B1G Rewind – Week 2 Edition

Leaders

Sep 7, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) passes the ball during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Illinois won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois

Beat Cincinnati 45-17

Last week I said the Illini’s close win over Southern Illinois wasn’t quite the positive result Illinois were looking for. Now they have it. Illinois opened up a 21-0 lead and never looked back, continuing to pile on the points as Nate Scheelhaase picked the Bearcats apart. The defense gave up 456 yards to UC, but stopped them when it mattered most. The highlight for the defense was a 4th down stop at the goal-line that stalled Cincinnati’s burgeoning momentum.

Hero of the Hour: QB Nate Scheelhaase – Passing 37-26-312-4-0

Next Up: Washington

Nov. 3, 2012; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) passing against the Iowa Hawkeyes during at Memorial Stadium. Indiana defeated Iowa 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Schultheiss-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana

Lost to Navy 41-35

The Hoosiers lost this one by a point this year, but with an improved team this season, they figured that would change against a Navy team playing their first game of the year. They were wrong. The Midshipmen, charged with emotion due to the death of head coach Ken Niumatalolo’s mother a couple of days previously, stormed out to a 17-0 lead and kept up the pace until a late rally by the Hoosiers pulled IU to within 6. Indiana failed an onside kick with 3:53 left, and the offense never took the field again.

Hero of the Hour: QB Nate Sudfeld – Passing 42-31-363-4-1, Rushing 6-35-0

Next Up: Bowling Green

November 3, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kenny Guiton (13) cuts away from pursuit by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Nick North (31) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 52-22. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State

Beat San Diego State 42-7

I wasn’t overly flattering of the Buckeyes win over Buffalo last week, and wondered how they’d fare against a tougher opponent in the Aztecs. When Braxton Miller went down with a knee injury early on, the job looked that little bit harder. In stepped little-used Kenny Guiton, who didn’t miss a beat in leading OSU to 42 points. The defense did its part, shutting down SDSU’s tough running attack and harassing their quarterbacks all night. This was more like the result we expect from the number 2 team in the nation, and they managed it without their star player.

Hero of the Hour: QB Kenny Guiton – Passing 28-19-152-2-1, Rushing 9-83-1.

Next Up: @ Calfornia

Sep 7, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) jumps over the Eastern Michigan Eagles defense during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Penn State

Beat Eastern Michigan 45-7

Quarterback Christian Hackenberg often played like the freshman he is last week, and had his moments again this week, for about 11 minutes. After a fumble allowed the Eagles to get on the board first, Hackenberg was outstanding the rest of the game, picking apart the EMU secondary. It certainly helped that the ground game was clicking, with the running attack accounting for 251 yards and 5 TDs. Penn State’s defense held the Eagles to 183 yards, and never allowed them to trouble the scoreboard again.

Hero of the Hour: QB Christian Hackenberg – Passing 33-23-311-1-1

Next Up: UCF

Sep 7, 2013; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Akeem Hunt (1) looks for room to run past Indiana State Sycamores linebacker Kendall Walker (10) in the 2nd half at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue

Beat Indiana State 20-14

The Boilermakers got their first win of the season, but they sure made hard work of it. After Akeem Hunt returned the opening kickoff for a TD, Purdue struggled to make much headway against the Sycamores. Even worse, the lack of offense allowed ISU to claw their way back into the game. Holding a narrow 20-14 lead, Ricardo Allen picked off a late pass in Purdue territory to help preserve the win. It certainly wasn’t the most impressive victory, but as the old saying goes, “it’s better to win ugly than lose pretty.”

Hero of the Hour: RB Akeem Hunt – Rushing 22-82-0, Receiving 2-38-0, Kick Returns 2-123-1

Next Up: Notre Dame

Sep 7, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin

Beat Tennessee Tech 48-0

The Badgers may not have played anyone of note, but winning your first two games by an aggregate score of 93-0 is very impressive, cupcakes or not. Also worth noting is that all three rushers, Melvin Gordon, James White and Chase Clement have run for 100 yards in both games. Quarterback Joel Stave was very efficient against the Golden Eagles, but didn’t push the ball down the field much. We’ll find out how good Wisconsin really is next week.

Hero of the Hour: QB Joel Stave – Passing 29-24-219-3-1

Next Up: @ Arizona State

Legends

Sep 7, 2013; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Mark Weisman (45) scores a touchdown as wide receiver Jacob Hillyer (17) blocks Missouri State Bears linebacker Jeremy Springer at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Missouri State 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa

Beat Missouri State 28-14

After last week’s tough loss to Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes needed something positive, and got it (just) against the Bears. Iowa were far from perfect in the game – the offensive line really struggled at times and Rudock threw a pick-six to let the Bears to within 7 – but the defense was strong and Rudock continued to develop. Also, despite a 4th quarter scare, the Bears never really looked like they could come back.

Hero of the Hour: RB Mark Weisman – Rushing 30-180-2

Next Up: @ Iowa State

Sep 7, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jeremy Gallon (21) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan

Beat Notre Dame 41-30

In a game that received a lot of attention, and not for the actual game itself, it sure delivered an exciting seesaw battle that fits nicely into the recent editions of the rivalry (hush, Brian Kelly). The Wolverines scored first and never trailed in the game as Devin Gardner showed how dangerous he was as a runner and a passer, with a combined 376 yards and 5 TDs. The tough ND defense held the running game in check (Gardner aside), but Fitzgerald Toussaint had some strong runs. The defense, and in particular the secondary, was tough, making the Irish fight for every yard and giving up few big plays. The only major gaffe on the evening was Gardner’s endzone interception, a strong contender for “Bonehead of the Week” awards.

Hero of the Hour: WR Jeremy Gallon – Receiving 8-184-3

Next Up: Akron

Sep 7, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) and Michigan State Spartans linebacker Taiwan Jones (34) celebrate fumble recovery for a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State

Beat South Florida 21-6

After needing a couple of defensive TDs to help out their struggling offense against Western Michigan last week, the Spartans repeated the feat this week against USF, possibly the only team with a worse offense. After getting trounced 53-21 by McNeese State last week and allowing 424 yards of offense, the Bulls held the Spartan attack to 265 yards, 94 through the air. Michigan State’s defense was outstanding again, holding USF to 155 total yards, with 66 through the air, but when your leading scorer on the year is a defensive end (Shilique Calhoun with 3 TDs), a long season may be in store.

Hero of the Hour: DE Shilique Calhoun – 3 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Interception (TD), 1 Fumble Recovery (TD).

Next Up: Youngstown State

Aug 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Rodrick Williams Jr. (35) runs past UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Parker Holloway (90) for a first down in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers won 51-23. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota

Won @ New Mexico State 44-21

Like the Spartans, Minnesota had a couple of returns for TDs to key their victory. Unlike the Spartans, the Gophers had an offense to help out too. Marcus Jones’ punt return and Aaron Hill’s fumble return both helped put the icing on the Aggie cake, but NMSU had no answer for the Gopher offense. Minnesota ran for 342 yards, while the defense held the Aggies to 103 rushing yards and kept NMSU from busting any big passing plays.

Hero of the Hour: RB Rodrick Williams Jr – Rushing 16-148-1

Next Up: Western Illinois

Sep 7, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) looks to pass against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska

Beat Southern Mississippi 56-13

After a close scare against Wyoming on week 1, the Cornhuskers had no intention of allowing the Golden Eagles to repeat the feat. The Husker defense allowed just 62 yards rushing and picked off 4 passes, with Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Ciante Evans each taking one back for scores. The offense moved the ball at will, and Taylor Martinez sat out the last 25 minutes after Big Red took a 49-13 lead. With a big game next week, this is more what was expected of Nebraska this season.

Hero of the Hour: QB Taylor Martinez – Passing 23-15-170-3-0, Rushing 8-34-0

Next Up: UCLA

Aug 31, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes the ball against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern

Beat Syracuse 48-27

The Orange played Penn State tough last week, and probably fancied their chances against a Wildcat team that was good but not great. Northwestern removed any such notion from the start, with the quarterback duo of Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter dissecting the Orange secondary with surgical precision. Northwestern rolled up 581 yards of total offense, and a 34-7 halftime lead effectively ended the game. Syracuse did show some fight in the second half, but the Wildcat defense had 4 interceptions to keep the game under control.

Hero of the Hour: QB Trevor Siemian – Passing 19-15-259-3-0

Next Up: Western Michigan