The 2016 Big Ten season is off and running, folks. The opening weekend was highlighted by an SEC/Big Ten showdown at Lambeau and a number of youngsters making their debuts at quarterback.
How did the conference fare in week one?
Wisconsin 16, No. 5 LSU 14
So, who saw that one coming? I mean I think we all know that playing quarterback at LSU automatically means that your ability to throw the football is lacking, but I really wasn't expecting the Badgers to come out on top at Lambeau. Alas, Rafael Gaglianone kicked the game-winning 47-yard field goal with just under four minutes left in regulation.
Leonard Fournette got his for the Tigers, though his stats weren't as ridiculous as we have grown accustomed to. The Heisman candidate tallied 138 yards on 23 carries and added 38 yards receiving. Former Buckeye target Brandon Harris carried on the struggling quarterback trend for Les Miles. He completed 12 of 21 passes for 131 yards on the day while adding a score and two interceptions. The latter of the two picks came late in the fourth quarter as LSU was driving down the field to potentially win the game.
You simply can't watch this D'Cota Dixon game-sealing INT enough.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 3, 2016
More video https://t.co/3s22f8TiDr https://t.co/taL2BhbHgf
How about the disgusting late hit by LSU offensive lineman Josh Boutte? Not a good look for the Bayou Bengals. A suspension is warranted, if you ask me.
Bart Houston made his first career start under center for the Badgers and, to the surprise of many, was asked to take on more than the typical game-manager role that Wiscy quarterbacks often see. Houston's stat line was fairly lackluster as the senior completed 19 of 31 passed for 205 yards and a pair of interceptions. The Wiscy ground game totaled 134 yards and the return of Corey Clement is certainly a welcome sight for Badger fans. Clement led the rushing attack with 86 yards and a score.
Just asked an LSU donor what he/she wanted to hear at this point from Les Miles: "an apology!"
— Brian Holland (@BHollandSports) September 4, 2016
Tuesday could be pivotal for the fan base...
The Mad Hatter's seat may have gotten a bit hotter over the weekend.
NO. 7 MICHIGAN 63, HAWAI'I 3
Boston College had the nation's No. 1 defense a season ago, and the Wolverines have turned to new defensive coordinator Don Brown to further strengthen a unit that was fourth-best in America in 2015. After Saturday, the early reports out of Ann Arbor are quite favorable.
Though this game was a glorified scrimmage for Jim Harbaugh and Co., the defense allowed just 232 yards and also managed to put up two touchdowns of their own. Jabrill Peppers lined up primarily at linebacker and recorded seven tackles (2 TFL) and added a sack.
The most impressive part about the defensive performance was perhaps the players who were not on the field. Starters Taco Charlton and Bryan Mone both missed the second half with injuries while Jourdan Lewis – who may be the team's best player – was held out of the game (coaches' decision).
Jabrill Peppers making tackles for loss. Before I get asked, I'm scouting him as a Linebacker. He's an elite LB prospect.
— Shane Alexander (@Alexander1Great) September 3, 2016
Wilton Speight got the nod at quarterback and was promptly intercepted on Michigan's first offensive play of the game. The redshirt sophomore would settle down, however, and ended the day with 145 yards, three scores, and the one interception. Jake Butt and Amara Darboh both were on the receiving end of Speight touchdown passes.
The story on offense was true freshman tailback Chris Evans. The speedster from Indy grew up a Buckeye fan but Ohio State didn't extend an offer until a month before February's signing day. In his Wolverine debut, Evans tallied 112 yards on just eight carries while also finding the endzone twice.
| Team | W-L | Rank | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1-0 | 1 | NA |
| Michigan | 1-0 | 2 | NA |
| Wisconsin | 1-0 | 3 | NA |
| Michigan State | 1-0 | 4 | NA |
| Iowa | 1-0 | 5 | NA |
| Nebraska | 1-0 | 6 | NA |
| Minnesota | 1-0 | 7 | NA |
| Penn State | 1-0 | 8 | NA |
| Indiana | 1-0 | 9 | NA |
| Northwestern | 0-1 | 10 | NA |
| Maryland | 1-0 | 11 | NA |
| Illinois | 1-0 | 12 | NA |
| Purdue | 1-0 | 13 | NA |
| Rutgers | 0-1 | 14 | NA |
No. 17 Iowa 45, Miami (OH) 21
The Iowa ground game paved the way for Kirk Ferentz on Saturday as Akrum Wadley, LeShun Daniels, and the rest of the Hawkeye backfield totaled 212 yards and five touchdowns on the day. Senior quarterback C.J. Beathard threw for 192 yards and a score as the offense appeared to be clicking in the season opener.
The Hawkeye defense had its struggles with the Redhawk offense as Miami outgained them 424 to 404. The defense did play the bulk of the game without starting linebacker Josey Jewell. The Second Team All-Big Ten defender was ejected in the first quarter after a nasty helmet-to-helmet targeting call.
The Redhawks were led by sophomore quarterback Billy Bahl and wideouts Rokeem Williams and James Gardner. Bahl threw for 266 yards and two scores. Williams accounted for 113 yards while Gardner was on the receiving end of both touchdowns.
No. 12 Michigan State 28, Furman 13
Friday night was a bit ugly for Mark Dantonio and the Spartans. At one point in the fourth quarter, it honestly felt like the mighty Paladins were on the verge of tying things up. Furman tailback Antonio Wilcox found the endzone with just over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth, narrowing the Spartan lead to 21-13.
On the following drive, quarterback Tyler O'Connor was picked off and gave the ball back to Furman in Michigan State territory. Alas, it wasn't met to be as the Paladins turned the ball over on the very next play courtesy of an Andrew Dowell (Lakewood, OH) interception, thus allowing Sparty to score the game-clinching touchdown en route to a 28-13 victory.
Michigan State's defense looked about as expected on the night, and I guess the struggles on offense shouldn't be a total surprise given all the new starters. O'Connor did throw for close to 200 yards and three scores, but he also looks prone to stare down wide receivers which will present problems against a more talented team. The three-headed monster in the backfield was more of a one-man show on Friday as sophomore L.J. Scott got the bulk of the carries. The Hubbard, Ohio sophomore rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Minnesota 30, Oregon State 23
The Gophers saw three defenders get ejected for targeting calls but still managed to top the Beavers in Minneapolis.
"It was kind of crazy and kind of nerve-racking seeing all of our starters go out like that," Minnesota defensive back Damarius Travis said. Via
Mitch Leidner didn't have his best game throwing the football but was able to make up for it with his legs. The senior was 13 of 26 for 130 yards and added another 76 yards and two scores on the ground. Sophomore tailback Rodney Smith led all rushers with 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Oregon State was led by quarterback Darell Garretson. The junior passed for 228 yard and three scores but also lost two crucial fumbles.
No. 14 Washington 48, Rutgers 13
Rutgers is bad at football and Saturday's game at Washington was incredibly ugly. The 14th-ranked Huskies were strong out of the gate putting up 24 points in the opening quarter. Quarterback Jake Browning threw for 287 yard and a trio of touchdowns with junior wideout John Ross amassing 90 receiving yards and accounting for two of those scores. Ross also found the endzone on a 92-yard kickoff return.
For the Scarlet Knights, Chris Laviano lined up under center and completed 24 of 40 passes for 168 yards, zero scores, and one interception. Tailback Josh Hicks led the way on the ground with 70 yards on 14 carries. Rutgers managed 304 yards of total offense on the day to go along with three turnovers.
Going to be a long, long rebuild for Chris Ash.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 3, 2016
Hopefully Chris Ash has plenty of patience because this one is going to take some time.
Penn State 33, Kent State 13
It feels really weird not seeing Christian Hackenberg standing in the pocket like a statue all the while being sacked 25 times per game and throwing the football at the feet of his receivers. New York Jets' fans now have that honor, I suppose.
The Trace McSorley Era, however, is off to an okay start in Happy Valley. James Franklin's new signal-caller completed 16 of 31 passes for 209 yards and two scores while adding another 47 yards on the ground. It was a workman-like effort for sophomore tailback Saquon Barkley who rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Chris Godwin led the Nittany Lion receivers with seven receptions for 67 yards.
The Penn State defense forced three turnovers while holding the Golden Flashes to 279 yards of total offense.
Nebraska 43, Fresno State 10
Tommy Armstrong and the Huskers used 22 fourth-quarter points to pull away from Fresno State on Saturday. The running game amassed close to 300 yards and five touchdowns as nine different players recorded at least one carry on the day. Armstrong threw for 108 yards and a score while also finding the endzone twice with his legs.
Sophomore tailback Devine Ozigbo led all rushers with 103 yards and two scores while senior Terrell Newby added another 56.
"He will forever be in the hearts and minds of Husker fans"#RIP27
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 4, 2016
(via @BigTenNetwork)https://t.co/90d9Si59yH
The Huskers remembered punter Sam Foltz by lining up with just 10 players on the field for their first punt. Foltz tragically passed away in a July auto accident. Fresno State declined the delay of game penalty.
What a touching moment.
Western Michigan 22, Northwestern 21
Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats got off to a rough start as they fell to Western Michigan in Evanston. Quarterback Clayton Thorson and tailback Justin Jackson accounted for virtually all of Northwestern's offense on Saturday. Thorson threw for 196 yards while Jackson rushed for 124 and accounted for all three of the Wildcat touchdowns.
P.J. Fleck wasn't afraid to take some risks as the Broncos converted four of four attempts on 4th down. Senior quarterback Zach Terrell had an efficient outing as he completed 26 of 36 passes for 218 yards and one score. Tailback Jamauri Bogan led the way on the ground with 103 yards and a touchdown.
It was a wacky ending in Evanston as Thorson's goal-line fumble in the waning minutes of the game all but sealed the Wildcats' fate.
Maryland 52, Howard 13
The Terrapins put up 519 yards of total offense against the Howard Bison, who do not appear to be very good at playing football. Quarterback Perry Hillis threw for 126 yards, but it was the Maryland ground game that did the most damage on the day. The Terps rushed for 315 yards and found the endzone six times. The attack was balanced as six players rushed for more than 40 yards with each of them also finding the endzone.
It was D.J. Durkin's first game as Maryland's new head coach, and the team greeted him for a nice celebration afterward. Durkin spent the 2015 season at Michigan and the previous four as a member of the Florida Gators' coaching staff.
Howard will travel to Rutgers next week and could give another head coach his first career win.
Indiana 34, Florida International 13
The Hoosiers were down 13-12 at the end of the third quarter on Thursday, but they bounced back and used a 22-point explosion in the fourth to take down FIU. New starting quarterback Richard Lagow – a juco transfer who also spent time at Oklahoma State – had a solid debut completing 18 of 27 passes for 240 yards and a score. Youngstown's Devine Redding led the Hoosier rushing attack as the junior piled up 135 yards on the ground.
Devine Redding ran for 135 yards tonight, and he apparently celebrated with a postgame cookie (per Instagram). #iufb pic.twitter.com/pIKpuYbqB4
— Alex McCarthy (@akmccarthy) September 2, 2016
Indiana's hiring of new defensive coordinator Tom Allen paid dividends in the opener. Allen – who previously held the same position at South Florida – put together a scheme that forced three turnovers, including two interceptions that were brought back for scores. A season ago, the Hoosiers' defense was 120th in the nation.
Illinois 52, Murray State 3
The Lovie Smith Era got off to a solid start on Saturday as the defensive guru has to be impressed with the effort put forth by the Illini. Murray State was held to just 165 yards on the day, including -10 rushing yards. Illinois recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers
Senior quarterback Wes Lunt led the Illini offense with 226 yards passing and three touchdowns. The ground game recorded 287 yards on the day and was led by the trio of Kendrick Foster, Reggie Corbin, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Foster ran for 118 yards on just four carries while finding the endzone twice, including a pair of 56-yarders.
Purdue 45, Eastern Kentucky 24
Coming off a putrid 2-10 season, the Boilers opened 2016 with a win over the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky. The Purdue running game did the bulk of the work on the day, tallying 261 yards and four touchdowns. Markell Jones led all players with 145 yards rushing. Sophomore quarterback David Blough connected on 25 of 43 passing attempts for 245 yards with one score and one interception.
Defense was a huge issue for the Boilermakers last year as seven of their 12 opponents scored at least 41 points. They managed to force three turnovers on Saturday, including a pair from former Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk.
The victory is Darrell Hazell's seventh dating back to 2013 when he took over in West Lafayette. He has 30 losses during that time.
Overall, it was a pretty nice start for the Big Ten. Rutgers looked really bad against a solid Washington team and Northwestern fell to to the preseason MAC favorites, but the Badgers' win over LSU was one of the highlights of the entire college football weekend. Ohio State and Michigan both actually performed better than expected, but the Spartans did struggle a bit out of the gate.
Looking ahead to week two, there's not a whole lot to get excited about. The Buckeyes are set to host Tulsa, UCF travels to Ann Arbor, and Penn State will square off against the Pitt Panthers. The Spartans will enjoy an off week before their week-three showdown in South Bend.
