BIG TEN Michigan topples Hoosiers in tuneup for the Big Game

The Wolverines routed Indiana 41-14 and await Ohio State.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Michigan Wolverines said all week they were concentrating on Indiana, not Ohio State.
They proved it.
Chad Henne had three touchdown passes in the first half as No. 21 Michigan built a huge lead and coasted to a 41-14 victory over the Hoosiers on Saturday without scoring after halftime.
"We were going to know as soon as this game was over, and everybody would know, whether we improved or not," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "It's not easy to stay focused.
"When you're favored and you have the game like the next one in front of you, it's easy to get distracted."
The Wolverines (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten) won their fourth straight, avoiding a letdown coming off a bye and heading into the regular-season finale at home against the Buckeyes.
"We tried to take care of business," said Steve Breaston, who had 201 all-purpose yards and a TD. "Now we can look forward to next week."
Indiana (4-6, 1-6) fell out of bowl contention with its fifth consecutive setback, and 14th in a row to Michigan.
Indiana scored on the opening possession of the game, then Michigan took control.
While the Wolverines didn't let Indiana do much on the ground or through the air, they did whatever they wanted on offense.
Henne's passing, Kevin Grady's two TD runs and Breaston's do-it-all performance gave the Wolverines a 41-7 lead at halftime. It was Michigan's highest-scoring first half since scoring 45 against Indiana in 2000.
Iowa 20, No. 19 Wisconsin 10
MADISON, Wis. -- Iowa ruined Barry Alvarez's going away party, beating Wisconsin in the coach's final home game.
Alvarez, who will step down after this season but remain as Wisconsin's athletic director, built a program over the past 16 seasons that has been known for a punishing running game and a solid defense. But Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) dominated both sides of the ball in the final three quarters.
The win makes Iowa bowl eligible while ending the slim hopes Wisconsin (8-3, 5-3) had of sharing the Big Ten title in Alvarez's last season.
Wisconsin seemed poised to send Alvarez out a winner, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. But Iowa clamped down from there, holding the Badgers to just 72 more yards until their last drive with the game out of reach.
Minnesota 41, Michigan St. 18
MINNEAPOLIS-- With Laurence Maroney, the Big Ten's leading rusher, stuck on the sideline, backup running backs Amir Pinnix and Gary Russell led Minnesota over fading Michigan State.
Maroney, whose 1,345 yards were best in the conference coming into this game, went through warmups for the Gophers (7-3, 4-3) -- but stood and watched all afternoon without his shoulder pads on while Pinnix and Russell wore down the Spartans (5-5, 2-5).
Russell started at tailback and gained 85 yards on 19 carries and ran for two touchdowns, playing only in the first half. Pinnix rushed 32 times for 206 yards -- both career highs -- and had a fourth-quarter score. Bryan Cupito was 8-of-13 for 123 yards with no interceptions and touchdown passes to Matt Spaeth and Ernie Wheelwright.
Drew Stanton went 29-for-46 for 312 yards and fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Dwayne Holmes and Terry Love for Michigan State, which was once ranked as high as 11th in the AP poll but lost for the fifth time in six games.
The Gophers lead the nation in rushing, and their offensive line -- led by four-year starters Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom -- is just as responsible for that as Maroney.
Purdue 37, Illinois 3
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Jerod Void ran for 102 yards and a touchdown to lead Purdue, the second straight victory for the Boilermakers after six consecutive losses.
Purdue (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten) won't play in a bowl game, but they saved themselves from finishing at the bottom of the league standings after starting the season ranked 15th in the country.
Illinois (2-8, 0-7) lost its eighth straight game after starting and clinched at least a tie for last place in Ron Zook's first year as coach. The Illini avoided being shut out when Jason Reda kicked a 30-yard field goal with 7:37 left.
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