THE BIG TEN REPORT

BY MICK MILLER
BIG TEN INSIDER

Sift through the carnage from upset Saturday and we will find that the Big Ten’s ranked teams faired better than those in front of them. Ohio State and Wisconsin have moved up in the Top 25 as the shuffle takes place this week. In the conference, the bottom seems to be creeping up to the top, making for more parity and entertaining contests. In an exciting weekend of close calls and close shaves, let’s throw everyone in the Big Ten against the wall, and see who sticks.

Illinois 27 (#21) Penn State 20

Perhaps still smarting from last week’s loss at the Big House, Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli fared no better against the Fighting Illini in Champaign. Morelli threw three interceptions and fumbled and the Lions continue to put the ball on the turf. Illinois held a 21-17 lead at the half, but the defense held the Nittany Lions to only three second-half points. Freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown (his first career kick return) after a Penn State field goal in the first quarter and also caught six passes for 84 yards and another score.

Up next: Illinois host Wisconsin, Penn State welcomes Iowa

(#8) Ohio State 30 Minnesota 7

The Buckeyes continue to cruise as they dominated the Gophers Saturday in Minnesota. So far, and so good for Ohio State, quarterback Todd Boeckman (18-29, 209 yards, 2 touchdown passes) hasn’t had to win a game for them as they continue to be solid in the running game and on defense. Tailback Chris Wells ran for 116 yards and two scores while the defense held the Gophers to 277 yards of total offense. Buckeye wide receiver Brian Robiskie caught five passes for 99 yards, including a 52-yard score that made it 20-7 before the half.

Up next: O.S.U. visit Purdue, Minnesota travel to Indiana


(#9) Wisconsin 37 Michigan State 34

It’s not how, it’s how many. Wisconsin continues to push the envelope and yet continues to win. The Badger running game helped the offense win the time of possession battle and yet the Spartans rolled up 564 yards of offense against the defense. Badger back P.J. Hill rand for 155 yards and two scores and the two-headed tandem of MSU, Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick, combined for 218 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. When Wisconsin passed, tight end Travis Beckum caught 10 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Up next: Wisconsin fights in Illinois, Michigan State hosts Northwestern

Indiana 38 Iowa 20

Hoosier quarterback Kellen Lewis threw for a personal high of 322 yards and two touchdowns, and picked up a fumble of an eight-yard completion and took it the remaining 71 yards for a touchdown in beating the Hawkeyes on Saturday in Iowa City. The Indiana defense sacked Iowa quarterback Jake Christensen nine times, as their injury-plagued offense again came up short. Hoosier wide receiver, the 6-7 James Hardy, continues his dominance of Iowa with 113 yards and a touchdown, giving him 24 receptions, 420 yards, and five touchdowns in three career games.

Up next: Indiana is home versus Minnesota, Iowa goes to Penn State

Michigan 28 Northwestern 16

The Wolverines wobbled, and then awoke to win against the Wildcats in Evanston. Northwestern used a potent running game and three field goals to take a 16-7 halftime lead, only to implode with four turnovers in the second half. Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham had his best game of the year with 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown while seniors Chad Henne (18-27, 193 yards, three touchdown passes) and Mike Hart (30-106 yards, touchdown) helped the Maize and Blue secure the victory in the fourth quarter. The much-maligned Michigan defense recorded four sacks, recovered two fumbles, and recorded three interceptions.

Up Next: Michigan hosts Eastern Michigan, Northwestern travels to Michigan St.

Purdue 33 Notre Dame 19

In West Lafayette, the Boilermakers used their running game for a change to get out to a 23-0 lead in the first half and add to the woes of the ailing Irish. Tailback Kory Sheets carried the ball 27 times for 141 yards and a score while the usually explosive quarterback Curtis Painter turned in an average game numbers-wise with 252 yards, two touchdowns, and as many interceptions. Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw his first career touchdown pass, but was replaced in the second half by back-up Evan Sharpley due to a hip injury, although he is expected to play next week. Sharpley led the Irish to two fourth quarter touchdowns as Notre Dame actually outgunned Purdue in total offense.

Up next: Purdue hosts Ohio State, Notre Dame is at UCLA