SATURDAY’s OTHER BIG TEN GAMES

No. 5 Wisconsin 24, Illinois 10

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

Alec Ingold and Garrett Groshek scored on short runs in the first half, offensive lineman Michael Deiter added another touchdown on a trick play late in the game, and Wisconsin beat Illinois. Star running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for just 73 yards but didn’t appear in the second half for Wisconsin because of a left leg injury. The freshman entered the game averaging 158.6 yards rushing. Despite Taylor’s absence, Alex Hornibrook made enough throws to get the team’s eighth win. None was better than on the trick play that freed Deiter for his first career touchdown.

Northwestern 39, No. 16 Michigan State 31

EVANSTON, ILL.

Clayton Thorson threw a 22-yard touchdown to Flynn Nagel in the third overtime, Nate Hall intercepted Brian Lewerke and Northwestern beat Michigan State. The Wildcats had a third down at the 22 when Thorson hit Nagel on a slant for the go-ahead TD. Cameron Green caught the two-point conversion to make it an eight-point game, and two big plays by the defense preserved the victory. Lineman Joe Gaziano stripped Brian Lewerke as he dropped back. Lewerke picked up the loose ball and fired toward the goal line, where Hall intercepted a pass intended for Matt Sokol. That set off a wild celebration, with the sideline emptying and fans pouring out of the stands.

Maryland 42, Indiana 39

COLLEGE PARK, MD.

Max Bortenschlager threw two touchdown passes, Jake Funk ran for a pair of fourth-quarter scores and Maryland outlasted Indiana to keep the Hoosiers winless in the Big Ten. The Terrapins (4-4, 2-3) trailed 33-28 before rallying to snap a three-game losing streak. The comeback began with an 82-yard kickoff return by Javon Leake, and Funk put the Terrapins in front for good with a 1-yard touchdown with 14:56 remaining. Funk scored again from the 1 with 10:14 left after Bortenschlager connected with DJ Moore for a 44-yard completion to the Indiana 17. Indiana (3-5, 0-5) cut the gap to 42-39 but came up short in its bid to provide first-year coach Tom Allen his initial conference victory.

Michigan 35, Rutgers 14

ANN ARBOR, MICH.

Brandon Peters helped Michigan score touchdowns on his first three drives, allowing the Wolverines to pull away and beat Rutgers. Jim Harbaugh finally benched John O’Korn after another shaky performance. Harbaugh put Peters in and the redshirt freshman took full advantage of his first opportunity to play extensively, completing 10 of 14 passes for 124 yards with a TD. O’Korn, starting a fourth straight game in place of injured starter Wilton Speight, was 3 of 6 for 13 yards with an interception and recovered two of his own fumbles off snaps. Michigan (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) broke a fourth-place tie in the East division with the Scarlet Knights (3-5, 2-3) with a desperately needed win after losing two of three and falling out of The Associated Press poll for the first time in two-plus years.

Iowa 17, Minnesota 10

IOWA CITY, IOWA

Nate Stanley threw for 190 yards in Iowa’s win over Minnesota, its eighth-straight in Iowa City over the Gophers. After missing one game, linebacker Josey Jewell returned to lead the Iowa defense with 11 tackles, six of them solo. Each team converted just 15 first downs and committed three turnovers. Iowa (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) and Minnesota (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) combined to be 7-for-30 on third downs. Rodney Smith led the way on offense for Minnesota, rushing for 82 yards on 15 attempts.

Associated Press