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Michigan struggled in its opener against No. 2 Alabama
We hope to make this a weekly recap on what happened in Big Ten football. Plus, we’ll share the first word on what’s next for each Big Ten school.
In the first weekend, the Big Ten was a combined 10-2. Here we go with this week’s report:
Alabama (2) 41, Michigan (8) 14
* What Happened – Alabama, the defending national champion, showed its class by jumping on Michigan for a 31-0 lead and cruising to the easy win in the Cowboys Classic at Arlington, Texas. C.J. Mosley returned an interception for a touchdown and QB A.J. McCarron threw two TD passes for the Crimson Tide. QB Denard Robinson threw for 200 yards and a touchdown (a 44-yarder to backup QB Devin Gardner) and also rushed for a score.
“We have to learn from our mistakes and make the best of this season,” Robinson said.
* What We Learned – Alabama looks like it could be the first team to repeat as a national champion since USC in 2003-04 … Robinson was unable to spark much for the Michigan offense. Alabama’s rugged defense held him to 27 yards rushing on 10 carries … UM played the game without a pair of suspended starters in RB Fitzgerald Toussaint and DE Frank Clark … Alabama, as expected, dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
* What’s Next – Michigan opens its home schedule by hosting Air Force, which opened with a 49-21 win over Idaho State.
* More Coverage – Click here for discussion of Michigan-Alabama. Click here for more coverage from Wolverine 247.
Michigan State (13) 17, Boise State (24) 13
* What Happened – The Spartans rode the hard running of RB Le’Veon Bell to the win. Bell carried 44 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns and also had six catches for MSU. Andrew Maxwell, making his first start as the MSU quarterback, was 22 of 38 passing for 248 yards, although he threw three interceptions. Bell’s 5-yard touchdown run with 8:12 left put the Spartans ahead for good.
"A number of times he made something out of nothing," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. "You can't underestimate -- 44 touches, and not fumbling the ball, and not coming close to fumbling it. He had some huge plays out there."
* What We Learned – The Spartans outgained Boise State 461 yards to 206. The 206-yard total is by far the fewest Boise has gained since Chris Peterson became the head coach there in 2006 ... The Broncos had won six straight against BCS-conference teams … This was largely a battle of miscues. Besides the three picks, MSU also missed a field goal and lost a fumble … But Bell was a beast, even hurdling a would-be tackler at one point.
* What’s Next – Michigan State visits Central Michigan on Saturday. CMU opened with a 38-27 win over I-AA Southeast Missouri State.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of MSU-BSU. Click here for more coverage from Spartan Tailgate.
Ohio State (18) 56, Miami (Ohio) 10
* What Happened – Urban Meyer won his debut as the Ohio State coach. The Buckeyes trailed 3-0 after a lackluster first quarter before exploding for 56 points over the last three periods. QB Braxton Miller accounted for 368 yards total offense and three touchdowns. Miller was 14 of 24 passing for 207 yards and two TDs and also rushed 17 times for 161 yards, including a stunning 65-yard TD run.
* What We Learned – The OSU defense settled down after a rough first quarter with a couple of coverage breaks. Miami, led by QB Zac Dysert, threw for 313 yards but was held to minus-1 yard rushing … OSU will have some playmakers on offense. RB Carlos Hyde had 82 yards and two TD runs. Philly Brown and Devin Smith each had TD grabs with Smith’s a soaring, one-handed grab that got the Buckeyes going after their rough start … OSU won its home opener for the 34th straight year.
* What’s Next – The Buckeyes host Central Florida. UCF opened with a 56-14 win at Akron on Thursday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of the OSU-Miami game. Click here for more coverage from Bucknuts.com.
Ohio 24, Penn State 14
* What Happened – Ohio rallied from down 14-3 to spoil Bill O’Brien’s debut as the Penn State head coach on another emotional day in State College. QB Tyler Tettleton threw for two scores and ran for one to lead the Bobcats, who were coming off a nine-win season and their first-ever bowl win. QB Matt McGloin, operating O’Brien’s newly installed offense, was 27 of 48 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
“I have to get this team ready to play,” O’Brien said. “I told them in the locker room, ‘It’s a long season; this is one game.’ We have to learn from our mistakes. We can still be a good football team.”
* What We Learned – Penn State, which lost 10 players (including several starters) to transfers after NCAA sanctions were announced in July, is in for some rough times as this will probably be just the beginning … Penn State did not complete a pass for longer than 22 yards, an indication there may not be a dynamic receiving threat for the Lions this year … Penn State played the game in new uniforms with the players’ names on the back for the first time in school history … Two starters – RB Bill Belton and CB Stephon Morris – each left the game with ankle injuries. They left the stadium on crutches and their status is unclear.
* What’s Next – Penn State will visit Virginia, which opened with a 43-19 win over I-AA Richmond.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Penn State-Ohio. Click here for more coverage from Lions 247.
Iowa 18, Northern Illinois 17
* What Happened – Playing on a neutral field at Chicago’s Soldier Field, Iowa had to rally from down 17-9 in the fourth quarter to hold off the defending MAC champions in NIU. The Hawkeyes grabbed their 18-17 lead with Damon Bullock’s 23-yard touchdown run with 2:15 left. QB James Vandenberg was 21 of 33 passing for 129 yards.
* What We Learned – This was a defensive struggle as Iowa had 268 yards to just 201 for NIU. The Huskies got 73 of those yards on one play as Jordan Lynch ripped off a long TD run … Bullock may be the guy to provide some stability for Iowa at the running back position. He ended up with 150 yards on 30 carries … Mike Meyer kicked four field goals for Iowa, including a 50-yarder … This could be a good wake-up call for Iowa, which hosts rival iowa State next week.
* What’s Next – Iowa hosts Iowa State, which opened with a 38-23 win over Tulsa.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Iowa-Northern Illinois. Click here for more coverage from the Voice Of The Hawkeyes.
Nebraska (17) 49, Southern Miss 20
* What Happened – Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez completed 26 of 34 passes and had career highs in yardage (364) and touchdowns (five). This was a close game at 21-17 late in the first half before Martinez caught fire and the Huskers reeled off three straight touchdowns to break it wide open.
* What We Learned – Nebraska was as impressive as any Big Ten team as the Huskers dispatched the defening Conference USA champions … Nebraska has not been known as a passing team, but Martinez spread his touchdown passes around to five different receivers. If he can play like this on a consistent basis, Nebraska will be hard to beat … RB Rex Burkhead had three carries for 68 yards (including a 57-yard TD) before leaving with a sprained ligament in his knee. It’s unclear what his status will be this week. Ameer Abdullah filled in and had 81 yards on 15 carries with a TD catch … Southern Miss’ Tracy Lampley had a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown … Nebraska won its 27th straight season opener.
* What’s Next – Nebraska travels to UCLA for a game at the Rose Bowl. UCLA opened with a 49-24 win at Rice on Thursday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Nebraska-Southern Miss. Click here for more coverage from Huskers Illustrated.
Indiana 24, Indiana State 17
* What Happened – Indiana, coming off a 1-11 season last year, equaled that win total with a victory over I-AA Indiana State in Bloomington. Soph QB Tre Roberson completed 26 of 36 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown and also had a 1-yard TD run.
* What We Learned – The Hoosiers had to fend off a late rally by the Sycamores, including a potential game-tying Hail Mary on the final play … Roberson looked much more comfortable running the IU offense. He has a playmaker to share the load with WR Shane Wynn, who had six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
* What’s Next – Indiana visits Massachusetts, which opened with a 37-0 loss to Connecticut on Thursday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Indiana-Indiana State. Click here for more coverage from Inside Indiana.
Wisconsin (12) 26, Northern Iowa 21
* What Happened – The Badgers led 19-0 early in the second half before I-AA UNI mounted a furious comeback. Maryland transfer Danny O’Brien made his debut as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback, completing 19 of 23 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those scoring strikes went to WR Jared Abbrederis, who ended up with six catches for 84 yards.
"Any win is a good win," UW coach Bret Bielema said following the game. "But on the same account, what we learned today is probably one of the most beneficial teaching tools we could ever secure.
"To me, we get a lot better out of this than a 42-0 blowout. I don't see what that gets. You've got to touch the hot stove once. Once you get burned, you realize you're not going to do it again. Hopefully our guys learn you've got to put people away when we can.”
* What We Learned – Wisconsin won its 15th straight home opener and also won its 17th straight home game … It was a rough senior debut for RB Montee Ball, the top returning Heisman vote getter from 2011. He had 120 yards on 32 carries, averaging just 3.8 yards per tote. He had a 1-yard TD run … The Panthers used two big plays to cut Wisconsin's lead to 26-21 with 7:24 remaining, and even had a chance to win the game. Northern Iowa Quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen twice found running back David Johnson out of the backfield for touchdown passes of 55 and 31 yards respectively.
* What’s Next – Wisconsin travels to Oregon State. The Beavers had their opener against Nicholls State postponed due to travel issues surrounding Hurricane Isaac.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Wisconsin-UNI. Click here for more coverage from Badger 247.
Minnesota 30, UNLV 27, 3 OT
* What Happened – Coming off a 3-9 season last year, Minnesota notched a huge road win to start the season. MarQueis Gray threw two touchdown passes to John Rabe in overtime, and Jordan Wettstein hit a 32-yard field goal in the third extra session. Minnesota’s Derrick Wells intercepted a pass on UNLV’s possession in the third OT, setting the stage for Wettstein’s heroics.
* What We Learned – Gray had a big night as he opened his senior year for the Gophers. He was 17 of 30 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns with one interception … This game started at 11 p.m. Eastern time and lasted three hours, 34 minutes, meaning it was after 2:30 a.m. on the East Coast when it ended.
* What’s Next – Minnesota hosts I-AA New Hampshire, which opened with a 38-17 win over Holy Cross.
Northwestern 42, Syracuse 41
* What Happened – Northwestern gutted out a wild win at Syracuse with backup quarterback Trevor Siemian hitting Demetrius Fields for the game-winning 9-yard TD with just 44 seconds left. With starting QB Kain Colter out with a shoulder injury, Siemian directed a 10-play, 75-yard scoring march to win it. Northwestern was up 35-13 midway through the third quarter before Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib threw touchdowns on four straight possessions to make it 41-35.
“I liked the way we responded to the adversity we created for ourselves,” said NU coach Pat Fitzgerald, who improved to 7-0 in season openers as a head coach.
* What We Learned – Siemian was 6 of 7 for 62 yards on the winning drive and also drew a critical late hit penalty on a run to convert a third down one play before the touchdown … Nassib threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns for the Orange, meaning it will be back to the drawing board for the NU pass defense this week. Safety Ibraheim Campbell had 13 tackles to lead the Wildcats … Speedster Venric Mark had a big day for NU with 281 all-purpose yards (82 rushing, 16 receiving, 49 on kick returns and 134 on punt returns with an 82-yard TD).
* What’s Next – Northwestern hosts Vanderbilt, which opened with a 17-13 home loss to South Carolina.
Illinois 24, Western Michigan 7
* What Happened – The Tim Beckman era at Illinois began in a big way as the Fighting Illini took a workmanlike win over the visiting Broncos. QB Nathan Scheelhaase completed 11 of 18 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Ashante Williams returned an interception 60 yards for a score.
* What We Learned – Illinois won its 15th straight home opener … Western Michigan was held to minus-6 rushing yards by Illinois’ stingy defense … The Illini led 17-0 when Scheelhaase left the game. The offense sputtered without him … Illinois' leading rusher was Jon Davis, a tight end lining up as an H-back. He carried the ball six times for 54 yards.
* What’s Next – Illinois travels to Arizona State. The Sun Devils opened with a 63-6 win over I-AA Northern Arizona.
Purdue 48, Eastern Kentucky 6
* What Happened – Purdue played without suspended starting QB Caleb TerBush. Head coach Danny Hope suspended TerBush just before the game for a violation of team rules. Purdue did not miss him as the Boilers rolled up 547 yards offense against I-AA EKU. Robert Marve stepped in and threw for a career-high 295 yards and matched his career best with three touchdowns.
* What We Learned – Hope said TerBush was the most consistent of his quarterbacks during camp. But the quarterback for next week’s key game with Notre Dame will be determined this week in practice … Hope is an EKU graduate and he served as the head coach there from 2003-07 … Seven different Boilers scored touchdowns, including Landon Feichter on a 34-yard interception return.
* What’s Next – Purdue will make the 110-mile trip upstate to South Bend to face Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish opened with a 50-10 romp over Navy in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.
Big Ten Standings
Leaders Division
Illinois (1-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
Ohio State (1-0, 0-0)
Purdue (1-0, 0-0)
Wisconsin (1-0, 0-0)
Indiana (1-0, 0-0)
Penn State (0-1, 0-0)
Legends Division
Iowa (1-0, 0-0)
Michigan State (1-0, 0-0)
Nebraska (1-0, 0-0)
Northwestern (1-0, 0-0)
Minnesota (1-0, 0-0)
Michigan (0-1, 0-0)
Aug. 30 Game
Minnesota 30, UNLV 27, 3 OT
Aug. 31 Game
Michigan State (13) 17, Boise State (24) 13
Sept. 1 Games
Ohio State (18) 56, Miami (Ohio) 10
Alabama (2) 41, Michigan (8) 14
Wisconsin (12) 26, Northern Iowa 21
Nebraska (17) 49, Southern Miss 20
Ohio 24, Penn State 14
Northwestern 42, Syracuse 41
Illinois 24, Western Michigan 7
Iowa 18, Northern Illinois 17
Purdue 48, Eastern Kentucky 6
Indiana 24, Indiana State 17
Sept. 8 Games (All times Eastern)
New Hampshire at Minnesota, noon (Big Ten Network)
Central Florida at Ohio State, noon (ESPN2)
Penn State at Virginia, noon (ABC)
Iowa State at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Air Force at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Michigan State at Central Michigan, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Indiana at Massachusetts, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3.com)
Purdue at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. (NBC)
Wisconsin at Oregon State, 4 p.m. (FX)
Nebraska at UCLA, 7:30 p.m. (FOX)
Vanderbilt at Northwestern, 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Illinois at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Steve’s Updated Top 20
My original top 10 was LSU, USC, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan and Michigan State. LSU and USC each won big, but I am moving Alabama to No. 1 after that impressive win over Michigan.
Here is my new national top 20:
Alabama, LSU, USC, Oregon, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida State, South Carolina, Michigan State, Ohio State, Clemson, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State
Picks Update
On Thursday, I made my picks for Week 1.
With the Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech game pending, I am 24-5 straight-up and 13-13 against-the-spread with my picks. Virginia Tech is favored by 7-1/2 and I am picking the Hokies to win 31-19.
Stay tuned this week for our Big Ten Blast notes column on Tuesday, Picks for week 2 on Thursday and a Chat either Thursday or Friday.
- Steve Helwagen
- National Reporter - Bucknuts