CFB-FBS: Big Ten Conference Week 14 Release and Previews

WEEK 14 GAME SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers

Series Overall

Minnesota Trails 62-63-8 Streak: Minnesota Lost 1 Series in WI: Minnesota Trails 24-35-6 Streak: Minnesota Won 1 First Meeting: Minnesota won 63-0 in Minneapolis (11/15/1890) Last Meeting: Minnesota lost 28-14 in Minneapolis (11/25/2023)

Minnesota Golden Gophers Notes

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1 – Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) closes out the 2024 regular season on Friday with a trip to Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on CBS and the Gopher Radio Network. The most played FBS rivalry in college football history at 133 games, featuring a razor-tight advantage in the series for the Badgers at 63-62-8, Friday will be the 11th straight year that the Gophers and Badgers face off in the regular season finale.

2 – The all-time series has been played 133 times, but Saturday marks the 76th battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, a full history of which can be found on Page 55. First played for in 1948, the all-time series record for the Axe is tilted in Wisconsin’s favor at 46-27-3, but the teams have split the six contests since 2018, the first time they’ve gone 3-3 against one another in a six-game span since 1990-95.

3 – The contest with Wisconsin marks just the 17th game in Minnesota history to be played on a Friday and the first since hosting Purdue on Nov. 20, 2020. Minnesota and Wisconsin have never met on a Friday before. The Gophers are 5-10-1 all-time in program history on Fridays, including 4-5-1 in the regular season. Minnesota is 2-2 under P.J. Fleck on Fridays. The Gophers have a .658 winning percentage in their history when playing on days other than Saturday, going 59-30-3. Under Fleck, the team is 12-4 on non-Saturdays. A list of Friday games can be found on Page 12 of the notes.

4 – Max Brosmer has been excellent in his lone season in Minnesota, completing 233-of-348 passes for 2,426 yards and 15 touchdowns with five interceptions for a rating of 136.9. He’s also scored four rushing touchdowns. Pro Football Focus ranks Brosmer 12th among FBS QBs with a passer grade of 86.2 this year, while his overall offensive grade of 86.8 ranks 22nd at the position. He’s fifth in the Big Ten in both passing grade and overall grade. Brosmer’s completion percentage of 67.0 percent is on pace to be the best in both Minnesota single-season history (min. 100 attempts) and career (300 att.). In addition, Brosmer’s TD:INT ratio of 3.00 is third in Minnesota single-season history. Before an interception last week against Penn State, he had gone over five games (and 206 passes) without an interception, the longest streak at Minnesota since Mitch Leidner went five games without a pick over the final three games of 2014 and first two of 2015. More on Brosmer can be found on Pages 4-5 of the notes.

5 – The 2024 campaign is the eighth for P.J. Fleck at Minnesota, where his record stands at 56-39. He is fourth in program history in Big Ten wins (33) and is fifth in overall wins and games coached (95). Fleck’s .589 win percentage is third best among Minnesota coaches with at least 45 games under their helm behind only Henry L. Williams (.786, 1900-21) and Bernie Bierman (.716, 1932-41, ‘45-50). In his 12th season overall as a college head coach, Fleck is 86-61 (.585).

FACING WISCONSIN

• In the most-played FBS rivalry in college football history, Minnesota and Wisconsin meet for the 134th time on Friday. The Badgers hold a one-game lead in the all-time series at 63-62-8. u Minnesota had a two-game winning streak in the series snapped last season, but they could still win three of four against Wisconsin for the first time since 1984-87 when it captured four straight. • The Gophers’ 62 wins against the Badgers are their second most wins against one team behind only Iowa (63). • In Madison, Minnesota trails 35-24-6 in the series. The 65 games played are the most for the Gophers against one opponent on the road, while the only team they’ve beaten more away from home is Northwestern (25). • Coupled with a 23-16 win in 2022, Minnesota is looking for back-to-back road wins in the series for the first time since prevailing in 1984 and 1986. u Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is 3-4 versus Wisconsin while with the Gophers and 3-5 all-time in his coaching career. • In addition, Haynes was on the Ohio State staff in 2006 with Fleck and Fickell as the Buckeyes’ defensive backs coach, and he was also a GA at Bowling Green in 1994 when Minnesota special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky was the Falcons linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. • Minnesota tight end coach Eric Koehler was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Wartburg College in Iowa in the 2002-03 seasons when Wisconsin outside linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Matt Mitchell was the team’s linebackers coach. The pair reunited at Grand Valley State from 2008-12 when Koehler was the offensive coordinator and Mitchell was the linebackers coach (2008- 09) and head coach (2010-12). • Koehler also overlapped at Miami (OH) from 2018-21 with Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow when Koehler was the Redhawks’ OC/QBs coach and Whitlow coached the defensive line. • Koehler also coached in the state of Wisconsin at UW-Platteville from 1999-00 as the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach. u Ligashesky and Minnesota cornerbacks coach Nick Monroe overlapped at Syracuse with Wisconsin linebacker Leon Lowery Jr., an Orange linebacker from 2020-23. • Wisconsin offensive line coach AJ Blazek coached in the state of Minnesota from 2009-12 at Winona State. • Wisconsin safeties coach Alex Grinch was the Oklahoma defensive coordinator from 2019-21 when Minnesota running back Marcus Major played for the Sooners. • The Badgers enter the game with a 5-6 record overall and 3-5 mark in league play. After a three-game winning streak in October bumped their record to 5-2, Wisconsin has lost four in a row. • Minnesota and Wisconsin have four common opponents this year in Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers and USC. Both teams were 1-3 in those games with the Gophers’ win coming over USC, while the Badgers’ was at Rutgers. • Braedyn Locke has been the Badgers’ starter since Tyler Van Dyke was lost for the year in a the third game of the season. Locke is 149-of-264 for 1,806 yards and 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for an efficiency rating of 121.3 this season. He is seventh in the Big Ten in yards per completion (12.12) • Wisconsin’s passing attack is led by the duo of Will Pauling and Vinny Anthony II. Pauling has 407 receiving yards on a team-best 42 receptions, while Anthony II has a team-high 633 yards on 35 catches. Anthony II’s average of 18.09 yards per catch ranks third in the conference. The pair is tied for the team lead with three touchdown grabs each. • Tawee Walker is Wisconsin’s top rusher at 828 yards and 10 rushing scores on 176 carries this year. His rushing yards per game rate of 82.8 is sixth in the Big Ten, while his total yardage and touchdown total both rank seventh. u Hunter Wohler is the Badgers’ top tackler at 63 stops this season. He also boasts a team-best six pass breakups. • Christian Alliegro is second on the team in tackles (58), and his 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks lead the team. Preston Zachman has half of Wisconsin’s four interceptions. • Nathanial Vakos is 12-of-18 on field goals with a long of 53 yards. Atticus Bertrams is averaging 45.6 yards per punt to rank ninth nationally and second in the Big Ten. u Anthony II is averaging 28.7 yards on 11 kick returns, which would rank fourth in the country if he had enough returns to qualify. Wohler’s 9.0 punt return average leads Wisconsin.

 LAST TIME VS. THE BADGERS

• With assistance from the AP: Braelon Allen rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns to carry Wisconsin past Minnesota 28-14 in the 2023 regular season finale, giving the Badgers possession of Paul Bunyan’s Axe after a two-year absence.

Wisconsin Badgers Notes

BADGERS AND GOLDEN GOPHERS BATTLE FOR AXE

• The Wisconsin Badgers are set to renew college football’s oldest rivalry by squaring off with Minnesota for the 134th time. Wisconsin is in search of its 6th win to secure a bowl bid and maintain a chance at a winning season. • Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on Black Friday, live on CBS. Wisconsin is 6-0 in Friday games dating back to 2017. • Wisconsin looks for its second consecutive win over Minnesota after a win last year in Minneapolis. The Badgers have secured the Axe 17 times over the last 20 meetings with the Gophers.

KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER

• Nation’s most consistent program… Wisconsin has totaled 22 straight winning seasons since 2002. That streak is the longest among Power 4 teams. Wisconsin would need a win over Minnesota and a bowl game victory to post another winning season. • UW held a 3-4 in 2020 before beating Minnesota in OT at Camp Randall in the regular season finale and then topping Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 42-28. • This is how we bowl… Wisconsin needs a win in the season finale to secure a bowl-berth. Wisconsin gone bowling in 22-straight seasons, the 3rd-longest active streak in the nation. • Nation’s most-played rivalry… This season marking the 134th meeting between the Badgers and Gophers. Only 5 other FBS rivalries have been contested at least 125 times: North Carolina vs. Virginia (129), Auburn vs. Georgia (129), Cincinnati vs. Miami (Ohio) (128), Oregon vs. Oregon State (128) and Stanford vs. Cal (127). • Since the introduction of Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948, Wisconsin leads the series, 46-27-3. „ Getting back on track… Wisconsin has dropped 4 straight games after a 3-game winning streak to begin the month of October. After an offensive staff shake-up, the Badgers’ offense scored 25 points at Nebraska, its most since UW’s 45-7 win at Rutgers on Oct. 12. • The Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium for the season finale. UW is 3-0 this season at home against unranked opponents. • Celebrating the seniors… Wisconsin will honor its seniors for Senior Day at Camp Randall. Players and student assistants will be honored before kickoff. • Wisconsin has won 5 of the last 6 Senior Day games at Camp Randall. „ Physicality up front… The Badger offensive line has set the tone for the offense, allowing only 11 sacks (T-1st Big Ten/11th FBS) and 43.0 TFLs (3rd Big Ten/12th FBS). • Wisconsin is averaging 161.5 rushing yards per game during conference play, the 4th-most in the Big Ten. • Pass-catchers break out… Last week at Nebraska, WRs Vinny Anthony and Bryson Green both found the end zone. • The Badgers now have 5 players with multiple TD catches this season. It’s the first time UW has had 5 players with multiple TD catches in a season since 2017. Penn State and Indiana are the only Big Ten teams to have more players (6) with multiple TD catches this season. • Some slate.. Wisconsin has played 3 top-5 teams this fall. UW and Purdue (4) are the only FBS programs to play 3+ top-5 teams this fall. ƒ Wisconsin’s schedule ranks as the 16th-toughest (4th in Big Ten) according to ESPN.

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes

SERIES HISTORY: NEBRASKA VS. IOWA

Nebraska and Iowa are meeting for the 14th straight season as Big Ten opponents and for the 55th time overall. Nebraska owns a 30-21-3 edge in the all-time series between the schools, while the Hawkeyes own a 9-4 edge since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference. • Iowa is the only opponent Nebraska has met in all 14 seasons as a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Hawkeyes are the only opponent the Huskers face on an annual basis in the 18-team conference. • The road team in the series has won the past three matchups and nine of the last 12 meetings overall, including Nebraska’s 24-17 win at Kinnick Stadium in 2022. • The past six meetings have been decided by a total of 29 points. Iowa has a 5-1 record in those games, including last second-field goals in 2018, 2019 and 2023. • Nebraska rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to win in overtime at Iowa City in 2014, tying for the second-largest comeback in school history. • Prior to joining the Big Ten, Nebraska last met Iowa in 1999 and 2000, winning each of the contests. • Nebraska and Iowa met six times in non-conference play between 1979 and 2000, with the Huskers winning five of the six games. The Huskers were ranked in the top 10 in each of those six games. • All-Time Series: Nebraska leads, 30-21-3 • At Iowa City: Nebraska leads, 11-9 • Last Game: Iowa 13, Nebraska 10 11-24-23 in Lincoln • Win Streak: Iowa, 1 game

NEBRASKA, IOWA TO BATTLE FOR HEROES TROPHY

Nebraska and Iowa will battle for the Heroes Trophy when they hit the field Friday at Kinnick Stadium. The Heroes Game is the annual trophy game between Nebraska and Iowa. The game is sponsored by Pioneer. • While both teams aim to win the trophy on the field, Nebraska and Iowa wished to make their annual meeting about more than just a football game. The schools partnered to not only create a trophy, but to use their stage to honor a citizen hero from each state. In addition to the trophy claimed by the winner of the game, both an Iowa and Nebraska native will be honored for extraordinary acts. • Citizen heroes from each state will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Notes

Nebraska completes its 2024 regular season on Friday evening by traveling to Iowa City to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the schools’ annual Black Friday matchup. Game time at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with NBC providing the television coverage. The contest can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App. Nebraska heads to Iowa City with momentum following a 44-25 victory over Wisconsin last Saturday afternoon in Lincoln. The victory improved the Huskers to 6-5 on the season and clinched Nebraska’s first bowl trip since the 2016 season. The Huskers used their most complete offensive effort of the season to pull away from the Badgers in the victory. Nebraska’s 44 points were the most in two seasons under Matt Rhule, and the Huskers posted their second highest marks of the season in total offense (473), rushing offense (180) and passing offense (293). Defensively, the Blackshirts had two takeaways in the game and forced Wisconsin without points on three drives inside the Nebraska 25-yard line. Iowa comes into the regular-season finale with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in Big Ten Conference play. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 29-13 victory at Maryland on Saturday, a game in which Iowa relied on its running game, rolling up 268 yards on the ground and holding the ball for more than 37 minutes of game action. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards in the win. He ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game. Overall, the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank 13th nationally in rushing at 213.5 yards per game. The Hawkeyes once again feature one of Big Ten’s best defenses, allowing just 17.7 points per game, while leading the Big Ten in turnover margin.

THIS WEEK’S NUMBERS

6 – The past six meetings between Nebraska and Iowa have been decided by seven or fewer points, including three games by three points. The total margin in the past six games is 29 points.

35 – Friday’s game will mark the 35th consecutive season Nebraska has played on Black Friday, including the past 14 years against Iowa. The Huskers own a 20-14 record since 1990 in Black Friday games.

44 – Nebraska’s 44-point scoring effort against Wisconsin was the highest point total in two seasons under Coach Matt Rhule. It was also the most points scored by the Huskers since a 56-7 win over Northwestern in 2021, a span of 41 games.

BIG RED ON BLACK FRIDAY

Nebraska continues its long tradition of playing on the day after Thanksgiving. This Friday’s game with Iowa will mark the 35th consecutive season the Huskers have played on Black Friday. • Nebraska met Oklahoma in the final six seasons of the Big Eight Conference (1990 to 1995), then played Colorado in all 15 of the Huskers’ Big 12 Conference years (1996 to 2010), before taking on Iowa each of the 14 seasons it has been a Big Ten member, including this year. • Nebraska is 10-6 on the road in Black Friday games since 1990, including 3-3 at Iowa. • In addition to playing Iowa on Black Friday the past 13 seasons, Nebraska and Iowa also closed the regular season against each other nine times from 1892 to 1916.

NOTABLES FROM THE 2024 SEASON

Nebraska’s 2024 season has featured several notable moments, including reaching bowl the postseason for the first time since 2016, a 3-0 non-conference season, and a 5-1 record in the first half of the season. Highlights for the 2024 season include: • Nebraska owns a 6-5 record heading into the regular-season finale at Iowa. Nebraska secured a bowl berth with its win over Wisconsin and will play in the postseason for the first time since 2016. The bowl trip will be Nebraska’s 54th all-time bowl appearance. • Nebraska opened the season with three consecutive non-conference victories, marking its first 3-0 start to the season since 2016. It was also the first time Nebraska was unblemished in non-conference play since 2016. The Huskers did not trail in their three non-conference games, and out-scored the opposition by a total of 102-20 in non-conference play. • Nebraska won each of its first three games by at least 18 points. It marked the first time NU won three straight games by at least 18 points since the middle of the 2014 season, when the Huskers defeated Northwestern (21), Rutgers (18) and Purdue (21). The Huskers have added two additional wins by at least 18 points with a 28-10 win at Purdue and a 44-25 victory over Wisconsin. • The Huskers’ 5-1 mark at the midpoint of the season was NU’s best six-game record since 2016, when Nebraska began the season with seven wins. The 5-1 start marked the 10th time since 2000 Nebraska has been 5-1 or better through six games. • Nebraska’s early-season success was largely a result of fast starts. Nebraska out-scored its first six opponents in the second quarter by a total of 65-3. For the season, Nebraska has an 109-51 edge in the second quarter. In 2023, Nebraska was out-scored 81-66 in the second quarter. • Nebraska has pitched three first-half shutouts (Colorado, Purdue, Rutgers), and allowed just 43 first-half points in its seven home games. Dating back to 2023, Nebraska has allowed just six first-quarter touchdowns in its past 17 games. • Nebraska was ranked in both national polls for two consecutive weeks (Sept. 8, Sept. 15). Nebraska rose as high as 22nd in both polls. The No. 22 AP ranking was Nebraska’s highest since being ranked 17th entering the 2016 regular-season finale at Iowa. • The Sept. 20 game with Illinois was the first matchup of two AP ranked teams at Memorial Stadium since 2013 (vs. UCLA) and the first Big Ten games between two ranked teams since 2011 when 13th-ranked Nebraska defeated No. 9 Michigan State.

BLACKSHIRT DEFENSE STRONG AGAIN IN 2024

For the second straight year, Nebraska has featured one of the Big Ten’s top defenses. • Nebraska allowed just 20 points in its first three games, the fewest through three games since allowing 16 points in the first three games in 2005. NU ranks 25th in scoring defense at 20.0 points per game. • Nebraska has held five opponents to 10 or fewer points. The five opponents held to 10 or fewer points is the most in a season since the 2009 team held eight of 14 opponents to 10 or fewer points. • With an overtime touchdown, Illinois ended a streak of 10 straight opponents Nebraska had held to 24 or fewer points. It was the longest stretch Nebraska had limited the opposition to 24 points or less since a 14-game stretch spanning the 2009 and 2010 seasons. • Nebraska’s defense was dominant at home this season. Since the start of the 2023 season, just four of 14 opponents at Memorial Stadium have scored more than 14 points. • Before the Oct. 19 game at Indiana, Nebraska had held 13 straight opponents to less than 400 total yards dating back to last season. The last time Nebraska held more than 13 straight opponents to less than 400 yards was part of a 14-game stretch spanning the final three games of 2008 and first 11 contests of 2009. Overall, Nebraska has held eight of 11 opponents this season and 15 of its last 18 opponents to fewer than 400 yards. • Nebraska has held five opponents this season to less than 300 yards, including limiting Ohio State to a season-low 285 yards after the Buckeyes entered the game averaging better than 500 yards per game. • Nebraska has gone 21 consecutive games without allowing 300 passing yards, dating back to last season. That is the longest streak for the Huskers since a 29-game stretch without allowing 300 passing yards spanning the 2008 to 2010 seasons. • Nebraska is allowing 329.2 yards of total offense per game, which ranks 35th nationally. • Nebraska has allowed 38 plays of 20+ yards (9 rush, 29 pass), the 26th-fewest in the country.

SHUTTING DOWN THE RUN

Nebraska’s defense has been strong against the run over the past two seasons, and shutting down the run has been a key for Nebraska this season. The Huskers rank 21st nationally in rushing defense at 110.9 yards per game. In its six victories, Nebraska has allowed just 75.7 rushing yards per game. • Nebraska held its first six opponents without a rushing touchdown, before Indiana reached the end zone on the ground. The six-game stretch tied for the longest season-opening streak in FBS without allowing a rushing touchdown in the past 10 seasons. Prior to this year, the last team to not allow a rushing touchdown through its first six games was Georgia in 2019. The last Big Ten team to not allow a rushing touchdown in its first six games was Iowa in 2013. • Dating back to last season, the Huskers have not allowed a rushing touchdown in 14 of their past 18 games, including nine of 11 games in 2024. • Nebraska did not allow a rushing touchdown in its seven home games this season. This year marked the first time since 1939 Nebraska went an entire home season without allowing a rushing touchdown. • Nebraska held Colorado to 16 rushing yards, the fewest rushing yards by an opponent since Purdue had -2 rushing yards in 2020. NU has also held UTEP (56), Purdue (50), Rutgers (78) and Ohio State (64) to less than 80 rushing yards. In 23 games under Head Coach Matt Rhule, the Huskers have held the opponent to less than 100 rushing yards 13 times, including nine with 75 yards or less. • Nebraska has allowed just three individual 100-yard rushers in 23 games over the past two seasons. • The rush defense is assisted by Nebraska’s strong sack numbers. The Huskers have 26 sacks, including three games with four or more sacks. Nebraska had 32 sacks in 2023 which marked the most sacks by Nebraska since recording 39 in 2013.

WINNING THE TURNOVER MARGIN

Nebraska’s strong first half of the season was fueled in part by a +6 turnover differential through six games. Nebraska owned a positive or even TO margin in each of its first six games. For the season, Nebraska is +1 in turnover margin after finishing last season at -17 in turnover margin. • The Huskers had a takeaway in the first eight games, Nebraska’s longest streak since a nine-game stretch spanning the 2021 (final game) and 2022 (first eight games) seasons. • Nebraska’s defense has posted multiple takeaways six times in 2024 (UTEP, Colorado, Illinois, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin), and single takeaways against UNI, Purdue, Indiana and Ohio State. • The multiple takeaways in consecutive games (UTEP, Colorado) marked the first time the Husker defense accomplished that since 2020 when Nebraska had multiple takeaways against Northwestern and Penn State. Nebraska has once again had multiple takeaways in the past two games against USC and Wisconsin. • Nebraska has had a positive turnover margin six times in 2024. The Huskers were positive in turnover margin in their first three Big Ten games, marking the first time Nebraska has had a positive turnover margin in three straight games since late in the 2018 season. • The Huskers did not allow the opposition to score a point off turnovers through the first six games. However, Indiana scored 28 points off Husker turnovers in the loss in Bloomington. Nebraska has outscored opponents 51-35 in points off turnovers this season, including three interception returns for touchdowns. • Junior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. has four interceptions this season, and ranks 13th nationally in interceptions per game. His four picks are tied for the most by a Husker since Nathan Gerry had five interceptions in 2015. • Nebraska’s 51 points off turnovers, includes three interceptions for touchdowns and a safety. In the season opener against UTEP, NU recorded a safety and followed up with a pick-six by Tommi Hill against Colorado. John Bullock added an interception for a touchdown at Purdue, and Ceyair Wright had a 45-yard return for a score at USC. • Hill’s interception for a touchdown against the Buffs was Nebraska’s first pick-six since Cam Taylor-Britt had a pick-six against Iowa in 2019. It was Nebraska’s first defensive touchdown of any kind since Deontai Williams returned a fumble for a score against Penn State in 2020. Nebraska’s three interceptions for touchdowns this season is its most since having four in 2013. • In the 40-7 win over UTEP in the opener, defensive lineman Ty Robinson had a tackle for loss for a safety. It was Nebraska’s first defensive safety since 2015. • With scores in back-to-back games to open the year, it marked the first time the defense scored in consecutive games since 2015, when Joshua Kalu had an interception return for a touchdown at Minnesota, and a week later the Huskers had a safety against Northwestern in Lincoln.

Iowa Hawkeyes Notes

1^ST & 10

• Iowa has won eight of the last nine Heroes Game matchups against Nebraska and is 9-4 in the series with the Heroes Trophy on the line. The last six games have all been decided by seven points or less. • The Hawkeyes will wear their all-black uniforms on Black Friday. Fans are encouraged to wear black to “Black Out Kinnick Stadium.” • The Hawkeyes have won 20 of their last 23 games in the month of November, dating back to 2019 — the third-best winning percentage in the nation. • Iowa is 2-1 in trophy games this season and 28-10 in its last 38 rivalry trophy games. • The Hawkeyes have won at least seven games in 11 consecutive seasons (excluding the 6-2 COVID-shortened 2020 season) and in 20 of head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 26 seasons. Iowa has won at least eight games in nine straight seasons. • Iowa is bowl eligible for the 12th straight year and for the 23rd time in the last 24 seasons. • The Hawkeyes won their 700th game in program history in Week 10 against Wisconsin, becoming the 35th school to reach the milestone. • Senior LB Jay Higgins is a semifinalist for the Butkus, Lombardi and Bednarik Awards and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He is the only player from a major conference with 100+ tackles and four interceptions. • LB Nick Jackson has played in 71 career collegiate games — the most in NCAA history. • Ferentz has 203 career victories as Iowa’s head coach — second-most in Big Ten history. He trails only Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (205) for the most overall wins in league history. • Iowa had two 100-yard rushers in the Week 13 win at Maryland — Kaleb Johnson (164) and Kamari Moulton (114) — a first for the program since 2016. • The Hawkeyes churned out 268 yards on 58 attempts against the Terps — the eighth 200-yard rushing game this season (fourth with 250+ yards). The eight 200+ yard games is believed to be a program record. • The team’s 213.5 yards per game ranks first in the Big Ten and 13th nationally. The Hawkeye offensive line is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. • Junior RB Kaleb Johnson, a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, has scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game — the longest stretch in program history. He has three touchdowns in four games. • Johnson found the end zone for his 21st rushing touchdown at Maryland to break the school record and it was his 22nd overall TD to extend his record points total to 132. • Iowa has scored 40 points in three straight home games for the first time since 2011. Iowa is 32-0 when scoring 21+ points since 2020. • Iowa is 5-0 in Big Ten play when Johnson rushes for 100+ yards. • The Hawkeyes limited Maryland to 129 passing yards, snapping the Terps’ streak of 17 straight games with 200+ yards through the air. Maryland had a season-low 229 yards of total offense in the game. • Johnson, who has 1,492 yards — third-most in program history — is second in the nation in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (135.6), fourth in rushing touchdowns (21), total touchdowns (22) and total points (132), and ninth in yards per carry (6.69). • Big play KJ… Johnson has 20 rushes of 20+ yards, six 40+ yard runs and nine touchdown runs of 25+ yards this season. Iowa has 24 20+ yard rushes in 2024. • PK Drew Stevens was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Nov. 25 after tying a program and SECU Stadium record with five field goals, including two from 50+, in the Week 13 road win at Maryland. He is the first Hawkeye since 1998 to make multiple 50+ yarders and he became the school record holder in career 50+ yarders (7). • TOs — The Hawkeyes have forced 22 turnovers in 11 games — 16 interceptions, six fumble recoveries. The 22 takeaways lead the Big Ten and rank eighth nationally. Iowa’s 16 interceptions are the most in the Big Ten (sixth-most nationally) and the most for the program since 2021. The unit has at least one interception in every game this season. • Iowa’s rushing defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards in six games, including just 24 yards in Week 3 against Troy and 43 yards in Week 9 vs. Northwestern. The unit allows 115.1 rushing yards per game, 26th-fewest in the nation, and it has allowed two touchdowns on the ground — the fewest in the nation. • Since the start of the 2015 season, Iowa is 78-4 when leading by eight points at any point in a game.

BLACK FRIDAY

Iowa and Nebraska meet on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, for the 14th consecutive season. The schools have played on Black Friday every year since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference in 2011. Iowa is 9-4 in the previous 13 Black Friday meetings, winning eight of the last nine games.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Friday’s game is the 24th night game inside Kinnick Stadium. Iowa is 16-7 under the lights, including winning three straight — 27-0 over Nevada in 2022, 26-16 over Michigan State in 2023 and 42-10 over Wisconsin on Nov. 2. • This is the first night game between Iowa and Nebraska inside Kinnick Stadium.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2024

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats

ALL-TIME SERIES vs. NORTHWESTERN

• Series: Illinois leads 57-55-5 • at Wrigley Field: Illinois leads 2-0 • Last: L, 43-45 (11/25/2023 at Illinois) • at Wrigley: W, 48-27 (11/20/2010) » Streak: L1 • at Wrigley: W2 » Bielema vs. Northwestern: 4-2 • as Illinois head coach: 2-1

Illinois Fighting Illini Notes

#22 Illinois Battles for The Hat against Northwestern

• Illinois travels to Chicago to take on Northwestern on Saturday for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Big Ten Network. • Illinois and Northwestern will play for the “Land of Lincoln” trophy on Saturday, the 16th battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. Illinois is 5-10 against Northwestern since the beginning of the Land of Lincoln trophy. The Illini own “Land of Lincoln” trophy wins in 2022, 2021, 2014, 2011 and 2010. • Illinois is looking to win 9+ regular season games for the eighth time in program history (1892, 1902, 1904, 1983, 1989, 2001, 2007). The school record for total wins in a season is 10 (1902, 1983, 1989, 2001).

The Top 25 Fighting Illini

• Illinois is in the AP Top 25 for the ninth time this season. • Illinois’ nine AP Poll appearances this season are the program’s most since 2001, when the Illini appeared in 10 polls. • Illinois was #24 in last week’s College Football Playoff Top 25. When the CFP Top 25 is released Tuesday, Illinois will be ranked in back-to-back weeks and for the fourth time in program history. The Illini were ranked by the CFP twice in 2022, reaching as high as #16. Tuesday will be the latest in a season Illinois has been ranked by the College Football Playoff. • Illinois has four wins this season while ranked in the AP poll, the most since also winning four games while ranked in 2001.

Bowl-Eligible Illini

• Illinois is bowl eligible for the second time in the last three seasons. The Illini last went to a bowl following the 2022 season, when the Illini played in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. • Illinois will play in two bowls over a three-year stretch for the first time since back-to-back bowl seasons in 2010 and 2011. • Bret Bielema is the first Illini coach to go to two bowl games in his first four seasons since Lou Tepper from 1991-94.

Big Comebacks and B1G Wins

• Illinois has four fourth-quarter comeback wins this season (Kansas, at Nebraska, Purdue, at Rutgers). • Illinois has a 9-4 record in one-score games over the last two seasons, including a 4-1 record in one-score games this season. • Seven of Illinois’ nine one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime. • Illinois has been underdogs in five of its nine one-score wins over the past two seasons, including four as road dogs. • Pat Bryant has three game-winning touchdown catches in the final minute or overtime this season, all coming from Luke Altmyer (at Nebraska, Purdue, at Rutgers). Bryant leads the nation in game-winning touchdowns. • Altmyer has led five game-winning drives in the final minute or OT during his Illini career, including four in Big Ten wins. • Illinois’ five Big Ten wins this season are tied with 2022 for the most since Illinois went 6-2 in Big Ten games in 2007 on the way to the Rose Bowl. The Illini are looking for their third six-win Big Ten season since 1990 (2010, 2007). • Illinois has 21 wins over the last three seasons, the program’s most in a three-year span since 1999-01 (23 wins).

ILLINOIS AT WRIGLEY FIELD

• Illinois will play its third game in program history at Wrigley Field. The Illini last played at Wrigley in 2010, a 48-27 win over Northwestern, in the famous game that was played in one direction. Mikel Leshoure set an Illinois record with 330 rushing yards at the Friendly Confines. QB Nathan Scheelhaase ran for 97 yards, as Illinois finished with 519 rushing yards in the first football game at Wrigley Field in 40 years. • Illinois first played at Wrigley Field in 1923 when it was known as Cubs Park. The Illini and Red Grange shut out Northwestern, 29-0, in front of 25,774 fans. Grange carried 12 times for 104 yards and three rushing touchdowns, threw one pass for 13 yards, caught one pass for 26 yards, had one interception and returned it for 90 yards, and had three punt returns for 31 yards in his fourth career game. Illinois went 8-0 in 1923 and were crowned national champions. • Red Grange played his first-ever professional football game in front of a sold-out crowd at Cubs Park – now Wrigley Field – on Thanksgiving Day in 1925, just 10 days after Grange’s last college game for Illinois. • Illinois legend Dick Butkus called Wrigley Field home for the first six years of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears from 1965-70. The Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field in 1971. • Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is familiar with Wrigley Field. Bielema has guest conducted the seventh inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs home game during each of the last four seasons.

The Illinois Offense

• Illinois has scored 38+ points in back-to-back Big Ten games for the first time since 2011. • QB Luke Altmyer’s 20/3 TD/interception ratio is the best in the Big Ten and second-best in Power 4 behind only Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (29/4) (min. 10 TDs). • Altmyer is 35th in the nation in passing efficiency. His 145.2 passing efficiency would be second-best in a single season in Illinois football history. • Altmyer is fourth in the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (18) and 26th in the nation. • Altmyer is the only quarterback in the nation with 20+ touchdown passes and three or fewer interceptions. • Altmyer in Illinois wins: 135-for-215 passing (62.8%), 18 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, 60 rushes, 260 rushing yards (4.3 yards/rush), three rushing touchdowns. • Altmyer joined an impressive list of Illini QBs who have led the team to three Top 25 wins in a single season over the last 50 years: Jack Trudeau (1983), Jason Verduzco (1990), Kurt Kittner (2001), Juice Williams (2007), and Altmyer (2024). • WR Pat Bryant is tied for the Big Ten lead in receiving touchdowns (9) and tied for 11th in the nation. • On the game-winning TD at Rutgers, Bryant became the 10th player in Illini history to reach 2,000 career receiving yards. • Bryant set the Memorial Stadium records for single-season receiving TDs (6) and career receiving TDs (13). • Bryant has the No. 3 run-blocking grade in the nation among wide receivers (81.1) according to PFF. • Illinois is 6-0 when Bryant catches a touchdown pass.

The Illinois Defense

• In Aaron Henry’s second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 38th in the nation in scoring defense (21.5), an improvement of 55 spots in the national rankings year-over-year (93rd, 29.4). • Illinois’ 11 forced fumbles are tied with Ohio State for the most in the Big Ten and tied for 19th in the nation. • Illinois’ 22.0 sacks in Big Ten games ranks third in the conference, behind only Ohio State (27.0) and Michigan (26.0). • Illini OLB Gabe Jacas ranks in the top 20 nationally in forced fumbles (t-9th, 3) and sacks (t-20th, 8.0). Jacas is tied for the Big Ten lead in forced fumbles and ranks fourth in sacks. • Jacas is tied with Penn State DE Abdul Carter for the most sacks in Big Ten games (7.0). • Xavier Scott is one of 15 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back. Scott is the No. 7 graded cornerback in the Big Ten (77.4) according to PFF. He has the No. 14 run defense grade in the nation among cornerbacks (84.1) according to PFF (min. 400 snaps). • Kaleb Patterson has the No. 5 tackling grade in the nation among cornerbacks (88.6), according to PFF. • Illinois has three defensive backs with multiple interceptions: Xavier Scott (3), Miles Scott (2), and Torrie Cox Jr. (2)

The Illinois Special Teams

• Kicker David Olano is 16-for-19 on field goals, including 15-for-17 inside of 50 yards and 11-for-11 inside of 40 yards. • Kicker Ethan Moczulski’s 59-yard field goal vs. Central Michigan, the first attempt of his career, set an Illinois program record and is tied for the sixth-longest field goal in the nation and longest in the Big Ten this season. • Punter Hugh Robertson has landed 59.2% (19/32) of his punts inside the 20, which is on pace for an Illinois record. • Hank Beatty leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth in the nation with 15.5 yards per punt return. • Beatty’s 15.5-yard punt return average is the best in Illinois single-season history for players that have returned 16+ punts. • Beatty’s 279 punt return yards are the fifth-most in Illinois single-season history.

Northwestern Wildcats Notes

Game notes not available.

Michigan Wolverines vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Michigan Wolverines Notes

No game notes available

Ohio State Buckeyes Notes

FIRST AND TEN

• Ohio State University, 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten Conference, hosts the University of Michigan, 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten, in the 120th edition of the greatest rivalry in sports. FOX will broadcast the game nationally. Kickoff is set for 12:14 p.m. ƒ Michigan leads the all-time series in wins, 61 to 51, and there have been six ties. (Note: Ohio State vacated its 37-7, 2010 victory.). • Ohio State had won eight consecutive games over Michigan and 16 of 19 games in the first two decades of the 2000s before Michigan stopped the streak in 2021 and has since won three consecutive games. • These two schools, situated 190 miles apart via Route 23 to Interstate 94, rank first in Big Ten Conference championships: Michigan has 45, Ohio State has 39. Ohio State leads in outright championships: 23-19. • Ohio State and Michigan have played in the regular season finale every year since 1935 except twice: in 1942 Ohio State defeated Iowa Pre-Flight to cap a 9-1 season that featured the school’s first Associated Press national title, and in 2020 when the game was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. • Ohio State has a 27-28-2 record vs. Michigan in games played in Columbus and a 26-22-2 at Ohio Stadium vs. Michigan. • When the 2020 game at Ohio Stadium was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it stopped a streak of 102 consecutive years – dating to 1918 – that these two rivals had played on the gridiron. • Michigan snapped its longest losing streak to Ohio State – eight games from 2012-19 – in the 2021 game at Michigan Stadium. • Michigan snapped an official eight-game losing streak in Ohio Stadium, dating to 2000, with its 45-23 win in 2022. • Ohio State is 16-6 vs. Michigan in the 2000s. • Prior to 2000, Michigan had won 13 of the previous 20 games between 1980 and 1999 with one tie. • Since 1951, Woody Hayes’ first season as Ohio State’s head coach, the Buckeyes lead the series 39-30-2. • The two teams have played 44 games decided by one score (seven points or less). Ohio State leads in these games, 20-18-6 with its last such win in 2016 (30-27 OT in Columbus). Michigan’s last one score win: last year, 30-24 in Ann Arbor.

OHIO STATE TODAY

• Ohio State has five consecutive victories since its one-point loss on the road to No. 1 (ever since) Oregon, including two Top 5 wins: 20-13 at No. 3 Penn State and 38-15 Saturday over No. 5 Indiana. ƒ The starting linebackers – Sonny Styles and Cody Simon – lead the team in tackles with 71 and 65, respectively. Simon has 8.0 TFLs and Styles 6.5, joining Caleb downs with that number. • DE JT Tuimoloau leads the team in TFLs (11.0) and sacks (6.0). • SAF Lathan Ransom – 48 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, one INT, PBU, QB hurry and FR plus three FFs – and DE Jack Sawyer – 42 tackles to lead all down linemen plus 4.5 QB sacks, five QB hurries, 2 FFs and 2 FRs – know how to fill a stats line as well.

OHIO STATE ON OFFENSE …

• QB Will Howard, 244.1 passing yards per game with 26 TDs and seven rushing TDs for 33 total TDs, powers and leads the Ohio State offense. • Howard throws to a trio of talented receivers in Emeka Egbuka (56-692-9 TDs), Jeremiah Smith (52-899-17.3 avg.-9 TDs) and Carnell Tate (35-525-4 TDs). • RBs Quinshon Judkins (759 yards and eight TDs) and TreVeyon Henderson (730 yards and five TDs) combine for 135.4 rushing yards per game. • The offensive line has had four different starting lineups but is settling in after a couple of injuries and is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. • The offensive line, in fact, enters this week T4th nationally in fewest TFLs allowed with 37.0 and 16th in fewest quarterback sacks allowed with 12.

RED ZONE ALERT!

• Ohio State is No. 1 nationally in red zone touchdown percentage, having scored a TD on 37 of 44 red zone trips (84.0 pct.) • Ohio State’s defense is No. 2 in red zone scoring pct., allowing just 14 scores on 25 trips (56.0 pct.), and No. 1 nationally in red zone TD pct. with just nine TDs allowed in those 25 red zone trips.

EIGHT GAMES OF 1 TD OR LESS

• The Buckeyes have limited their opponents’ offenses to one touchdown or less in eight of 11 games this season. • The defense has allowed just eight rushing TDs and only four passing TDs. ƒ Since the 32-31 loss at Oregon, the defense has allowed just four rushing TDs in five games and no passing touchdowns.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAY

• For the third consecutive week, Ohio State has had outstanding plays on special teams. • Against Indiana, Caleb Downs had the first punt return touchdown in exactly a decade when he went 79 yards in the third quarter to extend the lead to 21-7. • And DE Caden Curry tackled the punter after a blown snap for a 23-yard tackle-for-loss that set the Buckeyes up on the IU 5. ƒ This was Curry’s second big special team play after a blocked punt vs. Purdue. • WR David Adolph blocked a punt vs. Northwestern. • Kicker Jayden Fielding has made five consecutive field goals – his career long is 47 – and is 8-of-9 on the season, while punter Joe McGuire is averaging 43.0 yards per punt with 46.0-yard averages or better in four of the last five games.

Maryland Terrapins vs Penn State Nittany Lions

SERIES HISTORY:

Penn State meets Maryland for the 48th time in program history. The Nittany Lions own a 43-3-1 advantage in the series. Penn State has won seven of the last eight games in the series and is 24-2 in home games against the Terrapins. Last season in College Park, PSU earned a 51-15 win. Drew Allar threw for 240 yards and four touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen rushed for 91 yards and a score. Penn State held Maryland to -49 rushing yards and recorded three takeaways.

Maryland Terrapins Notes

RECENTLY IN HAPPY VALLEY X

Maryland will travel to No. 4 Penn State for its regular season finale on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Beaver Stadium. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and the Maryland Sports Radio Network. The Terrapins have gone 2-3 against the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley since joining the Big Ten, picking up road victories in 2014 and 2020.

TREMENDOUS TAI

Through 11 games, senior WR Tai Felton has 92 receptions,1,097 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. With his first of six catches against Rutgers on Saturday on Nov. 16, he officially passed D.J. Moore (80 in 2017) and set the program record for the most catches in a single season. In the same game, Felton became the fourth wide receiver in program history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. • Felton, who was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and is tied for first in receiving touchdowns. His 92 receptions are the most among power conference players and tied for second in all of FBS. His 1,097 receiving yards rank second in the Power Four and fourth in FBS. Felton has 183 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten receiver, Illinois’ Pat Bryant. Similarly, Felton has 17 more receptions than the next closest Big Ten receiver, Penn State’s Tyler Warren. • Felton is one of five Big Ten players since 2020 with 1,000 or more receiving yards through 10 games, joining Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2021) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (2023) and Purdue’s David Bell (2021) and Charlie Jones (2022). • Felton now stands exactly 143 yards away from the school record for receiving yards in a single season (1,240 receiving yards by Marcus Badgett in 1992). Against Oregon on Nov. 9, Felton surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for his career, becoming just the ninth Terp to accomplish this in program history. • Felton’s 11 consecutive games with at least five receptions is the longest streak by a Big Ten player since Purdue’s David Bell had a 12-game streak that ran from December 2020 to November 2021. Only six other players in Big Ten history have had a streak equal or longer to Felton’s. Felton is looking to be the third Big Ten player since 1996 with 12 five-catch games in a single season (Northwestern’s Austin Carr in 2016, Purdue’s Dorien Bryant in 2006). • Felton started the season with four consecutive 100+ receiving yard games, the first Terp in program history to accomplish this feat. He became just the third Big Ten player since 1996 to start a season with 100 receiving yards in each of the first four games. Felton is one of seven power conference players this season with five 100+ receiving-yard games total.

Penn State Nittany Lions Notes

OPENING KICK:

No. 4 Penn State welcomes Maryland to Beaver Stadium on Saturday, November 30. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

THREE-STRAIGHT 10-WIN SEASONS:

Penn State has won 10 games in three-straight seasons for the fourth time in program history, the first time as a member of the Big Ten, and first time since 1980-82. PSU joins Oregon and Ohio State as the only FBS teams with 10+ wins in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Among Penn State’s 10 wins are five road wins, marking the ninth time in program history PSU has earned 10+ wins and five road wins in a season. The Nittany Lions have won seven games over teams with winning records, including six over Power Four teams with winning records.

WARREN BREAKS MORE RECORDS:

On an 8-yard catch in the third quarter at Minnesota, Warren broke the Penn State tight end career receiving yards record, surpassing Mike Gesicki’s 1,481 yards in 2014-17. Warren has 1,516 receiving yards. He also posted his fifth career 100-yard receiving game, breaking a tie with Ted Kwalick (4; 1966-68) for the most among PSU tight ends. Warren is also tied for the PSU tight end career receiving touchdowns record (16) with Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), while holding PSU tight end season records for receptions (75) and receiving yards (910) and tying Wisconsin’s Travis Beckum (75; 2007) for the Big Ten tight end season record for receptions. • THE OPPOSITION: Maryland is 4-7 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten play. The Terrapins fell 29-13 against Iowa last Saturday. MJ Morris threw for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Tai Felton hauled in six receptions for 57 yards and two scores, Dante Trader Jr. led the defense with 10 tackles, including eight solo. Maryland tallied five tackles for loss.

SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS

• Maryland is 4-7 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten play. • The Terrapins fell 29-13 against Iowa last Saturday. • MJ Morris threw for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Tai Felton had six receptions for 57 yards and two scores. • On offense, Maryland sits 10th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (25.2), sixth in total offense (403.5), first in pass offense (289.6) and 15th in rushing offense (113.9). • QB Billy Edwards is seventh in the country in completions per game (24.82) and second in the Big Ten in passing yards (2,881), while adding 15 passing touchdowns and five rushing scores. • RB Roman Hemby leads the rushing attack with 543 yards and six touchdowns. • WR Tai Felton ranks second in the nation in receptions per game (8.4), fourth in receiving yards (1,097), fifth in receiving yards per game (99.7) and 11th in receiving touchdowns (9). • On defense, the Terrapins hold 17th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (29.2), 16th in total defense (375.0), 17th in pass defense (245.7) and 12th in rushing defense (129.3). • LB Ruben Hyppolite II paces Maryland with 55 tackles to go with 5.5 tackles for loss. LB Caleb Wheatland and LB Kellan Wyatt each have seven tackles for loss. • P Bryce McFerson ranks 10th in the country in punt average (45.5).

IN THE CFP RANKINGS

• Penn State opened the 2024 College Football Playoff rankings at No. 6 and was ranked No. 4 in the November 19 poll. • Penn State is one of six FBS teams who have appeared in each of the last 15 CFP rankings. • With appearances in the last 15 CFP rankings, Penn State is tied for the fifth-longest active streak among FBS teams. • The Nittany Lions have appeared in the CFP rankings 39 times since the College Football Playoff was introduced in 2014. • Penn State has ranked among the CFP Top 10 on 23 occasions. • Penn State has finished in the CFP Top 12 six times, ranking sixth-most among FBS teams and second among Big Ten teams.

THREE-STRAIGHT 10 WIN SEASONS

• In 2024, Penn State has reached 10 wins in a season for the 27th time in program history and 10 regular season wins for the 21st time in program history. • In 2024, PSU earned 10 wins and five road wins in a season for the ninth time in program history. • The Nittany Lions won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the 13th time in program history and won at least 10 games in three-straight seasons for the fourth time in program history and first time since 1980-82. • Penn State joins Oregon and Ohio State as the only FBS teams who posted 10+ win seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024. • Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Tulane all won 10+ games in 2022 and 2023 and could join the list in 2024. • The Nittany Lions reached 10 wins for the sixth time since 2016. • Penn State is one of nine FBS teams with at least 10 wins in at least six of the last nine seasons, joining Alabama (8), Boise State (6), Clemson (7), Georgia (6), Michigan (6), Notre Dame (7), Ohio State (8) and Oklahoma (6).

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan State Spartans

SERIES HISTORY

All-Time: Michigan State leads, 10-5 In East Lansing: Michigan State leads, 5-3 Last Meeting: Oct. 14, 2023 Rutgers 27, Michigan State 24 (Piscataway)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Notes

NOTABLE

• Rutgers wraps up the regular season traveling to Michigan State. It will be the 11th consecutive season facing the Spartans. • Rutgers is bowl eligible for the eighth time under head coach Greg Schiano and is poised to earn the 13th bowl invitation in program history. The Scarlet Knights last earned bowl eligibility in consecutive seasons from 2011-14. • Rutgers seeks to win seven games in the regular season for the first time since 2014. • Rutgers has matched the program high with three Big Ten wins in a season, also done in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023. • Rutgers is 16-2 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. • Rutgers ranks fifth nationally in fewest fumbles lost (2), fifth in blocked punts (2), ninth in fewest penalties per game (4.45), ninth in fewest turnovers surrendered (8) and 22nd in first downs offense (249). The Scarlet Knights also lead the Big Ten in time of possession (31:41). • Rutgers has scored 63 non-offensive touchdowns under head coach Greg Schiano, including 12 since 2020. • Rutgers has blocked 73 kicks (43 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under Schiano. • Rutgers has nine players ruled out for the season: DL Wesley Bailey, TE Logan Blake, RB Samuel Brown V, OL Bryan Felter, TE Kenny Fletcher, TE Victor Konopka, OL Tyler Needham, LB Mohamed Toure and LB Abram Wright. • Rutgers, “The Birthplace of College Football,” has played 1,420 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.

VERSUS MICHIGAN STATE

• Rutgers is set to take on Michigan State for the 11th consecutive year in a Big Ten game, ninth time at Spartan Stadium and 16th time overall. • Last season at SHI Stadium, Rutgers scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase an 18-point deficit and defeat Michigan State, 27-24. It was the largest comeback for a win in Big Ten play since rallying from 25 points down at Indiana in 2015 and largest overall since erasing a 21-point deficit in 2016 versus New Mexico. The 18 points overcome matched the largest deficit to win under head coach Greg Schiano era, tying the 34-16 deficit at Vanderbilt to win 37-34 in 2004. Rutgers outgained Michigan State by 140 yards, 120 to minus 20, in the fourth quarter. RB Kyle Monangai recorded 148 rushing yards (107 in the fourth quarter) on 24 carries. He scored a rushing touchdown to put RU ahead with 8:21 remaining. The go-ahead score was set up by a recovered sky kick by DB Thomas Amankwaa. Aaron Young recovered a fumble in the end zone and Isaiah Washington received a four-yard touchdown pass as part of the comeback. DB Desmond Igbinosun recorded a career-high four tackles-for-loss and DB Robert Longerbeam forced two fumbles on defense. • In 2022 in East Lansing, Rutgers outgained Michigan State, 460-453, but fell short in a 27- 21 loss. Monangai sparked the run game with 162 rushing yards, the most by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten game and his first career 100-yard game. • In the 2020 season opener in East Lansing, Rutgers put together a 75-yard touchdown drive on the first possession and forced a fumble on its first defensive play on the way to a wire-to-wire 38-27 win in the return of Schiano as head coach. RU forced seven turnovers in the road victory. • Two of the signature victories in school history for the Scarlet Knights have come against Michigan State. Rutgers opened the 1988 campaign with a 17-13 victory over the 15th-ranked and defending Rose Bowl-champion Spartans at Spartan Stadium. In the win, Eric Young caught nine passes for 124 yards, including the game’s first touchdown on a 61-yard pass from Scott Erney. In front of an ABC television audience and a sellout crowd at Rutgers Stadium, Rutgers stopped Michigan State, 19-14, to start the 2004 season. Jeremy Ito connected on four field goals, Brian Leonard rushed for 150 yards and Ryan Neill returned an interception 31 yards for a score in the win. RU held the ball for 40:14, the second-highest time of possession for the Scarlet Knights in the Schiano era. • Rutgers game highs versus Michigan State: Rushing Yards: Kyle Monangai, 162 (2022) Passing Yards: Ryan Hart, 266 (2003) Receiving Yards: Leonte Carroo, 134 (2015).

Michigan State Spartans Notes

• Michigan State will look to win its sixth game of the season and become bowl eligible as it hosts Rutgers on Senior Day at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 in Spartan Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1 with Dan Hellie (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst) on the call. • MSU improved to 5-6 and 3-5 in Big Ten play with a 24-17 win over Purdue last Friday night in Spartan Stadium, while Rutgers (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) fell at home on Saturday to Illinois, 38-31. • Four of Michigan State’s seniors who will be recognized on Senior Day have played more than 50 games wearing the Green and White and have spent their entire collegiate careers in East Lansing: fifth-year senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (53 games), fifth-year graduate linebacker Cal Haladay (52 games), sixth-year graduate defensive tackle Maverick Hansen (52 games) and fifth-year graduate defensive back Angelo Grose (51 games). • Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith is looking to become the fourth Spartan head coach to earn a bowl bid in his first season in East Lansing (Nick Saban, 1995; John L. Smith, 2003; Mark Dantonio, 2007). • The Spartans opened the season 3-0 with wins over Florida Atlantic, Maryland and Prairie View A&M. In Week 4, Michigan State lost at Boston College, 23-19, on a late fourth-quarter touchdown before falling to No. 3/3 Ohio State on Sept. 28 and at No. 6/6 Oregon on Oct. 4. Michigan State bounced back after its first bye week with a 32-20 win over Iowa on Homecoming on Oct. 19, but then lost three straight before defeating Purdue last Friday to improve to 5-6. • Saturday’s game marks the 16th meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers. The Spartans lead the overall series, 10-5, including an 8-2 mark in Big Ten play. MSU is 5-3 against Rutgers in East Lansing, including a 27-21 victory in the last meeting in Spartan Stadium in 2022. Rutgers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Spartans, 27-24, last year in Piscataway. • True freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh ranks 10th in the Big Ten with 63.6 receiving yards per game; that mark also ranks third among FBS freshmen and tied for 80th overall in the FBS. The Detroit native leads the team in receiving yards (636) and ranks second in receptions (39). He also ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 16.3 yards per catch. Marsh’s 636 receiving yards are the most ever by a Spartan true freshman (previous: Cody White with 490 in 2017).

TEAM NOTES: OFFENSE

SOPHOMORE AIDAN CHILES IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR MSU

• Sophomore Aidan Chiles has completed 60 percent of his passes (179-of-300) for 2,265 yards (205.9 ypg), 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first year as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. The Long Beach, California, native is in his first season in East Lansing after playing in a back-up role as a true freshman at Oregon State in 2023. He ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 37th in the FBS in passing yards per completion (12.7). Chiles also ranks second on the team with three rushing touchdowns; he has a net of 236 rushing yards on 93 carries (21.5 ypg), but has gained a total of 416 yards on the ground. According to PFF, Chiles has accumulated 28 rushing first downs and 14 carries of 10-plus yards. • Chiles is just the sixth Spartan sophomore quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a single season (Payton Thorne with 3,233 in 2021; Brian Lewerke with 2,793 in 2017; Connor Cook with 2,755 in 2013; Kirk Cousins with 2,680 in 2009; Jeff Smoker with 2,579 in 2001). Thorne, Lewerke, Cook and Cousins all took a redshirt year and those totals came in their redshirt sophomore season; Smoker was a true sophomore in 2001. Chiles has thrown for 250-plus yards in three games this season, including a career-high 363 in the win at Maryland on Sept. 7, which was the eighth-highest total in MSU history. He threw for 256 yards both in the win over Iowa on Oct. 19 and at Illinois on Nov. 16.

SPARTANS FEATURE A PAIR OF 2,000-YARD CAREER RUSHERS IN THE BACKFIELD

• Michigan State features two running backs – sixth-year graduate transfer Kay’ron Lynch-Adams and redshirt junior Nathan Carter – who have both rushed for more than 2,000 career yards. Carter (2,233) and Lynch-Adams (2,468) are one of 11 duos on the same team in the FBS to have more than 2,000 career rushing yards (Missouri, Ohio State, UCF, Ole Miss, Penn State, Michigan State, Auburn, South Carolina, Texas State, Boston College, USF). Lynch-Adams and Carter have combined for 63 percent of the team’s overall rushing attempts (233 of 370) and 95 percent from the running back room (233 of 246).

MONTORIE FOSTER JR. ECLIPSES CENTURY MARK FOR CAREER RECEPTIONS

• Fifth-year senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. has set new career highs for both receptions (team-best 46) and receiving yards (588) while tying his career high with three touchdowns in his final season wearing the Green and White. He had four catches for 59 yards, including a 7-yard TD grab, in the win over Purdue. Foster leads all active Spartans with 108 career catches for 1,426 yards and eight TDs in 53 games, including 27 starts (23 consecutive). Foster is the 34th Spartan in school history with at least 100 career catches and has caught at least one pass in 24 consecutive games. The Cleveland, Ohio, native ranks among the all-time school leaders in receptions (tied for 28th with 108), receiving yards (32nd with 1,426) and TD catches (tied for 38th with 8).

TEAM NOTES: DEFENSE

PARTANS RANK 34TH IN FBS IN TOTAL DEFENSE, 28TH IN RUSHING DEFENSE

• Michigan State ranks 34th in the FBS in total defense, allowing 329.0 yards per game. The Spartans have held five opponents under 300 yards of total offense this season (Florida Atlantic, 248; Prairie View A&M, 140; Boston College, 292; Iowa, 283; Michigan, 265). MSU also ranks among the national leaders in rushing defense, allowing just 117.5 yards per game to rank 28th in the FBS.

INEBACKER CAL HALADAY EXTENDS STARTING STREAK TO 34 STRAIGHT GAMES

• Fifth-year graduate senior linebacker Cal Haladay has started 34 consecutive games, the longest active streak on the team and tied for the 12th-longest in school history. He is currently second on the Spartan defense with 52 tackles; his 359 career tackles rank ninth most in MSU history and also eighth among active players in the FBS. He has started in 46 of his 52 career games at MSU.

TEAM NOTES: SPECIAL TEAMS

SPARTANS EXCEL IN KICKING GAME

• Michigan State features one of the best kicking duos in all of college football with sixth-year graduate placekicker Jonathan Kim and redshirt sophomore punter Ryan Eckley. Kim is 19-of-21 (.905) on field goals for the season to rank first in the Big Ten and tied for ninth in the FBS in made field goals; he has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award. Eckley, who was on the Ray Guy Award Watch List, ranks second in the Big Ten with his 48.6-yard punting average; 20 of his 40 punts this season (50 percent) have been for 50-plus yards. • Kim earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors and was named one of the Lou Groza Award three stars of the week after setting a school record with six field goals in the win over Iowa on Oct. 19. A native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Kim connected on six of his seven field-goal attempts, including a season-long 55-yarder in the fourth quarter. He also was good from 42, 43, 36, 29 and 46 yards out. It also tied a modern-day Big Ten record, matching Jake Moody of Michigan with six field goals vs. Indiana (11/17/18); E.C. Robertson of Purdue owns the overall record with seven field goals on Oct. 27, 1900, vs. Rose Poly. With 20 points overall against Iowa, including two PATs, Kim also set a top scoring mark in modern-day Big Ten history by a kicker, bettering the 19 points by Moody in 2018 vs. Indiana.

Fresno State Bulldogs vs UCLA Bruins

Fresno State Bulldogs Notes

SETTING THE STAGE

• Fresno State closes out its regular season at UCLA on Saturday. • The Bulldogs wrapped up conference play with a 28-22 home victory over Colorado State last weekend, securing bowl eligibility for the fourth year in a row. • Fresno State ended the year with a 4-3 record in Mountain West play. Since joining the Mountain West in 2012, the Bulldogs have had eight seasons with a winning record in conference play. • Fresno State has won its last four meetings with UCLA. • Fresno State has won three in-a-row at the Rose Bowl. • Fresno State makes its third trip to UCLA since 2018. • Seniors Mac Dalena (WR) and Malachi Langley (LB) have appeared in 57 consecutive games as Bulldogs. That is the fifth-longest streak of games played by players at one school in the FBS. For Dalena, that is every game of his collegiate career. • Every position group outside of linebacker and quarterback have had at least one game with a starter out with injury this season. At the linebacker spot, Malachi Langley and Tuasivi Nomura have started each game. Mikey Keene has started every game at QB this season. Season starts breakdown can be found on page 33. • Running back Bryson Donelson was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week for his performance in the win over Colorado State. He is the first Bulldog since 2021 to earn the honor. • Donelson ran for 140 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries last weekend. It was the most rushing yards by a Bulldog true freshman since Ryan Mathews in 2007. • Quarterback Mikey Keene leads the Mountain West in passing yards (2,668), pass completions (246) and completion percentage (70.49). • His current completion percentage of 70.49 is second-best all-time in Fresno State history behind Jake Haener’s 72.0 percent in 2022. • Keene is just six completions away from breaking into the program’s Top 10 for a single season. • With a 88.5 percent completion percentage against Air Force (23-of-26), Keene broke the single game program record. He surpassed Derek Carr’s 87.5 (28-of-32) mark against Air Force in 2012. • WR Mac Dalena caught his eighth touchdown of the season against Colorado State. With one more, he will break into the program’s top 15 for single season touchdown receptions. • Dalena is also exactly 100 yards away from a 1,000 yard receiving season. If he hits the 1,000 yard mark, he would become the 13th Bulldog in program history to have 1,000 yards receiving in a single season. Dalena would be the first since Jalen Cropper in 2021 to be added to the list of Bulldogs with the accomplishment. • Senior linebacker Malachi Langley is the most experienced player on the Bulldogs’ roster, playing in 61 career games. • Langley is currently sixth all-time with 314 career tackles. • Langley’s 314 career tackles are the 15th most among all active FBS players. • Fresno State ranks 25th in the FBS and third in the Mountain West in turnovers gained, totaling 19 on the year (14 interceptions, five fumbles).

DEEP DIVE

• Fresno State travels to UCLA for the first time since 2021 • Fresno State has won its last four in the series with UCLA, and three-straight at the Rose Bowl • Fresno State’s last trip to the Rose Bowl was a dramatic victory behind quarterback Jake Haener driving the offense to a last minute game-winning drive that saw a touchdown catch by Jalen Cropper with just 14 seconds to go. • Of the members on that 2021 team that defeated then-No. 13 UCLA, 10 are currently in the NFL with an additional three in the CFL. • The first of the four wins in the series with UCLA, that snapped a six-game losing streak for the Bulldogs, came in a 17-9 victory in teh Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 20, 2003. • The series between the Bulldogs and Bruins dates back to 1927 with UCLA winning the first six games of the series, all at home. • UCLA is set to travel to Fresno for the first time in the series’ history on Sept. 4, 2032. • UCLA is coached by first-year head coach DeShaun Foster. • UCLA’s last win in the series was a 24-21 win in 2001. Both current head coaches were members of their respective teams in that game with Skipper a linebacker and Foster a running back. • Fresno State defensive line coach Jethro Franklin had a brief stint as the interim defensive line coach at UCLA in 1999. • UCLA defensive assistant Librado Barocio was on staff at Fresno State in 202 as the Director of On Campus Recruiting.

TEAM NOTES

Fresno State vs. Big Ten

It hasn’t been long since Fresno State last faced a Big Ten opponent. The Bulldogs have Big Ten opponents as bookends for the 2024 season as they opened the year at then-No. 9 Michigan on Aug. 31 and close the regular season at UCLA this weekend. Prior to this season, the Bulldogs opened the 2023 season at Purdue and left back to Fresno with a 39-35 win. Prior to the that win, Fresno State’s last win over a current Big Ten team was Fresno State’s 2021 victory over UCLA (UCLA was a member of the Pac-12 this season). Its previous win over an active Big Ten team was a 52-51 overtime victory over Rutgers on August 29, 2013 in Fresno with Derek Carr and Davante Adams leading the way. • Fresno State is 14-34 all-time against current members of the Big Ten.

Anybody. Anytime. Anywhere.

Legendary Fresno State head coach Pat Hill coined the term “Anybody. Anytime. Anywhere.” during his tenure as head coach. Hill instilled that mentality into the program, that the ‘Dogs would face anybody, anytime and anywhere. Since then, they have. In recent history (since 2017), the Bulldogs have faced 17 current Autonomous 4 opponents. The ‘Dogs are 8-9 in those meetings and have won three of the last four, falling only to then-No. 9 Michigan in the 2024 opener. • All-time, Fresno State has 42 wins over current Autonomous 4 opponents.

Bowling secured

With a win last Saturday, Fresno State became bowl eligible for its fourth consecutive season. It is the first time since the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons that Fresno State appeared in a bowl game in four-straight seasons. Last year, the Bulldogs defeated New Mexico State 37-10 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. Fresno State has a 17-15 all-time bowl game record. The Bulldogs have won their last five bowl games, an active streak that is third in the nation behind Georgia and Minnesota with seven each. Tim Skipper would be the fourth first-year head coach to lead the Bulldogs to a bowl game, joining Alvin Pierson (1945), Tim DeRuyter (2012) and Jeff Tedford (2017). Tedford is the only one to have led the team to a victory, defeating Houston in the Hawaii Bowl that season. That win by Tedford and Co. sparked the Bulldogs’ current bowl game winning streak.

UCLA Bruins Notes

THE MATCHUP

The UCLA football team (4-7, 3-6 Big Ten Conference) closes the 2024 regular season with an intrastate contest against Fresno State (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West) at Rose Bowl Stadium, starting this Saturday, Nov. 30 at 12:30 p.m. PT. The 11th meeting between the Bruins and Bulldogs will be televised on Big Ten Network. The UCLA Sports Network will broadcast the contest, which will also be aired over SiriusXM. UCLA is coming off a 19-13 loss to crosstown rival USC in Pasadena, Calif. last Saturday. Quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for 265 yards on 20-of-29 passing and recorded a passing touchdown for a sixth straight game. Moliki Matavao was on the receiving end of Garbers’ touchdown pass, giving the tight end back-to-back weeks with a score. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger led UCLA in tackles for the ninth time this season with 12. It is a year of change for UCLA football, as head coach DeShaun Foster took the reins at his alma mater Feb. 12, 2024. A member of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame for his prowess in the Bruin offensive backfield from 1998-2001, Foster spent seven seasons in the National Football League. He piled up more that 4,500 total yards and 16 touchdowns, including a 33-yard scoring dash in Super Bowl XXXVIII as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Foster spent the previous 11 seasons — including 10 at UCLA — in the collegiate coaching ranks before being promoted from associate head coach and running backs coach.

QUICK HITS

• Redshirt junior LB Carson Schwesinger was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award on Monday. The winner will be announced in December. Schwesinger is the sixth Butkus Award finalist in UCLA history and first since Eric Kendricks (2014). The former walk-on was also one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy earlier this season. • Schwesinger leads the Big Ten Conference in total tackles (121), total tackles per game (11.0), solo tackles (79), solo tackles per game (7.2) and double-digit tackle games (eight). • Nationally, Schwesinger ranks first in solo tackles (79) and solo tackles per game (7.2). The next closest solo tackler in the FBS trails Schwesinger by nine (Shaun Dolac, Buffalo, 70). Schwesinger ranks third in the FBS and leads all defenders from “Power 4” conferences in total tackles (121). • Schwesinger led the Bruins with a career-high 17 tackles at Washington (Nov. 15), which were the most by a Bruin since Jayon Brown in 2016 (19 versus Colorado on Nov. 3, 2016). • Schwesinger eclipsed 100 tackles for the season at Washington, becoming the first Bruin to accomplish that feat since S Adarius Pickett in 2018 (123) and first UCLA linebacker since Kenny Young in 2017 (110). Schwesinger saw his streak of six straight double-digit tackle performances come to an end against Iowa (Nov. 8). That streak is good for the longest by a Bruin defender since Eric Kendricks in 2014, who went on to win the Butkus Award that season. Schwesinger has led UCLA in tackles in nine of 11 games in 2024. • Schwesinger was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after notching the first two interceptions of his career in UCLA’s 20-17 win over Iowa. • UCLA’s rushing defense ranks seventh in the nation with 99.3 yards allowed on the ground per game. Last year, the Bruins finished second in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 80.8 rushing yards per game to opponents in 2023. • Redshirt senior QB Ethan Garbers has thrown for a touchdown in six consecutive games, going without an interception in four of those contests. Against USC, he snapped a streak of four straight games with multiple touchdown throws, which was the longest such streak of his career. • WR Kwazi Gilmer was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after having the most impactful game of his freshman campaign thus far at Nebraska (Nov. 2). The Sierra Canyon School product posted a season-high 88 receiving yards while reeling in his first career TD reception on a 48-yard grab. • Garbers was awarded UCLA’s first-ever Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award after leading the Bruins to their first conference win in a 35-32 decision at Rutgers (Oct. 19). Garbers recorded the best statistical game of his career, setting single-game career highs in passing yards (383), passing touchdowns (four) and completion percentage (32-38, 84%). He also completed the longest pass of his career (67 yards) and made the then-longest rush of his career (49 yards), both for touchdowns.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs USC Trojans

THE GREATEST INTERSECTIONAL RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

• USC and Notre Dame…two renowned brands…two iconic football programs…it doesn’t get any better. • USC hosts the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 95th meeting of the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. It will be shown live nationally on CBS. • The game is a battle between schools with glorious gridiron heritages. The winner gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh. • In its last 12 games against the Irish, USC is 4-8. • Notre Dame is ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, while USC is unranked. • A Trojan win would shake up the College Football Playoff bracket.

SERIES

• Notre Dame leads the series with USC, which began in 1926, 51-37- 5 (not including Troy’s 2005 victory that was later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 51-38-5). • Including that 2005 vacated game, USC has won 12 of the last 21 meetings and 15 of the last 27 (including 8 in a row from 2002 to 2009), but ND has won 8 of the last 12. • Since 1967, USC has gone 26-26-3 (not including the 2005 vacated game; original record: 27-26-3). • In Los Angeles games, USC leads 23-20-4 and the Trojans have won 3 out of the last 4 Coliseum matchups.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notes

WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

• Saturday will mark the 95th meeting between Notre Dame and Southern Cal. • Notre Dame is 51-38-5 all-time against Southern Cal, with a 29-14-1 home record, 20-24-4 away record, and 2-0 record at neutral sites. • Notre Dame is 313-169-22 all-time against the Big Ten, and 1-0 against the Big Ten in 2024. • Saturday marks the ninth-consecutive time ND and SC will meet with at least one team ranked in the AP top 25 (dating back to 2015) – Notre Dame is 6-2 in those contests. • Notre Dame leads the nation in turnovers gained (26). The Irish have earned 127 points off of turnovers this season, compared to their opponents’ 27 total (+100 point differential). • Notre Dame has held seven opponents to 125 or fewer passing yards this season, the most instances among all FBS programs this season. • Notre Dame is the only FBS team to have held each opponent to under 24 points in every game this season. In addition, Notre Dame has held opponents to 250 or fewer yards of offense in six games this season, tied for the most in FBS. • Jeremiyah Love’s performance vs. Army was noteworthy, rushing seven times for 130 yards. He is one of just three Power 4 running backs this season to achieve 130 rushing yards on fewer than 10 carries, and one of just seven Irish running backs to achieve 100 or more yards on fewer than 10 carries since 1950. • Love is the only FBS running back to have rushed for 850 yards, achieve 7.0 yards per carry, score 10 rushing touchdowns and note 150 receiving yards this season. • The victory over Army was the 11th ranked win of the Marcus Freeman era at Notre Dame, more than any other Irish head coach in the first three years of his tenure.

USC Trojans Notes

WINNING TRADITIONS

• USC and Notre Dame have 2 of the top gridiron heritages in the country. • The schools have both won 11 national titles (USC in 1928-31-32-39-62-67-72-74-78-2003-04 and Notre Dame in 1924-29-30-43-46-47-49-66-73-77-88). • Notre Dame is fourth in all-time victories among Division I-A schools (958, not including 21 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty) and USC is eighth (881, not including 14 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty). • USC has played in 55 bowls (with 35 wins, not including 1 win and 2 appearances vacated due to NCAA penalty), while Notre Dame has been in 42 bowls (with 21 wins). • Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], Notre Dame 7). USC’s Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Caleb Williams and Notre Dame’s Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, Leon Hart, John Lattner, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Tim Brown. • Notre Dame has had 203 All-American first teamers, while USC claims 176. • USC holds the record for most players (6) selected as the top pick of the NFL Draft, while Notre Dame has had 5 players drafted at the No. 1 spot. • Both schools are well-represented in the various halls of fame: USC has 46 inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame (including 35 players) and Notre Dame has 55 (including 49 players), and in the Pro Football Hall of Fame USC holds 18 members (including a record 14 players) and 14 from Notre Dame (13 players). • Both programs have had legendary coaches (USC’s Gloomy Gus Henderson, Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll, and Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and Ara Parseghian).

USC vs. NOTRE DAME FOLLOWING UCLA

• USC is 19-21-4 (.477) versus Notre Dame in games immediately following the UCLA game, including 11-8-2 when USC is coming off a win over UCLA, 8-12-1 when coming off a loss to the Bruins and 0-1-1 coming off a tie.

UNRANKED USC VS. RANKED NOTRE DAME

• Unranked USC teams facing ranked Notre Dame squads are 6-14-2 (wins in 1955-64-70-71-96-98, losses in 1937-41-57-58-61-87-91-93-00-2012-15-18-19-21 and ties in 1936-48).

IN NOVEMBER

• USC has a 272-141-20 (.651) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 275-141-20, .654).

Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers

Purdue Boilermakers Notes

Indiana Hoosiers Notes

SETTING THE SCENE

• Indiana will host Purdue for the annual Old Oaken Bucket game on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. ET in Memorial Stadium on FS1. This is the first-ever night edition of the annual rivalry. • It will be the 126th meeting between the two programs and 99th meeting since the inception of the Old Oaken Bucket. The first game against the two teams dates back to 1891 and the first Bucket Game was in 1925. • Purdue leads the all-time series, 77-42-6. Indiana is seeking its first win in the series since 2019 when it defeated Purdue, 44-41 in double overtime, in West Lafayette.

NEWS & NOTES

• Indiana enters the game with a 10-1 record after taking its first loss at Ohio State (11/23), 38-15, in Week 13. Prior to the loss, Indiana had its first 10-0 start in program history and reached a program-record for wins in a season. • Curt Cignetti is the only Indiana head coach to start his head coaching tenure with a 10-0 record. He is the first-ever Division I head coach to start 10-0 in consecutive seasons at different schools (James Madison, 10-0, 2023; Indiana, 10-0, 2024). • Indiana has multiple rushing touchdowns in 10 of 11 games in 2024 and has 34 rushing scores on the season, just three shy of the program record (37; 1988). • Indiana owns a 7-0 record at Memorial Stadium this season and has sold out the final four games of the home slate for the second-most sellouts in a single season at IU. • The Hoosiers picked up 27 transfers in the 2024 offseason with 21 of them having three-or-more years of college experience prior to coming to Indiana. Thirteen of the transfers followed Curt Cignetti from James Madison. • Senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke moved his season passing yardage total to 2,478 to move into No. 11 on the IU single-season charts. Passed Peyton Ramsey (2,454; 2019) and Babe Laufenberg (2,468; 1982) in the game. Trails Nate Sudfeld (2,523; 2013) for a spot in the top 10. • Senior running back Ty Son Lawton had his eighth career multi-rushing touchdown game with his two scores at Ohio State. Lawton has scored a touchdown in eight of 11 games this season. • Junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt moved his consecutive games with a catch streak to 36-straight games with a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter. • Senior linebacker Jailin Walker had his fourth-career interception and first as a Hoosier when he picked off Will Howard at the Indiana 11-yard line in the second quarter. He also led the Hoosiers in tackle in the game with eight. • Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher has 102 tackles on the season, good for third in the Big Ten. He has notched double-digit tackles eight times this season. • Redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara owns at least one tackle in all 34 career appearances and at least a half tackle for loss in 29 of 34 career games. • Sophomore kicker Nicolas Radicic extended his single-season record for extra points made with 60 on the year with his 1-for-1 effort against the Buckeyes. He also is in a tie for No. 8 on the program’s consecutive field goals made list at nine-straight tries to open his career.

Washington Huskies vs Oregon Ducks

HUSKIES vs. DUCKS HISTORY:

Washington leads the all-time series against the Ducks with 63 wins, 48 losses and five ties. In games played in Seattle, the Huskies are 33-23-4 against their cross-border rivals, while in games played in Eugene, the Ducks enjoy an 18-14 edge all-time (Oregon’s home games vs. the UW were played in Portland for many years). The Ducks have had the edge of late, winning 20 of the last 29. However, UW has won five of the last eight and three in a row. In 2023 UW beat Oregon twice, both by three points. In the regular season, in an absolute classic, the Huskies came out on top, 36-33, scoring the go-ahead TD (an 18-yard pass from Michael Penix Jr. to Rome Odunze) with 1:36 left. Penix threw for 305 yards and four TDs while Dillon Johnson rushed for 100 yards and a score. Later, in the Pac-12 Championship Game, UW won, 34-31, behind 319 passing yards from Penix, along with 152 rushing yards, and two TDs, from Johnson, who also threw a TD pass. The 2022 game in Eugene was a memorable one as UW emerged from a back-and-forth affair with a 37-34 win, thanks to a last-minute field goal from Peyton Henry, along with late, long TD catches from Ja’Lynn Polk and Taj Davis. In 2021 in Seattle, Oregon overcame an early, 9-3 deficit to win, 26-16, holding UW to just seven first downs and 166 yards of total offense. The teams did not play during the 2020 season (UW played only four games that year). In 2019 in Seattle, Oregon scored with 5:10 remaining in the game to win 35-31. Washington could only reach the Ducks’ 35-yard line on the ensuing drive before failing to convert a fourth down. Salvon Ahmed rushed for 140 yards and Jacob Eason passed for 289 and three TDs for the Dawgs. In 2018 in Eugene, the Ducks edged the Huskies, 30-27, in overtime. Washington got a field goal in the opening overtime period, but the Ducks scored a touchdown in their possession to win the game. In 2017 in Seattle, UW’s Dante Pettis broke the NCAA record with his ninth career punt return for a TD and the UW held Oregon to just 31 passing yards in a 38-3 UW win. In 2016, the Dawgs broke the Ducks’ long win streak in the series with a 70-21 win in Eugene. Jake Browning was 22-for-28 for 304 yards and a school-record six TD passes (plus two rushing TDs) while Myles Gaskin rushed for 197 yards on just 16 carries.

Washington Huskies Notes

THE GAME:

The Washington football team (6-5 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) closes out the regular season with a trip to Eugene, Ore., where the Dawgs will take on longtime rival and current No. 1-ranked Oregon (11-0, 8-0), in the 116th meeting before the old, Pacific Northwest foes. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m., and the game will air on NBC television. It will mark the fifth straight time that UW has faced the Ducks as a top-10 opponent, with UW having won the last three in a row. Oregon has already clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. Following the Oregon game, the UW will wait until Dec. 8 to learn its bowl-game fate.

QUICK HITTERS:

Washington has won 20 consecutive home games, the longest home win streak in modern school history (the longest-ever home winning streak, 45 games, was from 1908-1917, part of UW’s NCAA-record 64-game unbeaten streak) … Washington ranks No. 5 in FBS in passing yards allowed, No. 7 in pass efficiency defense, No. 19 in total defense, and No. 27 in scoring defense … UW opponents are averaging 5.41 yards per pass attempt and 4.88 per play, No. 3 and No. 18 in FBS, respectively … among active FBS players, UW QB Will Rogers III ranks No. 1 in career attempts (2,187) and completions (1,521); No. 2 in passing yards (14,773) and TDs (108); and No. 3 in completion percentage (.696) … Rogers ranks ninth in FBS history in career passing yards … UW RB Jonah Coleman is No. 11 in FBS with 36 rushing plays of 10 yards or longer, and also 15th with 44 scrimmage plays of 10-plus yards … WR Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead and is No. 1 (tied) in FBS with nine touchdown receptions … nine receiving TDs is tied for 8th-most in UW single-season history … 34 players made their Husky debut in the Weber State game, including nine true freshmen … four more players saw their first UW action vs. EMU … not counting the four-game 2020 season, the Huskies have won 10 or more games in five of the last seven seasons … the current UW roster includes players who list hometowns from 19 different states, as well as in Germany and Canada … UW’s 109-man roster entering the year includes 25 true freshmen, 20 redshirt freshmen, 16 sophomores, 27 juniors, and 21 seniors … the Husky roster includes five players in their sixth season at UW: DL Jacob Bandes, RB Cameron Davis, S Kamren Fabiculanan, LB Drew Fowler, and LB Alphonzo Tuputala … those five are playing for their fourth different head coach in 2024.

UW vs. AP NO. 1:

Since 1936, the first year that the Associated Press produced a top-20 (later top-25) ranking, Washington has faced the No. 1-ranked team (by the AP) 14 times, as they’ll do this Saturday. Notably, Washington was ranked in just four of those meetings – the 1960 Rose Bowl, 1972 at USC, the 2001 Miami game, and the 2016 Peach Bowl. Here’s a list of those 14 games.

Oregon Ducks Notes

RIVALRY SHOWDOWN CAPS REGULAR SEASON

No. 1 Oregon will look to complete an undefeated regular season on Saturday when the Ducks host rival Washington in prime time at Autzen Stadium. UO is one win away from going unbeaten in the regular season for the second time in program history (2010) and will aim to take a perfect record into next weekend’s Big Ten Championship Game. The Ducks will try to snap a three-game losing streak against the Huskies, though Oregon is a dominant 16-7 vs. Washington since 2000. UO has won eight of the last 10 showdowns against UW in Autzen Stadium.

ALONE AT THE TOP

The Ducks enter the final weekend of the 2024 regular season as the lone unbeaten team remaining in college football. Oregon is 11-0 for the second time in program history, securing an 11-win season for the second year in a row and ninth time in program history. The Ducks are going into their sixth week as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, earning the top spot in every edition of the College Football Playoff rankings so far this season. Oregon clinched its spot in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game with its win over Wisconsin on Nov. 16, and the Ducks secured the No. 1 seed in the game last week with Ohio State’s win over Indiana.

A WIN WOULD…

Complete an undefeated regular season and make UO 12-0 for the second time in program history (2010). Be Oregon’s 13th straight win dating back to 2023, the longest active winning streak in the nation. Make Oregon 7-0 at home for the second year in a row and seventh time in program history. Secure an undefeated record at home in the regular season for the 12th time in program history. Improve UO to 38-1 at home since Sept. 22, 2018, and 47-3 at home since the start of the 2017 season.

DUCKS AT THE TOP

Oregon took over the No. 1 spot in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls for the first time since 2012 going into its Oct. 26 game vs. Illinois, and the Ducks have solidified that ranking with four consecutive wins to remain undefeated on the season. UO’s top ranking going into Week 14 is the 15th all-time in the coaches poll and 14th all-time in the AP poll, and the Ducks remain the unanimous No. 1 team in both polls. Oregon has also been No. 1 in every release of the College Football Playoff rankings so far this season, earning the top spot in the CFP rankings for the first time in program history. The Ducks are now 10-1 all-time as the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, with all other instances of being No. 1 coming in the 2012 and 2010 seasons.

ALL THREE PHASES

Oregon has been one of the nation’s most well-rounded teams while getting out to an 11-0 start. The Ducks are seventh in the FBS in total defense (287.4 YPG) and 20th in total offense (447.6 YPG), making them one of just five teams (Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas) in the top 20 for both categories, and they are the only FBS team in the top 15 of both passing defense (7th, 168.8 YPG) and passing offense (15th, 281.4 YPG). Oregon is also one of 10 teams in the top 25 for both scoring defense (8th, 15.7 PPG) and scoring offense (T-24th, 33.9 PPG), and one of just three (Missouri, Tulane) in the top 15 for both third-down defense (13th, 31.72%) and third-down offense (9th, 48.92%). UO has also been effective on special teams, leading the nation in kickoff return average (32.0) and ranking as the only Big Ten team with both a punt return and a kickoff return for a touchdown. Oregon’s overall team grade of 92.6 by Pro Football Focus ranks No. 9 in the nation.

HOME COOKIN’

Oregon has been one of the most dominant teams in the nation at home over the last decade-plus, and the Ducks are off to a 6-0 start in Autzen Stadium this season after going a perfect 7-0 at home in 2023. It was Oregon’s fourth undefeated season at home since 2019 and 11th in program history, and the Ducks were one of eight teams in the nation to go unbeaten at home while playing at least seven home games. Oregon is 37-1 (.974) at home since an overtime loss to Stanford on Sept. 22, 2018, a span that included 23 straight home wins to match the longest home win streak in program history. UO is 46-3 (.939) at home since the start of the 2017 season, boasting the nation’s fifth-best win percentage and fifth-most wins during that time. Oregon’s success at home against nonconference opponents extends even further, as the Ducks own the nation’s longest active nonconference home winning streak at 34 games after picking up wins over Idaho and Boise State to open 2024. UO has not lost a nonconference home game since Sept. 20, 2008 – a 37-32 loss to Boise State – and has been dominant overall in Autzen Stadium in that span with an 90-11 (.891) record at home since the start of the 2009 season.

BIG TEN. BIG NEWS.

• Entering the final week of the regular season, three teams remain in contention for berths into the 2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game: Indiana, Ohio State and Penn State. The weekend action begins with a Black Friday doubleheader as Minnesota travels to Wisconsin at noon p.m. ET on FOX before Iowa hosts Nebraska at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The complete schedule can be found to the right. • The University of Oregon has secured the No. 1 Seed in the 2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. The 14th annual title game will be played on Saturday, December 7, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will feature the top two teams in the standings for the first time. The contest will be broadcast on CBS with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. Media can apply for credentials by visiting bigten.org/media. • The Big Ten had five teams included in the College Football Playoff’s third rankings of the season on Nov. 26: No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State, No. 10 Indiana and No. 23 Illinois. The CFP will release its next top 25 rankings on Tuesday, Dec. 3. • Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, USC and Washington have all secured bowl eligibility by reaching six wins this season, while Michigan State and Wisconsin need just one more win to become eligible. The Big Ten will continue to feature the largest bowl lineup in conference history. • Five Big Ten teams appear in the AP Poll this week, highlighted by four of the top four. Oregon leads the conference at No. 1, followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State, No. 10 Indiana and No. 22 Illinois. • On Monday, the Big Ten announced its Football Players of the Week, presented by IFS.ai. Illinois’ Pat Bryant and Ohio State’s Will Howard shared Offensive Player of the Week honors. Bryant caught the game-winning touchdown with 0:04 remaining as part of a 197-yard, seven-reception performance to lead No. 24 Illinois to a 38-31 win at Rutgers. Howard extended his school single season and career records with his sixth game with a completion percentage of at least 80 percent by completing 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the win over No. 5 Indiana. • Ohio State’s Cody Simon earned Defensive Player of the Week accolades after leading the Buckeyes’ defensive effort against Indiana’s 15th-ranked offensive unit with a game-high 10 tackles, including 2.5 quarterback sacks, and a forced fumble. The 10-tackle game was Simon’s third game this season with 10 tackles and his 2.5 sacks represented a career high for a single game. • Special Teams Player of the Week honors went to Iowa’s Drew Stevens. Stevens tied an Iowa program record set in 2004 and an SECU Stadium record, making all five field goals in Iowa’s 29-13 road win at Maryland. The junior tied a career-high with a 54-yarder and made two from 50+, becoming the first Iowa player to make multiple from 50+ since 1998. • Nebraska’s Jacory Barney Jr. was named Freshmen of the Week after setting career highs with nine receptions for 85 yards, bettering his previous highs of eight catches and 78 yards, in Nebraska’s win against Wisconsin. The newcomer rushed for 11 yards and had 54 yards in returns for 150 all-purpose yards. • Indiana and Ohio State currently rank among the top 10 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense (10.7 points per game), while ranking 10th in scoring offense (37.8 points per game). The Hoosiers rank second nationally in scoring offense (41.3 points per game), while ranking seventh in scoring defense (14.6 points per game). • Four additional Big Ten teams rank in the top 15 in terms of scoring defense: Penn State (7th, 14.6 points per game), Oregon (8th, 15.7 points per game), Iowa (12th, 17.7 points per game) and Minnesota (15th, 18.5 points per game). • Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin and Oregon’ Dillon Gabriel were named finalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy on Oct. 23. The Campbell Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 10, where one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 35th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.