big ten roundup \ Saturday’s other games

No. 15 Iowa 12, Minnesota 0

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Freshman James Vandenberg threw for 117 yards, and Iowa kept its hopes for a BCS bowl bid alive. The win gave the Hawkeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) double-digit wins for the first time since 2004, along with Floyd of Rosedale — a bronze pig awarded to the winner of the border rivalry — for the eighth time in nine tries. It was only fitting that they awarded a hog after this one. Iowa and Minnesota combined for more punts (17) than points, and were only 5 of 33 on third-down conversions. Iowa got field goals of 30 and 45 yards from Daniel Murray and a 1-yard TD run by Brandon Wegher. Its defense did the rest, stuffing the Gophers on four straight plays from the 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter

Northwestern 33, No. 17 Wisconsin 31

EVANSTON, Ill. — Mike Kafka hit Andrew Brewer with two first-half touchdown passes and Brian Peters and Jordan Mabin made key defensive plays late to lead Northwestern (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten), which improved its bowl positioning with its third straight victory. Fans swarmed Ryan Field after the victory, which wasn’t clinched until Mabin intercepted Scott Tolzien with 42 seconds to go. Stefan Demos kicked four field goals for the Wildcats. Northwestern led 27-14 at the half behind Kafka, who finished with 326 yards, and Brewer, a former quarterback.

Purdue 38, Indiana 21

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Joey Elliott threw a career-high four touchdown passes to help Purdue retain the Old Oaken Bucket. Both teams were eliminated from bowl contention last week, leaving them to play for pride and the trophy that goes to the winner of the annual in-state rivalry game.

Associated Press