B1G Rewind:Week 5 Edition – Boilermakers and Golden Gophers struggle
By Al Burke
Leaders
Sep 28, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) looks for an open receiver during the first half against the Miami Redhawks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
Illinois (3-1)
Beat Miami (Ohio) 50-14
The Redhawks are the worst team in the FBS this year, at least at this stage, but Illinois couldn’t afford to go to sleep on them. They didn’t – Illinois rolled over Miami, thanks in no small part to Nate Scheelhaase, who tossed 4 TD passes in the 2nd quarter alone. The offense was outstanding, rolling for 601 yards, including 289 on the ground, and converting 10 of 14 3rd downs. The defense allowed just 250 yards, which was actually the Redhawks season high, and a couple of late TDs when the game was well out of reach. A strong performance and confidence booster for the Illini, especially with a tough game up next.
Hero of the Hour: QB Nate Scheelhaase – Passing 24-19-278-5-1, Rushing 4-13-0.
Next Up: @ Nebraska
Indiana (2-2)
Had the week off.
Next Up: Penn State
Sep 28, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium. Buckeyes beat the Badgers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State (5-0)
Beat Wisconsin 31-24
I thought before the game that the Badgers would sneak the win here, assuming that Braxton Miller would be rusty after a couple of games off. If that’s rusty, then the Tin Man is full of crap. In one of the outstanding performances of the week, Miller came out firing, throwing 4 TD passes and running well for a guy with a brace on his knee. Carlos Hyde kept the Badger defense from focusing on Miller, while Philly Brown caught 8 passes for 85 yards and 2 TDs. The defense gave up some big drives, and were gutted by Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis, but they played a key role in keeping the Badgers in check and coming up with timely plays to hinder drives.
Hero of the Hour: QB Braxton Miller – Passing 25-17-198-4-0, Rushing 22-83-0.
Next Up: @ Northwestern
Penn State (3-1)
Had the week off.
Next Up: @ Indiana
Sep 28, 2013; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Dalyn Dawkins (20) catches a pass against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ross Ade Stadium. Northern Illinois won 55-24. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Purdue (1-4)
Lost to Northern Illinois 55-24
I thought (hoped) that the Boilermakers would put up more of a fight here, considering NIU were giving up nearly 500 yards and 34 points per game. Instead, the Boilermakers started badly, Rob Henry was pulled from the game after completing just 5 of 16 passes, and true freshman Danny Etling was thrown to the wolves. Or Huskies, as it may be. Purdue struggled to get the running game going for the 5th consecutive week, and had 5 turnovers, along with a number of dumb penalties. Etling threw 2 ill-advised picks, but wasn’t awful, completing 19 of 39 passes for 241 yards and 2 TDs, and did lead the Boilermakers to 17 second half points. One of the few bright spots was DeAngelo Yancey, who had a breakout game. Purdue’s defense, of course, got Lynched, as the MAC Heisman hopeful accounted for 242 yards and 4 TDs on the day. With a much-needed bye this weekend, the Boilermakers have a lot of tinkering to do in all facets of the game. Will this be the last we see of Rob Henry this season?
Hero of the Hour: WR DeAngelo Yancey – Receiving 7-117-0.
Next Up: Nebraska (Oct 12th)
Sep 28, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (4) makes a jumping catch while being defended by a Ohio State Buckeyes defender during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin (3-2)
Lost to Ohio State 31-24
It would be easy to look at the box score and say the Badgers gave Ohio State all they could handle, but anyone who watched the game will know otherwise. The Badgers didn’t look like their usual selves, with silly penalties and dropped passes killing drives. The running attack could have been better, although Melvin Gordon was having a decent game before going down with a knee injury in the 4th quarter. The real story of the game was the connection between Joel Stave (295 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Int) and Jared Abbrederis, although Abredderis had a couple of untimely drops too. The defense was outstanding in the 4th quarter, giving the Badgers every chance to come back, but struggled at times through the first three.
Hero of the Hour: WR Jared Abbrederis – Receiving 10-207-1.
Next Up: Northwestern (Oct 12th)
Legends
Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes fullback Mark Weisman (45) runs with the ball in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa (4-1)
Beat Minnesota 23-7
This was a big game for the Hawkeyes, and they came up trumps. The offense, led by Jake Rudock (253 total yards, 2 TDs) and battering ram Mark Weisman, was good, but the defense was fantastic. Led by 4 sacks and 2 interceptions of Gopher QB Phillip Nelson, who returned from injury, the unit shut down Minnesota almost completely. The run defense held the Gophers to 30 yards, while the secondary forced many of the sacks with blanket coverage. Minnesota’s longest drive on the day was just 34 yards, which led to their TD. That was more a result of Iowa’s one concern on the day – kick coverage. The Gophers had two big returns (53 & 66 yards), although only managed points on one of them. A better win than will be given credit for.
Hero of the Hour: RB Mark Weisman – Rushing 24-147-0.
Next Up: Michigan State
Michigan (4-0)
Had the week off.
Next Up: Minnesota
Michigan State (3-1)
Had the week off.
Next Up: @ Iowa
Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Damon Bullock (5) catches a pass past Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Brock Vereen (21) in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota (4-1)
Lost to Iowa 23-7
The Gophers perfect start to the season came to a crashing halt as Iowa brought Floyd home. Phillip Nelson started at quarterback after missing the last couple of games, but was sacked 4 times and picked off twice. Jerry Kill stayed with him all game despite his ineffectiveness, although there’s little to suggest that Mitch Leidner could have made a difference. Minnesota made little headway on offense, finishing with just 165 yards, including 30 rushing. Their only TD came off a big kick return, and their longest non-scoring drive was 24 yards (9 plays). The Gopher defense wasn’t much better, allowing 464 yards (246 on the ground), and forcing the Hawkeyes to punt just twice. The schedule gets even tougher from here on in, and this could loss could define whether the Gophers make a bowl.
Hero of the Hour: S Brock Vereen – 8 Tackles, 1 PBU, 1 Interception, 1 Forced Fumble.
Next Up: @ Michigan
Nebraska (3-1)
Had the week off.
Next Up: Illinois
Northwestern (4-0)
Had the week off.
Next Up: Ohio State