OSU win sets up blockbuster
Dallan Hayden scored three touchdowns in the second half, and No. 2 Ohio State fought off a strong challenge to earn a 43-30 victory Saturday against host Maryland in College Park and set up a monumental matchup of unbeatens next weekend against rival Michigan.
Just before the Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) and Terrapins (6-5, 3-5) kicked off, the No. 3 Wolverines edged Illinois on a late field goal. Ohio State then had plenty of problems of its own against Maryland, trailing 13-10 at halftime and leading only 33-30 when it turned the ball over on downs at the Terrapins’ 42 with 6:36 left.
The Buckeyes forced a three-and-out, however, and Hayden helped them run out most of the remaining time. Noah Ruggles kicked a 45-yard field goal with 42 seconds left, and Steele Chambers added a defensive touchdown with nine seconds to play.
Hayden finished with 146 yards on 27 carries to pick up the slack for TreVeyon Henderson, who was limited to 19 yards on 11 carries after missing the last two games with an injury.
Heisman Trophy contender C.J. Stroud had a relatively understated game by his standards, passing for 241 yards and a touchdown for Ohio State.
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa completed his first 11 passes and finished 26-for-36 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Iowa 13, Minnesota 10
Drew Stevens made a tiebreaking 21-yard field goal with 28 seconds left, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) slipped past the Golden Gophers (7-4, 4-4) in Minneapolis to take control of the Big Ten West with their eighth consecutive victory in the game for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.
Linebacker Jack Campbell caused a fumble and came up with an interception off a tipped pass to thwart Minnesota drives in the closing minutes for Iowa, which will repeat as division champions and return to the conference title game Dec. 3 in Indianapolis by beating Nebraska at home Friday.
Wisconsin 15, Nebraska 14
Graham Mertz scored on a two-yard sneak with 35 seconds left to complete a comeback from an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, and the Badgers (6-5, 4-4) edged the Cornhuskers (3-8, 2-6) in Lincoln, Nebraska, for their ninth consecutive victory in the series. The result enabled Wisconsin to become bowleligible for the 21st season in a row.
Penn State 55, Rutgers 10
Sean Clifford threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and the No. 11 Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2) scored twice on fumble returns and once on a kickoff return in routing the Scarlet Knights (4-7, 1-7) in Piscataway, New Jersey. Penn State has won the last 16 games between the schools.
Indiana 39, Michigan State 31 (2 OT)
Shaun Shivers ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yarder in double overtime, to lift the Hoosiers (4-7, 2-6) to a comefrom-behind victory against the Spartans (5-6, 3-5) in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State led 24-7 at the half but was outscored 32-7 the rest of the way.