Wisconsin, Iowa Sweat Out Wins; Big Ten Has Strange First Saturday
By Kyle Kensing
Wisconsin began life without Russell Wilson Saturday in underwhelming fashion, eeking out a 26-21 win over Championship Subdivision opponent Northern Iowa. The Panthers were driving on the Badgers late in the fourth quarter, but a batted down pass on fourth down preserved the win.
Wilson heir Danny O’Brien actually had a solid performance: 19-23, two touchdowns an no interceptions, 219 yards. Heisman Trophy finalists Montee Ball also went for 120 yards and a touchdown, albeit on 32 carries. That translated to 3.8 yards per carry for Ball, 2.5 yards below his 2011 average. His showing was a microcosm of the Badgers’ collective performance — adequate, but lacking the sizzle that defined UW’s Big Ten winning, Rose Bowl-bound squad a season ago.
UNI used 14 points in the final stanza to rally and make UW sweat it out. The conclusion was reminiscent of the Panthers’ Week 1 loss at Iowa. The Hawkeyes needed a pair of blocked field goals on the final play to survive. Iowa went on to play in the Orange Bowl, so squeaking by perennial FCS powerhouse UNI doesn’t necessarily indicate dark days ahead for the 2012 Badgers.
Speaking of Iowa, the Hawkeyes started this new year in similar fashion in an 18-17 defeat of Northern Illinois. The reigning MAC champion Huskies led Iowa most of the way, but nine fourth quarter points (including Iowa’s sole touchdown of the day) made the difference.
The narrow escapes were just part of what has been a strange Saturday for the Big Ten. Ohio State handled Miami U., and Illinois crusied in Tim Beckman’s thanks to a great game from Nathan Scheelhaase. But Northwestern nearly squandered a three-touchdown lead, UW and Iowa narrowly escaped, Penn State lost — even those teams that cruised, Purdue and Nebraska, did leave the field with question marks.
Nebraska lost leading rusher Rex Burkhead to a knee injury, and Purdue kicked off its game with Eastern Kentucky sans starting quarterback Caleb TerBush. Danny Hope didn’t need Bush in a 48-6 Boilermaker romp over Eastern Kentucky, but it’s not unreasonable to ask if a quarterback controversy is brewing in West Lafayette.
Robert Marve and Bush were embroiled in a competition last offseason, of which Bush emerged the winner. The Boilers reached the postseason, and Bush garnered NFL Draft attention. Former Miami transfer Marve saw plenty of action, but was a clear cut No. 2. He was supposed to be in the same position this season, but Bush was suspended just before kickoff.
Marve capitalized on the opportunity, putting together an impressive stat line: 30-37, 295 yards, three touchdowns. Granted the opponent is not one that commands attention, but Marve has to have at least generated some conversation about the job.