WEEK 6 GAME SCHEDULE
Friday October 4, 2024
Michigan State Spartans vs Oregon Ducks
SERIES HISTORY
Oregon leads, 4-3
In Eugene: Oregon leads, 3-0
In East Lansing: Michigan State leads, 3-0
Neutral Site: Oregon leads, 1-0
Michigan State Notes
• Michigan State plays its second Top-10 opponent in less than a week as the Spartans travel to No. 6/6 Oregon to face the Ducks on Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The game will be televised nationally on FOX with Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst) and Allison Williams (sidelines) on the call. • The Spartans (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) fell to No. 3/3 Ohio State at home last Saturday night, 38-7. 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, before falling at Boston College in Week 4 on a late fourth-quarter touchdown, 23-19. • Oregon, ranked No. 6 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, enters the game 4-0 after topping UCLA, 34-14, last Saturday night in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks began the season with back-to-back home wins over Idaho (24-14) and Boise State (37-34) and beat Oregon State in Corvallis, 49-14, in Week 3. • In playing No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Oregon in back-to-back weeks, this marks the first time MSU has played two straight games against AP Top 10 opponents since 2019, when it faced three consecutive Top 10 teams (No. 4 Ohio State, No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 6 Penn State). • Friday’s game will be the eighth all-time meeting between Michigan State and Oregon. The Ducks lead the overall series, 4-3, including a 7-6 win in the 2018 Redbox Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in the last matchup between the two schools. MSU is 0-3 in Eugene, with the last trip arriving in 2014 when the No. 7 Spartans lost to the No. 3 Ducks, 46-27. The Spartans last beat Oregon in 2015 in the return game in the home-and-home series, toppling the No. 7 Ducks, 31-28, en route to the College Football Playoff. • First-year MSU head coach Jonathan Smith was 2-4 against Oregon during his six years as the Oregon State head coach (2018-23). He led the Beavers to a win over No. 9 Oregon in 2020 for his first win over the Ducks. In 2022, OSU beat the No. 9 Ducks, 38-34, in a 17-point comeback win in Corvallis. As a starting quarterback for the Beavers from 1998-2001, Smith was 2-2 against Oregon, with both victories coming when the Ducks were ranked (No. 15 in 1998; No. 5 in 2000). Smith is 1-1 in games against current Oregon head coach Dan Lanning.
TEAM NOTES: OFFENSE
AIDAN CHILES OFF TO 3-2 START AS MSU’S QB1
• Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles is off to a 3-2 start as the starting quarterback for the Spartans. Chiles has completed 56 percent of his passes (76-of-135) for 1,058 yards (211.6 ypg), five touchdowns and eight 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 86 rushing yards on 33 carries (17.2 ypg).
KAY’RON LYNCH-ADAMS, NATHAN CARTER PACE SPARTANS ON THE GROUND
• 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 (2,015) and Lynch-Adams (2,194) are one of seven 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). • Lynch-Adams, who transferred from UMass over the summer, leads the Spartans in rushing after five games, averaging 61.2 yards per game (58 carries for 306 yards; 5.3 avg., 1 TD). He surpassed the 2,000-career rushing milestone with 46 yards on 10 carries at Maryland; he now has 2,194 career rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs in 53 collegiate games. • Redshirt junior co-captain Nathan Carter has 53 carries for 234 yards (46.8 ypg; 4.4 avg.). He had a career-long 60-yard rushing TD vs. Prairie View A&M on Sept. 14. Carter crossed the 2,000-yard plateau for his career in the Sept. 28 game against No. 3 Ohio State. • Lynch-Adams and Carter have combined for 69 percent of the team’s rushing attempts (111 of 160).
TEAM NOTES: DEFENSE
SPARTANS TIED FOR FIRST IN BIG TEN IN TACKLES FOR LOSS, RANK THIRD IN SACKS
• Michigan State is tied for the Big Ten lead, along with Indiana, with 35.0 tackles for loss (7.0 pg). The Spartans also rank third in the conference with 15 sacks (3.0 pg). • Through the first five games, the Spartan defense ranks among the FBS leaders in sacks (17th with 15; 3.0 pg), red zone defense (21st at .713), team tackles for loss (tied for 27th with 35.0; 7.0 per game), total defense (30th at 300.4 ypg), scoring defense (39th at 19.0 ppg) and rushing defense (40th at 114.4 ypg).
CAPTAIN JORDAN TURNER OFF TO FAST START IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS A SPARTAN
• Fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Turner, a transfer from Wisconsin, was voted a co-captain by his teammates and is off to a fast start wearing the Green and White. Turner leads the team in tackles (31) and TFLs (6.5 for 38) and is tied for the team lead with 3.0 sacks. His 6.5 TFLs are tied for the most in the Big Ten and his three sacks are tied for fifth most. He recorded his fourth career interception in the Ohio State game on Sept. 28 and returned it 36 yards to set up a Spartan touchdown. Turner is graded the second-best linebacker in the Big Ten and sixth best in the FBS by PFF (84.6); he is also ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 3 in the FBS against the run (90.1).
CHARLES BRANTLEY RECORDS LONGEST DEFENSIVE PLAY IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Redshirt junior cornerback Charles Brantley is graded the sixth-best cornerback in the Big Ten and 14thbest in the FBS by Pro Football Focus (79.8). Brantley is tied for first in the Big Ten and tied for third in the FBS with seven passes defended (two interceptions, five PBUs). His two picks are tied for fourth most in the conference. • Brantley set a school record for the longest defensive play in Spartan history with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter vs. Prairie View A&M (previous record: Dan Bass, 99 yards vs. Wisconsin in 1978). It also marked just the 16th time in Big Ten history a player returned a pick six 100 yards for a score. Brantley has two interceptions on the season, tied for fourth most in the Big Ten.
TEAM NOTES: SPECIAL TEAMS
ONATHAN KIM TIED FOR BIG TEN LEAD IN FIELD GOALS
• Sixth-year graduate kicker Jonathan Kim is tied for the Big Ten lead with eight field goals made (8-for-8), which is also tied for ninth most in the FBS. He made a career-high four on the road at Boston College in rainy conditions (41, 26, 51 and 27 yards).
LAST MEETING: OREGON 7, MSU 6 (DEC. 31, 2018, REDBOX BOWL)
• Oregon edged Michigan State, 7-6, in a defensive slugfest in the 2018 Redbox Bowl held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Spartans outgained the Ducks, 331-203 and held a significant advantage in time of possession (37:15-22:45), but Justin Herbert’s 28-yard pass to Dillon Mitchell with 11:19 left in the fourth quarter was enough to preserve the comeback victory for Oregon. Herbert, the No. 6 overall draft pick, was held to 19-of-33 passing for 166 yards. Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott was named the Redbox Bowl Outstanding Defensive Player after recording a career-high four pass break-ups and three tackles, including one for a loss of 8 yards. Scott became just the second Spartan to earn bowl MVP honors in a losing effort (Andre Rison, 1989 Gator Bowl Offensive MVP)
Oregon Notes
TALKING POINTS
B1G HOME OPENER
After earning its first conference win as a member of the Big Ten last week at UCLA, No. 6 Oregon will host a Big Ten game in Autzen Stadium for the first time on Friday night against Michigan State. The Ducks will welcome a familiar foe in MSU head coach Jonathan Smith, who led rival Oregon State for the past six years prior to taking over with the Spartans. UO owns a 4-3 lead all-time against Michigan State and is 3-0 against the Spartans in Autzen Stadium, including a 46-27 win in a top-10 showdown in 2014. In the last meeting between the two teams, Oregon grinded out a 7-6 win in the 2018 Red Box Bowl.
A WIN WOULD…
• Be the Ducks’ first Big Ten home victory. • Make Oregon 5-0 to start the season for the second year in a row and fifth time since 2010. • Improve UO to 3-0 at home to open a season for the seventh year in a row (excluding 2020). • Make Oregon 4-0 all-time at home against Michigan State. • Improve the Ducks to 7-0 in Friday night games at Autzen.
DUCKS WIN BIG TEN DEBUT
The Big Ten era of Oregon football got off to a successful start last Saturday night at UCLA, as the Ducks improved to 4-0 on the season with a 34-13 win at the Rose Bowl. Oregon was led by a disruptive defense, which held the Bruins to just 172 total yards and 47 rushing yards while keeping the UCLA offense out of the end zone. BRYCE BOETTCHER and TYSHEEM JOHNSON each came away with interceptions, and JORDAN BURCH had two of UO’s seven tackles for loss. UCLA’s lone touchdown came on an interception return just before halftime, but Oregon’s offense was otherwise efficient and explosive as DILLON GABRIEL completed 31-of-41 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those scores went to TEZ JOHNSON, who finished with 11 catches for 121 yards, and TRAESHON HOLDEN caught the first for Oregon’s first Big Ten touchdown. JORDAN JAMES matched his career-high with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown.
TEAM NOTES
FRIDAY NIGHT MAGIC
Oregon will look to remain unbeaten when playing on Friday nights in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks have gone 6-0 in those games since first hosting on a Friday night in Autzen on Nov. 26, 2010, vs. Arizona (48-29), including a 31-7 win over Oregon State on Friday night to conclude the 2023 regular season. Overall, Oregon is 12-4 on Friday nights since 2010.
DUCKS AFTER DARK
The Ducks will aim to continue their recent success in night games as they prepare for Friday’s 6 p.m. start. The Ducks are 6-0 under head coach Dan Lanning in games that begin at 6 p.m. PT or later, including their 34-13 win at UCLA last Saturday (8 p.m.) and a 37-34 win at home against Boise State on Sept. 7 (7 p.m.). As a program, Oregon has won 14 of its last 15 games when kicking off at 6 p.m. PT or later, and the Ducks are 24-5 since 2018 when kicking off at 5 p.m. PT or later.
HOME COOKIN’
Oregon has been one of the most dominant teams in the nation at home over the last decade-plus, and the Ducks are off to a 2-0 start in Autzen Stadium this season after going a perfect 7-0 at home in 2023. It was Oregon’s fourth undefeated season at home since 2019 and 11th in program history, and the Ducks were one of eight teams in the nation to go unbeaten at home while playing at least seven home games. Oregon is 33-1 (.971) at home since an overtime loss to Stanford on Sept. 22, 2018, a span that included 23 straight home wins that matched the longest home win streak in program history. UO is 42-3 (.933) at home since the start of the 2017 season, boasting the nation’s fifth-best win percentage at home during that time while tying for the sixth-most wins. Oregon’s success at home against nonconference opponents extends even further, as the Ducks own the nation’s longest active nonconference home winning streak at 34 games after picking up wins over Idaho and Boise State to open 2024. UO has not lost a nonconference home game since Sept. 20, 2008 – a 37-32 loss to Boise State – and has been dominant overall in Autzen Stadium in that span with an 89-11 (.890) record at home since the start of the 2009 season.
Saturday October 5, 2024
UCLA Bruins vs Penn State Nittany Lions
UCLA’s ALL-TIME RESULTS VS. PENN STATE
Overall Record — 4-2 Record
in Los Angeles — 2-1 Record
at Rose Bowl Stadium — 0-0
Record at Coliseum — 2-1
Record at Beaver Stadium — 2-1
UCLA Notes
THE MATCHUP
The UCLA football team plays its first Big Ten Conference road game in program history Saturday when it visits Beaver Stadium, home of the seventh-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten). The game will be nationally-televised on FOX, which is also slated to have its “Big Noon Kickoff” air from University Park, Pa. Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft are on the call. The UCLA Sports Network will provide radio coverage of the contest, which will also be aired over SiriusXM. UCLA and Penn State are facing off for the first time since 1968, when the third-ranked Nittany Lions recorded a 21-6 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Penn State entered the matchup on a 10-game winning streak, which started after quarterback Gary Beban and the No. 3 Bruins dealt the Nittany Lions a 17-15 setback at Beaver Stadium the previous year. UCLA leads the all-time series 4-2. The Bruins are coming off a 34-13 defeat against No. 8 Oregon last weekend at the Rose Bowl Stadium. UCLA’s Ethan Garbers connected on 12 of 20 pass attempts for 118 yards. Bruins’ kicker Mateen Bhaghani was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals, converting a career-best 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. Dillon Gabriel completed 31 of 41 passes for 280 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception for the Ducks. His pick was returned 96 yards for a score by Bryan Addison just before halftime. Carson Schwesinger led the UCLA defense, which held Oregon to just six second-half points, with 13 total tackles. 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 logged a career-high 281 passing yards and a season-high two touchdowns in UCLA’s 34-17 loss to LSU at Tiger Stadium (Sept. 21). He connected with nine different receivers against the Tigers, with all nine posting at least one catch of 10+ yards (both season highs). • 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. Gilmer made the first start of his career against Oregon last weekend and recorded team bests or four catches and 31 yards through the air. • LB Carson Schwesinger made the most of his first career start at LSU, leading the Bruins with 12 tackles. He one-upped himself the next week against Oregon, posting a team-high 13. • Schwesinger’s enters this Saturday as the Big Ten leader in solo tackles per game (5.8). • LB Kain 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 unit gave up just six second-half points against Oregon last weekend. • 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.
BRUIN BALL CARRIERS
• RB T.J. Harden leads UCLA with 141 rushing yards on 41 attempts (3.0 yards per carry). RBs Keegan Jones and Jalen Berger are each averaging 5+ yards per carry with 5.5 and 5.1 yards, respectively. • Harden had a season-long 21-yard rush in the start of the third quarter versus Oregon (Sept. 28) before finishing with a season-high 53 rushing yards. • Harden has also been Garbers’ top pass-catching option this season with a team-high 13 receptions for 88 yards. • Berger made his second appearance of the season in the second half at LSU (Sept. 21) and went for 13 yards on his first carry of the game. He touched the ball six times – three carries and three catches – for a total of 38 all-purpose yards. • Jones totaled a team-high 72 all-purpose yards on six plays at LSU on Sept. 21 (50 receiving, 22 rushing). Jones 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. • 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), 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 Rico Flores Jr. enters Saturday’s contest versus Penn State as the team leader in receiving yards (187) and yards per reception (15.6). Three different Bruins have hauled in TD receptions this season: Flores Jr., TE Jack Pedersen and WR Logan Loya. • Flores 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. WR J. Michael 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 (three times, Dec. 16) and versus Coastal Carolina (Sept. 2). • Flores’ season-best marks from 2023 included a 102-yard game on eight catches against Wake Forest and a seasonlong 60-yard catch-and-run against Pittsburgh. • WR Kwazi Gilmer made his first-career start versus Oregon last week 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+ 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 Logan Loya had an 11-yard touchdown catch to tie the game late in the first half at LSU on Sept. 21. It was his first TD catch of the season and ninth of his career. He’s caught at least one TD pass in each of the last 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.
Penn State Notes
• OPENING KICK: No. 7/7 Penn State hosts UCLA on Saturday, October 5 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon on FOX.
• BIG NOON KICKOFF: Penn State will appear as FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff for the second time this season. Penn State was the featured game for its 34-12 win over West Virginia.
• SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets UCLA for the seventh time in program history. Penn State trails 4-2 in the all-time series and is set for the first matchup since 1968 and the first contest as Big Ten opponents. Four of the last six matchups have been decided by one possession. PSU won the last matchup, 21-6, in 1968. The opening score of the game came on a blocked punt by Jack Ham, which was scooped up and returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Jim Kates.
• 2,000-YARD BACKFIELD DUO: Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton once again combined for a dynamic performance against Illinois. Allen rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Singleton tallied 139 all-purpose yards (94 rushing) and scored on a 4-yard run. On the day, Allen went over the 2,000 career rushing yards mark for his career. Allen (2,058) and Singleton (2,221) are the second set of Penn State teammates to each have 2,000 career rushing yards, joining Lydell Mitchell (2,934; 1969-71) and Franco Harris (2,002; 1969-71).
• SECOND HALF SHUTOUT: The Nittany Lions shut out Illinois in the second half last Saturday, holding the Illini to 59 total yards, including -19 rushing yards. Extending that into the first half, from the 1:41 mark of the second quarter until the end of the game, PSU allowed just 39 total yards. On the season, Penn State has allowed just nine second-half points and ranks second in the country in second-half points allowed per game (2.25). PSU has not allowed a point in the third quarter this year.
• THE OPPOSITION: UCLA is 1-3 this season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Bruins fell 34-13 against Oregon last Saturday. Ethan Garbers threw for 118 yards, while T.J. Harden rushed for 53. Bryan Addison had a 96-yard pick-six, while adding eight tackles and a pass breakup. Carson Schwesinger led the team with 13 tackles (8 solo).
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
• UCLA is 1-3 this season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. • The Bruins earned a 16-13 win at Hawaii to open the season, but fell against Indiana (42-13), No. 14/13 LSU (34-17) and No. 8/7 Oregon (34-13). • In the Oregon game, UCLA gained 172 total yards, while allowing 431. • Ethan Garbers threw for 118 yards, while T.J. Harden rushed for 53. • On defense, Bryan Addison returned an interception 96 yards for a score. • UCLA is averaging 14.8 points and 262.0 total yards per game. • Garbers has completed 57.3 percent of his passes for 808 yards and three touchdowns. • Harden leads the rushing attack with 125 yards and a touchdown, while Rico Flores Jr. is the top receiving target with 12 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown. • UCLA’s defense is allowing 30.8 points and 398.3 total yards per contest. • LB Carson Schwesinger leads the squad with 34 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. • LB Kain Medrano paces the team with four tackles for loss to go with 24 tackles and a forced fumble. • K Mateen Bhaghani is 8-of-9 on field goal attempts this season with a long of 54. • P Brody Richter is averaging 44.5 yards per punt.
PENN STATE VS. BIG TEN
• Penn State is 51-22 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 257-130-3 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 161-94 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 vs Wisconsin Badgers
Purdue Notes
STORY LINES
• Kicking off the month of October, Purdue Football hits the road and travels north to face Wisconsin. Kickoff from Camp Randall Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET on BTN. • The Boilermakers are in the midst of a stretch that features three road games over four contests. That ends next week at Illinois to cap consecutive weeks away from home. • Tight end Drew Biber (Cedarburg) and offensive lineman Marcus Mbow (Milwaukee) are the only two Boilermakers from the state of Wisconsin. • Purdue has the nation’s most efficient special teams unit, ranking No. 1 in ESPN’s College Football Power Index. • The Boilermakers blocked a pair of field goals in the first half last weekend against Nebraska, bringing their blocked kicks total to three on the season to lead the nation. It marked the first time Purdue blocked two field goals in a game since Sept. 3, 2011, against Middle Tennessee. • Kydran Jenkins ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (0.88 per game) and ranks 16th nationally. The senior linebacker also ranks fourth in the conference with 1.4 tackles-for-loss per game. • In last year’s matchup against the Badgers, Jenkins recorded team highs in total tackles (9) and solo tackles (7). • Against Nebraska, Devin Mockobee moved to 11th on Purdue’s all-time rushing list (2,096 yards) by passing legendary Boilermaker running back Leroy Keyes (2,094). • Purdue boasts the nation’s 20th-best passing defense, allowing only 156.8 yards per game through the air. The Boilermakers have only allowed three touchdown passes by opposing quarterbacks this season. • Tight end Max Klare leads the Boilermakers in receptions (13), receiving yards (193) and receiving touchdowns (2). • After recording five receptions for 33 yards through the first three games of the season, sophomore Jaron Tibbs caught five passes for 46 yards versus Nebraska to lead Purdue and set new career highs. • One of the nation’s leading tacklers as an All-American a season ago, sophomore Dillon Thieneman ranks third in the Big Ten in total tackles (8.5 per game) and solo tackles (5.3 per game) this year. The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has recorded 23 tackles over the last two games. • 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. • Joseph Jefferson has recorded 19 tackles over the last two games. Jefferson made three tackles through his first 14 games as a Boilermaker, dating back to the 2022 season. • 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. • The Boilermakers have only one first down by opponents’ penalties this season.
Wisconsin Notes
BADGERS HOST THE BOILERMAKERS
• The Wisconsin Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison to host the Purdue Boilermakers. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on Saturday and will be broadcast live on BTN. Wisconsin is in search of its first Big Ten win in ’24 after a loss at No. 13 USC. • Wisconsin has won 17 consecutive meetings with Purdue and have claimed the last 8 meetings in Madison. The Badgers have not lost to Purdue since 2003. • With Big Ten play underway, UW owns a 59-31 (.656) record against Big Ten opponents over the last 10 full seasons (since 2014). Ohio State (83-7) and Michigan (68-22) are the only programs to post more Big Ten wins over that span.
KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
• Wisconsin has won 17 straight meetings with the Boilermakers. Only 3 Power 4 programs hold longer active winning streaks over current conference opponents. The only Big Ten program with a longer active win streak over a conference opponent is Ohio State (vs. Indiana, 29 games). • 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 threw for 180 yards and score on 13-for-26 passing at USC last week. His 63-yard TD pass to Vinny Anthony was UW’s longest passing TD since 2021. • Last fall, 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). • RB Tawee Walker found the end zone twice at USC to record his 3rd career multi-TD performance. Walker has scored a touchdown in 5 of the last 6 games he’s received 8+ carries, dating back to last season at Oklahoma. • 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. • Safeties Preston Zachman and Austin Brown were disruptive in the first half at USC. Zachman grabbed an INT, the 4th of his career, and Brown recorded a strip-sack. Brown finished with 9 tackles, a game-high. • Wisconsin’s defense broke up 8 passes vs. USC, the most in a game since 2022 (at Northwestern, Oct. 8, 2022). The Badgers also forced 3 turnovers for the first time since last season’s Ohio State matchup (Oct. 28, 2023) and generated 17 pressures (PFF) – the most since last season’s meeting with Illinois (Oct. 21, 2023).
Indiana Hoosiers vs Northwestern Wildcats
Indiana Notes
SETTING THE SCENE
• For the first time since the 2019 season and the 83rd time in program history, Indiana will play Northwestern in Evanston on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 ET at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium (12,023) on the Big Ten Network. • Indiana enters the matchup with a national ranking in the AP and Coaches Poll for the first time since Week 1 of the 2021 season. • The matchup will mark the first time the two teams have played in Evanston since the 2016 season. • Northwestern owns the advantage in the all-time series, 47-35-1. Indiana won the last matchup in 2019, but Northwestern has won five of the last six meetings. • In the 2019 matchup, the Hoosiers bested the Wildcats, 34-3, to push Indiana’s record to 7-2 on the season.
NEWS & NOTES
• Indiana enters the game with a 5-0 record after defeating Maryland (9/28), 42-28, in Week 5. This is Indiana’s third time in program history starting a season 5-0 (2024, 1967, 1910). • Curt Cignetti is the only Indiana head coach to start his head coaching tenure with a 5-0 record. • The Hoosiers won a game with four turnovers against Maryland, the first victory in a game with four turnovers since 2016 against Purdue (26-24). • Scoring has come in bunches for Indiana as it has scored 40-plus points in four-straight games for the first time since 2015 (Week 11-13, bowl). • The Hoosiers have accounted for three games with 500-plus yards of offense in 2024 (703, Western Illinois; 510, Charlotte; 510, Maryland). The most in a season since 2020 (four games). • Senior running back Justice Ellison scored on a 19-yard run in the third quarter in Week 5 against Maryland (9/28). Ellison has notched a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games dating back to Week 2 versus Western Illinois (9/6). • Junior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt moved his consecutive games with a catch streak to 30-straight games with his 9-yard reception in the first quarter against Maryland. Sarratt enjoyed a seven-catch day for 128 yards and one touchdown. It was his ninth-career 100-yard receiving game. • Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher tied a season-high 12 tackles against Maryland and has logged eight-plus tackles in each of the first five weeks of the season. It was his sixth career double-digit tackle game and second of his IU tenure. • Redshirt senior James Carpenter had a career-high 2.0 sacks against Maryland which also contributed to the Hoosiers’ 8.0 tackles for loss against the Terrapins. • Sophomore defensive back D’Angelo Ponds charted a career-high 10 tackles against Maryland. • Indiana is tied for the ninth-fewest returning players in the FBS and tied for third-fewest returning scholarship players. • Of Indiana’s 28 transfers, the list includes 11 defensive players, 15 offensive players and two specialists. There are 28 players from Division I, including 28 from the FBS and one from the FCS. • The 10 on-field assistants for the Hoosiers rank No. 4 in the FBS and No. 2 in the Power 4 in average age at 38.2 years old. Only Georgia Tech (33.2) has a younger group of assistant coaches.
Northwestern Notes
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
Northwestern, which has won six of its last eight games dating back to last season, welcomes Indiana to Evanston for the first time since 2016 for the first of two Big Ten Conference games inside Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium this season. The Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 B1G) are entering Saturday’s tilt against the Hoosiers coming off a bye after falling in their conference opener at Washington 24-5 on Sept. 21. LB Xander Mueller was all over the field, posting 8 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery. The grad student leads the team in tackles (28), tackles for loss (3.0) and passes broken up (4). He is the only player in the country to post at least 28 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and four passes broken up this season. Northwestern’s offensive line has surrendered just three sacks this season, which ranks tied with Ohio State for the best mark in the Big Ten and t-9th nationally. The Wildcats last allowed three or fewer sacks over the season’s first four games in 2015 (3). On the defensive side of the ball, Northwestern ranks in the top 25 nationally in both scoring defense and rushing yards allowed per game. Northwestern is 10th in FBS allowing 79.3 rushing yards per game and 23rd in scoring defense (15.8 ppg). The last time Northwestern allowed fewer points per game over the season’s first four games was when the 2020 Big Ten West Division champion defense allowed just 14.0 ppg. The defense has allowed just one rushing touchdown this year, Northwestern’s fewest over the season’s first four games since at least 2000. The ‘Cats have totaled 12 sacks this season with their average of 3.0 sacks per game ranking 17th nationally. Northwestern 12 sacks over the season’s first four games is its most since posting 12 in 2014. The Wildcats are 47-35-1 all-time against Indiana and have won five of the last six meetings and nine of the last 11. Northwestern has won eight straight at home, last losing on Oct. 23, 1993
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Northwestern’s defense is surrendering 79.3 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 10th-best in FBS. For the first time since at least 2000, the Wildcats have allowed just one rushing touchdown over the first four games of a season. Since at least 2000, Northwestern’s 173 rushing yards allowed this season is the fewest over a season’s first three games and the fewest yards per carry (2.3). The Wildcats have recorded four interceptions this season, which ranks 15th in the nation. DBs Devin Turner, Theran Johnson, Robert Fitzgerald and Evan Smith each have recorded a pick. Northwestern is allowing an average of 15.8 points per game, which ranks 23rd nationally. It is the fifth-fewest points per game Northwestern has allowed over the season’s first four games since 1990.
SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL PLAYS
NU’s kickoff return unit has been outstanding this year, averaging 34.0 yards per return, which ranks second in the country behind Oregon (43.0). Joseph Himon II leads the country averaging 42.6 yards per return on his five kick returns this season (213 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:
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes
THE SERIES: OHIO STATE VS. IOWA
• The game will be No. 67 in the series that began 102 years ago (1922) with a 12-9 Iowa victory in the fifth game ever in brand new Ohio Stadium. • Ohio State leads the all-time series in wins, 47 to 15, and there have been three ties. • Ohio State is 31-9-1 vs. Iowa in Ohio Stadium and has won eight consecutive games there. Iowa’s last win in Columbus: 16-9 in 1991. • The 55 points Iowa scored against Ohio State in 2017 is a 29-year high by an opponent against the Buckeyes, or since Penn State scored 63 on the Buckeyes in 1994.
Iowa Notes
• Saturday’s game is head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 14th road game against a top 10 opponent. Iowa has three top 10 road wins under Ferentz and 11 career victories against top 10 foes (home or away). • Ferentz tied Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg for second in Big Ten history with his 199th victory as a member of the Big Ten Conference on Sept. 21 at Minnesota. He trails only Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (205). • Ohio native Kaleb Johnson notched his second career 200-yard game (fourth consecutive 100-yard game), finishing with a career-high 206 yards on 21 attempts and three touchdowns in the road win at Minnesota on Sept. 21. He was named the Doak Walker National RB of the Week and Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. • Johnson is the first Hawkeye since Mark Weisman in 2012 to have four straight 100-yard games and he is one of just Big Ten players with 680+ rush yards and 9+ touchdowns through a team’s first four games since 2000 (Javon Ringer, MSU, 2008; Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota, 2020). • Big play KJ… Johnson has 12 rushes of 20+ yards and four touchdown runs of 25+ yards this season. Iowa has 14 20+ yard rushes in 2024. • Iowa’s rushing attack has churned out 200+ yards in each of the first four games – a first for the program since 2013. The team’s 250.3 yards per game ranks second in the Big Ten and 10th nationally. • Freshman punter Rhys Dakin was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week following his Week 4 performance at Minnesota. He punted five times, averaging 49.6 yards per punt with three inside the 20 and three 50+ yard punts. • TOs – The Hawkeyes have forced seven turnovers in four games – five interceptions, two fumble recoveries. The seven takeaways are fifth in the Big Ten and 42nd nationally. • TO free – Iowa’s offense has committed just two turnovers in 16 quarters this season. Iowa hasn’t committed a turnover since Week 2 against Iowa State. Iowa is one of 12 teams not to have lost a fumble so far in 2024. • Iowa has played seven games decided by a single possession since the start of the 2023 season. The Hawkeyes are 5-2 in such games. • The Hawkeyes are averaging 32 points and 397.8 yards of total offense through the first month of 2024, which ranks 53rd and 65th nationally, respectively. Iowa’s 33:10 time of possession is 14th in the nation. • Senior LB Jay Higgins has led the team in tackles in all four games. He has a team-high 34 tackles (12 solo, 22 assisted), which ranks third in the Big Ten, and two interceptions. He had his 12th career 10+ tackle game in Week 2 against Iowa State. • DB Jermari Harris had his first career pick-six, returning an interception 28-yards for a touchdown in Week 3 against Troy. It extended Iowa’s pick-six streak to 17 straight years, the longest active streak nationally. Harris ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with two interceptions. He also ranks second in the country in passes defended per game (1.8). • Iowa’s rushing defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards in each of the first four games, including just 24 yards in Week 3 against Troy. The 24 yards were the fewest allowed by the Hawkeyes since 2022. The unit allows 62 rushing yards per game, fourth fewest in the nation, and hasn’t allowed a touchdown on the ground. • Don’t beat yourself! Iowa didn’t commit a penalty in Week 3 against Troy. It was the third game since the start of the 2023 season where the Hawkeyes didn’t commit a penalty. Iowa leads the nation in fewest penalties (11), fewest penalties per game (2.75), fewest penalty yards (95) and fewest penalty yards per game (23.75). • Iowa has had 400+ yards in two of the first four games under first-year OC Tim Lester. The last time the offense had 400+ yards twice in a season came in 2021. • Iowa’s defense allowed just 189 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers to pitch its first season-opening shutout since 2005. Iowa has eight shutouts since 2018, second most in the FBS in that span (Georgia, 9). • Iowa’s defense has allowed fewer than 400 yards in 32 consecutive games — the longest active streak nationally. The unit has allowed 14 or fewer points in 21 of their last 31 games and it has held 10 teams without a touchdown since the start of the 2022 season. • Since the start of the 2015 season, Iowa is 74-3 when leading by eight points at any point in a game.
McNAMARA UNDER CENTER
Senior Cade McNamara has completed 64-of-102 passes for 588 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, completing 62.7 percent of his attempts. The Nevada native is averaging 147 passing yards per game. • In 25 career starts, McNamara has a 20-5 record. • McNamara finished with 251 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing 21-of-31 attempts on Aug. 31 against Illinois State. The 251 yards and three TDs were McNamara’s highs as a Hawkeye and the yardage total is a high by an Iowa quarterback since 2021. • In the second half, McNamara was brilliant, completing 13-of-14 attempts for 177 yards and three TDs. • It was the fifth time in McNamara’s career he has passed for 250 or more yards and his third career game with three or more touchdown passes. • In Week 3 against Troy, McNamara completed 19-of-23 attempts for 176 yards, completing 83.2 percent of his passes — his high-water mark as a Hawkeye.
SULLY IN THE (RED) ZONE
The Hawkeyes are 4-for-4 in red zone scoring opportunities with junior QB Brendan Sullivan under center this season. Iowa rolled out the package in Week 3 against Troy. • Sullivan recorded his first career completion and touchdown pass as a Hawkeye in the Week 3 win over Troy — a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Addison Ostrenga. In Week 4 at Minnesota, Sullivan had a 1-yard rushing touchdown – his first of the season.
STEADY JACOB
Northwestern transfer Jacob Gill has been a steadying force in Iowa’s wide receiving corps, leading the team with 13 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown. The North Carolina native had a combined 17 catches in his three seasons with the Wildcats. • Gill had three catches for 46 yards and a 31-yard touchdown in his Hawkeye debut against Illinois State. In Week 3, he had a team-best five catches for 44 yards. • Gill has two of Iowa’s top five explosive plays in the passing game with a 31-yard catch in Week 1 and a 21-yarder vs. Iowa State.
CLEAN, DISCIPLINED FOOTBALL
The Hawkeyes didn’t commit a penalty in their Week 3 victory over Troy. It was the third game since the start of the 2023 season and the fourth time in the team’s last 20 games where the team wasn’t penalized. Since 1970, Iowa has 10 games where it hasn’t committed a penalty. • Iowa is leading the nation in fewest penalties (11), fewest penalties per game (2.75), fewest penalty yards (95) and fewest penalty yards per game (23.75). • Since committing seven penalties for 50 yards in Week 1, the Hawkeyes have four penalties for 45 yards over their last three games.
TIGHT END PRODUCTION
Five different tight ends have a reception this season with the group combining for 28 catches for 212 yards and one touchdown in four games this season. Four different tight ends have at least three receptions. • Fifth-year senior Luke Lachey (12 catches, 97 yards) and junior Addison Ostrenga (11 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD) have combined for 23 catches for 160 yards and one touchdown. Lachey and Ostrenga are second and third on the team, respectively.
WHAT AN OFFENSIVE DEBUT
The Hawkeyes finished with 492 yards of total offense under first-year Tim Lester offensive coordinator in the season opener against Illinois State. The unit had a balanced attack with 251 passing yards and 241 rushing yards. • The 492 yards are the most in a season opener since 2002 (593 yards vs. Akron) and the most by the unit since 2019 (644 yards vs. Middle Tennessee State).
DDDDDD-EFENSE
Iowa’s defense allowed just 189 yards in its 40-0 shutout victory over Illinois State in Week 1. The Hawkeyes have limited seven opponents to 200 yards or less since 2022. • Iowa’s defense limited Minnesota to 66 yards and just five first downs in the second half. • Iowa has held all four of its opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing in the first four games (Illinois State, 56; Iowa State, 89; Troy, 24; Minnesota, 79). The 24 yards are the fewest for the unit since 2022. • The Hawkeyes allow just 62 rushing yards per game in 2024, which is second in the Big Ten and fourth nationally. Iowa’s opponents haven’t scored a rushing touchdown this season. • Iowa is limiting its opponents to a 29.1 percent conversion rate (16-of-55) on third down. The unit is third in the league and 17th nationally. • Iowa is fourth in first down defense (52), 15th in scoring defense (13.8), 17th in defensive touchdowns (1), 18th in total defense (272.8), 31st in interceptions (5) and 42nd in turnovers (7). • The unit has four shutouts since the start of the 2022 season and the Hawkeyes have eight shutouts since 2018, second-most in FBS during that span.
Ohio State Notes
• Ohio State, 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten Conference, hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1 and 1-0 Big Ten) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. CBS will have the national broadcast. • This is Ohio State’s Hall of Fame weekend with 14 new enshrines into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame to be honored at a banquet Friday and on the fi eld Saturday. • Two Big Ten champion teams will be honored this weekend: the 50th anniversary of the 1974 team and the 45th anniversary of the 1979 team. • The game will start a rough and tough stretch of games for the Buckeyes with the Hawkeyes receiving Top 25 votes in both polls followed by games at No. 6 Oregon, vs. Nebraska (receiving votes) and at No. 7 Penn State. • This is only the third meeting between Ohio State and Iowa since 2013. The teams played at Iowa City in 2017 (a 55-24 Iowa win) and in 2022 in Columbus (a 54-10 Ohio State win). • Ohio State will wear all gray uniforms – a dark steel gray as compared with the team’s typical wolf gray – with scarlet accents vs. Iowa. • Ohio State and Iowa will next play in the regular season in 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
DEFENSIVE STOPS
• After allowing 186 yards in the first half against Michigan State, Ohio State’s defense gave up just 60 in the second half. • The Buckeyes allowed just the one touchdown thanks in part to three first-half red zone stops: a fourth down tackle by Cody Simon at the Ohio State 20 and forced fumbles by Lathan Ransom and Jordan Hancock at the Ohio State 11 and 16 yard lines, respectively. • Caleb Downs led the defense with six tackles. Jack Sawyer and Sonny Styles secured the fumble recoveries.
SUCCESS WITH 3+ TAKEAWAYS
• Ohio State has won 29 consecutive games when it forces three or more opponent turnovers, as it did with three forced vs. Michigan State. • The last loss after a three-takeaway game came in 2014 to Virginia Tech, 35-21. • Ohio State records for most takeways/ turnovers forced in a game: 1) 12 vs. Iowa in 1950; 2) 10 vs. Iowa in 1979; 3) 6 vs. Iowa in 2022 (Most recent of five times).
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
SERIES HISTORY: NEBRASKA VS. RUTGERS
Nebraska and Rutgers will be meeting for the seventh time overall and the sixth time as Big Ten Conference opponents. The Huskers have won each of the six matchups in the series, including victories at Memorial Stadium in 2014 and 2017. • The most recent meeting occurred in a Friday night matchup at Rutgers in the 2022 season, with the Huskers winning 14-13. • Saturday’s game will be the first matchup in Lincoln since the 2017 season when Nebraska posted a 27-17 victory over the Scarlet Knights. • Before the 2014 matchup in Lincoln, the schools had not met since a 28-0 Nebraska victory in 1920 at the famous New York Polo Grounds.
Rutgers Notes
• Rutgers travels to Nebraska for its first Big Ten road game of the season. The Scarlet Knights last visited Memorial Stadium in 2017. • Rutgers is 4-0 for the first time as a Big Ten member and first time overall since 2012, a season that started 7-0. The Scarlet Knights seek to move to 5-0, a feat achieved seven times previously in program history (1918, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1976, 2006, 2012). • Rutgers ranks second nationally in red zone defense (54.5), fifth in fewest penalties per game (4.0), eighth in time of possession (33:38), 12th in rushing offense (237.8), 17th in third down conversion percentage (51.0), 18th in first downs defense (66), 21st in fewest sacks allowed (1.0) and 29th in scoring defense (16.3). • Rutgers has scored a touchdown on 16-of-23 trips to the red zone (70 percent), while holding opponents to 4-for-11 (36 percent). • Rutgers is 15-1 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. • Rutgers has scored points in 14 of the first 16 quarters of the season. The Scarlet Knights have not allowed a touchdown in the first quarter. • 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 1,413 games in program history on record dating back to 1869, the most in the sport.
VERSUS NEBRASKA
• Rutgers will take on Nebraska for the sixth time since joining the Big Ten in 2014, seventh time overall and third time in Lincoln. • In the last meeting on a Friday in 2022, Rutgers jumped out to a 13-0 lead at halftime. However, the Cornhuskers took advantage of three turnovers, posted two touchdowns and took a 14-13 win. Noah Vedral scored a 21-yard rushing touchdown, with Jude McAtamney connecting for field goals from 25 and 40. RB Samuel Brown V rushed for 63 yards on 16 carries. Both Max Melton and Christian Braswell hauled in interceptions, with DL Aaron Lewis notching a sack. • Rutgers concluded its 2020 season hosting Nebraska on a Friday night at SHI Stadium. The Cornhuskers won, 28-21. Christian Izien was involved in gaining four turnovers, including two interceptions, while WR Aron Cruickshank recorded a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown. • In 2017 at Memorial Stadium, Rutgers put together an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Gus Edwards, but Nebraska answered and went on to win, 27-17. The game featured three lead changes. Both Blessuan Austin and Kiy Hester recorded interceptions, with Hester returning his pick for a 33-yard touchdown. • Nebraska won the first meeting in Piscataway in 2015, 31-14. After falling behind 21-0, Robert Martin scored a one-yard rushing touchdown and Chris Laviano hauled in a five-yard pass from Janarion Grant to make it 21-14 in the third quarter. The Cornhuskers responded with a touchdown and a field goal. RU had three picks on the day, its most in a Big Ten game. • The first Big Ten game took place in Lincoln in 2014. Leonte Carroo totaled 127 receiving yards, including a 71-yard touchdown from Gary Nova. Both Martin and Desmon Peoples added rushing scores against the 16th-ranked Cornhuskers. • The first meeting between the programs took place in 1920 in a game played at the Polo Grounds in New York City, as the Cornhuskers prevailed, 28-0. • The next game in the series in scheduled for 2026 in Piscataway. • Rutgers previously faced Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule when he led Temple in 2013, with the Scarlet Knights winning in Piscataway, 23-20. • Running backs coach Damiere Shaw was on Rhule’s staff at Temple from 2013-16 and at the beginning of his stint in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. • Rutgers game highs versus Nebraska: Rushing Yards: Samuel Brown V, 63 (2022) Passing Yards: Chris Laviano, 165 (2015) Receiving Yards: Leonte Carroo, 127 (2014)
LAST TIME OUT
• Rutgers held off Washington to win its Big Ten opener, 21-18, at SHI Stadium. It was the Scarlet Knights’ first win over the Huskies in three attempts. • Rutgers won its Big Ten opener for the third time in five years under head coach Greg Schiano. • Rutgers scored touchdowns on both of its trips to the red zone and held Washington scoreless on three of its possessions inside the 20 and to 2-for-12 on third down. • RB Kyle Monangai rushed for 132 yards on 25 attempts, adding a touchdown. RB Samuel Brown V ripped off a 37-yard score on the ground, while QB Athan Kaliakmanis found WR Ian Strong for a 15-yard touchdown pass. • LB Dariel Djabome led the team with 12 tackles. • The attendance of 54,079 marked the second-highest in stadium history.
Nebraska Notes
Nebraska returns to Lincoln for Homecoming Weekend as the Huskers take on Rutgers in a Big Ten Conference matchup at Memorial Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m. CT with FS1 providing the television coverage of the contest. The game can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network and the Huskers App.
The Huskers stand at 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten Conference play following a 28-10 road victory at Purdue. After trailing 3-0 deep into the third quarter, Nebraska exploded for 28 points in just over 12 minutes of action to pull away for the victory. The Nebraska defense limited Purdue to just three points until the game’s final minutes, while the balanced Husker offense drove into Purdue territory on every possession in the game.
Rutgers comes to Lincoln with a 4-0 record following a 21-18 victory on Friday night against Washington in the Scarlet Knights’ Big Ten opener. The win over the Huskies followed a perfect non-conference slate highlighted by a road victory at Virginia Tech. Coach Greg Schiano’s team features one of the nation’s top rushing offenses, as Rutgers averages 237.8 rushing yards per contest and better than 420 yards per game in total offense. The Scarlet Knights have committed just two turnovers through four games in the 2024 season.
Saturday’s game marks the first matchup between the schools in Lincoln since 2017. The past two meetings between Nebraska and Rutgers have been in Piscataway with the Huskers winning in both 2020 and 2022. Overall, Nebraska has won all six meetings in the series, including both games at Memorial Stadium.
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 has continued to receive votes in both polls the past two weeks. • 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. • 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.
NEBRASKA SHOWING ABILITY TO CONTROL GAMES
Nebraska controlled its first three games from start to finish. The Huskers did not trail in their three first games, and out-scored the opposition by a total of 102-20. While Illinois prevailed with an overtime score, Nebraska trailed for less than 12 minutes of regulation game action against the Illini and followed by trailing for only four minutes at Purdue. • 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. • Nebraska scored on its opening drive in each of the first three games. Those scoring drives covered 72, 49 and 75 yards. • In five games, Nebraska has out-scored the opposition 58-3 in the second quarter. In 2023, Nebraska was out-scored 81-66 in the second quarter. The Blackshirts held Purdue scoreless in the first half, marking the second opponent that NU has shut out in the opening half (Colorado). • Opponents have had very little success early in games. Dating back to 2023, Nebraska has allowed just two first-quarter touchdowns in its past 12 games. Just two opponents in the past 18 games have scored a touchdown on its opening drive.
BLACKSHIRT DEFENSE OFF TO STRONG 2024 START
The Nebraska defense was one of the nation’s most improved units in 2023. The Blackshirts opened the 2024 season with similar strong play through five games. • Nebraska allowed just 20 combined points in its first three games, the fewest through three games since NU allowed 16 points in the first three games in 2005. • Nebraska has held four of five opponents to 10 or fewer points this season. The Huskers are allowing 12.2 points per game to rank third in the Big Ten and ninth nationally. • With an overtime touchdown, Illinois ended a streak of 10 straight opponents Nebraska had held to 24 or fewer points. It was the longest stretch Nebraska had limited the opposition to 24 points or less since a 14-game stretch spanning the 2009 and 2010 seasons. • Before the Illinois game, the Huskers held seven straight opponents at Memorial Stadium to 14 or fewer points. Since the start of the 2023 season, just two of 11 opponents at Memorial Stadium have scored more than 14 points. • Dating back to last season, Nebraska has held 12 straight opponents to less than 400 total yards. The last time Nebraska held more than 12 straight opponents to less than 400 yards was part of a 14-game stretch spanning the final three games of 2008 and first 11 contests of 2009. The Huskers have held UTEP (205), Colorado (260) and Purdue (224) to less than 300 total yards. • Nebraska held Colorado to just 16 rushing yards on 22 attempts, the fewest rushing yards by an opponent since Purdue had -2 rushing yards in 2020. NU opened the season by allowing just 56 rushing yards against UTEP and allowed Purdue to rush for only 50 yards. In 17 games under Head Coach Matt Rhule, the Huskers have held the opponent to less than 100 rushing yards 11 times, including eight games with 75 yards or less. • Nebraska is one of only two teams who has not allowed a rushing touchdown (Iowa). Dating back to last season, the Huskers have not allowed a rushing touchdown in 10 of their past 12 games.
WINNING THE TURNOVER MARGIN
Nebraska’s defense has posted multiple takeaways three times in 2024 (UTEP, Colorado, Illinois), and single takeaways against UNI and Purdue. The Huskers have a takeaway in all five games, Nebraska’s longest streak since a six-game stretch spanning the 2022 (final two games) and 2023 (first four games) seasons. In turn, the offense has just three turnovers in five games, giving Nebraska a +5 turnover margin. Last year, NU posted a -17 turnover margin. Nebraska is currently 18th nationally in turnover margin at +1.0 per game. • 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. • The first two games was the first time Nebraska had a positive turnover margin in consecutive games since the final two games of the 2022 season when the Huskers had a +1 (Wisconsin) and +3 (Iowa) turnover margin in consecutive games. The Huskers have followed up with positive turnover margins in consecutive games against Illinois and Purdue. • The Huskers have outscored opponents 31-0 in points off turnovers this season following John Bullock’s interception return for a touchdown at Purdue.
DEFENSE PUTTING POINTS ON THE BOARD
Nebraska has outscored opponents 31-0 in points off turnovers, with the defense doing some of that work on their own. 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. • The interception for a touchdown by Hill against the Buffs was Nebraska’s first pick-six since Cam Taylor-Britt had a 38-yard interception for a touchdown 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. • With Nebraska adding a second pick-6 at Purdue it marks the first time Nebraska has had a pair of interception returns for touchdowns in the same season since 2019. Nebraska’s two defensive touchdowns rank sixth nationally • 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.
NEBRASKA SHOWING BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK
The Nebraska offense has been balanced and efficient through five games. In the season-opening victory over UTEP, Nebraska posted its most explosive effort in the past two seasons. The Huskers backed that up with impressive outings against Colorado and UNI, scoring three first-half offensive touchdowns in each of those victories. • 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 has scored at least 24 points in all five games, the first time NU has had five straight games with 24 or more points since a streak spanning the 2018 and 2019 seasons. It is the first time the Huskers have scored at least 24 points in their first five games since 2016. • The Huskers gained 507 yards of total offense against the Miners, the most by Nebraska since gaining 575 yards against Georgia Southern in 2022. The Huskers reached 339 yards before halftime, 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 260.8 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. • The first five games showcased Nebraska’s many offensive weapons. Sixteen players have carried the ball, while 15 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.
Michigan Wolverines vs Washington Huskies
HUSKIES vs. WOLVERINES HISTORY:
UW and Michigan have played one another 14 times, with the Huskies winning five of those games. Four of those 13 meetings were in the Rose Bowl game, with the two teams splitting those four contests. The two foes first met in 1953 and 1954, with the Wolverines notching shutouts in each: 50-0 in 1953 in Ann Arbor; and 14-0 the following year in Seattle. Michigan won two more against Washington in 1969 (45-7 in Ann Arbor) and 1970 (17-3 in Seattle), but the Huskies have won five of 10 since that 0-4 start to the series.
Michigan Notes
No report available
Washington Notes
THE GAME:
The Washington football team (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) takes on No. 10-ranked Michigan (4-1, 2-0) this Saturday in the Wolverines first trip to Seattle in nearly a quarter century. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and the game will air live on NBC television. The two teams last met eight months ago in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, Jan. 8, in Houston, though both teams have welcomed new head coaches, and experienced significant roster turnover, since. Following the Michigan game, the Dawgs will make their first trip to Iowa since 1964, traveling to Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 12. That game will be followed by the first of two off weeks this season for the Huskies.
QUICK HITTERS:
UW is one of eight Power-4 programs that ranks in the top-20 in yards per play (7.22) and yards per play allowed (4.07) … others: Texas, Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Miami, Indiana, Tennessee … Washington has won 17 consecutive home games, the second-longest current home win streak in the nation, and tied for the second-longest in school history … the Huskies have not allowed a touchdown in three home games this season … among active FBS players, UW QB Will Rogers III ranks No. 1 in career attempts (2,023), completions (1,411), and completion percentage (.697); and No. 2 in passing yards (13,669) and TDs (104) … UW RB Jonah Coleman leads FBS with 27 scrimmage plays of 10 yards or longer, and with 21 rushes of 10-plus yards … WR Denzel Boston leads the Big Ten and is No. 2 in FBS with seven touchdown receptions … he needs just two more to make the UW single-season top-10 list … 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 … UW has just two turnovers through five games … only one FBS team with five games played this season has fewer … not counting the four-game 2020 season, the Huskies have won 10 or more games in five of the last seven seasons … Washington is 75-28 since the end of the 2015 season, and 28-5 since the end of 2021 … 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.
USC Trojans vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
USC Notes
VISITING THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES
• The Trojans are traveling to the home of Prince and the Mall of America for the first time since 2010 as No. 11 USC visits Minneapolis to challenge the Minnesota Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5.
WISCONSIN GAME RECAP
• This USC team embodies the battle cry “Fight On!” • After a tough first half trailing 10-21, the Trojans put up 28 unanswered points in the second half, 14 in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth quarter, to claim the victory 38-21. • USC outgained Wisconsin 469-286 yards for the game, and 205-82 yards in the second half. • USC gained 29 first downs compared to Wisconsin’s 13. • USC’s time of possession was 40:07 compared to Wisconsin’s 19:53. • The USC defense held Wisconsin to 286 total yards, the second time in 4 games this season it held the opponent to under 300 total yards (190 versus Utah State). • “After the way that last week finished,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said, “to have the first half go the way it did, then to come back and play well, says a lot about the character of the guys in this room. They’re going to battle. We’re not going anywhere. We don’t panic.”
MILLER TIME
• QB Miller Moss went 30-of-45 (.667) with 3 TDs and 1 INT. • It was his second 300-yard passing game this season and the third of his career. • He spread the ball out throwing passes to 9 different receivers. • He also tallied 5 carries for 17 yards, including calling his own number, rushing 7-yards with a successful spin move and dive into the end zone to score a TD. • It was his third career rushing TD. • He is No. 6 in the nation (and No. 2 in the Big Ten) in completions per game (26.50). He also is No. 11 in the nation (and No. 1 in the Big Ten) in passing yards per game (299.5).
LANE LIGHTS IT UP
• USC WR Ja’Kobi Lane recorded a career-best 10 catches for a career-best 105 yards and tied a career-best 2 TDs. • This was his second-career 2 TD game. • His first TD against the Badgers was a career-long 32-yard reception off a perfectly thrown ball from Moss, threaded between two defenders in the corner of the end zone on USC’s first offensive drive of the game. This TD put USC’s first points on the board at 7-0 in favor of the Trojans. • His second TD was a 6-yard catch on an important third-and-goal in the third quarter to close the point gap by the Trojans and make the score 17-21. • This score was the catalyst that began USC outscoring Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half. • The ball was placed by Moss exactly where Lane could grab it with all 6-foot-4-inches of his height as he reached over the Wisconsin defender to complete the catch. • Lane utilized his size throughout the game, extending his body to make crucial catches while keeping his toes in-bounds. • His toughness was also displayed in the second quarter when he caught a 15-yard pass from Moss and was clobbered by two Badgers in a scary hit where his helmet flew off. But Lane popped right back up with a smile and trotted off to the sideline, eager to return to the field on the following play. • Lane is T-5th in receiving TDs (4) among all Big-Ten receivers.
POWERFUL PUNTING
• P Eddie Czaplicki is averaging 49.2 yards on his 14 punts this season recording 689 yards. Five of his punts have been inside the 20 and 8 of them have been over 50 yards. • He would be ranked No. 2 in the nation in punting, but to qualify to be in the current CFB rankings, punters must have a minimum of 3.6 punts per game played, and Czaplicki has 3.5.
Minnesota Notes
No report available
