Check out how Big Ten football teams fared this past weekend.
This weekend’s Big Ten slate consisted of some close contests, a few blowouts and some surprising results.
Here’s a closer look at what happened this weekend in the Big Ten.
Close call: No. 1 Oregon 16, Wisconsin 13
The Ducks were given a scare Saturday night while trying to keep their undefeated season alive.
Oregon was down 13-6 heading into the fourth quarter on the road. But on the first play of the frame, quarterback Dillon Gabriel connected with tight end Terrance Ferguson for a 15-yard reception on fourth-and-9.
With the momentum on their side, the Ducks scored just three plays later to knot the score. After forcing two three-and-outs, Oregon marched down the field before kicking the game-winning field goal. An interception by defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei ultimately sealed the victory.
The Ducks outgained the Badgers on the ground and through the air. Gabriel finished with 218 yards passing and an interception, while wide receiver Evan Stewart stepped up in Tez Johnson’s absence, snagging 10 balls for 92 yards.
Oregon’s victory makes it 11-0, just the second time in school history it has accomplished that feat.
Blowout victory: No. 4 Penn State 49, Purdue 10
The Nittany Lions continue to roll, and that dominance didn’t stop in their trip to West Lafayette, Indiana.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar continued his impressive 2024 campaign, tacking on 247 passing yards and three touchdowns to his resume. Tight end Tyler Warren also had a sensational day, taking a wildcat run 48 yards for a touchdown and racking up 127 yards and another score through the air.
At halftime, the game was only 21-3 in favor of the Nittany Lions before a three-touchdown third quarter put the game well out of reach.
The game was not without its gaffes, though. Purdue sophomore wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette appeared to catch a touchdown in the corner of the end zone, but he was actually standing behind the pylon and out of bounds. But because both the end zone and the space behind it were colored black, there was plenty of confusion.
Impressive performance: USC quarterback Jayden Maiava
Replacing typical starter Miller Moss, UNLV transfer quarterback Jayden Maiava shined against Nebraska Saturday.
Maiava more than pulled his weight, totaling four touchdowns on the day — three through the air and one on the ground. He finished with 259 passing yards after struggling early, going just 2 for 7 on USC’s first two drives.
He quickly improved over the course of the day, completing his next nine passes in a row after the shaky start. He found three different wide receivers in the end zone — Zachariah Branch, Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson.
The Trojans need to win one of their next two matches to become bowl eligible. It seems likely that Maiava will be the one to lead them.