Big Ten Week 2 Recap

Posted on September 13, 2015. Filed under: Football, NCAA Sports | Tags: Amateur Sports Magazine, ASNN365, Big Ten Football, Jim Harbough, michigan, michigan state, Mike Riley, NCAA football, Northwestern, Ohio State |

Now that’s how BIG TEN Football is suppose play….

September 12, 2015

Michigan 35, Oregon State 7

Oregon State jumped out first on a 79-yard touchdown drive to open up the game, but the Wolverines’ defense buckled down and the offense woke up. De’Veon Smith led the way on the ground with 23 carries for 126 yards and three scores and quarterback Jake Rudock, went for 18 of 26 passes for 180 yards and one interception.

But again, it was Michigan’s defense really clamped down after the opening drive, allowing a total of 138 yards on the day. Two players from the Buckeye state made their presence felt; defensive end Taco Charlton forced a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Joe Bolden. Coach Jim Harbaugh gets his first win as Michigan’s lead man – period!

Michigan State 31, Oregon 28

The Spartans pulled off the conference’s signature win Saturday night on both sides of the football.

A pair of Ohioans led the way for the Spartans’ offense. Senior quarterback Connor Cook threw for 192 yards and two scores. True freshman running back LJ Scott continues to look like a force to be reckoned with, putting up 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Redshirt freshman running back Madre London added 103 yards on 18 carries as Sparty’s stable of running backs continued to look mighty impressive.

On Michigan State’s biggest recruiting weekend of the year, head coach Mark Dantonio had a message to those future recruits that were in attendance “come to Michigan State” he shared in a postgame interview.
Wisconsin 58, Miami (OH) 0

The Badgers bounced back from last weekend’s loss to Bama with a dominant performance against the Redhawks. Senior quarterback Joel Stave threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns while backup quarterback Bart Houston added another score through the air. Corey Clement didn’t play due to a groin injury, but that didn’t stop the ground game. Junior running back Dare Ogunbowale ran for 112 yards and a score. The Badgers’ offense totaled 451 yards on the day despite taking most of their starters out in the second half.

Minnesota 23, Colorado State 20

Overtime was needed in order to decide this contest, and in the end, the Gophers snagged a close victory over the Rams. For the most poart, defense dominated the game until late in the fourth quarter when both teams seemed to find some rhythm. Quarterback Mitch Leidner led the Minnesota offense down the field for the go-ahead touchdown with about a minute left on the clock. Colorado State answered with a nice drive of their own – with some help from a questionable interference call – kicking a field goal to tie things at 20-20 and force overtime.

On the first play of overtime, Minnesota defensive tackle Scott Ekpe stripped Rams’ running back Dalyn Dawkins and the Gophs recovered. Minnesota kicker Ryan Santoso then connected on an 18-yard field goal to give the Gophs their first win.

Iowa 31, Iowa State 17

The Hawkeyes and Cyclones were knotted up at 17 going into the fourth quarter, but two late touchdowns helped Iowa get past their in-state rivals. The Iowa offense was led by quarterback C.J. Beathard and tailback Jordan Canzeri. Beathard threw for 215 yards and three scores while adding another 77 yards on the ground. The Iowa ground game yielded 260 yards; Canzeri led the way with 124 yards and a score.

Nebraska 48, South Alabama 9

The Huskers recovered from last week’s heartbreaker with a solid performance against the Jaguars of South Alabama, giving new head coach Mike Riley his first win in Lincoln. Tommie Armstrong Jr. threw for 270 yards and two scores. Running back Terrell Newby added a career-high 198 yards on the ground, 39 yards receiving, and three total touchdowns. The Huskers threw for 303 yards and added another 258 on the ground.
Northwestern 41, Eastern Illinois 0

The Wildcats’ defense clamped down on Saturday en route to a shutout against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. EIU was only able to manage 68 yards through the air and 70 on the ground. Redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorsen threw his first career touchdown pass and added a rushing touchdown as well.

Northwestern had three players rush for at least 50 yards. Justin Jackson led the way with 78 yards and a touchdown. Warren Long added 72 yards and a score of his own. The Wildcats’ ground attack amassed 344 yards. Thorsen didn’t put up spectacular numbers, but he was efficient, completing 11 of 16 passes for 152 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.

Illinois 44, Western Illinois 0

It was another dominant performance for the Illini as they continue to fire on mostly all cylinders. The defense stymied Western Illinois, allowing just 141 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers. Trenton Norvell and Sean McGuire both saw time at quarterback for Western Illinois but were only able to manage 43 yards on 24 attempts. Illinois safety Taylor Barton led the way with a pair of interceptions. Through two games, the Illini defense has given up only three points.

The Illinois offense was impressive as well, putting up 500 yards on the Leathernecks. Quarterback Wes Lunt threw for 316 yards and a score while the Illini ground game notched 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns, though they only averaged 2.9 yards per carry. Illinois wide receiver Geronimo Allison led all pass-catchers with eight receptions for 124 yards. Special teams got in on the action as well, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown.

Purdue 38, Indiana State 14

The Boilermakers bounced back from last weekend’s loss with a win over the Sycamores of Indiana State. Purdue quarterback Austin Appleby threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns while also notching 50 yards on the ground. After throwing four interceptions against Marshall last week, Appleby responded with a mistake-free game. The Purdue offense featured a balanced attack on Saturday, netting 251 yards on the ground.

Indiana State quarterback Matt Adam threw for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Adam also led the ground attack for the Sycamores, adding 88 yards rushing.

Ohio State 38, Hawaii 0

Indiana 36, Florida International 22

Penn State 27, Buffalo 14

Bowling Green 48, Maryland 27

Washington State 37, Rutgers 34

Overall, it was a better week for the Big Ten as Michigan State knocked off Oregon and for a solid collision course to possibly face The Ohio State Buckeyes as top dog. The biggest disappointment had to be in Maryland as the Terps were unable to slow down Bowling Green’s offense.

What’s on the docket for next week? Ohio State will take on unbeaten Northern Illinois, Nebraska travels to Miami to battle the Hurricanes, Iowa faces Pitt at Kinnick Stadium, and conference play will kick off as Rutgers travels to Happy Valley.