end Garrett Dickerson also set a career high, hauling in 150 receiving yards ... The Wildcats outgained the Falcons, 678-352.
No. 8 Ohio State (2-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
No. 8 Ohio State steamrolled Army on Saturday, 38-7 ... After receiving plenty of criticism the last two weeks, fifth-year senior quarterback J.T. Barrett had an outstanding day, completing 25 of his 33 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns ... Leading just 17-7 with 8:23 left in the third quarter, the Buckeyes went up 24-7 on a 52-yard touchdown run by freshman running back J.K. Dobbins and all but sealed the game up ... With a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, Barrett became the Big Ten's all-time leader in touchdowns responsible for (106), passing former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees.
No. 5 Penn State (3-0)
No. 5 Penn State picked up their second shutout of the year, blanking Georgia State 56-0 ... Redshirt junior quarterback Trace McSorley had an outstanding night, completing 18 of 23 passes for 309 yards, four touchdowns and no picks; he also set a Beaver Stadium record with an 85-yard touchdown throw ... Junior running back Saquon Barkley tore up the Panthers not on the ground but instead through the air, hauling in 142 receiving yards ... Three different Nittany Lion defenders recorded an interception — senior cornerback Grant Haley, senior safety Marcus Allen and freshman cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields.
Purdue (2-1)
Purdue impressively went on the road and destroyed Missouri, 35-3 ... The 32-point margin of victory was the Boilermakers' largest on the road since a 47-13 win at UCF in 1999 ... Purdue dominated from the start, grabbing a 21-0 lead just over three minutes into the second quarter ... The Boilermakers outgained the Tigers, 477-203.
Rutgers (1-2)
Rutgers snapped its 11-game losing streak with a 65-0 victory over Morgan State ... The Scarlet Knights never left any doubt in this one, leading 34-0 at halftime ... Rutgers dominated in every facet, outgaining the Bears in first downs 25-6 and in yardage 478-145 ... Freshman quarterback Jonathan Lewis became the first quarterback in school history to score four rushing touchdowns in a game.
No. 10 Wisconsin (3-0)
No. 10 Wisconsin impressively went on the road and blew out BYU, 40-6 ... The Badgers dominated from the get-go, leading 24-6 at half ... Freshman running back Jonathan Taylor continued his torrid start to his career, rushing for 128 yards, giving him 438 on the year (the most in the Big Ten) ... Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook played a near perfect game, completing 18 of 19 passes for 256 yards and four touchdown ... Hornibrook became the first Badger quarterback to toss four touchdowns in a game since Russell Wilson in 2011.
Schedule
Friday, Sept. 15
— No. 22 South Florida 47, Illinois 23
Saturday, Sept. 16
— No. 7 Michigan 29, Air Force 13
— Northern Illinois 21, Nebraska 17
— Minnesota 34, Middle Tennessee State 3
— Iowa 31, North Texas 14
— No. 10 Wisconsin 40, BYU 6
— Rutgers 65, Morgan State 0
— Purdue 35, Missouri 3
— No. 8 Ohio State 38, Army 7
— No. 5 Penn State 56, Georgia State 0
— Northwestern 49, Bowling Green 7
Bye: Maryland, Michigan State
Cancelled: Florida International at Indiana
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