The Big Ten took some hits in Week 3 in some notable nonconference matchups, but it wasn’t all bad for the Big Ten this weekend. Nebraska took one on the chin at home against old rival Oklahoma after an eventful week with a coaching change, Michigan State fell behind early against former Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Washington, and Purdue blew one at Syracuse. To keep things on a sour note for the weekend, Northwestern dropped a home game against Southern Illinois.
But it wasn’t all bad for the Big Ten. It’s top two teams, Ohio State and Michigan, cruised to victories at home against overmatched opponents, and Penn State flexed on Auburn down south. And Iowa had to manage its way through three weather delays that took its home game against Nevada into the wee hours in the midwest.
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Here is a look back at the weekend of Big Ten action and a look at the updated records as we begin to start up the Big Ten schedule.
Sep 17, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops to throw during the first quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
This one was over the minute it started. Ohio State jumped out to a 28-7 lead in the first quarter and it was all Buckeyes from there. C.J. Stroud passed for 367 yards and five touchdowns and Ohio State had three 100-yard receivers with Emeka Egbuka (116 yards, 1 TD), Jayden Ballard (113 yards, 1 TD), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (102 yards, 2 TD) as the Buckeyes took care of business at home while padding the stats a bit.
Next up for Ohio State: vs. Wisconsin
Sep 17, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes for a touchdown in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It was another easy one for the defending Big Ten champions, who have now outscored their opponents 166-17 through the first three weeks of the season. Michigan somehow managed to get a pass attempt from seven different players in the game, because they really needed the practice with more passing plays against the Huskies, but J.J. McCarthy was the only player to attempt more than two passes. McCarthy was 15-of-18 for 214 yards. Michigan held UConn to just 110 yards of total offense, just 24 of which came through the UConn passing game.
Next up for Michigan: vs. Maryland
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa (91) tackles Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) for no gain during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a noble effort in the second half, Michigan State dug too big a hole in the first half of their road trip at Washington. With former Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the helm, the Huskies jumped out to a 22-0 lead before the Spartans could put a dent on the scoreboard just before halftime, and the Huskies had a quick answer to strike quickly for a 29-8 halftime lead.
Whether this was a dose of reality for Michigan State in 2022 or just a rough road game against an improved Washington team remains to be seen, but Mel Tucker will have some things to work on in practice this week. It won’t get much easier next week.
Next up for Michigan State: vs. Minnesota
Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) celebrates with offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State put on a clinic at Auburn and gave the home fans a reason to start heading back out to the parking lots early. Penn State dominated the Tigers with a strong second half fueled by freshman running back Nick Singleton and a feisty defense that forced four turnovers in the game. Penn State certainly had the look of a much-improved team in Week 3. Will they keep this going?
Next up for Penn State: vs. Central Michigan
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Trey Palmer (3 during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The first three minutes of this game went about as well as it could have for Nebraska with a big defensive stop and an early 7-0 lead, but the post-Scott Frost era quickly reminded everyone watching the Huskers have a lot of work to be done with the program. Oklahoma stomped the Huskers in Lincoln with 312 rushing yards as a team. Oklahoma out-gained Nebraska 580-327 in one of the most embarrassing losses for Nebraska in this otherwise storied rivalry.
Next up for Nebraska: vs. Indiana
Sep 17, 2022; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Jatius Geer (54) and defensive back Neil Nunn (15) pressure Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) into throwing an interception in the third quarter at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Purdue dropped to 1-2 on the year after a wild ending at Syracuse. Syracuse led 10-9 going into the fourth quarter and Purdue had a chance to escape with the win following Aidan O’Connel’s touchdown pass to Payne Durham with 51 seconds remaining. But the Boilermakers were flagged for a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties and had to kick off from their own 10-yard line. Syracuse started a late possession at midfield as a result and scored the winning touchdown with seven seconds remaining on a drive that was assisted by two defensive penalties on 3rd and 10 situations for automatic first downs.
Next up for Purdue: vs. FAU
Sep 17, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Southern Illinois Salukis linebacker Chris Harris Jr. (5) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Things are not going particularly well for Northwestern. For the second straight week, Northwestern fell at home, only this time it was to FCS opponent Southern Illinois. Salukis quarterback Nic Baker had three touchdown passes and Northwestern coughed up the football four times in the tough loss at home.
Up next for Northwestern: vs. Miami OH
Sep 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Bryce Williams (21) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
It is fair to question just how good Minnesota is given their opponents this season are now a combined 0-9, and 0-6 outside of their games played against the Gophers. But Minnesota is exhibiting full control of their opponents early on and building confidence for bigger tests to come (like next week). Minnesota was up 35-0 on Colorado at halftime behind a strong showing from Mohamed Ibrahim’s 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Up next for Minnesota: at Michigan State
Sep 17, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II (31) leaps over Southern Methodist Mustangs linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (41) for a second-quarter touchdown at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland was in a battle with a decent SMU squad Saturday night in College Park but a fourth-quarter rally saw the Terrapins improve to 3-0. Roman Hemby’s touchdown early in the fourth quarter tied the game at 27-27 and a short touchdown pass from Taulia Tagovailoa to Corey Dyches midway through the quarter gave Maryland its first lead of the second half. It was enough to hang on as the defense closed the book on the Mustangs.
Things get tougher for the Terps next weekend.
Up next for Maryland: at Michigan
Sep 17, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Josh Henderson (26) catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Western Kentucky Hilltoppers linebacker JaQues Evans (3) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Hoosiers won 33 to 30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana won another close game to improve to 3-0. This one needed overtime to come out on top of Western Kentucky, and the Hoosiers needed a 51-yard field goal to do it! Indiana scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter and Charles Campbell nailed a 51-yard game-winning field goal in overtime to deliver the win. Connor Bazelak passed for 364 yards in the win for the Hoosiers.
Big test coming up for Indiana next week, on the road.
Up next for Indiana: at Cincinnati
Sep 17, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) carries the football during warmups prior to the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
After coming up short in a defensive battle at home last week against Washington State, Wisconsin got its rebound win with ease. Braelon Allen rushed for just 86 yards but added three touchdowns as Wisconsin put this game away in the second quarter and kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third. Graham Mertz added three touchdown passes as the Badgers cruised to victory over the 0-4 New Mexico State Aggies.
Next up for Wisconsin: at Ohio State