big Ten Saturday’s other games

Michigan State 26, Minnesota 10

MINNEAPOLIS

Le’Veon Bell rumbled for a career-high 266 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to put the game away, helping Michigan State secure a spot in a bowl game. Bell carried 35 times on a cold afternoon and Dan Conroy made four of his five field-goal attempts, three of them from 43 yards or longer, to help the Spartans (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) wear down the Gophers (6-6, 2-6). Another seizure for Jerry Kill kept the Minnesota coach off the sideline for the second half of the game. Kill’s latest episode occurred in the locker room at halftime as the team was returning to the field. Athletic director Norwood Teague said that Kill was resting comfortably, and all of his vital signs were fine. Kill was cleared to go home, without going to a hospital. Kill had a seizure one near the end of a game last season and was away from the team for several days while doctors tried to bring his condition under better control. This year, he was hospitalized after an occurrence following Minnesota’s loss to Northwestern on Oct. 13. Aaron Hill’s 33-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Minnesota a lead it kept for more than 18 minutes in the first half, but Jordan Wettstein’s season-long 48-yard field goal was the only offensive score for the Gophers.

Northwestern 50, Illinois 14

EVANSTON, ILL.

Venric Mark rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown as Northwestern improved its chances for a berth in a New Year’s Day bowl game. Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter threw for a career-high three touchdowns and the Wildcats (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) reached nine victories for the first time since 2008. Penalties and turnovers hurt Illinois (2-10, 0-8), which has lost nine straight and 14 in a row in Big Ten play. The Illini committed four turnovers — including three interceptions — and eight penalties in their season finale. Northwestern captured the Land of Lincoln Trophy after losing to the Illini in the rivalry game the last two seasons. Donovonn Young rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown for Illinois, which ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring offense in coach Tim Beckman’s first season. Nathan Scheelhaase went 9 for 14 for 91 yards and two interceptions.

Purdue 56, Indiana 35

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.

Akeem Shavers broke open a close game with three scores during a 41/2-minute span in the fourth quarter. Robert Marve threw for a career-high 348 yards and four touchdowns in his final home game — a win that made the Boilermakers (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) bowl eligible for the second straight year, the first time that has happened since 2006-07. By retaining the Old Oaken Bucket, coach Danny Hope also can make a stronger case to keep his job. Indiana (4-8, 2-6) has now lost nine of the last 11 in this series. The difference Saturday was Shavers. He capped a 99-yard drive with a 73-yard reception to make it 42-35 with 10:31 left in the game, scored again on a 26-yard reception with 7:55 left and put the game away with a 1-yard plunge with 6:14 to play. “We felt this team was good enough to advance to the postseason and we weren’t going to let nobody stop us,” defensive tackle Kawann Short said.

Staff report