The Wisconsin Badgers are no longer undefeated, courtesy of a Kirk Cousins to Keith Nichol Hail Mary that gave the Michigan State Spartans a miracle win Saturday night. A quick recap of the day's Big Ten slate of games:
No. 16 Michigan State (6-1, 3-0) shocks No. 6 Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1), 37-31: A tremendous game that saw Heisman hopeful Russell Wilson lead his Badgers back from a 14 point fourth quarter deficit to tie the Spartans with just over a minute left ended in heartbreak for Wisconsin and pure elation for Michigan State when Kirk Cousins' 44-yard Hail Mary pass to Keith Nichol, originally ruled not a touchdown, was overturned on instant replay, giving Michigan State a miraculous six point win in East Lansing. Cousins threw for 290 yards and three touchdown passes in the win. For more on the Spartans, visit The Only Colors. For more on the Badgers, visit Bucky's 5th Quarter.
No. 13 Nebraska (6-1, 2-1) rolls Minnesota (1-6, 0-3), 41-14: Nebraska rushed for 346 yards, and probably could have rushed for 500 if they wanted to, in thrashing Minnesota by 27. One of my favorite names in college football, Rex Burkhead, ran for 117 yards and a touchdown. For more Cornhusker news, visit Corn Nation. Golden Gophers fans should visit The Daily Gopher.
No. 24 Penn State (7-1, 4-0) holds off Northwestern (2-5, 0-4), 34-24: 164 yards from running back Silas Redd, and an efficient 192 yard and two touchdown performance from quarterback Matt McGloin got Penn State the win, earning legendary Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno his 408th win, tying him for first all-time in Division 1 history with Eddie Robinson. Nittany Lions fans should visit Black Shoe Diaries. For more on Northwestern, visit Sippin' On Purple.
Indiana (1-7, 0-4) gets routed by Iowa (5-2, 2-1), 45-24: Hawkeyes' wide receiver Marvin McNutt caught six passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns, becoming Iowa's career leader in touchdown passes in the process. The woeful Hoosiers have now been outscored 161-61 in Big Ten games. For more on the game, Iowa fans should visit Black Heart Gold Pants. For more on Indiana, visit The Crimson Quarry.
No. 23 Illinois (6-2, 2-2) upset by Purdue (4-3, 2-1), 21-14: Ron Zook's club was unimpressive for the second straight week, losing at Purdue just seven days after falling from the ranks of the unbeatens with a 17-7 loss to a pedestrian Ohio State team. Purdue's seven point victory was it's first win over a ranked team since 2009. For more on the Fighting Illini, visit Hail To The Orange. For more on the Purdue Boilermakers visit Hammer and Nails.