BIG TEN ROUNDUP
No. 6 Michigan 42, No. 2 Ohio State 27: Hassan Haskins scored five touchdowns and Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks, helping host Michigan finally beat Ohio State to give Jim Harbaugh his first win as a coach against the Buckeyes. The Wolverines clinched the Big Ten East and will play in the conference title game next week with playoff hopes in hand. Michigan (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP) advanced to the conference championship for the first time. The Buckeyes (10-2, 8-1) blew their chances to continue their dominance with 10 penalties, many before the snap, and because they simply could not stop Michigan’s running game.
No. 12 Michigan State 30, Penn State 27: Payton Thorne threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to lead host Michigan State. Kennett Walker III rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries as the Spartans (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2015. Sean Clifford threw three touchdown passes, two to Jahan Dotson, for the Nittany Lions (7-5, 4-5). Penn State closed out the regular season with five losses in its last seven games.
Minnesota 23, No. 18 Wisconsin 13: Tanner Morgan overcame an interception that was returned for a first-half touchdown, leading host Minnesota on three scoring drives after halftime to surge past Wisconsin, take back Paul Bunyan’s Axe and give Iowa the Big Ten West Division title Saturday. Morgan, who went 11 for 16 for 199 yards and a third-quarter touchdown pass to Chris Autman-Bell, led the Gophers on the sprint into the end zone to hoist the 73-year-old trophy on their home field for the first time since 2003. The Gophers (8-4, 6-3) delivered the kind of inspired and stifling performance by their defense that the Badgers (8-4, 6-3, No. 14 CFP) were used to demoralizing their opponents with.
Purdue 44, Indiana 7: Aidan O’Connell tied a career high with four touchdown passes and Zander Horvath ran for another score as host Purdue won the Old Oaken Bucket for the first time since 2018. The Boilermakers (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) have won four of five to post their highest single-season victory total since 2006. Indiana (2-10, 0-9) lost its last eight games, finishing its first winless season in league play since 2011.
Illinois 47, Northwestern 14: Brandon Peters threw for 242 yards and a touchdown and host Illinois rolled over Big Ten rival Northwestern. Peters also threw an interception. Chase Brown rushed 14 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, Josh McCray carried 12 times for 42 yards and a score. Isaiah Williams and Daniel Barker also scored rushing touchdowns for the Illini.
Maryland 40, Rutgers 16: Maryland earned its first bowl berth since 2016 as record-setting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns and ran for another in a win at Rutgers.