Big Ten Recap: Frost, Husks at Home in Purdue and Higdon Lead Wolverines in Road Win Over Northwestern

Do you remember that time when Ohio State went into another "white veil" and won in an instant classic of a football match? I am a big supporter of honesty and so I have no problem admitting that I was extremely worried when the Nittany Lions increased their score from 26 to 14 in just eight minutes. But many fun things – and amazing ones – have happened.

RELATED Ohio State scores two touchdowns in last seven minutes for winning return

Dwayne Haskins finally found his rhythm, Binjimen Victor turned into Randy Moss, K.J. Hill scored touchdown and Chase Young did more weird things off the edge. What an incredible game was at State College.

The shenanigans of Happy Valley have clearly stolen the show this weekend, but let's not forget the other events in the Midwest. Five Big Ten programs were launched this weekend, but there were still a few other loved ones around the conference.

N ° 14 Michigan 20, northwest 17

The start could not have been worse for the Wolverines. Northwestern scored on its first three orders and Pat Fitzgerald and Co. climbed 17-0 in the middle of the second quarter. The rest of the game, however, would be too difficult for the Wildcats, who failed to score more points on the board and fell to the Wolverines, ranked 14th.

Karan Higdon gives @UMichFootball the head at the end of the fourth quarter! pic.twitter.com/BKgmimTERD

– FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2018

Karan Higdon is a very good rear end and he opened the way yesterday for corn and blue. He scolded for 115 yards and a pair of points on 30 runs. I still do not know what to do with Shea Patterson. It seems like a lot of his moments come when he does it with his legs. He pitched for 196 and added 31 more on the field. Nico Collins led all Wolverine seekers with six receptions for 73 yards.

Northwestern had nearly 100 yards on his first two trips, but only 97 yards in the final three quarters of the game. The Wolverines recorded six sacks and Chase Winovich was everywhere. Clayton Thorson rushed for 174 yards and new quarterback John Moten IV also found the end zone.

No. 21 Michigan State 31, Central Michigan 20

The Spartans used four decisive touchdowns to knock the Chippewa down in East Lansing. It was a bit odd to see Brian Lewerke come out in the fourth quarter while Michigan State had a lead of 28. However, central Michigan scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, prompting Mark Dantonio to enter the match.

It was not a particularly explosive match for both teams, but the Darius Jefferson, Connor Heyward and Lewerke did it on the field. Jefferson led the way with 56 yards and a score while Heyward scored 48 with a touchdown. Lewerke had 39 yards and two fast scores, 185 and an air intercept.

Quarterback Tommy Lazzaro was eliminated twice that day. David Dowell and Justin Layne – a pair of products from the Cleveland area – each won a bye. The Spartans held the Chippewas only 245 yards from the total attack. The Michigan State Rush defense is leading in America and CMU ran for 63 yards the day after just five in the first half.

Purdue 42, Nebraska 28

Nebraska has now lost eight consecutive football games, a new program record. It was at least fun to watch, however, as the two teams combined for nearly 1,100 yards of total offense.

David Blough, D.J. Knox and Brycen Hopkins led the way for the Boilermakers. Blough racked up 328 yards and a touchdown, Knox scored twice on the ground and Hopkins led all Purdue receivers with five receptions for 83 yards and one score. A true freshman, Rondale Moore continues to pass while scoring eight points for 85 yards.

Adrian Martinez is healthy again and was pretty good for the Husks. The rookie had 414 offensive yards with two crossing points and one interception. Devine Ozigbo was the best running back of the match with 170 yards and two against 10 on average per race. JD Spielman had 10 points for 135 yards and one mark.

Scott Frost is defiant after this fourth consecutive loss. The coach in his opening speech criticized his reservations for dancing on the sideline before the shots were sent. They seem to like losing.

– Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 29, 2018

Nebraska will travel to Wisconsin next week.

Indiana 24, Rutgers 17

I'm a big fan of Chris Ash and all he's done for Ohio State's defense, but one has to wonder if the headquarters will start to heat up in the Garden State. I guess the Hoosiers were favored by 15, so I guess it could have been worse for Rutgers.

Indiana scored on his first four possessions and scored 24 points in the first half before Rutgers' defense. Peyton Ramsey completed 27 of 40 passes for 288 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also added 51 rushing yards and a floor score. Ty Fryfogle led all the catchers with five receptions for 70 yards and J-Shun Harris II picked up a touchdown pass.

The Scarlet Knights had a touchdown in the fourth quarter with a shot on goal and a touchdown run by Jonathan Hilliman. Artur Stikowski was benched last weekend but Ash chose to stay with the real first-year player against Indiana. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards with one touchdown and one choice. Raheem Blackshear was the first starter with 64 yards in eight races.

Rutgers has now fallen in four straight games after opening the season with a win over Texas State. The Hoosiers go 4-1 with the only home defeat against Michigan State.

So it was a little fun weekend even though there was not much Big Ten action. The Buckeyes now have four straight games against lousy opponents before hosting the state of Michigan on Nov. 10. Urban Meyer and Greg Schiano will have to use the month of October to put pressure on the defensive side.

No change in power rankings this week. Purdue is starting to look like a competent team and I realize that Northwestern now has three losses, but I'm not ready to trade points, knowing that the Wildcats entered West Lafayette and won the first week.

Penn State is a great team. I still think that Wisconsin is really good and should win the West with relative ease. Michigan has an excellent defense but I am far from being sold on the offensive. The Iowa and the Michigan State are probably both good but they do not scare the opposition. Rutgers, Illinois and Nebraska are beyond horrible right now.

Next week, Buckeyes will host Indiana, Maryland will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan State will play Northwestern, and the Badgers will host Nebraska in Madison.