SATURDAY’S OTHER BIG TEN GAMES

Akron 39, Northwestern 34

EVANSTON, ILL.

Kato Nelson tossed two touchdown passes, Alvin Davis returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and Akron rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Northwestern. Nelson was 17 for 28 for 277 yards and added 37 yards rushing. Kwadarrius Smith had six receptions for 90 yards and Andrew Williams had 85 yards on three catches for Akron (2-0). Clayton Thorson completed 33 of 52 passes for a career-high 383 yards with three TDs for Northwestern (1-2), but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble on a strip-sack in the second half that resulted in Akron scores. Jeremy Larkin added 82 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 22 carries for the Wildcats. With a 21-yard TD pass to Cameron Green with seven seconds left in the first half, Thorson became NU’s all-time leader in TD passes with 45. He had been tied with Brett Basanez (2002-05) and Len Williams (1990-93).

Missouri 40, Purdue 37

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.

Tucker McCann kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to lift Missouri. The Tigers (3-0) are off to their best start since 2015 while the Boilermakers (0-3) face their worst beginning of the season since 1996 when they last opened with three losses. The Tigers turned to often McCann often to help stay ahead of the Boilermakers. McCann was 4 of 5 on field goals, including the game-winner from 25 yards. Drew Lock finished 26 of 43 passing for 375 yards with three TDs and an interception for Missouri. He ran for negative-10 yards and a TD.

Iowa 38, Northern Iowa 14

IOWA CITY, IOWA

Noah Fant caught five passes for 99 yards and one touchdown, moving him atop the all-time list for tight end touchdowns at Iowa to help power the Hawkeyes to a dominant victory over Northern Iowa. Nathan Stanley threw for 309 yards, two touchdown passes and an interception on 23-of-28 passing for Iowa (3-0). Nick Easley had 10 catches for 103 yards and one touchdown for the Hawkeyes. Mekhi Sargent had 15 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns while Toren Young had 14 carries 82 yards and one score.

Indiana 38, Ball State 10

BLOOMINGTON, IND.

Stevie Scott ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns while Peyton Ramsey and Ronnie Walker Jr. each added another score to help Indiana blow out Ball State. Ramsey was 20 of 27 with 173 yards and ran six times for 43 yards including a 5-yard scoring run with 22 seconds left in the first half. J-Shun Harris also returned a punt 86 yards for a TD. James Gilbert got Ball State within 31-10 with a 27-yard TD run. Riley Neal was 12 of 24 for 115 yards, while Gilbert ran 16 times for 89 yards.

Temple 35, Maryland 14

COLLEGE PARK, MD.

Temple stuffed Maryland’s potent offense, Anthony Russo threw for 228 yards and the Owls pulled off a upset for their first victory of the season. Ryquell Armstead rushed for 118 yards for Temple (1-2). The Owls took a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter and cruised to the finish as a 16-point underdog. Shaun Bradley returned an interception 78 yards for a TD with 4:11 left to seal it. Maryland (2-1) totaled 195 yards, made only 11 first downs and got its TDs on an interception return and a blocked punt. Kasim Hill went 7 for 17 for 56 yards, Tyrrell Pigrome was 1 for 4 for 7 yards and both threw an interception.

Troy 24, Nebraska 19

LINCOLN, NEB.

B.J. Smith scored on a 26-yard run midway through the fourth quarter and Will Sunderland made an interception in the final 3 minutes, giving Troy the cushion it needed to beat Nebraska. Nebraska sophomore Andrew Bunch converted a fourth-and-8 while leading the Huskers on a 75-yard drive to pull Nebraska to 24-19 with 2:55 left. But Sunderland stepped in front of his pass along the sideline intended for JD Spielman, starting the celebration on the Troy bench.

Kansas 55, Rutgers 14

LAWRENCE, KAN.

Bryce Torneden and Mike Lee each returned interceptions for TDs and Kansas’ defense wound up with three picks and recovered three fumbles. Early in the second quarter, Lee picked off a pass and scored for a 23-7 lead, weaving his way 31 yards past several Knights to the end zone.

Minnesota 26, Miami (Ohio) 3

MINNEAPOLIS

Zack Annexstad threw two short TD passes to Tyler Johnson, and freshman Bryce Williams had 176 yards total offense as Minnesota beat Miami (Ohio). Annexstad completed 12 of 20 throws for 142 yards in his third collegiate start and was resting on the sideline by the third quarter. Williams had 33 rushes for 141 yards as featured back in place of Rodney Smith.

South Florida 25, Illinois 19

CHICAGO

Blake Barnett threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to Darnell Salomon as South Florida rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Illinois. Barnett was 23 of 40 for 411 yards passing with two TDs and two interceptions.

Associated Press