WEEK 5 SCHEDULE All times Eastern
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
WASHINGTON at RUTGERS
8 p.m. | FOX
SERIES HISTORY:
All-Time: Washington leads, 2-0 At Piscataway:
Washington leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 1, 2017
No. 8 Washington 30, Rutgers 14 (Piscataway)
WASHINGTON NOTES
No report available
RUTGERS NOTES
NOTABLE
• Rutgers opens Big Ten play welcoming Washington to SHI Stadium. The Blackout is presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. • Rutgers is 3-0 for the fourth consecutive season and seeks to start 4-0 for the first time since 2012. • Rutgers is 18-10 in home night games with fans under head coach Greg Schiano (excludes 2020). • Rutgers ranks third nationally in first downs defense (43), sixth in time of possession (35:02), eighth in fewest penalties per game (4.0), ninth in rushing offense (255.7), 11th in third down conversion percentage (52.8), 14th in red zone defense (66.7), 16th in passing defense (134.7), 20th in total offense (471.0), 21st in scoring offense (39.7) and 23rd in yards per completion (14.36). • Rutgers has scored points in each of the first 12 quarters. The Scarlet Knights have not allowed a point in the first quarter. • Rutgers has recorded a takeaway in 11 consecutive games dating back to last season, its longest streak since a 19-game run from 2011- 13. • Rutgers is 14-1 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. • Rutgers is 12-3 in September games since 2021. • Rutgers has scored 63 non-offensive touchdowns under Schiano, including 12 since 2020. • Rutgers has blocked 71 kicks (41 punts, 17 field goals, 13 extra points) under Schiano. • Rutgers, “The Birthplace of College Football,” has played 1,412 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.
VERSUS WASHINGTON
• Rutgers will take on Washington for the third time and first in Big Ten play. This game marks the Huskies’ first road game as a Big Ten member. • Rutgers and Washington played a home-andhome series in 2016 (Seattle) and 2017 (Piscataway). • Rutgers opened its 2017 season by hosting No. 8 Washington on a Friday night. The Scarlet Knights took the early lead, but the Huskies rallied for a 30-14 win in front of a crowd of 46,093 in Piscataway. Gus Edwards led the team in rushing (24 attempts, 79 yards). • In 2016, No. 14 Washington picked up a 48- 13 win in the first meeting between the programs in Seattle. Janarion Grant led the Scarlet Knights with 160 all-purpose yards, adding a rushing touchdown. • Rutgers game highs versus Washington: Rushing Yards: Gus Edwards, 79 (2017) Passing Yards: Kyle Bolin, 178 (2017) Receiving Yards: Janarion Grant, 56 (2016)
SEPT.28
MARYLAND at INDIANA
Noon | Big Ten Network
MARYLAND NOTES
THE OPENING KICK
TREMENDOUS TAI
• Through four games, senior WR Tai Felton has 41 receptions, 604 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Those totals rank second, third and tied for fourth in the nation, respectively. Furthermore, Felton leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and is tied for second in the league in receiving touchdowns. He has 14 more receptions and 262 more yards than the next closest Big Ten receiver in both categories.
• Felton, PFF’s top-graded wide receiver among all FBS school, has 100+ receiving yards in each game this season and is the first Terp in program history to start the season with four consecutive 100-yard games. He is just the third Big Ten player since 1996 to start a season with 100 receiving yards in each of the first four games, joining Garrett Wilson (Ohio State, 2020) and Charles Rogers (Michigan State, 2002). Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the only other FBS player with 100+ receiving yards in each game this season.
• He is the second Terp to have any four consecutive games with 100+ receiving yards since Jermaine Lewis in 1994 and is the first power-conference player with 600+ receiving yards and 40+ receptions in their team’s first four games of a season since 2016
• The 2023 All-Big Ten honoree’s 14 catches on Saturday against Villanova were tied for the second-most in program history and were the most since Torrey Smith had 14 against NC State in 2010.
• Felton’s 41 receptions through four games surpassed Frank Wycheck’s previous school record of 38 catches in the first four games of the 1991 season. His 14.7 yards per catch are the highest for a power conference player through four games since 2014 when Alabama’s Amari Cooper and West Virginia’s Kevin White both did so.
BIG GAME BILLY
• Redshirt junior QB Billy Edwards Jr. completed 28-of-32 (87.5%) passes for a career-high 328 yards and two touchdowns against Villanova. His completion percentage broke the single-game school record held by Taulia Tagovailoa, who completed 87.1% (27-of-31) of his passes at Charlotte in 2022.
• Against Villanova, Edwards Jr. became the second Big Ten QB since 1996 to have a game with at least an 87.5% completion percentage on 30+ passes and 300+ passing yards. The other was Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud in 2021.
• Through four games, Edwards has completed 102 of his 136 pass attempts. His 75.0 completion percentage ranks fifth in the nation. Edwards has thrown for 1,155 yards and has accounted for 10 total touchdowns. He leads the Big Ten in completions and passing yards, while tying for second in the league in passing touchdowns (8).
• According to Pro Football Focus, Edwards Jr. is the seventh-highest graded QB in all of FBS and the top-graded QB in the Big Ten with a 90.8 grade. He was a top-five graded QB in both Week One (UConn) and Four (Villanova).
WITH A WIN, MARYLAND WILL…
• Win its fourth-straight against Indiana
• Improve to 15-2 in September games over last four seasons
• Win its fifth consecutive game away from College Park, dating back to the 2023 season
• Win its fourth road game in a row
RECENTLY VERSUS THE HOOSIERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, the Terps have won three straight against the Hoosiers (two in College Park and one in Bloomington). Maryland has scored at least 38 points in all three of those matchups, highlighted by a 44-17 win at SECU Stadium last year. It’s the Terrapins’ longest streak of games scoring 38+ points against a single opponent since a four-game streak against Duke between 1982 & 1985.
• Billy Edwards Jr. made a massive impact against the Hoosiers in 2022, coming in to replace an injured Taulia Tagovailoa late in a close game and engineering two scoring drives in the final seven minutes of the game to lead the Terps to a 38-33 road victory. Maryland took a commanding 38-27 lead as Edwards scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 2:11 left in the game. Edwards ran for 53 yards, all in the decisive final minutes. RB Roman Hemby also rushed for 107 yards in the contest.
• In 2023, Tai Felton made history against Indiana when he hauled in three first-half touchdown receptions, as part of career-highs (at the time) of seven catches and 134 yards. Felton became the first Terp in program history to have three receiving touchdowns in the first half. He became just the sixth – and first since Torrey Smith (four) in 2010 – to have three receiving touchdowns in a game in Maryland history.
DOMINATING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
• Through four games, Maryland is tied for the best turnover margin (+7) in the Big Ten (Illinois, Indiana).
• Maryland’s six interceptions have come from Glendon Miller (two), Jalen Huskey (two), Dante Trader Jr. and Ruben Hyppolite II. That total ranks tied for eighth among FBS teams and tied for first in the Big Ten (Illinois).
• The Terps have also recovered four fumbles this season, one each by Glendon Miller, Quashon Fuller, Donnell Brown and Ricardo Cooper Jr. Kellan Wyatt leads the way with two fumbles forced. X The Terps’ six fumbles gained rank tied for 10th in the nation and first in the Big Ten.
SECOND-HALF ADJUSTMENTS
• Defensive adjustments at halftime have become a calling card of defensive coordinator Brian Williams. Since 2022, the Terps are averaging just 9.73 points allowed in the second half compared to 12.27 in the first. That 2.54 differential ranks 11th among power conference teams and is the best mark in the Big Ten.
INDIANA NOTES
SETTING THE SCENE
• Indiana is set to host Maryland for 13th meeting in program history on Saturday afternoon at noon (ET) inside Memorial Stadium (52,626) on the Big Ten Network. Big Ten Tailgate, the network’s pregame show, will also broadcast live at 10 a.m. pregame from Bloomington. • This will be the 11th consecutive meeting between the programs dating back to 2014, when Maryland joined the Big Ten. The last meeting prior came in 1935. • Indiana leads the all-time series over Maryland, 7-5. The last six years of the series have been dictated by three-game winning streaks from both sides (Indiana, 2018-20; Maryland, 2021-23). • The non-conference portion of Indiana’s schedule has been completed. The Maryland game will mark the first of eight consecutive Big Ten games to close the 2024 regular season.
NEWS & NOTES
• Indiana enters the game with a 4-0 record after defeating Charlotte (9/21), 52-14, in Week 4. This is Indiana’s eighth time in program history starting a season 4-0. The last 4-0 start came in 2020, with others in 2015, 1990, 1986, 1985, 1967 and 1910. IU started four other seasons with 3-0-1 records (1988, 1945, 1898, 1897). • Curt Cignetti is the only Indiana head coach to start his head coaching tenure with a 4-0 record.
• Indiana’s 202 points through four games are the most in any four-game stretch in program history. The previous best was 183 points in 2015 (Week 11 through Bowl). • With just 256 yards of total offense allowed versus Charlotte, the 2024 defense is the first since at least 1996 to allow fewer than 300 yards of total offense in four straight games. • IU scored 50-plus points in multiple games in the same season for just the seventh time in program history (2015, 2013, 2001, 1944, 1942, 1901). • Indiana charted 510 total yards of offense against Charlotte. It was the second time this season that the Hoosier offense eclipsed 500 total yards (Western Illinois, 9/6) and the first time since 2019 that Indiana accomplished the feat in multiple games.
• Senior wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams had a 19-yard touchdown reception from Kurtis Rourke against Charlotte. He has scored three touchdowns in the last two games after hauling in two scores in Week 3 at UCLA (9/14). • Junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt moved his consecutive games with a catch streak to 29-straight games with his 29-yard reception in the second quarter against Charlotte. • Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher had eight tackles against Charlotte. He has logged 8-plus stops in each of his four games as a Hoosier and leads the Big Ten with 38 total tackles.
• Indiana is tied for the ninth-fewest returning players in the FBS and tied for third-fewest returning scholarship players.
• Of Indiana’s 29 transfers, the list includes 12 defensive players, 15 offensive players and two specialists. There are 29 players from Division I, including 28 from the FBS and one from the FCS.
MINNESOTA at MICHIGAN
Noon | FOX
MINNESOTA NOTES
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1 Minnesota (2-2, 0-1 B1G) hits the road Saturday for the first time this season when it travels to No. 12/12 Michigan (3-1, 1-0 B1G) for the battle for the Little Brown Jug. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. with the game airing on FOX and the Gopher Radio Network. Minnesota leaves home after opening the season with four straight home games for the first time since 1987.
2 Saturday marks the 106th all-time matchup between Minnesota and Michigan, and it’s the 99th battle for the Little Brown Jug, an earthenware water jug (a full history of which can be found on Page 44). With history dating back to 1903 and the first contest for the Jug taking place in 1909, the advantage in the all-time series belongs to Michigan at 72-23-3. The Gophers are looking to win it for the first time since 2014.
3 As noted above, the trip to Michigan marks the first road game of the season for Minnesota. It is 61-66-9 all-time in road openers, including a 4-3 mark under head coach P.J. Fleck. Minnesota has won two of its last three road openers, winning at Colorado in 2021 and Michigan State in 2022 but falling last season at North Carolina. Saturday is also the first Big Ten road game of the season for Minnesota. It is 45-72-8 all-time in B1G road openers, including a 3-4 mark under Fleck. Like in its road openers, Minnesota has won two of its past three conference road openers, winning at Purdue in 2021 and Michigan State in 2022, but losing at Northwestern a year ago. This will be the 22nd time that Michigan serves as Minnesota’s first league opener away from home with the Wolverines prevailing in 15 of the 21 previous matchups, though Minnesota won in the last such game in 2014.
4 Minnesota is facing a ranked team for the first time this season as they take on the 12th-ranked Wolverines. The Gophers already faced North Carolina and Iowa this year, both of whom were receiving votes in the AP or Coaches Poll at the time of the game, and they account for both Gopher losses. A year ago, Minnesota was 1-3 against AP Top 25 teams, including a win at then-No. 24 Iowa. Saturday will mark the third straight contest, and fourth time in the last five matchups, where the Gophers take on a ranked Michigan team. It will also mark the 51st time that Minnesota has faced a ranked Michigan foe; the Golden Gophers are 8-41-1 in such games. The Gophers are looking for their first win over a ranked Michigan team since beating then-No. 2 in Ann Arbor in 1986. Specifically, against the No. 12 AP team, Minnesota is 2-5 all-time. The Gophers’ last road win over a team ranked 12th or better came at then-No. 6 Ohio State in 2000.
5 The 2024 campaign is the eighth for head coach P.J. Fleck at Minnesota, where his record stands at 52-36. He is fifth in program history for overall wins, Big Ten wins (29) and games coached (88). Fleck’s .591 win percentage is third best among Minnesota coaches with at least 45 games under their helm behind only Henry L. Williams (.786, 1900-21) and Bernie Bierman (.716, 1932-41, ‘45-50). In his 12th season overall as a college head coach, Fleck is 82-58 (.586).
FACING MICHIGAN
• Minnesota and Michigan meet for the 106th time on Saturday. The only teams that the Gophers have faced more are Wisconsin (133) and Iowa (117). The Wolverines lead the all-time series 77-25-3; the 77 wins are the most for any one team against Minnesota.
• Michigan has won the last four matchups overall, including all three contests against P.J. Fleck, and 10 of the last 11 since 2006. u In Ann Arbor, Michigan leads the series 41-13-1; the 41 wins are the most for any home team against Minnesota. The teams have split the last two meetings at Michigan Stadium, however, with the Wolverines prevailing 33-10 in 2017 and the Gophers earning a 30-14 victory in 2014.
• This is the first meeting between the schools at Michigan since 2017, far and away the longest span of not playing at a conference opponent (excluding the four new additions to the league). The next longest gap has Minnesota last playing at Rutgers in 2019.
• Saturday’s game marks the 10th time since 1936 (the AP Poll era) that Minnesota faces the defending national champion (AP, BCS, CFP only). The last time it happened was in 2015 against Ohio State. Minnesota is seeking its first win in such games
• Minnesota has three Michigan natives on its roster. Sixth-year running back Jaren Mangham (Cass Technical) and sophomore running back Darius Taylor (Walled Lake Western HS) are both from Detroit, which is about 45 minutes east of Ann Arbor. Mangham also spent time in the state as he played last year at Michigan State. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tyler Stolsky is from Portage (Portage Central HS), which is about two hours east of Michigan’s campus.
• Michigan has no Minnesotans on its roster. u Minnesota special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky was the tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos in 2010 when Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator.
• Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Greg Harbaugh was the Western Michigan wide receivers coach in the 2020-21 seasons, while Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in those seasons.
• Michigan enters the game with a 3-1 record overall and 1-0 mark in league play. The Wolverines’ lone loss came against then-No. 3 Texas, 31-12, on Sept. 7. Michigan began league play last week with a 27-24 comeback win over then-No. 11 USC.
• Davis Warren began the season as Michigan’s quarterback but he was replaced in favor of Alex Orji ahead of the USC contest. Warren is 48-of-72 for 444 yards and two touchdowns and six interceptions, while Orji is 10-of-18 for 47 yards and two scores with no picks. Orji has also gained 101 rushing yards on 23 carries (4.4 avg.)
• Kalel Mullings is the top Michigan running back with 429 yards (107.3 yards per game) and four touchdowns on 53 carries. He’s seventh in the country in yards per carry (8.09), 12th in rush yards and 17th in rush yards per game.
• Michigan’s leading receiver is tight end Colston Loveland, who has team highs in both receptions (19) and receiving yards (187). Loveland is one of three Wolverines with a TD catch this year. He did not play last week against USC, however.
• Semaj Morgan has 12 grabs for 62 yards, while no other Michigan player has more than 5 catches or 60 yards.
• Defensively, Ernest Hausmann has the team lead with 19 tackles, one of 11 Wolverines with double-digit stops. Josaiah Stewart leads the team and Big Ten with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
• Will Johnson has a team-best two interceptions, both of which he has returned for scores. His 128 interception return yards rank second in the country. Jyaire Hill sports a team-best four pass breakups. u Tommy Doman is averaging 43.4 yards on 17 punts, while Dominic Zvada is a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals with a long of 55 yards. Morgan is the team’s primary punt returner with an average of 12.3 yards on six returns, while Mullings has a team-best 24.7 average on three kick returns.
LAST TIME VS. MICHIGAN
• With assistance from the AP: Will Johnson returned an interception 36 yards for a Michigan score on Minnesota’s second snap, a spark the second-ranked Wolverines maintained from start to finish in a 52-10 victory over the Gophers last season in Minneapolis.
• J.J. McCarthy completed 14 of 20 passes for 219 yards and had a career-high two rushing touchdowns. Keon Sabb had a 28-yard touchdown return of an interception in the third quarter, a leaping grab of a third down throw by Athan Kaliakmanis gave Michigan a 45-10 lead.
• Kaliakmanis went 5 for 16 for 52 yards and a 35-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson late in the second quarter. Kaliakmanis took two sacks and was overwhelmed by Michigan’s defense, starting on the second play from scrimmage when he dropped back and tried to throw to Jackson near the sideline. The ball sailed high enough for Johnson to break on it and race untouched into the end zone.
• Blake Corum had 69 rushing yards and a score on nine carries, Leon Franklin added a late rushing touchdown and Michigan outgained Minnesota 432-169 in total yards. u Minnesota got on the board in the first quarter with a 54-yard field goal from Dragan Kesich, tying for the fifth longest in program history.
LAST TIME IN ANN ARBOR
• With assistance from the AP: Karan Higdon ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns and Chris Evans added 191 yards rushing and two more scores, helping Michigan pull away to beat Minnesota 33-10 when the teams last met in Ann Arbor in 2017.
• The Golden Gophers made it 7-7 on Rodney Smith’s 10-yard run late in the first quarter, but the game was tied for just 26 seconds. Higdon scored on a 77-yard run on the ensuing drive and his 5-yard TD run padded the lead in the third quarter.
• Evans had 60- and 67-yard TDs in the second half, giving Michigan a 33-7 lead. u Brandon Peters was 8 of 13 for 56 yards with a 20-yard TD pass to Sean McKeon on his first possession.
MICHIGAN NOTES
Report Unavailable
NEBRASKA at PURDUE
Noon | Peacock
SERIES HISTORY: NEBRASKA VS. PURDUE
Saturday’s meeting will be the 13th matchup in the Nebraska-Purdue series, with the series tied at six wins apiece. Nebraska posted a 31-14 win last year in Lincoln to even the series. • Nebraska holds a 6-5 edge since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2011. The Huskers won four of the first five matchups between 2013 and 2017, and Purdue has responded by winning four of the past six games since 2018. • Four of the past seven games between the schools have been decided by six or fewer points, including three Purdue victories between 2019 and 2022. Nebraska’s past two wins have been by 10 and 17 points. • Nebraska and Purdue will meet for the 13th consecutive season on Saturday. However, with the Big Ten’s new non-division schedule format, the schools do not meet in 2025 or 2026, before resuming with games in 2027 (Lincoln) and 2028 (West Lafayette).
NEBRASKA NOTES
Nebraska leaves Lincoln for the first time in 2024, traveling to West Lafetyette, Ind., to take on Purdue in the Huskers’ Big Ten road opener. Game time at Purdue’s Ross-Ade Stadium is set for 11 a.m. CT (Noon, local) with Peacock providing streaming coverage of the matchup. The game can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App. The Huskers stand at 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in Big Ten Conference play following a 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois on Friday night in Lincoln. The Huskers took a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Illini tied the game at 24-24 midway through the fourth quarter and prevailed with an overtime touchdown. The loss to Illinois ended a streak of 10 straight games in which Nebraska had allowed 24 or fewer points. The Husker offense continued to show its explosiveness with 297 yards through the air, including five pass plays of at least 20 yards. Purdue comes into the contest with a 1-2 record, following a 38-21 loss at Oregon State on Saturday night. The Boilermakers opened the season with a victory over Indiana State, before losses to Notre Dame and Oregon State. Coach Ryan Walters’ team has shown a strong running game through three contests, averaging 183.0 yards per game on the ground, including 263 rushing yards at Oregon State. The Boilermaker defense has been solid against the pass, allowing just 123 yards per game. Saturday’s game marks the 12th consecutive year Nebraska and Purdue have met on the gridiron. Following this year’s contest the teams are not scheduled to meet again until the 2027 season in Lincoln.
HUSKERS LOOK FOR WIN IN BIG TEN ROAD OPENER
Nebraska opened Big Ten play last week against Illinois and plays its first conference road game Saturday at Purdue. It marks the first time Nebraska opened Big Ten play at home since 2017. • Nebraska’s past four Big Ten road openers were also the Huskers’ season-opening game from 2020 to 2023. The Huskers’ last victory in a conference road opener was in 2019 when the Huskers won at Illinois. • Since joining the Big Ten in 2011, NU is 4-9 in Big Ten road openers, including a 2013 win at Purdue.
HUSKERS COMPLETE NON-LEAGUE PLAY UNDEFEATED
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 nonconference play since 2016. The Huskers fell out of both national polls following their overtime loss to Illinois, but the start to the season remains Nebraska’s best in eight years. • Nebraska was 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. • Last Friday’s 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.
PURDUE NOTES
STORY LINES
• After the first road trip of the season, Purdue Football returns home for a Homecoming matchup against Nebraska to begin Big Ten play. Kickoff is set for noon from a sold-out Ross-Ade Stadium. • Saturday’s contest is the only home contest over a four-game stretch that began last week in Corvallis. • The Boilermakers are 54-43-4 in Homecoming games with Saturday marking the 102nd edition. • Last season against Nebraska (Oct. 28, 2023), Kydran Jenkins recorded a career-high 4.5 TFLs, the most by a Boilermaker since 2017. Jenkins also added a 55-yard fumble recovery for his first career touchdown. • Also in last year’s matchup, Dillon Thieneman and Cole Brevard tied single-game school records. Thieneman forced two fumbles, while Brevard recovered a pair of fumbles. • The Boilermakers won the previous matchup with the Cornhuskers at Ross-Ade Stadium, a 43-37 victory behind a career-high 178 yards from Devin Mockobee (Oct. 15, 2022). Purdue tied a school record with 38 first downs. • Kydran Jenkins leads the Big Ten in sacks (1.17 per game) and ranks seventh nationally. The senior linebacker also ranks second in the conference and 10th in the country with 1.8 tackles-for-loss per game. • Jenkins is coming off a career game at Oregon State, recording a personal-best 16 tackles and matching his career high with a pair of sacks. Through three games, he leads Purdue in tackles (27), TFLs (5.5) and sacks (3.5). • Recording 168 yards on the ground at Oregon State, junior Devin Mockobee recorded his seventh career 100-yard rushing game. Mockobee became just the ninth Boilermaker to produce seven 100-yard rushing games, the first since Kory Sheets (2005-08). • Mockobee averages 7.67 yards per carry this season, ranking eighth nationally. • Purdue boasts the nation’s ninth-best passing defense, allowing only 123.3 yards per game through the air. The Boilermakers have only allowed two touchdown passes by opposing quarterbacks this season. • Tight end Max Klare leads the Boilermakers in receptions (10), receiving yards (153) and receiving touchdowns (2). Klare’s receptions and yards are double his nearest teammate. • Purdue is one of six Big Ten teams to win at least 15 conference games over the past three seasons (Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin). The Boilermakers finished second in the Big Ten West in 2021 before capturing the Big Ten West title in 2022. Last season, Purdue tied for fourth in the final year of divisional play. • Sharing time in the backfield, the duo of Mockobee and Reggie Love III combine to average 147 rushing yards per game (Mockobee – 92.0 ypg, Love – 55.0 ypg). • Sophomore Will Heldt has recorded a TFL in each game this season, bringing his season total to 4.0. Heldt also has 2.5 sacks to rank second on the team in both categories. • Purdue has produced four All-Americans over the past three seasons (Dillon Thieneman – 2023, Charlie Jones – 2022, David Bell – 2021, George Karlaftis – 2021), the most in a three-year stretch since 1967-69.
HOMECOMING HISTORY
• Saturday’s game will be Purdue’s 102nd Homecoming game. • The Boilermakers are 54-43-4 in Homecoming contests. • After losing six straight Homecoming games from 2012-17, Purdue has won four of the past six. • Last season, Ryan Walters and the Boilermakers dominated his former squad with a 44-19 Homecoming victory over Illinois. • Purdue hosts Nebraska for Homecoming for the first time. The Cornhuskers become the Boilermakers’ 17th different Homecoming opponent throughout history. Wisconsin is Purdue’s most common Homecoming opponent (21 matchups).
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
• Saturday will be the 13th meeting in the series history between Purdue and Nebraska, dating back to 1958 when the Boilermakers blanked the Cornhuskers 28-0 in West Lafayette. • Purdue has rolled recently with four wins in the last six contests. • Devin Mockobee set his career high with 178 yards on the ground during the 2022 matchup, setting the Boilermaker freshman single-game record.
OUR LAST MATCHUP VS. NEBRASKA
NEBRASKA 31, PURDUE 14 – OCT. 28, 2023 – LINCOLN, NEB
• In cold and blustery conditions, Purdue’s defense forced four turnovers, scored on a fumble recovery and allowed just 277 yards of total offense, but an early Nebraska lead proved too much to overcome in a 31-14 loss on the road. • Dillon Thieneman paced the Boilermakers on the defensive end racking up 12 tackles. • Thieneman forced a pair of fumbles for his fourth and fifth takeaways of the year. The first came in the third quarter when he stripped Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg at the Huskers’ 13-yard line. He stonewalled Haarberg again in the fourth at the Nebraska 24-yard line. Cole Brevard came away with the ball both times. • Dillon Thieneman and Cole Brevard matched single-game school records with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, respectively
WISCONSIN at USC
3:30 p.m. | CBS
WISCONSIN NOTES
BADGERS BATTLE TROJANS IN L.A.
• The Wisconsin Badgers travel to Los Angeles to open Big Ten play with a meeting with the No. 13 USC Trojans. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, broadcast live by CBS. • Wisconsin battles USC for the first time since the 2015 Holiday Bowl in San Diego. UW’s trip to L.A. is the farthest west the Badgers have traveled since a 2012 meeting with Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore. • With Big Ten play beginning, UW owns a 59-30 (.663) record against Big Ten opponents over the last 10 seasons (since 2014). Ohio State (82-7) and Michigan (67-22) are the only programs to post more Big Ten wins over that span.
KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
• With USC holding a No. 13 ranking after a narrow defeat on the road at Michigan, the Badgers will hit the road for their first meeting with a top-15 team in a true road game since 2022 (at No. 3 Ohio State). Wisconsin’s last win over a top-15 team on the road came against No. 9 Minnesota to close the 2019 regular season.
• Wisconsin has totaled 22 straight winning seasons since 2002. That streak is the longest among Power 4 teams.
• 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.
• Coordinators Phil Longo (offense) and Mike Tressel (defense) return for their second seasons at Wisconsin in 2023. Wisconsin added 4 new faces to and 3 new assistant roles to the staff in ’24
• On offense, redshirt sophomore QB Braedyn Locke takes over after Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury versus Alabama on Sept. 14.
• Locke was thrust into action last season when QB Tanner Mordecai missed 3 games with a broken hand. Locke earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after leading the Badgers back from a 14-point 4th-quarter deficit against Illinois on the road in his first collegiate start (Oct. 21, 2023).
• Defensively, 2023 leading tackler S Hunter Wohler and FBS INT leader CB Ricardo Hallman return to bolster the UW secondary. Hallman was an AP Preseason 2nd Team All-American and Wohler’s 120 tackles in 2023 are the most for a returning Big Ten player since at least 2005.
• In a new era of the College Football Playoff, Wisconsin will vie for one of 12 spots in the CFP at the regular season’s end. Since 2014, Wisconsin has the most wins of any power conference program to not earn a berth in the CFP.
BACK IN THE GOLDEN STATE
• Wisconsin will play its first regular season game in the state of California since a 2008 meeting with Fresno State. The matchup was a top-25 clash with the 10th-ranked Badgers defeating the 21st-ranked Bulldogs, 13-10.
• Wisconsin last played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1966. No. 5 USC defeated UW, 38-3, on September 24, 1966. The win was USC’s 400th victory in program history.
USC NOTES
WELCOMING WISCONSIN
• USC and Michigan have only played 7 times (USC is 6-1). • This will be the teams’ first meeting in 9 years (the last meeting was the 2015 Holiday Bowl). • This will be Wisconsin’s first visit to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since 1966 (58 years ago) and just the second time ever.
MILLER TIME
• QB Miller Moss ranks No. 8 in the nation (and No. 3 in the Big Ten Conference) in completions per game (25.33). • USC’s passing offense ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference (318.7).
POWERFUL PUNTING
• P Eddie Czaplicki is currently the No. 1 ranked punter in the nation averaging 52.1 yards on his 11 punts this season recording 573 yards. Four of his punts have been inside the 20 and 8 of them have been over 50 yards. • He was outstanding in USC’s first Big Ten game against Michigan on Saturday (Sept. 21). He recorded a career-high average of 53.1 yards on 7 punts with a long of 60 yards, which is a season-best. He was instrumental in flipping the field as 5 of his 7 punts were over 50 yards (60 yards, 59 yards, 56 yards, 50 yards and 57 yards).
MAKING HIS MARK
• With his 5 receptions against Michigan, RB Woody Marks extended his streak of consecutive games with a catch to 48, which is the longest active streak in the nation.
NATIONAL DEFENSIVE STATS
• USC ranks No. 3 in the nation (and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference) in first downs defense (43).
RANKINGS
• USC is ranked No. 13 in the latest AP Poll and in 16th the USA Today Coaches Poll. • Wisconsin is not ranked in either poll.
BIG TEN COMPETITION
• USC has won 35 of its last 47 games against Big Ten foes.
IN SEPTEMBER
• USC has a 198-56-8 (.771) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 201-56-8, .774).
OHIO STATE at MICHIGAN STATE
7 p.m. | Peacock
OHIO STATE NOTES
FIRST AND TEN
• No. 3 Ohio State (3-0) travels to East Lansing, Mich., for its 2024 Big Ten Conference season-opening game against the Michigan State Spartans (3-1; 1-0 Big Ten). The Spartans defeated Maryland, 27-24, in College Station Sept. 7 in its Big Ten opener.
• The game will mark the start of Ohio State’s 112th Big Ten Conference season. Ohio State’s first season of Big Ten play was in 1913. Ohio State has the most Big Ten Conference wins with 550; Michigan is second with 546. Ohio State’s .749 conference winning pct. (550-176-24) is also tops in the conference.
• Ohio State’s 39 Big Ten titles rank second, although its 23 outright titles is No. 1 and five Big Ten Conference championship game wins is also No. 1 (2014-17-18-19-20).
• Buckeyes vs. Spartans on the gridiron is happening for a 14th consecutive season. Ohio State has longer consecutive-season playing streaks with only two other teams: Penn State (the teams will meet for a 32nd consecutive season in Nov.) and Indiana (the teams will meet for a 16th consecutive season in Nov.).
• OSU vs. MSU will next meet in 2027 in Columbus.
OHIO STATE VS. MICHIGAN STATE
• This Ohio State/Michigan State game will be the 53rd between the two schools with Ohio State holding a 37-15 series lead that includes a 19-5 record in games played at East Lansing.
• The Buckeyes are ranked in the national Top 5 for a sixth consecutive season coming into the Michigan State game.
EIGHT SPARTAN Ws OVER RANKED OSU
• Eight of Michigan State’s 15 wins in this series have come over a nationally ranked Ohio State team, including five Spartan wins over a Top 5 Ohio State team. 2015 No. 9 Michigan St. 17, No. 3 Ohio St. 14 *2013 No. 10 Michigan St. 34, No. 2 Ohio St. 24 1998 Michigan St. 28, No. 1 Ohio St. 24 1974 Michigan St. 16, No. 1 Ohio St. 13 1972 Michigan St. 19, No. 5 Ohio St. 12 *Big Ten Championship Game
DAY’S BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN STATE
• Ryan Day’s teams are 5-0 vs. Michigan State with some impressive supporting statistics: 253.0 rushing yards per game, 316.8 passing yards and 569.8 total yards while scoring 45.8 points per game. The defense has allowed just 52 points in the five games.
• Day’s record vs. Michigan State includes the 2020 COVID-19 year win, although Day missed the game because of the virus. Larry Johnson was interim coach.
• Day is credited with the win as he did not miss the game because of a suspension.
MORE LORE: OSU VS. MSU
• Ohio State has won eight consecutive games in this series.
• A win this year would represent the longest win streak in the series with Ohio State’s current eight-game run tied with the 1975- 84 teams’ run.
• Ohio State has won all nine games played in East Lansing this century. Michigan State’s last win at Spartan Stadium: 23-7 in 1999.
• Michigan State’s last win: 17-14 at Ohio Stadium in 2015 … a crushing blow for the Buckeyes (like 1998’s 28-24 crushing blow).
OHIO STATE IMPROVES TO 3-0
• The Buckeyes completed a three-game homestand with a 49-14 victory over Marshall last Saturday. Quinshon Judkins topped 100 yards rushing for a second consecutive game with 173 yards and two touchdowns.
• Running mate TreVeon Henderson also scored twice and added 76 yards on just six carries.
MICHIGAN STATE NOTES
• Michigan State returns home to host No. 3/3 Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. The game will be streamed live exclusively on Peacock with Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Colt McCoy (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (sidelines) on the call.
• The Spartans (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) gave up a late fourth-quarter touchdown with 1:28 remaining to fall at Boston College, 23-19, last Saturday night at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. MSU opened the season with a home win over Florida Atlantic, 16-10, and started Big Ten play with a 27-24 victory at Maryland on Sept. 7. The Spartans shut out Prairie View A&M on Sept. 14 in East Lansing, 40-0.
• Saturday’s game will be the 53rd meeting between Michigan State and Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series, 37-15, including a 19-5 mark in East Lansing. MSU is looking for its first win over Ohio State since 2015, when the Spartans beat the No. 2 Buckeyes, 17-14, at Ohio Stadium en route to winning the Big Ten Championship and earning a berth in the College Football Playoff.
• The Spartans have toppled Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including five times when the Buckeyes were ranked in the top five (No. 5 in 1972, No. 1 in 1974, No. 1 in 1998, No. 2 in 2013, No. 2 in 2015) and seven in the top 10 (previous five games listed plus No. 7 in 1951 and No. 9 in 1971).
• Through the first four games, the Spartan defense ranks among the FBS leaders in sacks (tied for second with 15; 3.75 pg), red zone defense (tied for fifth at .556), team tackles for loss (tied for eighth with 32.0; 8.0 per game), total defense (14th at 254.8 ypg), scoring defense (25th at 14.3 ppg) and rushing defense (29th at 96.8 ypg). In addition, MSU leads the Big Ten in both sacks (15) and tackles for loss (32).
• Jonathan Smith became the fifth MSU head coach to start 3-0 overall in his first season as the Spartans’ head coach, and the first since Mark Dantonio in 2007. It marked the third year in a row Smith started the season 3-0 (2022 and 2023 at Oregon State)
AIDAN CHILES OFF TO 3-1 START AS MSU’S QB1
• Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles is off to a 3-1 start as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. Chiles has completed 54 percent of his passes (63-of-116) for 891 yards (222.8 ypg), four touchdowns and seven 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. • Chiles passed for 363 yards in the win at Maryland on Sept. 7, the eighth-highest single-game total in MSU history and the most by a Spartan QB since Brian Lewerke threw for 400 in a win against Penn State in 2017. • Chiles also leads the team with three rushing touchdowns; he has a net of 95 rushing yards on 27 carries (23.8 ypg).
SPARTANS LEAD BIG TEN IN TACKLES FOR LOSS AND SACKS
• Michigan State leads the Big Ten in sacks (15; 3.75 pg) and tackles for loss (32.0; 8.0 pg) through the first four games of the season. MSU recorded a season-high seven sacks in the season opener against Florida Atlantic and recorded four more last Saturday at Boston College. MSU also is tied for first in the Big Ten and fifth in the FBS in red zone defense (.556; opponents 5-of-9 scoring with four stops in red zone).
SERIES NOTES
• Saturday’s game will be the 53rd meeting between Michigan State and Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series, 37-15, including a 19-5 mark in East Lansing. MSU is looking for its first win over Ohio State since 2015, when the Spartans beat the No. 2 Buckeyes, 17-14, at Ohio Stadium en route to winning the Big Ten Championship and earning a berth in the College Football Playoff. • The Spartans have toppled Ohio State 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including five times when the Buckeyes were ranked in the top five (No. 5 in 1972, No. 1 in 1974, No. 1 in 1998, No. 2 in 2013, No. 2 in 2015) and seven in the top 10 (previous five games listed plus No. 7 in 1951 and No. 9 in 1971)
ILLINOIS at PENN STATE
7:30 p.m. | NBC
ALL-TIME SERIES vs. PENN STATE
Series: Penn State leads 21-6
at Penn State: PSU leads 10-2
Last: L, 30-13 (9/16/23 in Champaign)
at Penn State: W, 20-18 9OT (10/23/21)
Streak: L1
at Penn State: W1
Bielema vs. Penn State: 3-4
At Illinois: 1-1
ILLINOIS NOTES
Illinois Travels to Penn State with Two Top-25 Wins
• The Illinois football program, #19 in the Week 5 AP Top 25, visits #9 Penn State on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC. • Illinois and #5 Tennessee are the only teams in the nation with two AP Top 25 wins this season. • Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins during September for the first time in program history. • Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins in a single season for the first time since 2007, when the Illini beat three AP ranked teams. • At Nebraska, Illinois picked up its first ranked vs. ranked win since #12 Illinois defeated #25 Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001. • Last week’s Sept. 15 AP Top 25 poll marked the earliest in the season that Illinois has been voted into the top 25 since 2008. • Illinois and Penn State will meet as ranked foes for the first time since 2008, when #21 Illinois fell 38-24 at #12 Penn State. • Since 1942, Illinois has compiled a record of 82-50-2 (.619) when ranked in the AP Top 25. • Before back-to-back AP Top 25 wins, Illinois was 2-32 in its previous 34 games against the AP Top 25. • Illinois is #21 in this week’s Coaches Poll, while Penn State comes in at #8.
Illinois Off to Best Start of Bielema Era
• The Fighting Illini have knocked off Eastern Illinois, #19 Kansas, Central Michigan, and #22 Nebraska to start the season 4-0 for the second time since 1951 and first time since 2011. • Illinois has four 4-0 starts in the AP poll era (since 1936): 1942, 1951, 2011, and 2024. • Illinois is 4-0 with two AP Top 25 wins for the first time in program history. • Bret Bielema improved to 22-19 in his Illinois career. He is the first head coach in program history to start .500 or better through their first 41 games since Lou Tepper started 21-19-1 from 1992-95. • Bielema is 8-6 in Big Ten road games as head coach at Illinois. His eight Big Ten road wins are the fourth-most ever by an Illinois head coach in his first four seasons, behind only Mike White (11, 1980-83), Lou Tepper (10, 1992-95), and John Mackovic (10, 1988-91). • Bielema is 4-5 (.444) against ranked teams (AP/Coaches/CFP) as Illinois’ head coach. His .444 winning percentage against ranked teams is the second-best in Illinois history, behind only John Mackovic (8-8, .500, 1988-91). • Bielema’s four ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons are tied for the third-most in program history, behind only John Mackovic (8, 1988-91) and Mike White (5, 1980-83). • Bielema tied the program record for road ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons. He is the second coach in Illinois history to win three ranked games on the road during his first three seasons, joining Lou Tepper (1992-96). • Bielema is the first Illini coach to earn Top 25 rankings in two of his first four seasons since Ron Zook led the Illini into the top-25 rankings in 2007 and 2008, his Years 3 and 4 in Champaign, respectively. Illinois reached as high as #14 and were ranked for four consecutive weeks in October and November 2022 under Bielema. • Following the team’s Week 3 Homecoming win vs. Central Michigan, Bielema improved to 9-4 through his first 13 nonconference games (including postseason) at Illinois. It is the best record through 13 nonconference games for an Illinois head coach since Robert Zuppke started 10-3 against non-Big Ten opponents from 1913-18. • Illinois’ 23-17 victory over #19 Kansas in Week 2 marked the program’s highest-ranked nonconference win since beating #17 Arizona, 9-7, on Sept. 16, 1995. • The Illini’s sellout crowd of 60,670 vs. KU was the program’s first capacity crowd since Week 2 of 2016 vs. North Carolina. • The Illini’s win over the Jayhawks was the first in front of a sellout crowd since the Orange and Blue defeated Iowa, 27-24, in front of a packed Memorial Stadium on Nov. 1, 2008. It also marked the Illini’s first win in front of a sellout home crowd vs. a nonconference opponent since Sept. 6, 1986, vs. Louisville (23-0). • Bielema joined George Huff (1895-98), John Mackovic (1988-91), and Lou Tepper (1992-95) as the only head coaches in Illinois history to win 4+ games in each of their first four seasons leading the Fighting Illini.
Illinois Facing Stretch of Ranked Opponents
• Penn State will be Illinois’ third AP-ranked opponent in the last four games. Illinois is on track to play five ranked opponents over a seven-game stretch, which would tie the program record for the most ranked opponents played during a regular season. The last time Illinois played five ranked opponents during a regular season was 2005. • Illinois is facing three AP-ranked opponents over a four-game stretch for the first time since 2011, when the Illini fell to #21 Penn State, #22 Michigan, and #15 Wisconsin in three consecutive weeks. • This is the first time in program history Illinois will start its Big Ten schedule with two ranked opponents on the road. • Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with road games in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2008. • Illinois is starting its Big Ten schedule with two ranked games for the first time since 2009. • Saturday will be Illinois’ first top-20 vs. top-20 Big Ten game since 2000 (#19 Illinois lost vs. #10 Michigan) and the Illini’s first top-20 vs. top-20 road game since 1991 (#13 Illinois lost at #15 Iowa with Bielema playing for Iowa).
Ball Control and Turnover Margin
• Illinois is third in the nation and tied for first in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+1.75 per game). • Illinois’ +7 turnover margin on the season comes despite unlucky results on fumbles. Illinois has recovered four of 12 total fumbles during its games, including missing on all four fumbles at Nebraska (1 giveaway, 3 forced fumbles that Illinois did not recover). • Illinois is 33rd in the nation in time of possession (31:49). In four games this season, the Illini are averaging 9:52 time of possession during fourth quarters, including 12:04 in the win over #19 Kansas.
The Illinois Offense
• According to PFF, Illinois is graded No. 10 in overall offense (84.5), 39th in special teams (79.6), and 49th in overall defense (80.3). The Illini rank 10th in passing (89.0), 11th in run blocking (76.2), 19th in receiving (75.8), 28th in defensive coverage (87.5) • Illinois is tied for first in the nation in red zone offense (100%). The Illini have scored on 35 straight trips to the red zone dating back to Oct. 14, 2023, including 25 touchdowns. This season, Illinois is 16-for-16 in the red zone with 11 touchdowns and five field goals. • WR Pat Bryant ranks second in the nation in receiving touchdowns and first in Power 4. • QB Luke Altmyer is the only quarterback in the nation with 10+ touchdowns and 0 interceptions. • Altmyer is the third Big Ten QB with 10+ passing touchdowns and 0 interceptions through four games in the last 20 years, joining Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Kyle Orton (Purdue). • Altmyer is the No. 10 graded quarterback in the nation according to PFF (89.4, min. 100 dropbacks). • Offensive lineman Melvin Priestly is the No. 3 graded tackle in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the country with a PFF grade of 82.0 (minimum 150 offensive snaps). • In the kicking game, David Olano and Ethan Moczulski have made their mark among the nation’s best. 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 second-longest field goal in the nation this season. Olano is 18th in the country at 1.75 field goals per game, including a career-long 50-yarder vs. Kansas.
The Illinois Defense
• In Aaron Henry’s second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 15th in the nation in scoring defense (12.5). The Illini defense ranks in the top 35 nationally in interceptions (4th, 7), fumbles recovered (20th, 3), passing efficiency defense (29th, 108.3), total defense (32nd, 292.3), rushing defense (35th, 104.3), and fourth down defense (10th, 20%). • The Illini defense has recorded an interception in all four games to open the 2024 season. Illinois has now picked off at least one pass in five consecutive games dating back to last season. • Illini DBs Xavier Scott (3 interceptions), Miles Scott (2), and Torrie Cox Jr. (2) rank second and eighth in the nation, respectively, in total interceptions. They are the No. 1-ranked trio in the nation with seven combined picks. • Three different Illini defenders have already recovered a fumble this season, tying OLBs Alec Bryant and Seth Coleman with DB Kaleb Patterson for sixth in the nation entering Week 5.
Illinois Excelling in Close Games
• Illinois has a 7-3 record in one-score games over the last two seasons, including one-score wins over #19 Kansas and #22 Nebraska this season. The Illini have been underdogs in four of the seven one-score wins, including three as road dogs. • Illinois controlled the ball for 18:11 of the second half at #22 Nebraska, while outscoring the Huskers 21-7 in the second half and overtime to secure a 31-24 (OT) win. • Illinois shut down Nebraska’s running game in the second half, limiting the Huskers to 11 carries for seven yards between the third and fourth quarters, then sacked Nebraska three times in four overtime plays for -38 yards. Over the second half and overtime, Nebraska totaled 14 rushes for -27 yards. • Illinois won five one-score games in 2023 (5-3), tied for the most in program history with the 1934 team. The Illini’s eight one-score games in 2023 were the most in program history. • Illinois’ five one-score wins in 2023 tied for the third-most in the nation during the regular season, behind only Old Dominion and Washington, which each had six one-score wins. • Illinois is 3-0 in overtime games under Bret Bielema with wins against Penn State (9 OT, 2021), Indiana (1 OT, 2023), and Nebraska (1 OT, 2024). • Five of Illinois’ seven one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime. This season, Illinois topped Nebraska in overtime. Last season, K Caleb Griffin had game-winning field goals to beat Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00), and WR Isaiah Williams had game-winning touchdown receptions from QB John Paddock at Minnesota (0:50) and against Indiana (OT) in back-to-back weeks in November. • QB Luke Altmyer has led three game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime. He led the Illini on last-second field goal drives against Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00) in 2023, then threw the deciding touchdown to Pat Bryant in overtime at Nebraska this season.
PENN STATE NOTES
• OPENING KICK: No. 9/8 Penn State welcomes No. 19/21 Illinois for its Big Ten opener on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
• NBC SATURDAY NIGHT: The Nittany Lions are set to make their first appearance on NBC this season after playing twice on the network in 2023. Penn State is 9-3 all-time in games broadcast on NBC.
• SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets Illinois for the 28th time in program history. Penn State holds a 21-6 advantage in the series and has won four of the last five matchups. In 2023, the Nittany Lions earned a 30-13 victory in Champaign. Penn State forced five takeaways, including four interceptions and a fumble. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton each scored on rushing touchdowns, while Trey Potts threw an 11- yard touchdown pass to Tyler Warren.
• BIG TEN OPENER: The Nittany Lions are 16-15 all-time in Big Ten openers. Penn State has won its last three Big Ten openers and six of the last seven. The Nittany Lions will start Big Ten play at home for the first time since 2015 and just the second time since 2010. Illinois is tied with Wisconsin as PSU’s most frequent Big Ten opener opponent with five matchups each.
• EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE: Penn State (282.7 passing; 255.0 rushing) joins Tennessee (275.8 passing; 290.0 rushing) as the only FBS teams averaging 250+ passing yards and 250+ rushing yards this season. Penn State holds seventh in the nation averaging 537.7 total yards and ranks second in the nation in big play percentage (22.73) after posting 718 yards and 40 first downs, both school records, against Kent State.
• SHUTOUT: Against Kent State, the Nittany Lions posted their 12th shutout since 2015, tied with Alabama for the most shutouts in the FBS. PSU also has the nation’s most shutouts against conference opponents (8) since 2015. The Nittany Lions have notched 20 games without allowing a touchdown since 2014. Penn State joins Tennessee and Fresno State as the only FBS teams with a shutout in each of the last four seasons.
• THE OPPOSITION: No. 19/21 Illinois is 4-0 this season after earning a 31-24 win in overtime at No. 22/22 Nebraska last weekend. Luke Altmyer threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Pat Bryant on two scores. In overtime, Altmyer hit Bryant for a 4-yard touchdown in overtime.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING ILLINI
• Illinois is 4-0 this season, including a 1-0 mark in Big Ten play. • The Fighting Illini own wins over Eastern Illinois (45-0), No. 19/20 Kansas (23-17), Central Michigan (30-9) and No. 22/22 Nebraska (31-24). • Last Friday, Illinois earned a 31-24 win over No. 22/22 Nebraska in overtime. • Luke Altmyer threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns. • Pat Bryant hauled in two touchdown receptions, including the game-winner in overtime. • Dylan Rosiek led the Illinois defense with nine tackles, including a sack, and a forced fumble. • Alec Bryant contributed two sacks, while Dennis Briggs Jr. and Gabe Jacas each had one. • Altmyer has completed 71 percent of his passes for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns, without throwing an interception. • RB Kaden Feagin leads the rushing attack with 242 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. • WR Zakhari Franklin (21 rec, 243 yds) and WR Pat Bryant (20 rec, 309 yds, 6 TD) are Illinois’ leading receivers. • Rosiek and DB Matthew Bailey lead Illinois with 23 tackles. • Jacas owns four tackles for loss and two sacks. • DB Xavier Scott has a team-best three interceptions, while DB Miles Scott has two.
OREGON at UCLA
11 p.m. | FOX
OREGON NOTES
TALKING POINTS
B1G TIME
Coming off its first “Work Week” of the season, No. 8 Oregon will play its first conference game as a member of the Big Ten on Saturday at UCLA. The Ducks are off to a 3-0 start for the second year in a row and fourth time since 2020, after putting together their most complete performance of nonconference play in a 49-14 win at rival Oregon State on Sept. 14. Oregon will look to continue its recent run of success against UCLA; the Ducks have won four in a row and 10 of their last 11 against the Bruins, and Oregon is 15-3 vs. UCLA since 2000.
A WIN WOULD…
• Be the Ducks’ first conference win as members of the Big Ten. » Be Oregon’s 11th in the last 12 meetings against the Bruins and 16th in the last 19. • Make Oregon 4-0 for the second year in a row and third time since 2015. • Make Oregon 2-0 on the road to start a season for the third year in a row.
DUCKS DOMINATE RIVALRY GAME
Coming off wins over Idaho and Boise State that left room for improvement, the Ducks closed nonconference play on a high note with a dominant 49-14 win at Oregon State. Oregon’s offense was highly efficient while racking up 546 total yards with six touchdowns, two field goals and zero punts, and the defense held the Beavers scoreless in the second half. Quarterback DILLON GABRIEL completed his first 15 pass attempts on the way to finishing 20-of-24 for 291 yards and two touchdowns, and he also broke free for a 54-yard rushing TD. JORDAN JAMES rushed for two touchdowns and NOAH WHITTINGTON ran for another, and Gabriel connected with both TRAESHON HOLDEN and JAYDEN LIMAR for scores. Eugene native BRYCE BOETTCHER led the UO defense – which gave up only 309 total yards – with a career-high 11 tackles, and Sheldon High graduate TEITUM TUIOTI added seven tackles with a sack.
LAST TIME VS. UCLA
Oregon has won four straight, 10 of its last 11, and 15 of its last 18 games vs. UCLA, and the Ducks are 1-0 against the Bruins under head coach DAN LANNING after winning a top-10 matchup in Autzen Stadium, 45-30, on Oct. 22, 2022. The win was one for the history books, beginning at 6 a.m. with ESPN College GameDay on campus and culminating in No. 10 Oregon’s statement win over No. 9 UCLA in front of 59,962 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in Autzen Stadium history. Behind a stellar five-touchdown day from quarterback BO NIX, the Ducks notched their first win over a top-10 team in Autzen since 2018 and tied a program record with their 23rd straight home victory. Oregon used a 28-point second quarter to take a 31-13 halftime lead, with a surprise onside kick executed and recovered by kicker ANDREW BOYLE providing a huge momentum swing. Nix found TROY FRANKLIN eight times for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and BUCKY IRVING surpassed 100 rushing yards and also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass.
DUCKS AFTER DARK
Oregon will look to continue its recent run of success in late games as the Ducks prepare for an 8 p.m. PT kickoff at UCLA. The Ducks are 4-0 under head coach DAN LANNING in games that begin at 7 p.m. PT or later, including their 37-34 win over Boise State on Sept. 7 that kicked off at 7 p.m. PT. Oregon has played one game under Lanning at 8 p.m. PT, a 45-27 win at home over Stanford on Oct. 1, 2022, and also has late-night wins over USC (Nov. 11, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.) and Utah (Nov. 19, 2022 | 7:30 p.m.). As a program, UO has won 12 consecutive games when starting at 7 p.m. PT or later with an average margin of victory of 15.2 points during that stretch.
UCLA NOTES
THE MATCHUP
The UCLA football team returns to Pasadena for its second home game of the season when it welcomes No. 8-ranked Oregon (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 28, beginning at 8 p.m. PT. The contest between fellow Big Ten initiates will be nationally televised on FOX. The UCLA Sports Network will broadcast the contest, which will also be aired over SiriusXM.
UCLA owns a 40-32 record all-time against the Ducks, and is hosting Oregon in Pasadena for just the third time since 2015. The Bruins and Ducks have a split their two meetings at the Rose Bowl over the last 10 years, including a 31-14 triumph for UCLA in 2017 and a three-point decision for the Ducks, 34-31, in 2021.
The Bruins are coming off a 34-17 defeat at No. 16 LSU last weekend. Quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for a career-high 281 yards with two passing touchdowns, including TD strikes in the first half to Jack Pedersen and Logan Loya that helped UCLA go into the halftime break tied with the Tigers at 17-17. The hosts went on to outscore UCLA, 17-0, in the second half as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier finished with 352 yards through the air and three touchdown passes. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger had a game-high 12 tackles in his first-career start. The non-conference battle in SEC country drew 100,315 fans to Tiger Stadium.
UCLA officially joined the Big Ten, along with former Pac-12 Conference mates Oregon, USC and Washington, on Aug. 2, 2024. In 1928, UCLA became part of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). When the PCC disbanded in 1959, the Bruins moved to the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU). The AAWU member schools formed the Pacific-8 Conference in 1968 before expanding to the Pacific-10 Conference in 1978 and the Pac-12 in 2011.
It is a year of change for UCLA football, as head coach DeShaun Foster took the reins at his alma mater Feb. 12, 2024. A member of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame for his prowess in the Bruin offensive backfield from 1998-2001, Foster spent seven seasons in the National Football League. He piled up more that 4,500 total yards and 16 touchdowns, including a 33-yard scoring dash in Super Bowl XXXVIII as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Foster spent the previous 11 seasons — including 10 at UCLA — in the collegiate coaching ranks before being promoted from associate head coach and running backs coach.
QUICK HITS
• QB Ethan Garbers is coming off a career-high 281 passing yards and a season-high two touchdowns in UCLA’s 34-17 loss to LSU at Tiger Stadium last Saturday (Sept. 21). • Garbers connected with nine different receivers against the Tigers, with all nine posting at least one catch of 10+ yards (both season highs). WR Logan Loya and TE Jack Pedersen each hauled in their first TD grabs of the season in the game. • WR Kwazi Gilmer made the first two receptions of his career at LSU, each for 25+ yards and setting up scoring drive. The true freshman totaled a team-high 61 receiving yards. • LB Carson Schwesinger made the most of his first-career start at LSU, leading the Bruins with 12 tackles. He became the first Bruin defensive player with double-digit tackles this season. • LB Kain Medrano enters this Saturday as the Big Ten leader in solo tackles per game (6.0). • 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 3.0 tackles for loss, marking the third multi-TFL performance of his career. The Pueblo, Colo. native also paced the Bruins with nine total tackles, including eight solo. • The UCLA defense surrendered just three second-half points, a feat it accomplished twice in 2023, at Hawai’i (Aug. 31). The Bruins shut out Utah (Sept. 23, 2023) and San Diego State (Sept. 9, 2023) in the final 30 minutes of those road contests. • The Bruins piled up five sacks, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions at Hawai’i. The UCLA defense in 2023 never reached all three totals in a single game. The TFL total matched the 2023 group’s season high, which it accomplished in road games against Stanford (Oct. 21) and Utah (Sept. 23). The 2023 Bruins finished with 105 TFL, a program high since 2009. • The Bruins outscored Hawai’i 16-3 in the second half of its 16-13 season-opening road win. That marked the first time a UCLA team won a game after being held scoreless in the first half since Oct. 1, 2005, when it took down Washington 21-17 after trailing 10-0 at halftime.
UNDER CENTER
• Redshirt senior QB Ethan Garbers passed for a career-high 281 yards with a season-high two touchdowns on Sept. 21 at LSU. He went for 198 yards and two scores through the air in the opening half alone. It was the second time this season Garbers registered a new single-game career high for passing yardage. Garbers connected with nine different receivers during that contest, with all nine posting at least one catch of 10+ yards (both season highs). • Garbers began his 2024 campaign by posting a career-high 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. • Against Indiana (Sept. 14), Garbers had a 20-yard run to set up a UCLA touchdown late in the second half. The 20-yard scamper matched his career-long for a rush (2023 vs. Boise State in the LA Bowl). • 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 was named to the watch list for the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, handed out annually to the nation’s top graduating quarterback. • 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. • UCLA’s loss to LSU in 2024 was its first ever when Garbers threw for multiple touchdowns (4-0 in 2023). • Redshirt sophomore QB Justyn Martin made his season debut against Indiana (Sept. 14), completing his lone pass attempt for five yards. • 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. • Justyn Martin and Chase Griffin are the other Bruin QBs on the roster who have 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.
WEEK 4 RESULTS
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20
Illinois 31, Nebraska 24 (OT)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
Ohio State 49, Marshall 14
Indiana 52, Charlotte, 14
Maryland 38, Villanova 20
Rutgers 26, Virginia Tech 23
Penn State 56, Kent State 0
Michigan 27, USC 24
LSU 34, UCLA 17
Washington 24, Northwestern 5
Boston College 23, Michigan State 19
Oregon State 38, Purdue 21
BIG TEN. BIG NEWS.
• Week 5 of the 2024 college football season features a full slate of Big Ten Conference games for the first time this season. This week’s schedule includes eight games between conference foes, including conference openers for Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and the Big Ten debut for Oregon, as well as the first Big Ten home game for USC. The complete schedule is listed to the right.
• This week’s AP and US LBM Coaches Polls include 11 Big Ten teams. Ohio State’s No. 3 ranking leads six teams in the AP Top 25, including No. 8 Oregon, No. 9 Penn State, No. 12 Michigan, No. 13 USC, and No. 19 Illinois, while Indiana, Nebraska, and Iowa received votes. The US LBM Coaches Top 25 also includes six teams: No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Oregon, No. 8 Penn State, No. 12. Michigan, No. 16 USC, and No. 21 Illinois, while five teams, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, and Rutgers, also earned recognition.
• Of the 26 teams who remain undefeated, ix of them reside in the Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Rutgers. Two of them, Illinois and Penn State will meet in primetime on Saturday night in Happy Valley.
• On Monday, the Big Ten announced its Football Players of the Week, presented by IFS.ai. Illinois’ Luke Altmyer and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson shared Offensive Player of the Week honors. Altmyer went 21-for-27 for 215 yards passing and four touchdowns, as the Illini improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1951. Johnson recorded a career-high 206 yards on 21 attempts with a career-high three touchdowns in Iowa’s road win at Minnesota. The junior has recorded at least 100 yards in all four games, making him the first Hawkeye to do so since Mark Weisman in 2012.
• Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart claimed Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying four tackles, including three tackled for loss and a pair of sacks, to go with four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in the Wolverines’ 27-24 win over USC.
• Fellow Wolverine Tommy Doman was named Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging nearly 50 yards on his eight punts in Saturday’s win. Of Doman’s eight punts, five surpassed 50 yards with three downed inside the 15-yard line and two inside the 10. Doman also recorded three touchbacks in his five kickoffs.
• Washington’s Khmori House earned Freshman of the Week accolades after recording his first career interception in Saturday’s 24-5 win over Northwestern. The true freshman finished the game with three tackles and played an integral role in a Huskies’ defensive effort that held the Wildcats to just 112 yards of total offense.
• A pair of Big Ten games went down to the final seconds last week, as Illinois topped Nebraska in overtime, while Michigan topped USC on a game-winning touchdown in the final minute. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer posted his fourth touchdown pass, connecting with Pat Bryant from four yards out, to give the Illini a 21-2 lead on their first possession in overtime. The Illinois defense secured the victory, recording three sacks in Nebraska’s lobe overtime possession.
• In Ann Arbor, USC overcame a 20-10 third quarter deficit, as Miller Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 24-yard touchdown to take a 24-20 lead with 7:01 to play. Minutes later, Michigan’s Kalel Mullings broke free for a 63-yard run before scoring from one yard out to give the Wolverines their winning margin with just 37 seconds to play.
• The top two teams in the regular season standings will meet in the 2024 Discover Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, Ind. The game, which will be broadcast on CBS for the first time ever, will be the first in conference history to match the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the overall conference standings.
