Leading up to the first week of football in nearly seven months "the itch" was so bad for some pads popping, balls flying, and whistles blowing that I would have been at the edge of my seat watching a 3-0 field position battle yawn-fest. Luckily, our first week of action was filled with everything from shoot-outs, smash mouth low scoring affairs, and games that came down to the final drive. Lets check out the recap of some of the best week one action in the Big Ten conference and hand out some game balls along the way.
Buffalo 20
Ohio State 40
Recap
Braxton Miller started out his Heisman campaign with some good moments and bad. He was intercepted by one of the best kept secrets in college football in linebacker Khalil Mack from Buffalo. Mack stepped right in front of a quick screen and took it 45 yards to the house with Miller chasing. That was Miller's only costly mistake on the day as he finished with 178 yards passing, two touchdowns, and the one interception. He also added 77 yards on the ground on 17 attempts reminding everyone he will be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation all year long.
Still opening at home against a very mediocre team in Buffalo I expected to see more explosion out of the Buckeyes who never seemed to get in the fast past rhythm that were used to seeing. None the less a win is a win and they will use this as a warm up game to get their timing down until their tougher competition starts next month.
Game Ball: I would love to give this to Buffalo's linebacker Mack as he showed relentless hustle and made plenty of splash plays (listen for his name a lot this year). However, because they were on the losing end, the game ball goes to running back Jordan Hall. Hall, a senior for the Buckeyes, who you probably haven't heard of was asked to carry the load with tailback Carlos Hyde suspended the first three games. Hall carried the ball 21 times and produced 149 yards and two touchdowns. With Ohio State's vanilla offensive game plan for week one Hall was the perfect dose of speed and power giving the Buckeyes just enough balance to make plays in the passing game and control the clock. Look for him to get the rock plenty more after this performance until Hyde returns from suspension.
Western Michigan 13
Michigan State 26
Recap
Well what we all figured would happen did. Saying the Spartans quarterback play was going to be "shaky" this year turned out to be an understatement. Five year senior Andrew Maxwell was pulled after three ineffective drives for Connor Cook who didn't look any better. The loss of running back Le'Von Bell to the NFL now looks like a huge blow for Michigan State that they may not be able to overcome. Thank goodness for the defense, however. After one of the best statistical defensive performances we had last year, the Spartans defense picked up right where they left off.
Linebacker Jarious Jones had two interceptions, one which turned into a touchdown after he latterelled the ball to his teammate who took it to the house. The Spartans had three interceptions and four turn-overs all together. They also were stingy in the run game allowing just 11 yards on 27 attempts for an average of .4 yards per carry. The play of the week (maybe of the year) was brought to you by safety Kurtis Drummond who jumped threw the roof to make an incredible one-handed interception ( http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1756581-michigan-state-safety-kurtis-drummond-makes-a-sick-one-handed-interception ). All in all the Spartans survived sloppy offensive play and relied on their defense once again to take over the game.
Game Ball: The Spartan's Defense. That defense was incredible once again in all phases of the game. Much like most teams this could be considered a warm up game and will face tougher competition in weeks to come. However, forcing four turnovers, allowing just 11 total rushing yards, and holding Western Michigan to just four yards per pass is top notch. Throwing in the play of the day as well was just an added bonus as they showed off their superior athletic ability all four quarters.
Syracuse 17
Penn State 23
Recap
This game had one big underlying story underneath the score board. Is true freshman and five-star recruit Christian Hackenberg ready to take over as the Nittnay Lions quarterback? Not sure if that question got a definitive answer on Saturday, but Penn State fans can breathe a sigh of relief after he previewed some of his athletic tools that made him the top quarterback in this years recruiting class. Hackenberg and sophomore Tyler Ferguson (who is deemed more polished and ready) switched off offensive series with one another during most of the game. Hackenberg showed signs of his first collegiate game looking hesitant and unconfident on some of his first half throws. But, in the second half he made some adjustments and looked much more comftorable throwing two touchdown passes and was much more efficient of a passer overall.
One of the two touchdowns was a 54 yard bullet in the second half showing off his canon arm scouts have been drooling about. The difference in this game for syracuse was the turnovers. They kept this game close most of the game until their two minute drive was ended on another interception (three total turnovers) that sealed the game. Penn State will have there work cut out for them this year having limited scholarships due to NCAA violations however, after an overachieving 2012 season for coach Bill O'Brien, and the most talented player at quarterback that they've had in years, there is plenty of optimism floating around the Nittnay Lions.
Game Ball: It takes most athletes four quarters to achieve their gameball, but apparently it only takes two for Penn State's wide out Allen Robinson. Robinson, who sat the first half for unknown reasons, made up for loss time in the final two quarters. He even scored the first touchdown of the game opening up the third quarter with a 53 yard pass from Hackenberg, gaining most those yards after the catch. He finished with seven receptions for 133 yards averaging 19.0 yards per catch. In the limited time they got to play together, the Hackenberg-Robinson connection looked efficient and explosive. Robinson has never played with a quarterback with the tools the Hackenberg possesses. Vice-versa Hackenberg has never had an athletic and big target like Robinson. If they can continue to develop their timing with one another Penn State's offense will be even better than expected.
Wyoming 34
Nebraska 37
Recap
Nebraska needed all 530 yards of offense to hold off the scare they got from Wyoming. Nebraska who is replacing eight defensive starters from last year gave up an alarming 603 yards to Wyoming who led 14-10 in the second quarter. Much like how they ended last year, the Cornhuskers were dominate on the ground with Ameer Abdulah and Imani Cross both rushing over the century mark. Quarterback Taylor Martinez tossed three touchdown passes and 155 yards as well. Flip the coin and like last year Nebraska's defense looked confused, out of place, and down right lost. On top of the 600 yards given up they also allowed Wyoming to convert for 35 first downs. Those kind of numbers are tough to even give up in Madden, the video game!
After giving up three straight touchdowns, Wyoming fought back to get with in three points with under two minutes left but ran out of time. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was happy to get the victory but recognizes there is room for improvement, " Well we're 1-0 and I'm happy we're 1-0, but obviously we've got a lot of work to do." If Nebraska wants to improve from last year they will be forced to win in plenty of shoot-out style of games much like this win, unless they can find a way to tighten up what looks to be one of the worst defenses in the Big Ten.
Game Ball: The Cornhuskers Offensive Line. In what turned out to be a high-scoring affair the offensive line for Nebraska opened holes and paved the way to 375 yards on the ground. Proving that it wasn't the talent behind them the offensive line helped four different players rush for 76 yards or more (Abdulah 114, Cross 105, Martinez 80, Newby 76) and helped them total 530 yards of total offense.
Northern Illinois 30
Iowa 27
Recap
One of the most exciting games of Saturday came from Northern Illinois and Iowa. Iowa who finished last season with six straight losses was ready to bounce back strong and open with a win at home. Instead they left with their heads down after a field goal with four seconds left gave them their first home opening loss since 2000. They also left with a better idea of why Quarterback Jordan Lynch had so much hype around him after his 2012 campaign. Lynch was the first Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,500 last season. For most of the afternoon the Hawkeyes did a good job of containing Lynch on the ground (22 carries for 56 yards) however, still let him pass for 275 yards and three touchdowns. It was the critical and ill-timed turnovers though that cost Iowa the victory.
Lynch engineered a 6-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:37, tying the game at 27 with a 33-yard TD pass to Da'Ron Brown with 5:05 left in the game. The following drive Iowa's Jake Rudock threw an interception to safety Jimmie Ward at the 30 yard line with 1:17 left setting up an easy kick for the Huskies kicker. Despite a solid outing from their defense Iowa lost in heartbreaking fashion and let Lynch steal his 22nd victory in his last 24 games.
Game Ball: Jordan Lynch is a quiet sleeper for the Heisman trophy this year and Saturday proved why. 275 yards in the air with three touchdowns, but more importantly he led his team back in the fourth quarter for the victory much like he did time and time again in 2012. Lynch was shut down in the running game for only 56 yards on 22 carries but its his ability to run that keeps defenses honest and opens up his passing lanes. Watch for Lynch to continue his Heisman run with not only his statistical numbers, but with his leadership and wins as well.
Other Big Ten Games
- Northwestern beat California on the road 44-30 with the help from two interceptions by Collin Ellis that were brought back to the house.
- Returning 18 starters Indiana stomped in state rival Indiana State 73-35. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw four touchdowns as the Hoosiers offense produced 632 yards of offense.
- After struggling getting out the gate in past years the Gophers routed UNLV 51-23. It took all three phases for Minnesota to produce those points. Ra'Shede Hageman blocked a field goal which was returned for a touchdown and the Gophers added a interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for a complete team victory.
- Wisconsin steamrolled Massachusetts 45-0. The Badgers continued their impressive ground attack as Melvin Gordon and James White combined for 287 yards rushing.
- Leading 39-17 late in the third quarter Illinois let Southern Illinois claw back, but held on in the end for the 42-34 win. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw an impressive 416 yards as Illinois is half way to their win total from last year (2-10).
- Purdue got their 2013 season off to a rough start losing to Cincinnati 42-7. Only 12 first downs and four turnovers handicapped the Boilmakers in this one.
- It seemed like Varsity versus the JV team by half time in this match-up. After going up 35-6 the Wolverines brought in their back ups and put up the most points in their opener since 1905. 14 years before Root Beer was evented (1919).