Adam Hicks
Writer
USC rolled into Autzen Stadium, believing they were carrying a Trojan horse, a brilliant, wooden war machine of trick plays, misdirection, and big-play potential. But by the final whistle, that war horse lay smoldering in the grass, gutted from the inside, as Oregon took control and torched the Trojan plans.
Dante Moore led Oregon with calm precision, throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Every time USC tried to disguise its intentions, Moore tore off another panel of the horse. Kenyon Sadiq carved up the Trojan secondary with six catches for 72 yards and both of Moore’s scoring throws.
On the ground, Noah Whittington churned out 104 yards and delivered the dagger late in the game with a bruising 9-yard touchdown. Midway through the first half, Oregon’s Malik Benson tore through USC’s coverage for a massive punt return that set the Ducks up deep in Trojan territory. Moments later, freshman running back Jordon Davison powered in a short touchdown. In a blink, Oregon had turned a USC lead into a Ducks surge.
Still, USC kept firing. The highlight came when Makai Lemon took a lateral from Maiava and launched a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tanook Hines. Later, Maiava hit Lemon again for a short score, then connected with Lake McRee in the fourth quarter to pull within striking distance. Maiava finished with more than 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. After Maiava connected with McRee for a 9-yard fourth-quarter touchdown, USC had a chance to pull within a field goal. But the two-point try fell apart immediately, a misread, a missed block, and a vanished opportunity. That was the turning point: the moment the Trojans slipped for good.
On the very next drive, Whittington bulldozed through for a 9-yard touchdown that sealed Oregon’s victory and smothered whatever embers USC had left and kept the Ducks’ playoff hopes alive, now on to rival Washington.
Final 42-27 Oregon
Northwestern earned a dramatic win over Minnesota at Wrigley Field. Quarterback Preston Stone led the Wildcats with 305 passing yards and two touchdowns, distributing the ball efficiently all night. The Wildcats opened the scoring on a methodical drive capped by Stone hitting Caleb Komolafe for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Komolafe finished with 129 rushing yards and added a receiving touchdown, while running back Joseph Himon II contributed 47 rushing yards and another score, giving Northwestern multiple offensive weapons.
Minnesota responded quickly, with quarterback Drake Lindsey throwing for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Javon Tracy was the star for the Gophers, hauling in four catches for 87 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Darius Taylor added 43 rushing yards and a short touchdown, keeping Minnesota within striking distance throughout the game.
One of the key moments came late in the fourth quarter. With the score tied, Northwestern mounted a final drive, mixing short passes and runs to move into field goal range. Kicker Jack Olsen drilled a 33-yard game-winning field goal with just 53 seconds remaining, sealing the comeback.
Northwestern’s defense also made crucial stops at critical moments, forcing Minnesota into a few stalled drives and preventing a game-tying score in the final minute. The Wildcats ran a balanced game plan throughout, mixing Stone’s precise passing with strong contributions from Komolafe and Himon II on the ground.
The win secured bowl eligibility for Northwestern and highlighted the team’s ability to perform in clutch situations. Minnesota stayed in the game thanks to Lindsey and Tracy, but the Wildcats’ timely plays and strong execution ultimately made the difference at Wrigley Field.
Final score: Northwestern 38, Minnesota 35.
Penn State rolled over Nebraska, mixing a dominant rushing attack with defensive stops and a little playful energy on the sidelines. During the fourth quarter, several players held up signs reading “Hire Terry,”
Running back Kaytron Allen carried the load, rushing 25 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns, including a 50-yard burst early that set up a touchdown pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer to tight end Andrew Rappleyea. Nicholas Singleton added two touchdowns of his own, tying Penn State’s career rushing touchdown record with 43. Grunkemeyer completed 11 of 12 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, keeping the offense balanced and efficient.
Nebraska tried to respond. Quarterback TJ Lateef finished 21 of 36 passing for 187 yards and added an 11-yard rushing touchdown, while Emmett Johnson contributed 103 rushing yards and 48 receiving yards. Kyle Cunanan added a 31-yard field goal, but Nebraska couldn’t keep pace with the Nittany Lions’ steady attack.
Penn State scored on five straight drives, building a 23–3 halftime lead. Allen added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The “Hire Terry” signs made repeated appearances, often held up just as Allen broke free for a long run or Singleton punched in a score.
Even with the seriousness of breaking records and piling up stats, the signs gave the fans and players a way to thank coach Smith in the midst of the rout.
Final 37-10 Penn State
Iowa stunned Michigan State in Iowa City, thanks to a 44-yard field goal from kicker Drew Stevens as time expired. The kick capped a comeback fueled by clutch special teams and a tense finish at Kinnick Stadium.
Michigan State controlled much of the game. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic completed 25 of 42 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chrishon McCray, a long 45-yard strike and a 5-yard catch. That put the Spartans ahead 17–7 late in the third quarter.
Iowa got a spark from special teams early when Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, giving the Hawkeyes their only lead until the clocks hit zeros at the end.
In the fourth quarter, Iowa began chipping away at the deficit. Drew Stevens converted a 26-yard field goal to make it 17–10 with about 11 and a half minutes left. Then quarterback Mark Gronowski connected with Jacob Gill on a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 1:29 remaining to tie the game. Gronowski finished with 147 passing yards and added 57 rushing yards, showing poise in the clutch. On the game’s final drive, Iowa moved 53 yards in five plays to set up Stevens’ game-winning kick. With nerves of steel, he drilled the 44-yard field goal as the clock hit zero, capping his final home game at Kinnick Stadium with a perfect, dramatic finish.
Coach Kirk Ferentz praised the team’s resilience after the win, highlighting how a veteran kicker and a calm, late-game approach can change the outcome. Iowa City celebrated a classic Hawkeye victory, all thanks to one unforgettable kick.
Final 20-17 Iowa
Wisconsin shocked No. 21 Illinois in Madison with a dominant rushing attack and strong defense.
Running back Darrion Dupree led the charge with 17 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns. His highlight was an 84-yard sprint in the third quarter that swung momentum firmly in Wisconsin’s favor. Vinny Anthony II added an early 6-yard touchdown run, and kicker Nathanial Vakos hit a 47-yard field goal to give the Badgers a 10–7 halftime lead.
Defensively, Wisconsin was relentless. Darryl Peterson recorded three sacks as the Badgers pressured Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, who finished 21 of 35 for 248 yards and one touchdown. The Badgers’ defense kept Illinois from sustaining any late drives, holding them to just a single touchdown and a field goal after halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Dupree scored again on a quarterback keeper, and Wisconsin added another field goal to pull away. The Badgers outgained Illinois 301 yards to 298.
On Senior Night, Madison roared as Wisconsin delivered a hard-nosed performance. Dupree’s big runs and the team’s defensive dominance made this a night of pure, unfiltered Madison Madness. Big Win for the Fighting Fickels.
Final 27-10 Wisconsin
Washington dominated UCLA at the Rose Bowl, delivering a complete performance on offense, special teams, and defense.
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. led the Huskies, completing 17 of 26 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two more scores, breaking free for runs of 25 and 11 yards. Washington’s special teams made a huge impact. Alex McLaughlin scooped up a fumble on a botched fake field-goal attempt by UCLA and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. On the ground, Washington piled up 212 rushing yards, led in part by Adam Mohammed, who ran for a career-high 108 yards on 21 carries. Defensively, the Huskies were relentless. They held UCLA to just 58 rushing yards and forced the Bruins into poor third-down conversions, finishing just 2 of 13 on third down.
UCLA’s offense struggled all night. Nico Iamaleava returned at quarterback but was held to 69 yards on 16 of 26 passing and was eventually replaced by Luke Duncan, who threw a 37-yard touchdown to Mikey Matthews, the Bruins’ only significant offensive play. UCLA’s other score came late when defensive back Jamir Benjamin recovered a fumble in the end zone, but by then Washington was in full control.
Washington’s win marked just its second at the Rose Bowl in three decades.
Final 48-14 Washington
Michigan rolled to a win at Maryland, in a clean, confident performance that serves as the perfect tune-up for next week’s showdown against Ohio State.
Running back Bryson Kuzdzal carried the load with 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 16 of 23 passes for 215 yards and two scores, connecting with Andrew Marsh and Donaven McCulley. Michigan built a 24–10 halftime lead, mixing efficient passing with patient, physical runs. Maryland stayed in the game early, but the Wolverines’ defense tightened when it mattered, limiting the Terrapins’ drives and keeping them from closing the gap.
In the second half, Michigan controlled the tempo. Kuzdzal added two more rushing touchdowns, Jasper Parker scored on a short run, and the Wolverines finished with a long field goal to seal the win. Maryland’s quarterback Malik Washington threw for over 200 yards, and Octavian Smith Jr. had five receptions, but Michigan’s balanced attack and disciplined defense ensured a comfortable victory.
The bigger story is what this game sets up. Michigan now heads home with momentum and confidence for the massive rivalry clash with Ohio State. After this win, Michigan is looking balanced and ready to bring its best against Ohio State in a game that could decide the Big Ten.
Beating Ohio State would be a huge playoff monumental for Michigan, not just in terms of rivalry bragging rights, but for the Big Ten standings and national playoff perception. A win over the Buckeyes would cap the season with a signature victory, boosting confidence and momentum heading into the postseason. It would validate Michigan’s development on both sides of the ball, showcase their young depth and resilience, and give the program a huge recruiting lift, reaffirming that they are of the highest level against one of college football’s most consistent powerhouses. Plus 5 in a row would be sublime, send their rival spiraling.
Ohio State defeated Rutgers 42–9 in Columbus, delivering a controlled, workmanlike performance that served as final preparation for their big rivalry game next week. The Buckeyes poured in four rushing touchdowns and totaled 430 yards of offense, relying on a balanced ground game even without their top two receivers and 4 of their top 5 receivers. Bo Jackson led the way with 110 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Julian Sayin was efficient, completing 13 of 19 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Max Klare for a score and racking up 105 receiving yards, a career high. Defensively, Ohio State dominated: Caden Curry had six tackles, two sacks, and forced a fumble at the Rutgers 1-yard line. The Buckeyes’ defense held Rutgers to just 66 rushing yards and 81 through the air.
For Rutgers, Antwan Raymond carried 15 times for 52 yards and scored their only touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finished 10 of 20 for 81 yards with no touchdowns.
This win pushed Ohio State to 11–0. More importantly, Ohio State heads into next week’s showdown against Michigan fully dialed in, with a healthy run game and a defense firing on all cylinders.
For Ohio State fans, beating Michigan next week would be pure exhilaration — the kind of win that would define this season. A loss here, and you can forget about what the fans and media think about those previous 11 wins this season. It would be a chance to celebrate dominance over their rival, sparking statewide pride, that coaches, players, and fans live for year after year.
It’s beyond the scoreboard; it’s about bragging rights. A victory would send fans home on cloud nine, who are already dreaming of playoff runs and championships, but of most importance, setting a new standard of rivalry dominance that, in their opinion, belongs in Columbus.
Stephen Leonard
Writer
The Indiana Hoosiers say, as Drake says, “started from the bottom and now we’re here” in the Big Ten Championship Game. The only two remaining undefeated major college football teams face off under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 […]
Cody Croy
Writer
Ohio State wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has accepted the Head Coach position at the University Of South Florida. He is expected to remain with Ohio State through the postseason. A Canton native, Hartline played his entire collegiate football career with Ohio State from 2005-2008. He then went on to play in […]
The Buckeyes were well represented this week in the NFL as 3 former members of last season’s national championship roster each performed well enough to earn a nomination for the Rookie Of The Week. Lathan Ransom and the Carolina Panthers stunned the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-28 victory. Ransom, who made his first career […]
