Big Ten Roundup: UCLA Stays Unbeaten, Oregon and Indiana Roll, Washington and Nebraska Go Bowling
The Big Ten produced a weekend short on upsets but full of lessons. UCLA protected its unbeaten record on Friday, November 13, against Illinois, then Oregon, Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa all won at home on Saturday, November 14. Further down the standings, Washington, Nebraska and Penn State each picked up the sixth win that opens the door to a bowl game. Here is a game-by-game look at the nine results that shape the end of the regular season.
UCLA 22, Illinois 14
Ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings, UCLA improved to 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten) in the rain at the Rose Bowl. Aidan Mizell opened the scoring with a 54-yard touchdown catch from Ty Dieffenbach, who left with an injury before halftime, then returned to find Semaj Morgan for a 26-yard score in the fourth quarter. The defense handled the rest: three interceptions, two of them by Scooter Jackson, a safety by Aiden Gobaira and only 240 yards allowed. Illinois closed to 19-14 but faded after Jackson's second interception, which Mateen Bhaghani turned into a 37-yard field goal. The Bruins had not opened a season with 10 wins since 1998.
Dieffenbach, 13 of 20 for 232 yards, is 5-0 as the starter; he completed all five of his passes for 64 yards on his first drive back from a left elbow injury. Jackson now has five interceptions this season, the most in the conference, and the Illinois running game was held to 2.1 yards per carry.
Oregon 31, Michigan 7
Oregon controlled Michigan at Autzen Stadium behind Dylan Raiola, who threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns. The quarterback, the starter since Dante Moore was lost for the season, found Jeremiah McClellan for 60 yards on the opening drive, then Dakorien Moore for 59 yards just before halftime and Dierre Hill for 49 yards in the fourth quarter. Michigan's only points came on a 70-yard run by Savion Hiter, and the Wolverines lost two fumbles. They rushed for 215 yards but completed just six of 20 passes. The Ducks are now 7-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
Raiola completed all eight of his passes in the first quarter for 133 yards and two scores, and McClellan finished with four catches for 105 yards. Oregon has beaten Michigan four times in a row; the Wolverines are 5-5 (2-5).
Indiana 27, USC 13
Indiana pulled away from USC in the second half to move to 9-1 (6-1 Big Ten). Grant Wilson threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, the first to Brock Schott and the second a 42-yarder to Charlie Becker with 3 minutes, 30 seconds left. In between, Khobie Martin put the Hoosiers ahead on a 1-yard run that he set up with a 37-yard burst. USC still gained 409 yards, but Jayden Maiava was intercepted three times, by Preston Zachman, Isaiah Jones and Jamari Sharpe, and the Trojans missed two field goals. The defending national champion travels to Washington on Saturday, November 21.
It was Wilson's first start for Indiana: coach Curt Cignetti chose him over Josh Hoover, who he said was healthy. Wilson completed 17 of 27 passes, and his 47-yard throw to Shazz Preston set up the opening touchdown. Indiana gained 451 yards and has won three in a row since its loss to Ohio State. For USC, Trent Mosley caught nine passes for 130 yards.
Ohio State 28, Northwestern 19
Ohio State ended a two-game losing streak, against USC and Oregon, by beating Northwestern in Columbus. Luke Fahey threw three touchdown passes and 201 yards, Jeremiah Smith caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a score, and Bo Jackson added 114 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Northwestern had pulled within a point (14-13) in the third quarter before a fourth-down pass from Fahey to Devin McCuin put the Buckeyes back in control. The defense recorded five sacks, though the offense committed three turnovers. Ohio State moves to 7-3 (5-2 Big Ten), Northwestern to 6-4 (3-4).
Iowa 28, Purdue 7
Iowa, 16th in the AP poll, won its third straight game and moved to 8-2 (5-2 Big Ten) in Iowa City. Hank Brown completed 20 of 29 passes for 188 yards, ran for a 1-yard score and threw a short pass that Braeden Jackson took 44 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. LJ Phillips rushed for 123 yards, his second straight 100-yard game, as the Hawkeyes gained 434 yards, 246 of them on the ground, and held the ball nearly 11 minutes longer than their opponent. Purdue's only points came on a 3-yard pass from Ryan Browne to George Burhenn, and Zach Lutmer added an interception. The Boilermakers fall to 3-7 (2-5).
Nebraska 31, Rutgers 0
Nebraska snapped a four-game losing streak and became bowl eligible for the third straight season at 6-4 (3-4 Big Ten). Anthony Colandrea threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score, while Jamal Rule rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries. The Cornhuskers gained 429 yards, 237 of them on the ground, in Glenn Thomas's first game as offensive coordinator. Rutgers was held to 143 yards and intercepted twice, by Caleb Benning and Jeremiah Charles. Nebraska had not shut out a conference opponent since 2003.
Washington 21, Michigan State 14
Washington also secured its sixth win, in East Lansing, at the end of a trip disrupted by a lengthy flight delay. Chris Lawson caught five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns from Demond Williams Jr., who threw for 288 yards. Tied 14-14 since halftime, the Huskies broke through on a 1-yard run by Jayden Limar with 2 minutes, 24 seconds left. Xe'ree Alexander then forced the Carson Gulker fumble that sealed the result. Washington (6-4, 3-4) will be bowl eligible for a fifth straight season, while Michigan State falls to 3-7.
Penn State 42, Minnesota 14
Penn State became bowl eligible with a third straight win, built on a 28-0 halftime lead in the rain and cold at Beaver Stadium. Rocco Becht threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Ben Brahmer, and ran for another score, while Carson Hansen, a Minnesota native, rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown, including a 46-yard run. The Nittany Lions ran for 229 yards and held the Golden Gophers to 41. Minnesota, which reached State College only on Saturday morning after flight delays, scored twice in the third quarter but never got closer than 21 points. Penn State is 6-4 (3-4 Big Ten) in Matt Campbell's first season; Minnesota drops to 5-5 (3-4) with a third straight loss.
Maryland 24, Wisconsin 21
Maryland rallied in College Park behind backup quarterback Cardell Williams, who made his first start in place of the injured Malik Washington. Williams completed 21 of 23 passes for 183 yards, including a school-record 19 in a row, and ran for two short touchdowns. Down 21-14 in the fourth quarter, the Terrapins tied the game on his 39-yard pass to Preston Howard with 2 minutes, 11 seconds left. Trey Reddick then forced a fumble by freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins, the third forced by the Maryland defense, and Sean O'Haire kicked the winning 30-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining. Maryland (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten) has won two conference games in a row for the first time since 2023; Wisconsin falls to 6-4 (4-3).
The Standings
UCLA is alone in first place at 7-0, one game ahead of Indiana (6-1). Three teams follow at 5-2: Oregon, Ohio State and Iowa. Wisconsin, USC and Illinois are 4-3, and five teams sit at 3-4: Penn State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Washington and Nebraska. The race for bowl eligibility moved as well. Washington, Nebraska and Penn State all reached six wins on Saturday. Minnesota and Michigan, both 5-5, each need one more win in their last two games, and Maryland, at 4-6, has to win both of its remaining games.
What Is Left to Play For
With two games left in the regular season, UCLA (7-0) stays on top of the conference ahead of Indiana (6-1), Oregon, Ohio State and Iowa (5-2). The Bruins visit Michigan on Saturday, November 21, before hosting USC on Saturday, November 28. On that same November 21, Indiana plays at Washington and Ohio State at Nebraska, two teams no longer chasing a sixth win. Iowa visits Illinois the same day. Oregon, meanwhile, goes to Michigan State on Friday, November 20, then hosts Washington to close its regular season. The Big Ten championship game, in Indianapolis, will match the top two teams in the standings.
