B1G Review, Week 7: Sudden Surges

[Piercewise1]

Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to define a football game. This week’s action saw teams put it all together at just the right moment to claim victory. And a few did it for an entire game, with predictably big results.

 

B1G Offensive Player of the Week:

QB Aaron Gossett, Indiana – 38 of 55, 465 yards, 5 TDs

 

B1G Defensive Players of the Week:

DE Eric Kieschnick, Minnesota – 5 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks

 

North Texas 21, Minnesota 9

It took North Texas only 25 minutes to pick off Wilmer Reed 3 times, and they turned those points into a 21-0 lead on a couple of Blake Smith touchdown passes and a Rishard Ward 10-yard rushing score. The Golden Gophers managed a touchdown right before halftime but failed to muster much resistance in the 2nd half, falling to 0-6 on the season.

 

Illinois 55, Iowa 14

Outside of the kicking game, everything went right for Illinois during a big home victory: every drive ended in points except for a single missed field goal and the end of both halves. Ronnie Kouandjio threw for 320 yards and the team rushed for 268 more; meanwhile Iowa’s first four drives went punt, interception, punt, lost fumble. They were down 13-0 before they even logged a first down, and things only got worse the longer the game went on.

 

Michigan State 34, Ohio State 21

With the home crowd fearing an upset, the Spartans exploded for 3 touchdowns in a span of 8 minutes to survive the Buckeyes. Wayne Murray completed 6 passes of 20+ yards in that time alone, including 2 touchdowns (bringing him to 3 on the day). Doug Brothers had a solid day for the Buckeyes, leading the team in both rushing and receiving, though he was held out of the end zone.

 

Maryland 28, Purdue 10

The Terrapins ran the Double Wing all over the Boilermakers, racking up 311 yards rushing en route to a big home win. Both starting passers hovered around the 50% completion mark, though Stephen Brantley did manage one TD pass to TE Melky Nix. Purdue was hurt all day by miscues, including two Justin Tu’ikolovatu interceptions and two Logan Langley fumbles.

 

Indiana 48, Michigan 9

It was a record-setting day for the Hoosiers; Aaron Gossett threw 5 TD passes on 38-of-55 passing (for 465 yards), with 3 receivers getting at least 100 yards and a touchdown. The defense bottled up Bobo Sims and Vladimir Dawson, forcing turnovers from both, as the team notched its biggest win ever.

 

Northwestern 36, Wisconsin 28

Randy Madson and Anthony Koch linked up for 3 touchdowns, and Northwestern’s passing attack carried them for a game in a win over the Badgers. Not to say Eliezer Brothers was absent, as he added 117 yards and a score of his own. The defense intercepted Lance Enright on back-to-back possessions in the 1st quarter to help build an early lead, which the Wildcats never relinquished.

 

Rutgers 30, Nebraska 24 (2OT)

The Cornhuskers nearly avoided disaster when they tied the game on the last play of regulation, but they couldn’t stop Jeff Holley when the game was on the line in the second overtime. Holley’s 1-yard touchdown dive capped a 195-yard rushing day for the Scarlet Knights as they upset the Cornhuskers in Piscataway.

Conference Standings

 

Western Division

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Nebraska	3-1	4-2	at Purdue
Iowa	2-1	3-3	BYE
Purdue	2-1	2-4	Nebraska
Illinois	1-2	4-2	Minnesota
Northwestern	1-2	3-2	Western Michigan
Wisconsin	1-2	2-3	at Michigan State
Minnesota	0-3	0-6	at Illinois

 

Despite the top 3 teams losing last week, no movement at the top of the standings. That will change soon with Purdue hosting Nebraska in week 8. A win for the Cornhuskers could set up a de facto division championship with Iowa in week 14, while a Boilermakers win could open the door wide for the Hawkeyes.

 

Eastern Division

 

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Michigan State	3-0	5-0	Wisconsin
Indiana	2-1	3-3	Maryland
Ohio State	2-1	3-3	BYE
Penn State	1-1	3-2	at Michigan
Maryland	1-2	3-3	at Indiana
Michigan	1-2	2-4	Penn State
Rutgers	1-2	2-4	BYE

 

The Buckeyes fall to third with their loss to the Spartans, who look to be far and away the favorites to win the East. But it won’t be automatic, as they still have road games at Illinois and Penn State upcoming. Indiana could challenge them if they can find a way to start winning on the road, with trips to East Lansing and Columbus looming in the future.