Week 2: Big Ten Recap
By: Dakota Isgrigg | November 1st | @dakota_isgrigg | @BoilerInTexas
The Big Ten had another exciting week of football played with very traditional results and nothing exciting happened at all… wait I’m being told that this week was nothing short of confusing and all it did was confuse fans all over the conference. Let’s take a look back and see how the conference fared in week 2.
Wisconsin @ Nebraska
Wisconsin mismanaged COVID and is paying the price and pulling Nebraska down with them. Who knows what the week ahead holds for the Badgers.
Up Next:
Wisconsin: Unlikely to play but Purdue is on the schedule
Nebraska (0-1): @Northwestern
Minnesota(0-2) 44 @ Maryland(1-1) 45 (OT)
Boy. Minnesota sure is far removed from their 11-win campaign a year ago. They traveled to College Park to take on a Terrapins team that was run over by Northwestern in week 1 to the tune of 43-3. So how did this one end like this?
For Minnesota, they had this game in the bag as they led 38-21 with 2-minutes remaining in the 3rd. They responded by letting Maryland score the next 17 points straight to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then after Maryland scores first, the Gophers get in the endzone before their kicker pushes the extra point wide right. Maryland completes the comeback and PJ Fleck is left scratching his head at how that happened. None of the other stats are really important when you blow a lead like this.
For Maryland, this was a great sign after a week 1 game where the looked lost on both sides of the ball. Taulia Tagovailoa had a night-and-day different game in this one as he went 26-35 for 394 yards and 3 TD’s through the air (with 1 pick), and 8 rushes for 64 yards and 2 more touchdowns. It was a great bounce-back performance for the young QB. Elsewhere on the ground Jake Funk goes for 216 yards on the ground on 21 carries to lead the Terps. In the receiving game, Jeshaun Jones goes for 103 and a TD, and Dontay Demus Jr. joins Jones in the century club with 101 yards and a TD as well.
Up Next:
Minnesota (0-2): @Illinois
Maryland (1-1): @Penn State
Purdue (2-0) 31 @ Illinois (0-2) 24
This was a scary game for Purdue as the Illini never quit and Purdue seemed to not want to put the game away.
Illinois came into this game with a litany of players forced to sit due to either positive COVID-19 tests or due to contact tracing protocols. That included starting QB Brandon Peters as well as the 2nd-string man Isaiah Williams. That left the job to 3rd string QB Matt Robinson who left early in the game with an injury. Finally settling with 4th-string QB Coran Taylor who finished the game. Illinois gave Purdue a run for their money in the end as both sides made multiple mistakes that neither team could take control on. Illinois found success on the ground with long chunk plays before turnovers ultimately doom the team with multiple redzone turnovers. It had to be frustrating to see the team come so close given all the players they were missing.
For Purdue, this was a game that felt like the Boilermakers should have won by more than 7. There were a lot of decisions that led to fans scratching their heads wondering why it was made. This included a failed 4th down conversion on the goal line, and the decision to pass when it was clear that they needed to run some clock. Either way, we are reminded that David Bell is the best receiver in the country and Purdue is lucky to have him. The defense had it’s moments even finishing with a scoop and score touchdown in the 3rd quarter. There are plenty of things that this coaching staff needs to clean up, but at the end of the day, Purdue is 2-0 and we take that.
Up Next:
Purdue (2-0): @Wisconsin(? Who knows)
Illinois (0-2): Minnesota
Michigan State (1-1) 27 @ #13 Michigan (1-1) 24
Woo boy Wolverine fans, this one has to sting more than most. A week removed from what many saw as a statement win over Minnesota, the program is left with the fact that Minnesota is now 0-2 and they lost to the same MSU team that lost by 2-scores to Rutgers. Michigan State on the other hand came to play and absolutely earned this win.
Michigan, what more can you do than shake your head? You host an MSU team that had 9 turnovers against Rutgers and ultimately looked very bad. You don’t turn the ball over, you outgain them in total yards, and still find yourselves behind most of the game. Joe Milton tries to do it all with 300 yards passing and 59 yards rushing but no TD’s. This was supposed to be the year, but it only looks to be more of the same.
For MSU, this was a statement win for new MSU coach Mel Tucker. They marched into Ann Arbor and left with a well fought and well earned 3-point win over the Wolverines. Rocky Lombardi still has room for improvement, but still threw for 323 yards and 3 TD’s. On the ground they finished with 126 yards as a team but no scores. The other bright spot of the offense is Ricky White who was 4 yards shy of 200 yards on 8 receptions. The question for the Spartans is can they keep up the momentum and not settle back to Rutgers level play.
Up Next:
Michigan (1-1): @Indiana
Michigan State (1-1): @Iowa
#17 Indiana (2-0) 37 @ Rutgers (1-1) 21
Is it time to start talking to your family about undefeated Indiana? They got a major win in week 1 over the Nittany Lions and follow it up with a win over a Rutgers team that beat Michigan State in their first game. It was a bit of a sluggish start for IU as they were down 7-6 in the second before rattling off a few scores to take the lead and never looked back.
Indiana finished this game off like the better team is supposed to do. They were a little slow out of the gate but picked up steam in the second quarter. Michael Penix Jr. finished 17-26 for 238 and 3 TD’s through the air and 20 yards and a score on the ground as well. Stevie Scott had some issues in the rushing game finishing with 79 yards on 21 carries and was held out of the endzone. Whop Philyor led the way in receiving with 137 yards but also didn’t find pay-dirt. Those honors went to Peyton Hendershot (2 TD’s) and Ty Fryfogle (1 TD). Indiana took care of business and is looking good as they now look forward to a scrambling Michigan squad.
For Rutgers, they started strong but didn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Hoosiers. Noah Vedral finished 21-34 for 129 yards & 2 TD’s, but did throw 3 picks as well. They need Vedral to play well if they want to keep up with the high powered offenses in the East. On the ground Kay’Ron Adams finished with 63 yards and the lone rushing score as Rutgers tried many guys on the ground finishing just over the century mark as a team. Through the air, Bo Melton had an okay day finishing with 50 yards and 2 TD’s. They also had one of the most insane attempts to convert a 4th-and-a-mile when, I believe, they threw 7 laterals and scored a touchdown that was called back due to a forward lateral. I don’t care who you are, everyone would prefer that to stand because it was awesome and the world is less off because it doesn’t count.
Up Next:
Indiana (X-X): Michigan
Rutgers (X-X): @Ohio State
Northwestern (2-0) 21 @ Iowa (0-2) 20
If you like high flying offenses, this is typically a game you should avoid like the plague. On Saturday afternoon we were greeted with another very interesting offensive output that many Hawkeye fans wish they could have back. Iowa went up 17-0 in the first 15 minutes of game time and only managed 3 points the rest of the way (A FG in the 2nd). Northwestern on the other hand was just getting started on their way to a 14-point 2nd quarter followed up by 7 more in the third to give us our final score.
Northwestern is now 2-0 and tied with the Boilermakers at the top of the Big Ten West, and with Wisconsin’s uncertain future as of now, it looks like the game in 2 weeks in West Lafayette could set one team up for a shot at the West title. Peyton Ramsey finished 11-18 for 130 yards, no scores and 1 pick. Ramsey also put in 26 yards on the ground. Isaiah Bowser led the way on the ground with 85 yards but it was Jesse Brown (2) and Kyric McGowan (1) who punched in the scores on the ground. Northwestern never got too low and continued to fight back and eventually did just enough to hold onto the 1-point win.
Iowa…. you okay? I know the opening day loss to Purdue must sting, but at the same time, you had this game almost locked up in the first quarter. I think we gave Spencer Petras a pass in week one due to it being his first collegiate start, but following it up with a 26-50 for 216 yards, 1 TD and 3(!) picks. This is not what Hawkeye fans thought they were getting out of Petras and he needs to figure something out fast. Iowa failed to reach 100 yards rushing as a team, with Goodson leading the way with 43 yards on 13 carries. Ihmir Smith-Marsette finally got involved on the offense with 84 yards receiving but was held out of the endzone. This is a very frustrating loss for Iowa, and in a year with a shortened season, after starting 0-2, you have to wonder how much the Iowa players will be invested the rest of the way.
Up Next:
Northwestern (X-X): Nebraska
Iowa (X-X): Michigan State
#3 Ohio State (2-0) 38 @ #18 Penn State (0-2) 25
This was the game of the day in the Big Ten for obvious reasons. Going into the season, many circled this game as the most likely game that OSU would drop. What no one expected was the opening week loss to Indiana by Penn State. Ohio State led from start to finish and while Penn State never quit, they never really threatened the Buckeyes either.
What more can you say about Ohio State other than that they are the best team in the conference and until they make a mistake, they will likely not be challenged too hard on their way to the Big Ten Championship Game. Justin Fields picked up where he left off against Nebraska finishing the game 28-34 for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns on the game. On the ground, OSU finally flexed the muscle they didn’t necessarily show in week 1 with Master Teague putting up 110 yards and score. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson both put up over 110 yards receiving and this one was never in doubt.
Penn State’s season is over, they may win more games, but effectively, their season ended with this one as they fall to 0-2. It begs the question of, what does this team do from here? Only time will tell. Sean Clifford had a decent day with 281 yards passing, 3 TD’s and 1 INT. The real issue was on the ground where they only managed 44 yards total as a team. Through the air, Jahan Dotson showed out with 144 yards and 3 touchdowns in the lone bright spot for the Nittany Lions. Penn State gets the chance to right the ship with an up and down Maryland squad next week, but as we saw in the Minnesota/Maryland game, spooky things can happen with the Terps.
Up Next:
Ohio State (X-X): Rutgers
Penn State (X-X): Maryland
What did you take away from week two in the conference? Let me know in the comment section below!
Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue!
