Shorthanded Illini fall just short
Down to its fourth-string QB, Illinois almost rallies in loss to Purdue
CHAMPAIGN — Aiden O’Connell passed for two touchdowns and Purdue hung on to beat a COVID-19-decimated Illinois team that was down to its fourth-string quarterback, 31-24, on Saturday.
Despite its woes, Illinois managed to make a game of it and was within seven points and 15 yards of tying the game with less than two minutes to play. Fourthstring QB Coran Taylor’s pass fell short and the Boilermakers (2-0, 2-0 Big Ten) took over on downs, sealing the victory.
O’Connell finished 29of-36 passing for 376 yards and the two scores for Purdue. David Bell was his favorite target, catching nine passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.
“David always seems to make that big catch,” said Purdue coach Jeff Brohm. “He’s just a remarkable player with a tremendous sense of calm about him.”
Brohm was back on the sidelines for the Boilermakers after missing the last game, a 24-20 win over Iowa, with a positive COVID-19 test.
His brother, offensive coordinator Brian Brohm, coached the team in his absence.
Things went a bit differently for Illinois (0-2, 0-2). Sophomore Taylor found himself at the helm on his team’s second possession, following what appeared to be an ankle injury to lastminute starter — and thirdstring QB — Matt Robinson.
Taylor, who had only a couple of reps with the team the past week, was 17 of 29 for 233 yards and two
touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.
No. 17 Indiana 37, Rutgers 21:
Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score as No. 17 Indiana beat mistake-prone Rutgers in a game that almost included a crazy TD.
Penix had touchdown tosses of 15, 2 and 1 yard. He also scored on a quarterback sneak as the Hoosiers (2-0, 2-0 Big Ten) followed up their stunning win over then-No. 8 Penn State last week.
The wacky play came with less than two minutes to go when Rutgers seemed to score on a 55-yard play that involved at least seven laterals. After a review, however, it was ruled that receiver Shameen Jones’ pitch was an illegal forward pass, spoiling a wild celebration for the Scarlet Knights.
Ty Fryfogel caught the 15-yard TD pass just 1:43 after Penix scored, giving the Hoosier a 20-7 halftime lead. Tight end Peyton Hendershot caught the short TD flips in the second half and Charles Campbell added three field goals.
Northwestern 21, Iowa 20: Jesse Brown scored the
go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run in the third quarter, and Northwestern erased an early 17-point deficit to beat Iowa.
The Wildcats outscored the Hawkeyes 21-3 after the first quarter, eating up clock and keeping the Hawkeye offense out of rhythm.
Peyton Ramsey threw for 130 yards on 11-of-18 passing and ran for another 26 yards, and Isaiah Bowser had 25 carries for 85 yards for the Wildcats (2-0, 2-0 Big Ten Conference).
Spencer Petras threw all three of his interceptions in the second half, the last one on a tipped ball that linebacker Blake Gallagher picked off, allowing Northwestern to go into victory formation.
Iowa’s 17-0 first-quarter lead came after Northwestern gifted the Hawkeyes (0-2, 0-2) with two turnovers — a muffed punt inside the 5-yard line and a fumble near midfield.
From there, though, Northwestern regained control.
Michigan State 27, No. 13 Michigan 24:
Rocky Lombardi threw for 323 yards, including 196 to Ricky White, and three touchdowns to help Michigan
State stun No. 13 Michigan.
The Spartans (1-1, 1-1 Big Ten) appeared to be the better team all afternoon on both sides of the ball in Mel Tucker’s debut as coach in the rivalry.
Tucker became just the second coach to beat Michigan in his first attempt with the Spartans, joining Alabama coach Nick Saban, who did it in 1995.
The former Colorado coach started his career as a graduate assistant for Saban and the Spartans.
No. 4 Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 13: Kyren Williams ran for t wo touchdowns, Ian Book passed for another and Notre Dame moved on to its biggest game of the season with a dominant defensive performance, stifling Georgia Tech.
Book completed 18 of 26 passes for 199 yards in another efficient performance for the Fighting Irish (6-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Next up for Notre Dame: a showdown against No. 1 Clemson in South Bend. And the Irish won’t have to face, Trevor Lawrence, the star quarterback who will have to sit out the game after testing positive for COVID-19.