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Well, that was definitely a better showing than last week, no? Aside from Penn State winning and not looking like complete hot garbage, a few other traditional blue bloods redeemed themselves as well. Also, we're not the SEC...
Michigan 35, Oregon State 7
Jim Harbaugh's Big House coaching debut started off rather shaky, as Oregon State scored a touchdown on its opening drive to go up 7-0--but it was all Wolverines from there on out, as De'Veon Smith took over by racking up 126 yards rushing and a hat trick of touchdowns and the Meeechigan defense forced a pair of turnovers.
Illinois 44, Western Illinois 0
While Kent State and Western Illinois aren't exactly murderer's row, the Illini once again smashed an inferior opponent behind Wes Lunt's 316 yards passing (including a touchdown) and built some confidence heading into their first test against a team with a pulse in UNC this upcoming weekend.
Bowling Green 48, Maryland 27
The Terps held a 13-6 halftime lead in this contest before Bowling Green went full #MACtion upon Maryland, led by QB Matt Johnson's video-game-like 491 yards on 36-of-55 passing and six touchdowns with teammate Roger Lewis accounting for 200 of said yards and a pair of touchdowns via an astonishing 15 receptions.
Things really fell apart for the Terps though in the fourth quarter when QB Perry Hills tossed an interception and was subsequently replaced by backup Caleb Rowe, who proceeded to throw interceptions on his next two series, sealing the Terps' fate and leaving us with some enjoyable Twitter moments:
In the second half, #Terps called 8 straight passes, resulting in 9 yards and 2 punts. Then the game ended like this! pic.twitter.com/n2ZfdLSNVA
— draxx grootman (@Pete_Volk) September 13, 2015
I just yell-laughed at BTN audio picking up the Terps fan yelling RALPH FRIEDGEN
— Tim A. (@happyhourvalley) September 12, 2015
— Shane Simmons (@Shizzeee_) September 13, 2015
— Hollywood (@JonHolland_COO) September 12, 2015
Purdue 38, Indiana State 14
A week after a heartbreaking defeat at Marshall, Purdue took care of business against an overmatched in-state FCS opponent. Austin Appleby's 289 yards passing and four touchdowns led the way for the Boilers.
Wisconsin 58, Miami (OH) 0
Much like Harbaugh, Madison's native son Paul Chryst won his home head coaching debut and did so in dominating fashion. Despite not having Corey Clement available to run the ball due to injury, the Badgers still had a 100+ yard rusher in Dare Ogunbowale (16 carries, 112 yards and a touchdown) but it was Joel Stave who led the way with his 236 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Ohio State 38, Hawaii 0
While the Buckeye defense easily manhandled Hawaii, holding former USC QB Max Wittek to 67 yards on 7-of-24 passing, and holding the Rainbow Warriors to 80 total yards rushing, the offensive performance was lackluster for Urban Meyer's liking. OSU held only a 14-0 lead at the half before gradually pulling away thanks to Ezekiel Elliott's 101 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Washington State 37, Big Ten Powerhouse Rutgers 34
The recently-created depth problems in BTPR's secondary reared their ugly heads as Wazzu QB Luke Falk picked apart the BTPR defensive backfield for 478 yards and 4 TDs on 47-for-66 passing, including the game-winner with 13 seconds to play. If Penn State is able to to take even half as much of an advantage of the BTPR secondary at Wazzu did, it should be a fun night in Happy Valley next Saturday.
Minnesota 23, Colorado State 20 (OT)
In an intense, back-and-forth contest in Fort Collins, CO (lovely place, btw, if you've never been), the Gophers finally came away victorious after stripping CSU running back Dalyn Dawkins in the very first OT possession, setting up the game-winning field goal for Minny's Ryan Santoso. Mitch Leidner stepped it up in the passing department with 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Rodney Smith eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 108 yards rushing.
Northwestern 41, Eastern Illinois 0
Riding high off their season opening upset of Stanford, Northwestern easily dispatched FCS Eastern Illinois. Clayton Thorson had his first career touchdown pass and Justin Jackson and Warren Long ran for a touchdown, apiece.
Iowa 31, Iowa State 17
Iowa avenged last year's bitter defeat to their in-state rival, albeit under rather somber circumstances with the recent passing of Tyler Sash. The Hawkeyes actually trailed 17-10 at the half but shut out the Cyclones in the second half, just as QB CJ Beathard got rolling, finishing with 215 passing yards and three TD's and 77 yards on the ground while Jordan Canzeri racked up 124 yards and a touchdown.
Indiana 36, Florida International 22
The much-maligned Hoosier defense for once came up with the game's most clutch play. Holding onto a 29-22 lead with four minutes to play, FIU was driving deep in Indiana territory when IU's Jameel Cook Jr. picked off FIU QB Alex McGough's pass and took it 96 yards to the house to seal the deal. Nate Sudfeld (233 yards passing and a TD) and Jordan Howard (159 rushing yards) also had pretty good performances themselves.
Nebraska 48, South Alabama 9
A fledgling upstart FBS program was just what the doctor ordered for a Nebraska team reeling from being on the wrong end of a Hail Mary last weekend. Terrell Newby tore it up on the ground with 198 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries and Tommy Armstrong Jr. added 270 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns through the air.
Michigan State 31, Oregon 28
This primetime showdown between two Top 10 teams lived up to the hype in what was a mostly back-and-forth affair. It was Michigan State, however, who came up with more clutch plays, particularly on the defensive end where they stuffed Oregon on four tries from Sparty's 3 yard-line to help preserve a 14-7 lead going into the half. That critical goal-line stand ended up being the difference-maker in the end, despite Vernon Adams' 309 yards passing for one touchdown (but two interceptions) and Royce Freeman's 92 yards rushing and a touchdown. Connor Cook tossed a pair of touchdowns and Madre London (108 yards rushing) and L.J. Scott (76 yards rushing and two touchdowns) led the way for Sparty's ground attack. All in all, this was a clutch win for Mark Dantonio's crew that should give them the confidence booster they need to potentially de-throne Ohio State as the kings of the B1G East.