Around the Big Ten: Week Two

Story posted September 14, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Mike Wszolek

All fourteen teams were in action on Saturday in a busy second week of the college football season. While most teams dominated, there were a few close games and even some surprises around the Big Ten on Saturday.
       
The game of the week featured two top 10 teams in college football. Oregon was on the road taking on Michigan State. The Spartans were in control for most of the game, but Oregon wouldn’t go away. Down by a touchdown at halftime, the Ducks knew that they had to get something going. The Spartans wouldn’t let them though. Michigan State widened their lead making it 24-14 after three. Both teams scored a touchdown in the fourth making it 31-21 Spartans with about 11 minutes left to play. However, with a little over three minutes remaining, Vernon Adams Jr. hit Byron Marshall for a quick score. This made it a three-point game. After a quick three and out from Michigan State, the Ducks had a chance. Oregon was driving when Chris Frey and Lawrence Thomas sacked Adams Jr. for a 10-yard loss. On fourth down and 16, Adams Jr.’s pass was incomplete as Michigan State got revenge from last season, when the Ducks beat the Spartans. Adams Jr. threw for a whopping 309 yards while Connor Cook threw for 192. Both teams will have non-conference home games next Saturday afternoon.
       
After a dominating win Monday night against the Hokies, Ohio State returned home to take on Hawaii. The short week for the Buckeyes definitely showed in the early going against Hawaii. Ohio State led 14-0 at halftime and only 17-0 after three quarters. However, the team from Columbus woke up and exploded for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, going on to win it 38-0. Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett both saw action, going a combined 20-32. Ohio State improved to 2-0 on the season and will host Northern Illinois next Saturday.
       
The Jim Harbaugh era officially began last week at Michigan, but the Wolverines got the result they were looking for in week two. Oregon State was on the board first, but the Wolverines rattled off 35 unanswered points to defeat the Beavers, 35-7. Michigan’s De’Veon Smith had a big day on the ground, scoring three touchdowns and running for 126 yards.
       
Maryland and Rutgers both lost at home in games they were both favored in. The Terps were outscored 42-14 in the second half and went on to lose to Bowling Green, 48-27. Rutgers put up a good fight against Washington State, but lost a heartbreaker, 37-34. The Scarlet Knights trailed for most of the game before holding a late lead, but the Cougars scored a touchdown with 13 seconds left to take the lead. Both Maryland and Rutgers are now 1-1 on the season.
       
Nebraska and Wisconsin took care of South Alabama and Miami (OH) respectively while Northwestern, Illinois, and Indiana all won their games. Iowa beat in-state rival Iowa State, 31-17. Purdue defeated Indiana State while Minnesota won a 23-20 thriller on the road at Colorado State.
       
The only Big Ten matchup next Saturday will be Rutgers at Penn State. Both teams will be looking to get an early conference win and climb above .500.

Mike Wszolek is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mewszolek@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report