The Big Ten standings saw movement in Week 7 and teams at the top shifted down. These matchups were intense and have major implications going into the second half of the season. The Daily Emerald broke down all the action.

Penn State falls 22-21 to Northwestern in deflating loss

The Wildcats took down the Nittany Lions in a catfight for the ages, which resulted in Penn State head coach James Franklin losing his job the next day. Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending leg injury during the game after a big hit late in the fourth. Northwestern wide receiver Griffin Wilde was electric in the win, collecting seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

No. 1 Ohio State takes down No. 17 Illinois, 34-16

In a game littered with great offensive plays for the Buckeyes, the defense stood out with an interception and a forced fumble against a strong Illinois team. Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson was a menace at the goal line, picking up two touchdown rushes from inside the five-yard line. 

Iowa blows out Wisconsin 37-0

The Hawkeyes’ backfield carried the team to a massive blowout win on the road, scoring all but one of their four touchdowns. The Iowa passing game was forgettable with quarterback Mark Gronowski only throwing for 107 yards and one interception. Gronowski mustered only one score, picking up an early rushing touchdown in the first quarter. 

Iowa’s passing game looked great in comparison to Wisconsin who only threw eight completions for a measly 82 yards and two interceptions. The only positive note for the Badgers’ defense was cornerback Ricardo Hallman’s interception in the first quarter. Iowa defensive lineman Bryce Hawthorne picked up his first career interception.

Washington handles Rutgers, 38-19

Huskies quarterback Demond Williams was lights out against the Scarlet Knights, throwing for 402 yards and two touchdowns in a big win for Washington. Williams wasn’t just throwing the ball for the Huskies, either, as he ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Washington receivers Dezmen Roebuck and Denzel Boston could not be stopped by the Rutgers secondary as they combined for over 200 yards, with Boston catching both touchdown passes. The Scarlet Knights took a beating from the Huskies, but wide receiver Ian Strong put himself on the map with 124 receiving yards.

Nebraska survives Maryland 34-31

Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola had Nebraska fans on a roller coaster of emotions after throwing four touchdown passes and three interceptions in the close win on the road. Running back Emmett Johnson continued to impress with 176 rushing yards, just a week after putting up three touchdowns against Michigan State. The Maryland defense came to play, picking up three interceptions, including a pick-six to take the lead late in the third quarter. The Terrapins put up a fight against a tough Cornhuskers team, but couldn’t walk away with the win at home.

No. 20 USC dismantles No. 15 Michigan 31-13

USC running back King Miller was unstoppable in the home upset against the Wolverines, racking up 158 rushing yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t just Miller putting the ball in the endzone for the Trojans; running back Bryan Jackson ran a 29-yard touchdown late in the game to win it at the Coliseum. Michigan wide receiver Andrew Marsh stood out in the loss, picking up 138 receiving yards and a touchdown, which came off a 69-yard pass in the fourth quarter. 

Around the Big Ten: Scoreboard

UCLA picked up its second win of the season against Michigan State in a 38-13 blowout. Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were caught by running back Jalen Berger. Berger also ran for 89 yards and a touchdown in a big road win for the Bruins.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers came back late at home against the Purdue Boilermakers in a 27-20 win. Minnesota was trailing by seven heading into the final quarter, but tied it up halfway through the fourth with an endzone reception by tight end Jameson Geers. The Golden Gophers responded seven seconds later with a pick-six to win the game.