CFB-FBS: Big Ten Conference Week 12 Release and Previews

WEEK 12 GAME SCHEDULE

Friday November 15, 2024

UCLA Bruins at Washington Huskies

9 p.m. | FOX

HUSKIES vs. BRUINS HISTORY:

UCLA enjoys a 10-game edge in the series, with 42 wins, 32 losses and two ties in 76 all-time games against Washington. The Bruins have taken that lead relatively recently, having won 15 of the last 20, with many recent games having been comebacks.

UCLA Bruins Notes

THE MATCHUP

The UCLA football team (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) plays its final road game of the regular season on Friday, traveling to Seattle for a matchup against Washington (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) starting at 6 p.m. PT. The first-ever Big Ten Conference meeting between the two long-time conference rivals will be televised on FOX, with Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich on the call. The UCLA Sports Network will broadcast the contest, which will also be aired over SiriusXM.

The Bruins enter the contest on a three-game winning streak, all against Big Ten opponents. Most recently, UCLA recorded a 20-17 home win over Iowa. Running back T.J. Harden gained a season-high 125 yards on the ground to help the Bruins flip the script on the top statistical rushing offense in the Big Ten, with UCLA out-rushing the Hawkeyes 211-80. Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo posted two sacks and four tackles for loss as the Bruins racked up eight TFL as a team, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger recorded the first two interceptions of his career as the UCLA defense matched a season high with three takeaways. Schwesinger was awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. Kicker Mateen Bhaghani was crucial as well, bookending UCLA’s scoring with a pair of field goals, including a career-long 57-yarder in the second quarter that ranks second all-time in school history.

QUICK HITS

UNDER CENTER

• Redshirt senior QB Ethan Garbers has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of his past three games, the first time he’s accomplished that feat in his career. He has eight TD throws in that span. Garbers has nine multi-TD efforts in his collegiate career. • 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. Garbers became the first Bruin QB to pass for 300-plus yards, or throw four TD passes, or account for five total TDs in a game since 2022 (Thompson-Robinson accomplished all three against USC). • Garbers added a career-long 57-yard rush at Nebraska. Garbers has the Bruins’ two longest runs by any player this season (57 yards, 49 yards). It was also the longest run by a UCLA QB since Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a 68-yard gain at home against Bowling Green on Sept. 3, 2022. • Garbers completed TD passes to four different receivers at Rutgers, becoming the first Bruin to accomplish that feat since Thompson-Robinson on Nov. 7, 2020, at Colorado. • On the season, Garbers has completed TD passes to nine different receivers. That is the most among Big Ten QBs. • Garbers has completed passes to nine different receivers twice this season (Minnesota on Oct. 12 and LSU on Sept. 21). • Garbers passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns at LSU (Sept. 21). He went for 198 yards and two scores through the air in the opening half alone. Garbers connected with nine different receivers during that contest, with all nine posting at least one catch of 10-plus yards. The Bruins’ loss to the Tigers was their first ever when Garbers threw for multiple touchdowns (UCLA was 4-0 when Garbers threw for multiple TDs in 2023). • Garbers began his 2024 campaign by posting 319 yards of total offense (272 passing yards) in UCLA’s 16-13 win at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). He completed 13 of 19 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown in the second half alone. • Garbers was named to the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, handed out annually to the nation’s top graduating quarterback. • Garbers’ completion percentage (.842) at Rutgers was fifth highest in UCLA single-game history since 1980. The last time a Bruin QB had a higher completion percentage was Oct. 13, 2018, at California (Dorian Thompson-Robinson; 13-15, .866). Additionally, Garbers is the second Bruin QB in program history to complete at least 30 passes with a completion percentage of 80% or higher (Thompson-Robinson vs. USC in 2022; 30-36, .833). His 32 completions were the most by a Bruin QB since Thompson-Robinson also had 32 against Bowling Green in 2022. Below is a list of all the Bruin QB • Redshirt sophomore QB Justyn Martin made his first career start and fifth career appearance in the Bruins’ Oct. 5 contest at Penn State. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown (to Logan Loya, in the final minute of the game) without committing a turnover. He connected with eight different pass catchers. • Martin is the first UCLA signal caller to complete 70% of his passes on 30-plus attempts in his first career start since Josh Rosen against Virginia on Sept. 5, 2015 (28 of 35 passing). • Martin has also made appearances against Indiana and Oregon this season. • Garbers was named offensive MVP of UCLA’s 2023 finale at the Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk (9-12, 152 yards and two touchdowns through the air in a 35-22 win against Boise State). Garbers is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns on 98-of-146 passing over 11 games (six starts). • Besides his offensive MVP outing at the LA Bowl, other standout efforts from Garbers in 2023 included a 155-yard, three-touchdown performance to help the Bruins defeat crosstown rival USC on the road, and a season-high 269 yards with two scoring passes against Colorado. • Had he appeared in enough games last year to qualify, Garbers’ .671 completion percentage would have ranked 17th nationally, fifth in the Pac-12 Conference and third among quarterbacks in the 2024 configuration of the Big Ten Conference. • Last year, UCLA ranked fourth in the Pac-12 and 41st nationally with a 12.52 yards-per-completion average. • UCLA has eight quarterbacks on its roster for the 2024 season, including a trio of freshmen. • Chase Griffin is the only other Bruin QB on the roster who has seen game action at the Division I level. • Griffin was tabbed recently a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service. The selection also earned him a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Earlier this year, Griffin was named the 2024 UCLA Young Alumnus of the Year for his leadership and philanthropic commitment.

BRUIN BALL CARRIERS

• T.J. Harden posted a season-high 125 rushing yards against Iowa (Nov. 8). He became the Bruins’ first 100-yard rusher this season and was also the first 100-yard rusher against the Hawkeyes in 2024. It marked the fourth 100-plus yard rushing effort of Harden’s career. He had a season-long 29-yard carry in the second quarter. • UCLA out-rushed Iowa (Nov. 8) by a margin of 211-80, despite the Hawkeyes entering the game ranked first in the Big Ten and 10th nationally in rushing offense. UCLA’s 211 rushing yards for the game were a season high. • Three Bruin RBs – T.J. Harden, Keegan Jones and Jalen Berger – hauled in touchdown passes in UCLA’s 35-32 win at Rutgers (Oct. 19). Berger’s receiving touchdown in his home state of New Jersey marked his first score in a Bruin uniform and the first TD reception of his career. • Berger also caught a touchdown pass at Nebraska (Nov. 2), becoming the first UCLA player this season with receiving TDs in back-to-back games. He’s one of two Bruins (Logan Loya, three) with multiple receiving TDs this season. It’s the second time in his career that Berger has posted a score in back-to-back games, as he found the end zone on the ground in the final two games of the 2022 season while at Michigan State. • Keegan Jones’ 67-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter at Rutgers marked the longest reception of his career. He finished with a career-high 114 receiving yards and is now the third Bruin this season to top 100-plus receiving yards in a game (Rico Flores Jr., J.Michael Sturdivant). • On the season, Harden leads UCLA with 226 rushing yards on 73 attempts (3.1 yards per carry). Keegan Jones (25 carries) and Berger (42 carries) are averaging 4.9 and 3.5 yards, respectively. • Keegan Jones tallied his first touchdown of the season by punching in a goal-line rush on the opening drive of the game versus Minnesota (Oct. 12). The TD marked the first time this season UCLA scored first in a game. • Harden bruised through tacklers for a 32-yard reception on a screen play to set up a field goal before halftime versus Minnesota (Oct. 12). The massive gain marked the second straight week Harden had a 30-plus-yard reception. • Harden had a career-long 53-yard catch-and-run at Penn State (Oct. 5), more than doubling his previous career-long reception (25 yards vs. Colorado, 2023). • Keegan Jones recorded a season-long 22-yard rush at the start of the fourth quarter at Penn State. • Berger co-led the Bruins with 38 yards on the ground at Penn State. He had an 18-yard gain in the third quarter, his longest as a Bruin. • Keegan Jones totaled a team-high 72 all-purpose yards on six plays at LSU (50 receiving, 22 rushing). He caught a key third-down pass for 28 yards on the first drive of the game to set up a touchdown. • Harden punched in a goal-line rush from one yard out to put UCLA on the board just before halftime against Indiana (Sept. 14). It was his first rushing touchdown of the season and the 11th of his career. Harden was also the Bruins’ leading pass catcher in the game with 41 receiving yards, including a 24-yard catch-and-run. • UCLA led the Pac-12 Conference and finished 16th nationally with a rushing-yards-per-game average of 197.9 in 2023. • The Bruins eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark six times in 2023, going 5-1 in those games. Their 404 ground yards against North Carolina Central (Sept. 16) were the most by a UCLA team since 2010. • Harden, who was named a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award in August, rushed for more than 100 yards in two of the Bruins’ final three 2023 contests. • Harden had a career game last season at USC (Nov. 18, 2023), rushing for a personal-best 142 yards and tacking on his first receiving touchdown. He also scored on the ground. • Harden’s 5.3 rushing yards per carry (fifth), eight touchdown runs (ninth) and 63.6 ground yards per game (10th) were good for top-10 finishes among Pac-12 performers in 2023. • Keegan Jones, who was put on the Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list in August, rushed 14 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns while catching eight balls for 77 yards and returning four kicks for 78 yards in 2023. • Berger has broken the 100-yard rushing mark three times, including a season-opening 16-carry, 120-yard performance against Western Michigan (Sept. 2) for Michigan State in 2022. He started 11 games for the Spartans that year. • UCLA had six rushers – including returners Harden (5.3), Keegan Jones (10.9) and RB Anthony Adkins (5.9) – log 10 or more carries while averaging 5.1 yards or better per carry in 2023.

WIDEOUTS

• WR Logan Loya was UCLA’s top pass-catcher against Iowa (Nov. 8), pacing the Bruins in receptions (five) and yards (94) while reeling in his fourth TD catch of the year. His TD grab extended his team lead, giving him twice as many as any other Bruin. Loya entered the Iowa game with a season-long catch of 18 yards but had a pair of 20-plus yard grabs against the Hawkeyes. • 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. • Loya recorded the 100th catch of his career in the first quarter at Nebraska (Nov. 2). • WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala caught a two-yard touchdown pass against Iowa (Nov. 8). It marked his first touchdown reception since the 2022 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl versus Pittsburgh. • Mokiao-Atimalala set a career high in receptions (five) in UCLA’s 35-32 win at Rutgers (Oct. 19). • WR J.Michael Sturdivant recorded season highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (107) and his first touchdown of the year in UCLA’s loss to Minnesota (Oct. 12). The 107 receiving yards are the most in a single game by a UCLA wide receiver this season and marked the third 100-yard receiving performance of his UCLA career. • Loya led UCLA in receptions (six) at Penn State (Oct. 25) and caught a one-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the game. The catch represented the first career TD pass for Justyn Martin. • Rico Flores Jr. made his third 20-plus-yard reception in the second quarter versus Indiana (Sept. 14). Flores caught two passes that went for 39 yards or more at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). His 39-yarder went for a touchdown. Sturdivant caught a pair of 39-yard strikes twice in 2023, doing so against Boise State in the Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk (Dec. 16) and versus Coastal Carolina (Sept. 2). • Flores, a transfer from Notre Dame, ranked second on the 2023 Fighting Irish squad with 27 catches and totaled 392 receiving yards (14.5 yards per catch). His season-best marks from 2023 included a 102-yard game on eight catches against Wake Forest and a season-long 60-yard catch-and-run against Pittsburgh. • Gilmer made his first career start versus Oregon (Sept. 28) and led the team with four receptions for 31 yards. • Gilmer notched the first two receptions of his career at LSU, both going for 25-plus yards to set up scoring drives. His 32-yard juggling snag late in the second half was a game-long for Bruin receivers and helped set up a game-tying touchdown drive. • WR Carter Shaw’s first career reception went for a 27-yard gain in the first quarter of UCLA’s season-opening win at Hawai’i. The catch came on a third down and placed the Bruins in the red zone. • Loya had an 11-yard touchdown catch to tie the game late in the first half at LSU. It was his first TD catch of the season. He’s caught at least one TD pass in each of the past three seasons (2022-24). • Loya was tops on the team in receiving yards (655), receptions (59) and touchdowns (five) in 2023. • Loya had a career-best nine catches in each of the last two games of the 2023 regular season against California (88 yards, including six catches for first downs with five on third or fourth down) and at USC (60 yards), with five going for first downs and four of those catches coming on third or fourth down in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He caught seven passes for a career-high 111 yards versus Colorado. • In his first season in Westwood in 2023, Sturdivant ranked second on the squad in receiving yards (597), receptions (36) and receiving touchdowns (four). Sturdivant averaged 16.58 yards per reception, which was good for sixth best in the Pac-12. • Sturdivant, a native of Highland Village, Texas, was selected to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List in August. The award, first handed out in 2013, is given annually to the top offensive player in the country who was born in Texas, graduated from a Texas high school or played at a Texas university. Y-LIFE • TE Moliki Matavao registered career highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (104) in UCLA’s win at Rutgers (Oct. 19). Three of his catches went for 20-plus yards. The performance marked the first 100-yard receiving game by a Bruin TE since Greg Dulcich caught nine passes for 136 yards versus Arizona State on Oct. 2, 2021. • Matavao enters Friday’s game as the Bruins’ season leader in receiving yards (303) and receiving yards per game (37.9). • TE Bryce Pierre made his first start as a Bruin at Rutgers and finished with a season-high three catches and 20 yards. • Matavao and TE Jack Pedersen each hauled in 20-plus-yard grabs in UCLA’s loss to Oregon (Sept. 28), going for 23 and 21 yards, respectively. Pedersen has a pair of 20-yard receptions this season, both of which are career longs. • Pedersen scored UCLA’s first points at LSU (Sept. 21), reeling in a 20-yard touchdown catch on the Bruins’ opening drive at Tiger Stadium. • Matavao, who was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List in August, recorded 283 yards on 14 receptions (20.2 yards per catch) and two touchdowns in his first season as a Bruin in 2023. • Matavao had eight catches in 2023 for at least 20 yards: 23 versus Arizona State, 26 (touchdown) against Colorado, 20 (touchdown) at Stanford, 34 at Oregon State, 29, 27 and 20 versus Washington State and 35 at San Diego State. • Pierre came to UCLA after spending 2023 at Arizona State, where he totaled 139 receiving yards on 17 catches (8.18 yards per catch). • Pierre spent time at two southern California junior colleges: Mt. SAC College (2022) and Chaffey College (2021). Pierre was the No. 3-ranked JUCO tight end prospect in the country, according to ESPN. • The UCLA tight end group is now coached by Jerry Neuheisel, who was formerly working with the Bruins’ receivers.

OBSERVING THE O-LINE

• UCLA is averaging over 100 yards more of total offense per game since switching to its current O-Line configuration of Prongos-Holstege-Yoon-Carlin-DiGiorgio, from left to right, against Penn State on Oct. 5. The Bruins have averaged 367 yards of total offense (1,838 yards over five games) over that span, compared to a 262 yards/game clip in the team’s first four games of 2024. • Against Iowa (Nov. 8), the O-Line helped UCLA to a season-high 211 rushing yards while not allowing a sack for the first time in 2024. • Redshirt sophomore Niki Prongos has made the first eight starts of his career this season at three different spots, lining up at right tackle at Hawai’i (Aug. 31) and right guard against LSU (Sept. 21) and Oregon (Sept. 28) before starting each of UCLA’s most recent five games at left tackle. • Josh Carlin made his season debut at right guard against Penn State after playing the previous four games at center. He has started every game at right guard since. • Redshirt freshman Tavake Tuikolovatu, who appeared in one game as a true freshman, made his first career start against Minnesota (Oct. 12). Tuikolovatu has taken snaps off the bench in each of the Bruins’ other eight games. • UCLA returns three starters from last year’s offensive line, including Carlin, G Spencer Holstege and T Garrett DiGiorgio. • Last year, the offensive line helped the Bruins record the No. 16 rushing offense in the nation (197.9 yards per game) and No. 32 total offense (427.1 yards per game).

D-LINE DATA

• UCLA’s rushing defense ranks seventh in the nation with 98.1 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. A UCLA team most recently held opponents under 100 rushing yards per game over the course of a season in 2006 (91.1). • DL Jay Toia posted three tackles and his first sack of the season at Nebraska (Nov. 2). The sack capped off a three-and-out for the Huskers on their first offensive drive of the game. It was Toia’s third sack of his career. • Oluwafemi Oladejo led the Bruins with two sacks and four tackles for loss against Iowa (Nov. 8). Both of those totals doubled his previous career bests in those statistics. His four TFL were the most by a UCLA lineman this season, and second-most overall (LB Carson Schwesinger, 4.5). • DE Devin Aupiu notched 2.0 tackles for loss at Nebraska (Nov. 2), his first career multi-TFL outing. • DL Siale Taupaki recorded the first sack of his career in the second quarter versus Minnesota (Oct. 12). Taupaki’s sack marked the first by a UCLA interior lineman since Keanu Williams in Week 1 at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). • Oladejo posted 10 tackles and two TFL coming off the edge at Penn State (Oct. 5). The 10 stops matched his most in a Bruin uniform and marked the most by a UCLA defensive lineman this season. A Bruin lineman has not posted 11 tackles in a game since Takk McKinley in 2016. • Taupaki, making the first start of his career, recorded a career-high six tackles (3-3-6) against Oregon (Sept. 28). • Toia posted a season-high five tackles (2-3-5) at LSU (Sept. 21). • DL Jacob Busic picked up a sack and made three tackles in his UCLA debut at Hawai’i. • UCLA rated second in the nation allowing just 2.65 yards per rush in 2023 (Penn State was first at 2.26). A Bruin team most recently had a lower mark for a season in 1985 (2.12). • UCLA allowed just five rushing touchdowns in 2023, which led the nation. Ohio State was second with six. • UCLA boasted one of the top defensive lines in the nation last year, headlined by edge rusher Laiatu Latu who was the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft with the 15th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Latu, UCLA’s first-ever winner of the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award, had multiple TFL in seven games during the season and at least 0.5 TFL in each game in 2023. • Latu led the nation in TFL per game (1.8) and ranked fourth nationally, second in the league, in sacks per game (1.08) average. • Latu totaled 13.0 sacks last season to finish his career with 23.5 sacks in just two seasons. That career total ranks sixth all-time in UCLA’s record books. • Including Latu, four members of UCLA’s 2023 defensive line unit are on NFL active rosters, practice squads or reserve lists: Carl Jones Jr. (Chicago) and twins Gabriel (Minnesota) and Grayson Murphy (Miami). • UCLA’s 2023 defensive line forced four fumbles and recorded two interceptions (both Latu). • Toia started in 12 of 13 games (not California) last season and finished the year with 28 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. • Toia is UCLA’s most experienced defensive line talent with 38 games, including 24 starts, under his belt coming into 2024.

LOOKING AT THE LINEBACKERS

• LB Carson Schwesinger was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after notching the first two interceptions of his career in UCLA’s 20-17 win over Iowa (Nov. 8). Schwesinger, a former walk-on, was also one of 15 linebackers across the country to be named a Butkus Award semifinalist on Nov. 4 and is also a Burlsworth Trophy nominee. • Schwesinger is the Big Ten leader in total tackles per game (10.2), solo tackles (59) and solo tackles per game (6.2). Schwesinger saw his streak of six straight double-digit tackle performances come to an end against Iowa last week. 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’s six double-digit tackle performances are the most in the Big Ten. • Schwesinger recorded 10-plus tackles each of his first six career starts against LSU (Sept. 21), Oregon (Sept. 28), Penn State (Oct. 5), Minnesota (Oct. 12), Rutgers (Oct. 19) and Nebraska (Nov. 2), leading the team with 12, 13, 15, 13, 10 and 13 tackles in each contest, respectively. • Schwesinger had a pair of interceptions against Iowa (Nov. 8), the first two picks of his career. He became the first Bruin this season, and ninth Big Ten player, with a two-interception performance. The last Bruin with two picks in a game was Alex Johnson against San Diego State in 2023. Schwesinger added seven tackles against the Hawkeyes. • Schwesinger’s performance against Iowa earned a season-high 94.3 grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF), which was the highest mark by a defensive player from a “Power 4” conference and the second-highest among all players in the FBS that week. • Against Minnesota, Schwesinger set career highs in sacks (two) and tackles for loss (TFL – 4.5). His 4.5 TFL marked the most by a Bruin since Takk McKinley in 2016 versus Utah. • At Penn State, Schwesinger became just the second Bruin defender over the past six seasons to total 15 tackles in a game (Mo Osling III, 2022) and the first LB to accomplish that feat since Kenny Young in 2017 (Nov. 24 versus California). • Schwesinger has paced the Bruins in tackles in all but two games this season (Indiana, Iowa). • LB Kain Medrano paced the Bruins with nine tackles against Iowa (Nov. 8), matching a season high and marking the second time this season he had led the team in tackling. He also stripped Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan in the second quarter for his third career forced fumble and second career fumble recovery. The takeaway marked his second in as many weeks. • Medrano had arguably his finest outing of the year on Nov. 2 at Nebraska, reeling off a 38-yard pick-six on the opening play of the second half and posting six tackles (3-3-6) overall, second-most on the team, in a 27-20 road win. It was Medrano’s second-career interception, and first for a touchdown. • Medrano was a defensive standout for the Bruins in their loss to Indiana at the Rose Bowl (Sept. 14). Medrano recorded a team- and career-high three TFL, marking the third multi-TFL performance of his career. The Pueblo, Colo. native also paced the Bruins with nine total tackles, including eight solo. • Medrano recorded five total tackles – including one for a loss of two yards – and a forced fumble at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). His showing earned a PFF grade of 88.4, which was the fourth-best number of all linebackers during Week 1 and ranked first among those in the Big Ten Conference. • Playing in his first game since the 2023 season opener, College Football Comeback Player of the Year Award candidate LB Ale Kaho posted four total tackles at Hawai’i. One of his stops was a sack on the game’s final drive that drove the Rainbow Warriors backwards 11 yards. Bruin Laiatu Latu won the Comeback honor in 2022. • Kaho drew a start at Penn State, his first since the 2021 campaign. • Schwesinger made seven total tackles – including one for negative yardage – at Hawai’i. He also forced a fumble on the game’s final play. • LB Jalen Woods had a season high in tackles (four) while notching his first career sack at Nebraska (Nov. 2). • The Bruins returned two starting linebackers in redshirt senior Medrano and senior Oluwafemi Oladejo. • Kaho returns for his fourth year at UCLA after being limited to one game over the past two seasons while rehabbing injuries. Kaho appeared in 52 games going into the 2024 season, winning the College Football Playoff National Championship with • Medrano paced UCLA linebackers with seven tackles for loss (TFL) in 2023. His top outing of the year came on Sept. 23 at Utah, as he posted career highs of 10 total tackles and 2.5 TFL while also forcing a fumble. • Oladejo led UCLA with 10 tackles at San Diego State in Week 2 of the 2023 season, and added his first interception as a Bruin against Washington State. He compiled six tackles at Arizona on Nov. 4, and again at the Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk on Dec. 16. • Veteran LBs JonJon Vaughns (44 games played) and Joseph Vaughn (Yale transfer, 32) combined for 76 appearances at the Division I level going into 2024. Woods appeared in all 13 of the team’s games last year in his freshman campaign.

SCOUTING THE SECONDARY

• DB Kaylin Moore notched his first career interception to seal UCLA’s win at Nebraska on Nov. 2, pouncing and catching a pass after it deflected off a Husker receiver’s knee with under a minute remaining in the contest. • DB Jaylin Davies posted a season-high five tackles (2-3-5) while adding his first career sack on Nov. 2 at Nebraska. • DB Bryan Addison notched his team-leading second interception of the season and sixth of his career in the fourth quarter at Rutgers (Oct. 19). • Addison recorded the first pick-six in the second quarter against Oregon (Sept. 28). Addison picked off quarterback Dillon Gabriel and sprinted 96 yards to the endzone for the longest INT return by a Bruin since Ishmael Adams who also had a 96-yard pick-six against Colorado in 2015. • Making their debuts as Bruins, Addison, Ramon Henderson and K.J. Wallace shined in the defensive backfield at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). Addison made four total tackles and recovered a fumble. Henderson had three stops – including one sack – and picked off a pass. Of Wallace’s seven total tackles, one was a sack and two went for negative yardage. • Alex Johnson, who has since moved on to the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, paced the Pac-12 Conference with five interceptions (sixth nationally) and 0.4 picks per game (13th overall) in 2023. • Davies has four career interceptions. His pick in the 2022 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (Dec. 30) was returned 52 yards for a touchdown. • Newcomers Addison (five), Henderson (seven), Moore (18) and Wallace (19) combined for 49 career defensive-backfield starts at their previous stops going into 2024. • The Bruins saw their passing efficiency defense ranking climb from 96th nationally (139.64) in 2022 to 19th overall (119.31) in 2023. • Former walk-on DB Kanye Clark earned a scholarship during 2024 spring practice. In five games as a true freshman, he made three tackles – including a pair in the Bruins’ Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk win versus Boise State (Dec. 16, 2023). • DB Devin Kirkwood’s two career interceptions have come in road wins against USC (Nov. 18, 2023) and Washington (Oct. 16, 2021). The one in Seattle came with 4:59 to go and the Huskies threatened. UCLA prevailed 24-17. • The Bruins registered two or more interceptions in five of their 2023 games.

SPECIAL TEAMERS

• K Mateen Bhaghani bookended UCLA’s scoring and accounted for eight points in a 20-17 win over Iowa (Nov. 8). He connected on a career-long 57-yard attempt in that contest, besting his previous long of 54 set against Oregon earlier this year. It was the second-longest field goal in UCLA lore, trailing only a 60-yard make by Ka’imi Fairbairn against California in 2015. • Bhaghani is 14-for-17 on field goal attempts this season after going two-for-three against Iowa on Nov. 8. His 1.50 field goals per game and 86.0 percent success rate ranks third and fourth in the Big Ten, respectively. • Bhaghani drilled three field goals, including one that stood as the game winner, at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). A UCLA kicker had most recently checked both of those boxes when Nicholas Barr-Mira made four, including the decider, against South Alabama on Sept. 17, 2022. Bhaghani’s performance earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. • Bhaghani posted a career-high five touchbacks, on six kickoff attempts, at Nebraska on Nov. 2. • P Brody Richter had a standout performance at LSU (Sept. 21). Over four attempts, he uncorked a career- and game-long 61-yard punt and then had his final three punts downed inside the LSU 10-yard line. • Bhaghani was two-for-three on his field goal attempts against Indiana (Sept. 14), connecting from distances of 28 and 34 yards in the second half. • Logan Loya was UCLA’s featured punt returner last season with 17 returns for a 7.2-yard average, which ranked third in the Pac-12. • Loya had a season-long 31-yard punt return in UCLA’s game versus Arizona State in Week 10 last year. • Joining the kicking personnel group is sophomore Bhaghani, a transfer from California who went eight-for-nine on field goal attempts and 29-for-29 on extra-point attempts last season. • Bhaghani connected for a season-long 43-yard field goal twice, once against Oregon and once against UCLA, last season. • Bhaghani also kicked off 13 times with one touchback last season with the Golden Bears. • Glessner (Montana State transfer) registered 22 touchbacks on 54 kickoffs in his first season for the Bruins. He booted his first career field goal for UCLA at Arizona (29 yards) after missing from 41 and 42 yards against the Wildcats. He was good from 35 yards on a field goal attempt at USC and missed from 36. He misfired from 23 yards versus California. • UCLA had 48 punts in 2023. The Bruins’ total of 27 punts in 2022 was the second-lowest mark by any team in the nation and the fewest in school history. • LS Travis Drosos, a transfer from South Alabama, was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List earlier this month. Drosos was the Jaguars’ long snapper in all 13 contests and assisted on 14 made field goals. • UCLA has blocked 24 kicks (extra points, field goals or punts) since the start of the 2012 season.

Washington Huskies Notes

THE GAME:

The Washington football team (5-4 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) plays its home finale this Friday, Nov. 15, as UCLA (4-5, 3-4) comes to Husky Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. and the game will air on FOX television. The game is part of a season-ending stretch in which UW plays all three of its fellow former Pac-12 members over its final four games. The Huskies beat USC two weeks ago at Husky Stadium and, after the UCLA game and an off week, they travel to Oregon, Nov. 30, to close out the regular season. Only twice before has Washington played home games against both USC and UCLA in the same season, in 1985 and 1990.

QUICK HITTERS:

Washington has won 19 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. 3 in FBS in passing yards allowed, No. 5 in pass efficiency defense, No. 19 in total defense, and No. 27 in scoring defense … UW opponents are averaging 5:31 yards per pass attempt and 4.88 per play, No. 2 and No. 23 in FBS, respectively … among active FBS players, UW QB Will Rogers III ranks No. 1 in career attempts (2,166) and completions (1,508); No. 2 in passing yards (14,658) and TDs (107); and No. 3 in completion percentage (.696) … Rogers ranks ninth in FBS history in career passing yards … UW RB Jonah Coleman is No. 9 in FBS with 32 rushing plays of 10 yards or longer, and also ninth with 39 scrimmage plays of 10-plus yards … WR Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead and is No. 6 (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.

Saturday November 16, 2024

Ohio State Buckeyes at Northwestern Wildcats

Noon | BTN

OHIO STATE vs. NORTHWESTERN SERIES

• Ohio State leads the all-time series with Northwestern, 65 wins to 14 wins with one tie (scoreless tie in 1938). This is the fifth consecutive game in the series played outside of Columbus. The 2019 and 2022 regular season games were each played at Ryan Field; the teams also met in the 2018 and 2020 Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Ohio State has won 10 consecutive games over Northwestern since a 33-27 Wildcat win in overtime in 2004 at Ryan Field.

Ohio State Buckeyes Notes

FIRST AND TEN

• Ohio State, 8-1 overall, 5-1 in the Big Ten Conference and No. 2 nationally in both the Associated Press and Coaches’ Polls, continues its noon-hour (ET) series of games with an 11 a.m. Central Standard Time game Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten). Historic Wrigley Field, which seats approximately 41,000, will host the game, the first of two Northwestern home games there this season as the school has demolished its on-campus Ryan Field and plans to open a new stadium in 2026 on the same site. • The game will be Ohio State’s fourth consecutive at the noon hour and is part of six consecutive noon broadcasts to close the season … which means the Buckeyes are getting used to a 7:30 a.m. wakeup on game day. • The game was played in a windy window in the Windy City the last time Ohio State and Northwestern met. In a 4-hour span on Nov. 5 of 2022, winds and gusts at O’Hare were recorded at 30 & 40 MPH (11:51 a.m.), 22 & 55 (12:51 p.m.), 29 & 49 (1:51) and 30 & 47 (2:51). • Ohio State and Northwestern are next scheduled to play in the regular season in 2026 in Columbus.

SECOND MLB SITE FOR THIS SERIES Ohio State and Northwestern are playing a game for the second time in this series’ history at a Major League Baseball (MLB) park. The first game was a Northwestern “home” game that was played in 1991 in Cleveland, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium which, at the time, was home to both the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns. Ohio State won the game, 34-3, before 73,830 fans. SOME HISTORY AT MLB STADIUMS The first-ever game for Ohio State at Wrigley Field will be the sixth different MLB stadium to host a Buckeyes football game. Ohio State played 11 times – all wins – vs. Minnesota at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome from 1984 through 2005 with the 2005 game the last game in an MLB park for the Buckeyes. In addition to the 1991 Northwestern game in Cleveland, Ohio State has played games at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1942 (Illinois), 1943 (Purdue) and 1944 (Illinois). Ohio State has also played in MLB parks vs. Brigham Young in 1982 and 1993 (Jack Murphy Stadium), vs. Fresno State in 1994 (Anaheim Stadium) and at the Polo Grounds in 1926 (Columbia) and 1938 (NYU). Ohio State is 19-1 (Purdue, 1943) in baseball stadiums. BACK-TO-BACK MLB PARK GAMES The games against Brigham Young and Fresno State were actually back-to-back games in MLB parks. The Buckeyes defeated the BYU Cougars, 28-21, in the 1993 Holiday Bowl played at the sincedemolished Jack Murphy Stadium, at the time the home of the San Diego Padres. Ohio State then opened the 1994 season with a 31-10 victory over Fresno State at Anaheim (Calif.) Stadium, now referred to as Angels Stadium and still the home to the Los Angeles Angels. DIAMOND DARLINGS Some are fans. Some aren’t. Here’s where Major League Baseball rooting interests rest among a group of Ohio State starters: Atlanta Braves – Jordan Hancock, Seth McLaughlin Houston Astros – Ty Hamilton, Donovan Jackson Los Angeles Dodgers – JT Tuimoloau Milwaukee Brewers/Minnesota Twins – Carson Hinzman New York Mets – Josh Fryar, Cody Simon New York Yankees – Davison Igbinosun, Gee Scott Jr. Oakland A’s – Quinshon Judkins Philadelphia Phillies – Will Howard Seattle Mariners – Emeka Egbuka No Favorite Team/Don’t Watch – Denzel Burke, TreVeyon Henderson, Lathan Ransom, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, Tyleik Williams. GONE WITH THE WIND Ohio State’s school and Big Ten Conference record of seven consecutive games of 40-or-more points was blown into Lake Michigan in the 2022 game between Ohio State and Northwestern at Ryan Field, a 21-7 Ohio State win in severely windy conditions. The three-game streak scoring at least 40 points to start this current season has been the longest such 40-something points streak since. OHIO STATE HOCKEY AT WRIGLEY Something to chew on: the Ohio State men’s and women’s hockey teams will play at Wrigley Field Jan. 3-4, respectively, against Michigan and Wisconsin as part of The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series that the Big Ten Conference and the Chicago Cubs have partnered on.

Northwestern Wildcats Notes

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

After playing its first five home games along the lakefront, Northwestern will play its final two home games of the season at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The Wildcats take on No. 2 Ohio State for the first time since 2022 and the first time at Wrigley Field. The Wildcats won their last game on Nov. 2 at Purdue 26-20 in overtime, as Northwestern improved to 6-1 in its last seven overtime games. RB Joseph Himon II scored the game-winning touchdown on a 22-yard reception, becoming the first Big Ten running back to record a walk-off TD reception since Michigan State’s T.J. Duckett vs. Michigan on Nov. 3, 2001. Northwestern’s offense posted 424 yards, its highest against an FBS opponent this season (450 vs. Eastern Illinois), and its highest against a Big Ten foe since totaling 492 yards in an overtime win on Sept. 23, 2023. Himon has been one of the nation’s best kick returners this season, averaging 26.9 yards per return, which leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh in FBS. Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have forced a turnover in 14 of their last 16 games, and over the last two seasons combined rank t-5th in the Big Ten forcing 35 turnovers. During that stretch the Wildcats have recovered 15 fumbles, the second most in the conference behind Penn State (16). The ‘Cats red zone defense ranks third in the Big Ten and 15th nationally holding teams to a 73.0% conversion rate. Northwestern’s special teams units have recorded three blocked kicks this season (two blocked field goals, one blocked punt), which is tied for the most in the Big Ten Conference and the most by a Northwestern team since 2022 (3). The Wildcats single-season high for blocks is six, when the 2014 team led FBS. Northwestern’s offensive line has surrendered 12 sacks this season, which ranks eighth in the Big Ten, after allowing 40 sacks over the first nine games last season.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

Northwestern’s defense is surrendering 108.1 yards per game on the ground this season, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten and 16th nationally. Since at least 2000, Northwestern’s 927 total rushing yards allowed this season is the fewest over a season’s first nine games.

The Wildcats have recorded seven interceptions this season, which ranks 12th in the Big Ten. DBs Coco Azema, Devin Turner, Theran Johnson (2x), Robert Fitzgerald, Evan Smith and Damon Walters each have recorded a pick. Over the last two seasons, Northwestern ranks t-4th in the Big Ten in total interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL PLAYS

NU’s kickoff return unit has been outstanding this year, averaging 25.0 yards per return, which ranks third in the Big Ten and 17th in the country. Joseph Himon II leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh nationally averaging 26.9 yards per return on his 14 kick returns this season (331 total yards). Against Washington (Sept. 21) he returned three kicks for 150 yards, including a 96-yard return. He was tackled two yards shy of Northwestern’s first kickoff return touchdown since Solomon Vault’s 95- yard kickoff return touchdown against Michigan State in 2016. Himon’s 96-yard return ranks tied for the sixth-longest in school history. Himon’s 150 kickoff return yards against the Huskies rank as the sixth-most by a Wildcat in a game since 2000.

Pressed into action at Iowa (Oct. 26) due to the unavailability of PRs A.J. Henning and Bryce Kirtz, true first-year walk-on Drew Wagner delivered returning a punt 72-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the team’s first since Tony Jones had a 64-yard return for a score against Purdue in 2014.

Wagner’s 72-yard return is the longest in the nation this season by a first-year, and the only punt return touchdown by a true first-year in the Big Ten this season (1 of 6 in FBS). He is the only Northwestern first-year to return a punt for a touchdown on record (since 1995).

Michigan State Spartans at Illinois Fightin Illiini

2:30 p.m. | FS1

SERIES NOTES

• Saturday’s game marks the 49th meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 27-19-2, including a 14-10-1 record in Champaign. • In their last meeting, MSU topped No. 14 Illinois, 23-15, on Nov. 5, 2022, in Memorial Stadium. Cal Haladay had a career-high 3.5 TFLs for 10 yards in the game for the Spartans to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. • Michigan State has won 16 of the last 20 meetings in the series

Michigan State Spartans at Illinois Fightin Illiini

• Fresh off its second bye week of the season, Michigan State returns to action at Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. ET in Champaign. The game will be televised on FS1 with Alex Faust (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst) on the call. • MSU fell to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten following its 47-10 loss to No. 13/13 Indiana at home on Nov. 2. 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 has dropped its last two games. MSU’s schedule currently ranks the 11th-toughest in the FBS, according to the NCAA (opponents with a .649 winning percentage). • Illinois (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) opened the season 4-0 and rose to No. 19 in the AP Poll before losing at No. 9 Penn State, 21-7, on Sept. 28. The Fighting Illini then won back-to-back home games over Purdue and Michigan before falling in their last two games at No. 1 Oregon and at home against Minnesota. • Saturday’s game marks the 49th meeting between Michigan State and Illinois. The Spartans lead the all-time series, 27-19-2, including a 14-10-1 record in Champaign. In the last meeting, MSU topped No. 14 Illinois, 23-15, on Nov. 5, 2022, in Memorial Stadium. Michigan State has won 16 of the last 20 meetings in the series. • Michigan State will be playing in its first road afternoon game since a win at Maryland in the second week of the season. The Spartans played a stretch of five consecutive night games from Sept. 21-Oct. 26. MSU has played a total of six night games this season and will host Purdue at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. • True freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 69.1 receiving yards per game; that mark also ranks third among FBS freshmen and tied for 57th overall in the FBS. The Detroit native leads the team in receiving yards (553) and ranks second in receptions (33). He also ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 16.8 yards per catch. Marsh’s 553 receiving yards are the most ever by a Spartan true freshman (previous: Cody White with 490 in 2017). • Fifth-year senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. needs just two more receptions to total 100 for his career. He leads all active Spartans with 98 career catches for 1,291 yards and seven TDs in 51 games, including 25 starts. Foster is looking to become the 34th Spartan in school history with at least 100 career catches. He leads the team in 2024 with 36 receptions for 453 yards and two TDs and has caught at least one pass in 22 consecutive games.

TEAM NOTES: OFFENSE

►SOPHOMORE AIDAN CHILES IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR MSU • Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles is off to a 4-5 start as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. He has completed 62 percent of his passes (141-of-229) for 1,850 yards (205.6 ypg), eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. 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 third in the Big Ten and 29th in the FBS in passing yards per completion (13.1). Chiles is also tied for the team lead with three rushing touchdowns; he has a net of 170 rushing yards on 73 carries (18.9 ypg). • Chiles passed for a career-high completion percentage in back-to-back games for the Spartans against Iowa (Oct. 19) and Michigan (Oct. 26). Chiles was 22-for-30 passing for a career-high 73.3 completion percentage in the win over Iowa on Oct. 19 to earn Spartan Offensive Player of the Week honors. His 256 passing yards were the second most this season (career-high 363 at Maryland on Sept. 7). Chiles also compiled 307 yards of total offense with 11 carries for 51 rushing yards, including a career-long 26-yard rush in the third quarter. • Chiles was 17-of-23 passing (.739) for 189 yards and one TD at Michigan on Oct. 26. He was 39-of-53 (.736) passing in back-to-back games against the Hawkeyes and Wolverines. ►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 (2,199) and Lynch-Adams (2,357) are one of 10 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). • Lynch-Adams, who transferred from UMass over the summer, leads the Spartans in rushing after nine games, averaging 52.1 yards per game (98 carries for 469 yards; 4.8 avg., 2 TDs). He surpassed the 2,000-career rushing milestone with 46 yards on 10 carries at Maryland; he now has 2,357 career rushing yards – 36th among active players in the FBS – and 18 rushing TDs in 57 collegiate games. • Lynch-Adams and Carter have combined for 63 percent of the team’s overall rushing attempts (192 of 304) and 94 percent from the running back room (192 of 205). • Michigan State rushed for a season-high 212 yards against Iowa on Oct. 19, averaging 5.3 yards per carry (40 carries). MSU followed up with 163 yards on 42 carries at Michigan on Oct. 26.

TEAM NOTES: DEFENSE

►SPARTANS RANK 30TH IN FBS IN TOTAL DEFENSE • Michigan State ranks 30th in the FBS in total defense, allowing 323.6 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). ►LINEBACKER CAL HALADAY EXTENDS STARTING STREAK TO 32 STRAIGHT GAMES • Fifth-year graduate senior linebacker Cal Haladay has started 32 consecutive games, the longest active streak on the team. He is currently third on the Spartan defense with 43 tackles; his 350 career tackles rank tied for ninth most in MSU history and sixth among active players in the FBS.

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 17-of-19 (.895) on field goals for the season to rank first in the Big Ten and tied for seventh in the FBS in made field goals. Eckley, who is on the Ray Guy Award Watch List, ranks first in the Big Ten with his 49.2-yard punting average; 17 of his 29 punts this season (59 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

Illinois Fighting Illiini Notes

Illinois Set for Memorial Stadium Finale vs. Michigan State

• Illinois hosts Michigan State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT on FS1. • Illinois is 5-1 at home this season. The Illini are looking for six home wins for the first time since 2001, when Illinois finished 6-0 at home on its way to the Big Ten title and 2002 Sugar Bowl. • Illinois is 5-1 coming off of bye weeks since Bret Bielema’s arrival in 2021, including 4-0 over the last three seasons. • Illinois is 13-5 in games with more than six days rest since Bielema’s arrival in 2021, including 11-3 over the last three seasons and a 3-1 record this season.

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 season since Lou Tepper from 1991-94. • Illinois has 19 wins over the last three seasons, the program’s most in a three-year span since 2000-02 (20 wins).

The Illinois Offense

• QB Luke Altmyer’s 5.3/1 TD/interception ratio (16/3) is the best in the Big Ten and tied for second-best in Power 4 behind only Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (24/4) and tied with Miami’s Cam Ward (32/6). (min. 10 TDs) • Altmyer is 36th in the nation in passing efficiency. His 145.1 passing efficiency would be second-best in a single season in Illinois football history. • Altmyer is fifth in the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (16) and 36th in the nation. • Altmyer in Illinois wins: 104-for-157 passing (66.2%), 14 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, 44 rushes, 166 rushing yards, two 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). • Illinois’ three interceptions thrown as a team are the fewest in the Big Ten and tied for the fewest in Power 4 with Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. Only Army (1), South Alabama (2), and James Madison (2) have thrown fewer interceptions this season. • WR Pat Bryant is fifth in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (7) and tied for 19th in the nation. • Bryant has two game-winning touchdown catches in overtime, both coming from Altmyer (at Nebraska, vs. Purdue). • Bryant has the No. 2 run-blocking grade in the nation among wide receivers (84.1) according to PFF, behind only Virginia Tech’s Da’Quan Felton (85.6). (minimum 100 run blocking snaps)

The Illinois Defense

• In Aaron Henry’s second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 31st in the nation in scoring defense (21.1), an improvement of 62 spots in the national rankings year-over-year (93rd, 29.4). • Illinois leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally in forced fumbles (10). • Illini OLB Gabe Jacas ranks in the top 20 nationally in forced fumbles (t-7th, 3) and sacks (t-19th, 6.5). Jacas leads the Big Ten in forced fumbles and is tied for fourth in sacks. • Illinois is fourth in the Big Ten in interceptions (9). • 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. 14-graded cornerback in Power 4 and No. 4 in the Big Ten (80.2) according to PFF. He has the No. 2 tackling grade in the nation among Power 4 cornerbacks (88.7) according to PFF. • Illinois has three defensive backs with multiple interceptions: Xavier Scott (3), Miles Scott (2), and Torrie Cox Jr. (2)

Tough, Smart, Dependable

• Illinois is fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+0.44 per game) and turnovers forced (14). • Illinois ranks 8th-best in the nation in fewest penalty yards (344).

The Illinois Special Teams

• Kicker David Olano is 14-for-17 on field goals, including 13-for-15 inside of 50 yards and 9-for-9 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 fifth-longest field goal in the nation and longest in the Big Ten this season. • Punter Hugh Robertson has landed 58.6% (17/29) of his punts inside the 20, which is on pace for an Illinois record. • Hank Beatty is averaging 14.6 yards per punt return on 10 returns, which would lead the Big Ten and rank seventh in the nation if he qualified (he is one return short of qualifying for the Big Ten and national leaderboards).

Penn State Nittany Lions at Purdue Boilermakers

3:30 p.m. | CBS

HISTORIC SERIES TEAM NOTES

• The Nittany Lions have played 23 teams 20 or more times in the 137-year history of the program. • Penn State owns a winning record against 18 of the 23 teams that it has met 20 or more times. • Six of the 23 teams are on the 2024 schedule, including West Virginia (61), Illinois (28), Wisconsin (21), Ohio State (40), Purdue (20) and Maryland (47). • Eighteen of the 23 programs are currently members of NCAA Division I FBS.

Penn State Nittany Lions Notes

NO. 6 PENN STATE MEETS PURDUE IN BIG TEN MATCHUP

• OPENING KICK:

No. 6 Penn State travels to West Lafayette to take on Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

• NITTANY LIONS ON CBS: Penn State will play its 29th game on CBS on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are 18-10 all-time on CBS, including their 33-30 overtime win at USC on October 12.

• SERIES HISTORY:

Penn State meets Purdue for the 21st time in program history. The Nittany Lions own a 16-3-1 record in the series and have won 10-straight matchups. In 2022, Penn State earned a 35-31 win in West Lafayette. Sean Clifford threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a rushing score. The Nittany Lions scored on a go-ahead touchdown with 57 seconds. Joey Porter Jr. notched eight tackles, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

• WARREN SETS SEASON RECORDS:

On a pair of catches in the fourth quarter against Washington, Tyler Warren set Penn State tight end season records. On a 9-yard grab, Warren broke the PSU tight end season receptions record, previously held by Mike Gesicki (57; 2017). Warren has 59 catches this year. On a 2-yard catch, Warren overtook Gesicki (679; 2017) for the PSU tight end season receiving yards record. Warren owns 681 receiving yards this season.

• TOUGH AGAINST THE RUN:

Penn State limited Washington to 74 rushing yards on 33 carries (2.24 yards per carry). Penn State has held 17 of its last 20 Big Ten opponents under 100 rushing yards. Since 2022, Penn State leads the FBS, holding 25 opponents under 100 rushing yards. The Nittany Lions rank 10th in the nation, allowing 100.1 rushing yards per game this season. Twelve of Washington’s 33 rushes went for a loss or no gain as Penn State tallied nine tackles for loss and five sacks.

• THE OPPOSITION: Purdue is 1-8 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten play after falling 45-0 at No. 2/3/3 Ohio State last Saturday. Hudson Card threw for 108 yards, while Devin Mockobee rushed for 73 yards. Dillon Thieneman led the Boilermakers with 11 tackles, including eight soli, and broke up a pass.

SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS

• Purdue is 1-8 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten play. • The Boilermakers fell 45-0 at No. 2/3/3 Ohio State last Saturday. • QB Hudson Card threw for 108 yards, while RB Devin Mockobee rushed for 73 yards. DB Dillon Thieneman led the defense with 11 tackles. • Purdue ranks 18th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (18.0) and 16th in total offense (320.4), while sitting 10th in rushing offense (143.3) and 15th in passing offense (177.1). • Card is completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,113 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. • Mockobee leads the Boilermakers with 612 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while RB Reggie Love III has 358 yards and two scores. • The Boilermakers’ defense ranks 18th in the conference in scoring defense (37.8), total defense (446.4) and rushing defense (199.9), while sitting 16th in passing defense (246.6). • Thieneman paces Purdue with 75 tackles to go with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and five pass breakups. He ranks second in the Big Ten, and sixth in the country, averaging 5.6 solo tackles per game. • LB Kydran Jenkins leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, while Rush End Will Heldt has 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. • DB Kyndrich Breedlove has a team-high three interceptions. • P Keelan Crimmins sits fourth in the conference with a 44.8 punt average.

PENN STATE VS. BIG TEN

• Penn State is 55-23 in the Big Ten since 2016. • PSU won 13 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents from 2016-17, breaking its record of 12 from 1993-94. • Penn State owns a 261-131-3 mark against Big Ten Conference teams since the Nittany Lions first opposed Ohio State in 1912. • The Nittany Lions began play as a member of the Big Ten Conference in 1993 and have a 165-95 mark. • Penn State played 132 games vs. the current Big Ten alignment when either or both Penn State itself (prior to 1993) or the opponent (Nebraska prior to 2011; Maryland and Rutgers prior to 2014; Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington prior to 2024) was not yet a member of the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions went 92-37-3 in those games.

Purdue Boilermakers Notes

STORY LINES

• Purdue Football closes out the home slate of the 2024 season, hosting No. 4 Penn State at Ross-Ade Stadium. The contest will be Senior Day with the program honoring its seniors before the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS. • The Boilermakers are in a stretch of playing three of four games against teams ranked in the nation’s Top 5. • Four of Purdue’s final six games of the season are against teams currently ranked in the AP’s Top 5. • The Boilermakers have seven wins against ranked opponents over the past six seasons, including three against teams ranked in the Top 3 (No. 2 Ohio State in 2018, No. 2 Iowa in 2021, No. 3 Michigan State in 2021). • On this date 135 years ago, Purdue Football won its first game in program history with a 34-10 victory over DePauw (Nov. 16, 1889). • Last week at No. 2 Ohio State, Purdue did not commit a penalty for the first time in a game since Oct. 10, 2015 (vs. Minnesota). It marked just the third time over the past 28 seasons that Purdue was not penalized during a game. • Starting center Gus Hartwig has a 83.6 pass blocking grade from PFF, ranking second in the Big Ten and 17th nationally among centers, while not giving up a sack and allowing only one hit on the quarterback. • Senior linebacker Kydran Jenkins ranks sixth in the Big Ten in sacks (0.61 per game). Jenkins is the conference leader in sacks wearing a Big Ten uniform, recording 22.0 throughout his career to also rank sixth in Purdue history. • One of the nation’s leading tacklers as an All-American a season ago, sophomore Dillon Thieneman ranks second in the Big Ten and sixth nationally in solo tackles (5.6 per game) this year. The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has record 50 solo tackles, ranking second nationally among defensive backs. • Thieneman’s 75 total tackles are 17 more than the next Big Ten defensive back. • Freshmen and sophomores have accounted for 57 starts for Purdue this season. • Devin Mockobee ranks fifth in the Big Ten in yards per carry (5.88). He is 109 yards away from becoming the eighth Boilermaker in program history to surpass 2,500 career rushing yards. • Purdue has rushed for at least 200 yards in three games this year, the most 200-yard games in a season since 2018. • Tight end Max Klare leads the Boilermakers in receptions (32), receiving yards (475) and receiving touchdowns (2), ranking third among Big Ten tight ends in receiving yards and receptions. Klare is on pace to become the first Purdue tight end to lead the team in receptions since current tight ends coach Justin Sinz hauled in 41 receptions (240 yards, four touchdowns) during the 2013 season. • Kyndrich Breedlove has recorded three of Purdue’s four interceptions this season, ranking fourth in the Big Ten and 22nd nationally. • In his first season as a Boilermaker, Keelan Crimmins is on pace for the second best punting average (44.8 yards per punt) in program history, behind only 2001 Ray Guy Award winner Travis Dorsch (48.1 yards per punt). • Crimmins’ punting average ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 18th nationally.

RECENT SUCCESS VS. RANKED OPPONENTS

• Purdue has beaten seven ranked teams over the past six seasons, going 7-13 against Top 25 opponents despite being the underdog in each one of those games. • Three of those wins were against Top 3 teams, while Purdue handed five of those ranked teams their first loss of the season. • The victories during the 2021 campaign (No. 2 Iowa, No. 3 Michigan State) gave Purdue multiple wins over Top 5 teams in one season for the first time since 1960 (No. 3 Ohio State, No. 1 Minnesota). • Five of the seven wins have been by double digits, the biggest being a 29-point victory over No. 2 Ohio State in 2018. • Purdue has 17 victories against AP Top 5 opponents as an unranked team, more than any other team during the AP Poll era (since 1936). • Four of Purdue’s final seven opponents on its 2024 schedule are against ranked teams, including three ranked in the Top 5 (No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State, No. 5 Indiana).

Nebraska Cornhuskers at USC Trojans

7 p.m. | Big Ten Network

SERIES HISTORY: NEBRASKA VS. USC

Nebraska and USC will meet for the sixth time on Saturday, and the third time in Los Angeles. The Trojans hold a 4-0-1 advantage in the all-time series between the schools. • The most recent meeting between the schools was at the 2014 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, when the Trojans won a 45-42 shootout. • USC is the only opponent Nebraska has played more than once and not defeated. • Saturday’s game will mark the first series matchup with neither team ranked. USC has been ranked in each of the first five matchups, including four times in the top 5, while Nebraska was also ranked in the four most recent meetings. • The 21-21 tie in 1970 immediately preceded Nebraska’s 23-game win streak that produced back-to-back national championships in 1970 and 1971. • USC is set to travel to Nebraska in 2025, with the Huskers set to travel to USC again in 2028.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Notes

Nebraska returns to action on Saturday when the Huskers travel to the West Coast to take on the USC Trojans. The game is the first between the schools as Big Ten opponents, and will kick off at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on FOX and can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App. The Huskers stand at 5-4 on the season and 2-4 in Big Ten play after a tough 27-20 loss to UCLA in Lincoln on Nov. 2. Nebraska fell behind the Bruins 27-7 midway through the third quarter before rallying to within a single score in the game’s final minutes. However, the Huskers; final drive ended in a turnover deep in Bruin territory, capping a second consecutive one-score loss for Nebraska. Three of Nebraska’s four losses this season have been by a touchdown or less, including one overtime setback. USC also comes into the game following a bye week. USC stands at 4-5 overall and 2-5 in its inaugural season in Big Ten Conference play. In its most recent action, USC suffered a 26-21 road loss at Washington on Nov. 2. The Trojans had multiple opportunities to pull out the win but were stopped on downs deep in Washington territory twice in the fourth quarter. Overall, USC’s five losses have been by a total of 19 points, including an overtime loss and a one-point loss. Coach Lincoln Riley’s team features a high powered passing attack, as the Trojans average 291.2 passing yards per game to rank in the top 20 nationally in that category. Saturday’s matchup is just the sixth all-time meeting between two of college football’s most storied programs. USC holds a 4-0-1 edge in the series between the schools, most recently defeating Nebraska, 45-42, in the 2014 Holiday Bowl.

NOTABLES FROM THE 2024 SEASON

Nebraska’s 2024 season has featured several notable moments, including 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 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 added a fourth win by at least 18 points with its 28-10 win at Purdue. • 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 allowed Nebraska to match its 2023 win total in the first half of the season and 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, before Indiana had a 21-7 edge in the second quarter on Oct. 19. For the season, Nebraska has an 85-41 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 has allowed just 33 first-half points in six home games. Dating back to 2023, Nebraska has allowed just four first quarter touchdowns in its past 15 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.

THIS WEEK’S NUMBERS

16 – USC and Nebraska have combined for 16 national championships, including 11 by the Trojans and five by Nebraska. Each school has twice won back-to-back national championships, including Nebraska (1970-71; 1994-95) and USC (1931-32; 2003-04).

38 – True freshman receiver Jacory Barney Jr. has 38 receptions in nine game this season. He is two receptions shy of the NU record for most catches by a true freshman (Wan’Dale Robinson, 40, 2019). The overall freshman receptions record is 55 catches by JD Spielman in 2017.

46 – Nebraska senior punter Brian Buschini averages 46.4 yards per punt on the season. Buschini is challenging the Nebraska single-season punting average record, held by Sam Koch who averaged 46.51 yards on 71 punts in 2005.

SHUTTING DOWN THE RUN

Nebraska’s defense has been strong against the run over the past two seasons. The Huskers rank 13th nationally in rushing defense at 102.6 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 13 of their past 16 games, including eight of nine games in 2024. • 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 20 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 two individual 100-yard rushers in 20 games over the past two seasons. • The rush defense is assisted by Nebraska’s strong sack numbers. The Huskers have 23 sacks, which is 16th nationally. The Huskers have 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. Nebraska has dropped its past three games and is minus-6 in those contests. For the season, Nebraska is even 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 four times in 2024 (UTEP, Colorado, Illinois, Rutgers), 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 had a positive turnover margin five 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 38-35 in points off turnovers this season, including a pair of interception returns for touchdowns. • Junior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. has four interceptions this season, and ranks fourth 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 38 points off turnovers, includes a pair of 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. • Hill’s interception for a touchdown against the Buffs was Nebraska’s first pick-six since Cam TaylorBritt 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. Bullock’s INT for a touchdown at Purdue marked the first time Nebraska has had a pair of interception returns for touchdowns in the same season since 2019. • 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.

NOTING THE HUSKER OFFENSE

Nebraska’s offense opened the season in impressive fashion in non-conference play, highlighted by its best offensive effort of the season in the opener against UTEP. • Nebraska’s 40 points against UTEP were its most since scoring 42 against Georgia Southern in 2022, while the 33-point margin of victory was Nebraska’s largest since a 56-7 victory over Northwestern in 2021. It was the Huskers’ largest margin of victory in a season opener since a 43- 10 win over Fresno State to open the 2016 season. • Nebraska scored at least 24 points in its first five games, the first time NU has had five straight games with 24 or more points since a five-game streak spanning the 2018 and 2019 seasons. It was the first time the Huskers have scored at least 24 points in their first five games since 2016. • Nebraska has outscored opponents 130-75 in the first half. NU’s 30 points in the first half against UTEP were its most in a first half since scoring 35 in the first half against Northwestern in 2021. • Nebraska also showed the ability to finish a game strong at Purdue, scoring 28 second-half points after being held scoreless in the first half. The 28 second-half points were Nebraska’s most since scoring 31 against North Dakota in the second half of a 2022 win. • The Huskers gained 507 yards of total offense against UTEP, the most by NU since gaining 575 yards against Georgia Southern in 2022. The Huskers reached 339 yards before half, which was just 80 yards shy of last year’s season high for total offense for a full game (419 vs. Louisiana Tech). • Nebraska’s 284 passing yards against UTEP were its most since throwing for 354 yards at Purdue in 2022. Nebraska’s season high in passing yards in 2023 was 199 vs. Michigan. Nebraska has added passing outputs of 281 yards vs. UNI, 297 yards against Illinois and 257 yards at Purdue. The Huskers average 229.2 yards per game through the air. • Nebraska added 223 rushing yards against UTEP with 11 players having at least one carry. The win over UTEP marked the first time Nebraska topped 200 yards in both rushing and passing since 2022 against Georgia Southern. • Nebraska has shown its many offensive weapons throughout the season. Sixteen players have carried the ball, while 16 Huskers have caught a pass. In the opener, Nebraska had 11 ball carriers and 11 receivers, the most in both categories in a single game since 2021.

USC Trojans Notes

TRADITIONAL TEAMS

• Two traditional powerhouse teams duke it out in a historic setting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. • USC and Nebraska, both in the hunt for bowl eligibility, will face off on Saturday, Nov. 16 in Los Angeles at 1 p.m. PT. • The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX. • Saturday’s game is also USC’s 101st Homecoming Weekend, welcoming back Trojan alumni to campus. • USC has won 11 national championships, Nebraska 5. • USC has appeared in an unprecedented 33 Rose Bowls where it has a 25-8 mark (.758) (not including 1 appearance and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 34 Rose Bowls, 25-9, .735). That is not only the most Rose Bowl wins of any team, but also the most wins by a school in a single bowl. Nebraska has been in the Rose Bowl 4 times and is 0-4. • Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], Nebraska 3). • The Trojans claim 176 All-American first teamers, while the Cornhuskers have 110. • USC has 879 all-time wins with a .694 winning percentage, while Nebraska boasts 922 all-time wins with a .678 winning percentage. (Not including USC’s 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 893, .696.)

BIG TEN COMPETITION

• USC has won 37 of its last 53 games (.698) against Big Ten foes.

IN NOVEMBER

• USC has a 270-141-20 (.650) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 273-141-20, .652).

AFTER A BYE

• USC is 100-50-4 in all regular season games it has played following byes. Since 1955, the Trojans are 61-21-1 following byes (6 of those losses and the tie were to UCLA). (Not including 2 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original records: 102-50-4 overall, 63-21-1 since 1955.) • USC had 3 regular-season byes in 1996, 2003 and 2004, the first time that had happened since 1935. • For the first time since 1995, USC did not have a bye between any of its regular-season games in 2017. HOMECOMING • USC has a 67-28-4 record in its Homecoming games, dating back to the first such event in 1924 (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 68-28-4). IN THE COLISEUM • USC has a 468-150-27 (.747) all-time record in the Coliseum since the stadium opened in 1923 (not including 6 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 474-150-27, .749).

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Maryland Terrapins

6 p.m. | Peacock

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Notes

NOTABLE

• Rutgers is on the road for the fourth time this season to face Maryland at SECU Stadium. The two teams have met on the gridiron every season since 2014. • Rutgers looks for its third win in Big Ten play to match the program high set in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023. • Rutgers ranks first nationally in fewest penalty yards against per game (29.56), second in fewest penalties per game (3.89), third in blocked punts (2), 12th in fewest turnovers surrendered (7) and 24th in fewest tackles-for-loss allowed (4.11). • Rutgers has not been charged with more than five penalties in any game so far this season. • Rutgers is 15-2 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. • 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, “The Birthplace of College Football,” has played 1,418 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.

VERSUS MARYLAND

• Rutgers and Maryland will meet for the 11th time in a Big Ten game, ninth time in College Park and 20th time overall. • Maryland won last season’s meeting at SHI Stadium, 42-24. RB Kyle Monangai finished the game with 20 carries for 118 yards. Max Melton intercepted his third pass of the season, while DB Flip Dixon forced a fumble that was recovered by Isaiah Iton. LB Mohamed Toure set a career high with 11 tackles and a sack. • Rutgers last won in the series in 2020. The Scarlet Knights rallied from a 24-21 deficit with 2:56 remaining with an 11-play drive over 61 yards that ended with Valentino Ambrosio hitting a 39-yard field goal to force overtime. The game featured seven lead changes. After Ambrosio connected from 42 yards, the defense held Maryland without a first down on its series, with Mike Tverdov recording a sack on third down to force a 50-yard field goal attempt, which sailed wide left and set a 27-24 final score. Rutgers notched season highs with 13 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks, which set a team Big Ten record. Tverdov became the fourth player in program history to record at least three sacks in a game. • Also under the direction of head coach Greg Schiano, RU earned a 34-13 road victory over the Terrapins in 2009. The Scarlet Knights forced five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles) and allowed just 28 rushing yards and 12 first downs. Both Antonio Lowery (interception return) and George Johnson (fumble recovery in end zone) scored on defense as one of seven RU games under Schiano posting multiple scores on defense/special teams. Offensively, Joe Martinek posted 147 yards on the ground with a pair of touchdowns, while San San Te converted two goals. Teddy Dellaganna was named Big East Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 40.6 yards on five attempts, with a long of 51, to pin Maryland to an average starting field position of its own 12. • In the first Big Ten matchup in College Park in 2014, Rutgers rallied from a 35-10 deficit to win 41-38. The 25-point comeback is tied for the school record, also done in 2015 at Indiana. Gary Nova threw for 347 yards, as Leonte Carroo, Janarion Grant and Andre Patton all topped 100 yards receiving. Defensively, RU allowed just three points in the second half, using a short-yardage stop on a late fourth down to seal the win. • Rutgers has five players on its roster from the state of Maryland: DB Trent Brown (Crownsville), TE Jackson Gister (Baltimore), DL Kyonte Hamilton (District Heights), TE Matthew Ogunniyi (Springdale) and OL Reggie Sutton (Baltimore). • LB Dariel Djabome matched his career high with 14 tackles, including three for loss and a sack. DB Robert Longerbeam contributed three pass breakups. • Strong recovered Minnesota’s on-side kick attempt to seal the win.

Maryland Terrapins Notes

WITH A WIN, MARYLAND WILL…

• Defeat Rutgers for the fourth straight year X Beat Rutgers for the sixth time in the last seven meetings and eighth time in the last 10 meetings X Improve to 4-2 at SECU Stadium this season

THE OPENING KICK

RECENTLY AGAINST THE SCARLET KNIGHTS

• Maryland hosts Rutgers on Saturday night at 6 PM on FS1 at SECU Stadium. Maryland is 7-3 against Rutgers since both joined the Big Ten in 2014, including an active three-game win streak. The Terps have scored 24+ points in all 10 games, marking the longest such streak against an opponent in school history. • The last time the two teams met in College Park in 2022, the Terps shutout the Scarlet Knights 37-0, marking the first Big Ten shutout for the program. RB Roman Hemby scored three touchdowns for the second time that season. The Maryland defense held Rutgers to just 135 total yards and forced 10 punts on the day.

TREMENDOUS TAI

• Through nine games, senior WR Tai Felton has 80 receptions, 979 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. With seven catches against Oregon on Saturday, the Biletnikoff Award Watch List member tied D.J. Moore (2017) for the most catches in a single season (80). With his next catch, Felton will set the single-season record for receptions at Maryland. Felton leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and is tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns. His 80 receptions are the most among power conference players and his 907 receiving yards rank fourth. • Felton has 214 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten receiver, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. Similarly, Felton has 16 more receptions than the next closest Big Ten receiver, Oregon’s Tez Johnson. • Felton is one of just two Big Ten players this century to have 900+ receiving yards and 80+ receptions through nine games (Purdue’s Charlie Jones – 2022). • Additionally, with just 21 more yards, he can become just the fourth Terp ever with 1,000 receiving yards in a single season and the first since current Chicago Bear D.J. Moore had 1,033 in 2017. The school record for a single season is 1,240 receiving yards by Marcus Badgett in 1992. Against Oregon on Saturday, Felton surpassed the 2,000 yard mark for his career, becoming just the ninth Terp to accomplish this in program history. • Against Minnesota on Oct. 26, Felton had his sixth game of the season with nine or more catches, the most such games by any FBS player this season. The only Big Ten players with more such games in a season this century are Purdue’s Charlie Jones (eight in 2022) and Rondale Moore (seven in 2018). • 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 just four power conference players this season with five 100+ receiving-yard games total (Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Ole Miss’ Tre Harris, and Miami’s Xavier Restrepo).

Oregon Ducks at Wisconsin Badgers

7:30 p.m. | Peacock

SERIES HISTORY

Series tied, 3-3 In Eugene: Series tied, 1-1 In Madison: Wisconsin leads, 2-0 Neutral Site: Oregon leads, 2-0

Oregon Ducks Notes

UNBEATEN DUCKS HEAD TO MADISON

No. 1 Oregon will play its eighth game in eight weeks as the unbeaten Ducks head to Camp Randall Stadium for a showdown with Wisconsin. UO is one of four remaining undefeated teams in the country, getting out to a 10-0 start for just the third time in program history (2012, 2010). The Ducks are going into their fourth game as the No. 1 ranked team in the country, and they earned the top spot in the season’s initial College Football Playoff rankings last week for the first time in program history. Saturday will mark the seventh all-time meeting between Oregon and Wisconsin, with the series currently even at three wins apiece. The Ducks have won three straight against the Badgers, including victories in the 2020 and 2012 Rose Bowls.

A WIN WOULD…

• Make Oregon 11-0 for just the second time in program history, joining the 2010 team. • Secure an 11-win season for the second year in a row and ninth time in program history (all since 2001). • Improve UO to 10-1 all-time when ranked No. 1 in the nation. • Be Oregon’s fourth straight against Wisconsin and would give the Ducks a 4-3 lead in the all-time series.

GABRIEL THE TOUCHDOWN KING

Quarterback DILLON GABRIEL made history in last week’s 39-18 win over Maryland, throwing three touchdown passes to break the NCAA record for total touchdowns responsible for. Gabriel’s three touchdowns gave him 180 total TDs in his career, passing Case Keenum’s 178 for the FBS record. Gabriel tied the record with a nine-yard touchdown pass to TERRANCE FERGUSON late in the first half, and he made history in the third quarter with a three-yard touchdown pass to GERNORRIS WILSON on a lineman-eligible play. Gabriel added to his record in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass to EVAN STEWART, matching his season high with three TD passes. Gabriel will now set his sights on Keenum’s record for touchdown passes of 155, entering Saturday with 147 in his career.

Wisconsin Badgers Notes

BADGERS WELCOME #1 OREGON

• The Wisconsin Badgers host the No. 1 Oregon Ducks in a primetime matchup on NBC. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Camp Randall Stadium. • The Badgers square off against the nation’s No. 1 team for the first time since 2010 – That meeting: a 31-18 win over No. 1 Ohio State. • Dating back to 1981, Wisconsin has hosted 4 No. 1 teams at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers are 2-2 in those meetings and have not lost a game by more than 10 points. • Wisconsin meets Oregon in the regular season for the first time in the regular season since 2001. The Badgers are 3-3 all-time versus the Ducks and are 2-0 in meetings at Camp Randall (1978, 2000).

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. • This is how we bowl… Wisconsin enters 2024 having played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest-active streak in the Big Ten and the third-longest in FBS football. Wisconsin could become bowl eligible with a win versus Oregon. • Back on track… Wisconsin looks to bounce back from back-to-back losses. After consecutive losses to Alabama and USC earlier this season, Wisconsin rattled off 3 straight wins to start the month of October. • Success in the secondary… Wisconsin will look to slow down the Ducks’ explosive offense. The Badgers have allowed 158.9 passing yards per game this fall, the 2nd fewest in the Big Ten and 6th fewest in the country. • The last time the UW defense allowed fewer than 160 passing yards per game over an entire season was 2006 (138.2 ypg). • The Badger defense has allowed only 2 plays of 40+ yards this season which is tied with Ohio State for the fewest in the country. • Forcing turnovers… The Badgers have recovered 7 fumbles, the most in the Big Ten. That’s the most in a season for UW since 2021 (8). Disciplined football… UW’s averaging only 4.6 penalties per game (5th in Big Ten, 16th overall) for a total of just 30.7 yards per game (3rd in Big Ten, 4th overall). • Ground and pound… Since taking on the lead role in the Badger backfield at the beginning of October, RB Tawee Walker has impressed, averaging 97.3 rushing yards per game in his 5 Big Ten starts. He trails only Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (14) with 9 rushing TDs during Big Ten action this fall. • The Badger O-Line has allowed only 9.0 sacks (1.0 per game). That’s UW’s lowest clip since 2014 (0.93). UW has allowed 40 pressures in pass-protection (fewest in P4, PFF). • The Badger starting O-line unit has played in 169 career games and has made 148 career starts. It’s one of 7 FBS units to have the same starting 5 in every game this season. (See pg. 4) Primetime at Camp Randall… Wisconsin has won 10 of its last 12-night games at Camp Randall, dating back to 2016. The only losses: vs. No. 3 Ohio St. last season and vs. No. 3 Penn St. on Oct. 26 this fall. • Some slate… With No. 1 Oregon visiting Madison, the Badgers have now played host to 3 top-5 teams at Camp Randall for the first time in program history. • Wisconsin and Purdue are the only FBS teams to play 3 top-5 opponents this season.

BYE: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota

BIG TEN. BIG NEWS.

With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, 14 Big Ten teams will take the field this week. The action opens on Friday when UCLA travels to Washington for a 9 p.m. ET kick on FOX. Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota will enjoy byes this week, with the complete schedule appearing to the right. • Four Big Ten teams appear in the AP Poll this week, with all four teams appearing in the top five. Oregon leads the conference at No. 1, followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Indiana. • The Big Ten had four teams included in the College Football Playoff’s second rankings of the season on Nov. 12: No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Indiana. The CFP will release its next top 25 rankings on Tuesday, Nov. 19. • There are just four undefeated teams remaining in the FBS, including two Big Ten teams: Indiana (10- 0) and Oregon (10-0). The Hoosiers have a bye this weekend, while the Ducks travel to Wisconsin. • On Monday, the Big Ten announced its Football Players of the Week, presented by IFS.ai. Ohio State’s Will Howard earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing at least 80 percent of his passes for the fourth time this season (21 of 26), while generating four total touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 45-0 win over Purdue. • UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger took home Defensive Player of the Week accolades, recording two interceptions, the first two picks of his career, and seven tackles as UCLA notched a 20-17 win over Iowa on Friday. Schwesinger helped limit Iowa (ranked No. 10 in FBS rushing) to just 80 yards on the ground, and just 265 yards of total offense. • Special Teams Player of the Week honors went to Michigan’s Dominic Zvada. Zvada converted a trio of field goals at Indiana (39, 22, 56 yards) and scored nine of team’s 15 total points. His 56-yarder was the third-longest in Memorial Stadium history and second-longest by an opponent. The junior became Michigan’s new career and single-season record holder for most 50-plus yard field goals in a season (5). • Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith was named Freshmen of the Week after catching six passes for 87 yards and one touchdown and in the process took over school freshman records for all three major categories in the Buckeyes’ win against Purdue. He moved ahead of Ohio State All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter with 45 receptions, 765 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. • The top-ranked Ducks improved to 10-0 for the third time in school history Saturday with a 39-18 win over Maryland before 59,245 fans in Autzen Stadium. Dillon Gabriel’s three passing touchdowns gave him an FBS-record 180 touchdowns responsible for in his career. Gabriel finished the game 23-of-34 for 183 yards and three scores, plus 28 rushing yards. It was the TD pass to Wilson that pushed him past Case Keenum into first all-time for touchdowns responsible for in FBS history. • Indiana and Ohio State currently rank among the top 15 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Buckeyes rank second in scoring defense (10.7 points per game), while ranking 11th in scoring offense (38.6 points per game). The Hoosiers rank second nationally in scoring offense (43.9 points per game), while ranking seventh in scoring defense (13.8 points per game). • Five additional Big Ten teams rank in the top 25 in terms of scoring defense: Penn State (8th, 14.0 points per game), Oregon (9th, 16.0 points per game), Minnesota (13th, 17.7 points per game), Iowa (15th, 18.2 points per game) and Nebraska (21st, 19.1 points per game). • Indiana is 10-0 for the first time in program history and set the program record for wins in a single season. The 7-0 start in conference play extends the best start to a conference slate and sets the record for most Big Ten wins in a single season in program history. IU won six games in 1967, 1987, 2020. The 10-game winning streak is also the longest streak in program history. The previous record was eight consecutive games in the 1945 and 1967 seasons.

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