The Big Ten saw a couple of anomalies in Week 11. In one game, a thrilling matchup ends with a late game drive to score in the final seconds. In the second, a punter with more passing yards than any quarterback on the team led an upset. 

Makai Lemon has season high day leading No. 17 USC to win over Northwestern.

Starting off on Friday night, No. 17 USC blew by unranked Northwestern, boat racing the Wildcats 38-17. The Trojans never trailed and racked up 482 yards of offense, 299 of which were passing yards from Jayden Maiava — who also threw for two touchdowns. 

Junior wide receiver Makai Lemon had a season-high in receiving yards with 161, the longest of which was a 52-yard bomb in the second play of a touchdown drive in the third quarter. Lemon had the first Trojans touchdown on a 7-yard reception and he had the last touchdown on a 4-yard rush in the fourth quarter. 

No. 1 Ohio State explodes with 473 yards of total offense in 34-10 win over Purdue.

The Buckeyes had a field day in the second quarter, getting a touchdown on three straight drives and capping off the quarter with a field goal. Ohio State picked up another field goal and touchdown in the fourth quarter, completing their 34 point day. Purdue had a measly day on offense, only posting a field goal in the first quarter and a touchdown in garbage time. 

Heisman Trophy contender Julian Sayin had 303 passing yards on the day, one touchdown and an interception. Purdue’s Ryan Browne had only 76 passing yards, no touchdowns, but he also had an interception. 

No. 2 Indiana tip-toes their way to a 27-24 win over Penn State.

If there was any game that was far and away the standout of the day, it was this one. All was going Indiana’s way into the fourth: it led by 10, intercepted Ethan Grunkemeyer, tacked on a field goal and were 15 minutes away from a drama-free win. 

But Penn State has had an unusual season, and the former No. 2 team decided to have a little bit of fun with the current one. Penn State opened up the fourth with a touchdown on its first drive, intercepted Fernando Mendoza on Indiana’s next drive and scored another touchdown off that interception. After a series of punts, Penn State led 24-20 with 36 seconds left.

Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had announcer Gus Johnson, and everyone inside Beaver Stadium, shocked. Cooper leaped up, caught Mendoza’s pass and seemed like he was going to be pushed out of the endzone. Somehow, Cooper managed to keep his toes inside the endzone, securing the 27-24 win for Indiana. 

Wisconsin beat Washington 13-10, and Punter Sean West led the team in non-kicking category.

The Badgers, who came into this game without a Big Ten win, eked out their first against the No. 23 Huskies. The Huskies only had a field goal and a touchdown, both coming in the second quarter. The Badgers weren’t much better, getting a field goal in the second quarter and having a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter. This game would have nothing to write home about if it wasn’t for Wisconsin’s punter, Sean West, who had the most passing yards for any Wisconsin player on the day with a 24-yard throw off a fake punt.

Around the Big Ten: Scoreboard.

Rutgers beat Maryland 35-20. Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for four touchdowns, 229 yards and two interceptions. Ian Strong led the Rutgers receivers with two touchdowns, and Antwan Raymond had 240 yards on 41 carries with one touchdown. 

Nebraska went into the Rose Bowl and beat UCLA 28-21 in their first game without quarterback Dylan Raiola, who suffered a season ending fibula injury against USC last week. Backup TJ Lateef threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns, and two went to receiver Emmett Johnson.