For teams in power conferences, the second week of the season often translates to a big victory over a much lesser opponent. Even though Northwestern followed standard protocol this Saturday against Eastern Illinois, a number of other Big Ten schools played very memorable games, many of which came down to the wire. Here’s a look at the wild slate of Big Ten games from college football’s second Saturday.
No. 15 Ohio State 27, Toledo 22: The Buckeyes (2-0) received a major scare at home against the Toledo Rockets (1-1), who last made big headlines when they knocked off a weak Michigan team at Michigan Stadium in 2008. Toledo held an early 15-7 lead before the Buckeyes came back, but the Rockets were not done. Adonis Thomas rushed for a four-yard score to give Toledo a 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes scored the winning touchdown with just over three minutes left in the game. A late Toledo drive was stopped deep in Buckeye territory by the Ohio State defense, and the Buckeyes held on for the victory.
Iowa State 44, Iowa 41 (3 OT): The Hawkeyes (1-1) came into this season under the radar, but still with high expectations. Their cross-state rivals, however, blemished the Hawkeyes’ schedule earlier than expected with a thrilling overtime victory. The Cyclones (2-0) scored with just over a minute left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime, and they finally broke through in the third overtime of the contest to defeat Iowa.
Virginia 34, Indiana 31: Virginia (2-0) jumped out to a 23-3 lead over Indiana (0-2) by the third quarter. But the Hoosiers proceeded to score 28 unanswered points to take a 31-23 lead in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers then scored a touchdown and converted a successful two-point conversion with 1:36 left on the clock, and got the ball back in time to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
New Mexico State 28, Minnesota 21: Minnesota (0-2) losing to New Mexico State is hardly the storyline from this contest. New Gophers head coach Jerry Kill suffered a seizure prior to a critical fourth down play in the fourth quarter, and was subsequently carted off the field. Kill is reportedly in stable condition.
Rice 24, Purdue 22: In their season opener against Middle Tennessee, Purdue (1-1) earned a last-second victory after blocking a field goal. This week, the Boilermakers were on the other side of the coin, as a last-second field goal attempt by Purdue was blocked, giving the Owls (1-1) a 24-22 victory at home.
No. 10 Nebraska 42, Fresno State 29: The final score of the game was not so close, but Fresno State (0-2) gave Nebraska (2-0) a major scare in Lincoln. Fresno State held the lead on four different occasions throughout the game, but the Huskers kept the Bulldogs in their sights the whole time. Nebraska eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter, even though it remained a one possession game until Nebraska scored a touchdown with 2:02 remaining.
Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31: The latest edition of the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry was the best game of the day, and will probably end up being one of the best games of the entire season. In the first game under the lights at the Big House, Notre Dame (0-2) controlled the first three quarters, leading 24-7 in the fourth quarter. But Michigan (2-0) rallied and quickly scored 21 unanswered points to take a 28-24 lead with just over a minute left on the clock. The Irish appeared to win the game after Theo Riddick caught a 29-yard touchdown pass with only 30 seconds remaining. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, however, still had more heroics left in the tank. Robinson found a wide open Jeremy Gallon for a 64-yard gain with only eight seconds remaining on the clock, and then proceeded to toss a touchdown pass to Roy Roundtree (who made a spectacular catch) with only two seconds left in the game. Michigan came away with an improbable, unbelievable victory, just one of several wild games in the Big Ten this Saturday.