MORE BIG TEN CONFERENCE RESULTS

No. 2 Michigan 32, Michigan State 23

EAST LANSING, MICH.

Amara Darboh caught eight passes for a career-high 165 yards, and De’Veon Smith ran for two touchdowns to lift Michigan over rival Michigan State. The Wolverines (8-0, 5-0) scored every time they had the ball in the first half, beating the Spartans (2-6, 0-5) for only the second time in the last nine meetings. Michigan avenged last year’s loss to Michigan State, in which the Spartans scored the winning touchdown on the final play when the Wolverines botched a punt. Michigan State went on to a Big Ten title and a national semifinal appearance after that dramatic victory, but this season it’s Michigan that’s in the national title hunt. The Wolverines were heavy favorites to win in East Lansing, and they trailed only briefly in the first quarter. Michigan led 30-10 in the fourth before the Spartans scored a pair of touchdowns, the last of which came with only 1 second on the clock. Michigan State attempted a 2-point conversion and fumbled, and Jabrill Peppers returned it the other way for a defensive conversion that enabled the Wolverines to cap the win on a high note. Wilton Speight threw for 244 yards for Michigan. Michigan State, meanwhile, did not complete a pass in the second or third quarter. The Spartans have lost six in a row and need to win out to become bowl eligible.

No. 11 Wisconsin 23, No. 7 Nebraska 17, OT

MADISON, WIS.

Dare Ogunbowale scored on an 11-yard run in overtime, and Wisconsin held on to beat Nebraska to hand the Cornhuskers their first loss of the season. The Badgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) stopped Nebraska on fourth-and-8 from the 23 after defensive back D’Cota Dixon swatted away a pass to the end zone from Tommy Armstrong Jr. intended for Stanley Morgan Jr. Dixon’s giddy teammates rushed from the sideline to meet the safety in the end zone to celebrate. Tested Wisconsin picked up its third victory over a Top 10 program. Nebraska (7-1, 4-1) gained respect after coming back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Drew Brown’s 35-yard field goal with 3:43 left tied it at 17. Wisconsin had a chance to win it with 1:43 left, but Andrew Endicott’s 45-yard field-goal try went wide left. Endicott also missed the extra point following Ogunbowale’s TD. But a tough-as-nails defense bailed out the Badgers again. Armstrong finished 12 of 31 for 153 yards. He ran for 39 yards on 13 carries, including a 2-yard score with 13:45 left in the fourth quarter to draw Nebraska within 17-14.

No. 24 Penn State 62, Purdue 24

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.

Saquon Barkley ran for 207 yards and two TDs, Trace McSorley threw three scoring passes, and Penn State used a 24-point third quarter as the centerpiece of its victory. The Nittany Lions (6-2, 4-1 in the Big Ten) converted an interception, a fumbled punt and a failed onside kick into third-quarter TDs on their way to a fourth consecutive victory, They snapped a seven-game road losing streak dating to 2014. Tied at 17 through two quarters, the Nittany Lions outscored Purdue (3-5, 1-4) 24-7 in the pivotal third quarter.

Minnesota 40, Illinois 17

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

Rodney Smith rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Minnesota turned a pair of early Illinois turnovers into scores. Smith’s first TD was a 20-yard burst up the middle with 2:16 left in the first quarter, giving the Golden Gophers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) the lead for good at 14-7. It followed a fumbled punt by Illinois’ Darius Mosely, recovered by Antione Winfield Jr. at the 20. Thanks to the two early fumbles and a short punt, Minnesota started first-half drives at the Illinois 20, 9 and 49, and all ended with touchdowns. Jeff George Jr., Illinois’ (2-6, 1-4) third-string quarterback and the son of Illini legend and longtime NFL quarterback Jeff George, started his second straight game and went 16 of 34 for 156 yards and a TD.

Associated Press