Check out how Big Ten football teams fared this past weekend.
By Sohccem Ruphael
This week’s Big Ten football action gave fans a huge homecoming upset along with some blowouts.
Maryland football upset USC in a thrilling fashion Saturday. The Terps were down two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but managed to march back and defeat the Trojans.
Statment victory: No. 13 Indiana 56, Nebraska 7
All seven of Indiana’s wins this season were achieved comfortably, but its gamesagainst Nebraska was more than comfortable. Indiana’s win this weekend was its biggest margin of victory in conference play since 1945.
Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw for 189 yards in less than a half. He was forced off the field due to a thumb injury, and will not play in Week 9’s matchup against Washington.
Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson replaced Rourke and continued the domination. He threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and will likely be the starting quarterback in next week’s contest.
Indiana has not opened its season with seven-consecutive wins since 1967. It has also won every game with at least a two-touchdown margin this season.
Surprising result: Maryland 29, USC 28
Maryland pulled off a two-touchdown comeback in the fourth quarter to upset the Trojans at home, its largest fourth-quarter comeback in five seasons. The heroics from both the defense and offense gave Maryland a homecoming game that will not soon be forgotten, especially after the home crowd stormed the field.
SECU Stadium is on fire. pic.twitter.com/CqhVSdKcxA
— Matt Germack (@MattGermack) October 19, 2024
Billy Edwards Jr. threw for a career-high 373 yards. Meanwhile, Kaden Prather shined with a career-high nine receptions and 111 receiving yards.
Down 28-22 with only 1:41 to play, USC attempted a field goal, but it was blocked by Donnell Brown. Quashon Fuller picked up the ball and lateraled to Glen Miller, who took it to midfield. Edwards capped off the game-winning drive with a 3-yard rush.
The Trojans could not hurry down the field to attempt a field goal, as Caleb Wheatland forced an incompletion on fourth down to end the game.
The Terps’ win was their first conference victory this season, and they handed USC its third-consecutive loss. Maryland will travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers next weekend.
Performance of the week: UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers
UCLA prevailed in a nail-biting victory against Rutgers. The Bruins had a comfortable 21-10 lead at half time, but the Scarlet Knights marched back. Rutgers scored 22 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to beat Ethan Garbers’ blaze.
Garbers threw for a career-high 383 yards, completing 32-of-38 pass attempts. He even scored a 49-yard touchdown run.
The Bruins won their first Big Ten conference game of the season and snapped a five-game losing streak.
UCLA has an upcoming bye week and will travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers in two weeks.