Big Ten & SEC Week 2 Recap
Big Ten
The Big Ten had a big week as the conference posted a 12-2 record, including four shutouts and three wins vs. other Power 5 teams.
#5 Michigan State 31 #7 Oregon 28
In the season’s first meeting between two top-10 teams, The Spartans (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) outlasted the high-scoring Ducks (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12), thanks to a defensive stand in the game’s final minute. QB Connor Cook guided a balanced Michigan State offense that racked up 192 yards through the air and another 192 yards on the ground.
Michigan 35 Oregon State 7
In Jim Harbaugh’s home debut as his alma mater’s head coach, the Wolverines (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated the Beavers (1-1, 0-0 Pac 12) in front of a crowd of nearly 110,000 fans. After struggling to get its running game going in week one, Michigan gained 225 yards on the ground against the Beavers, led by RB De’Veon Smith’s 126 yards and three touchdowns.
Iowa 31 Iowa State 17
In an emotionally challenging week for the Hawkeyes (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten), they banded together and defeated the rival Cyclones (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) on the road. Iowa came into the game mourning the deaths of Tyler Sash and Roy Marble, both former Hawkeye athletes. QB C.J. Beathard (15-25, 215 yards, 3 TDs) led Iowa as they regained the Cy-Hawk trophy and dedicated it to those they lost.
#1 Ohio State 38 Hawaii 0
After a slow start, the Buckeyes (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to defeat the Rainbow Warriors (1-1, 0-0 MW). QB Cardale Jones finished 12-for-18 with 111 yards for Ohio State, while RB Ezekiel Elliot scored three of the Buckeyes’ four rushing touchdowns.
The other games:
Washington State (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12) defeated Rutgers (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten), 37-34.
Illinois (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Western Illinois (1-1, 0-0 MVFC), 44-0.
Bowling Green (1-1, 0-0 MAC) defeated Maryland (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten), 48-27.
Penn State (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Buffalo (1-1, 0-0 MAC), 27-14.
Purdue defeated Indiana State (1-1, 0-0 MVFC) , 38-14.
Wisconsin (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) shut out Miami (OH) (1-1, 0-0 MAC), 58-0.
Minnesota (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Colorado State (1-1, 0-0 MW) in overtime, 23-20.
Northwestern (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) shut out Eastern Illinois (0-2, 0-0 OVC ), 41-0.
Nebraska (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated South Alabama (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt ), 48-9.
Indiana (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated FIU (1-1, 0-0 CUSA), 36-22.
SEC
Though some conversation about the weekend in football focused on the SEC’s struggles, the conference largely kept things rolling in the early part of the season with nine of 14 teams maintaining an unblemished record. Week two also saw the beginning of conference play with three SEC games.
#14 LSU 21 #25 Mississippi St. 19
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead after scoring two 1st quarter touchdowns and led 21-6 after three. Mississippi State then made a run at a comeback but it was just a little too late for QB Dak Prescott (24-52, 335 yards, 1 TD) and the Bulldogs. The Tigers ran the ball well primary with RB Leonard Fournette, who ran for 159 yards and all three of his team’s scores.
#10 Georgia 31 Vanderbilt 14
After missing an early field goal and losing LB Lorenzo Carter for a targeting penalty, the Bulldogs rebounded to put away the Commodores thanks in large part to a defense that picked off Vanderbilt QB Johnny McRay three times. RB Nick Chubb propelled the Georgia offense as he rushed for 189 yards on 19 attempts.
Kentucky 26 South Carolina 22
Before defeating the Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC) on Saturday, it had been 22-games and 5 years since the Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 SEC) had won a game on the road. In the final quarter of the game, South Carolina had attempted a two-point conversion for the chance to tie it up, but WR Pharoh Cooper fumbled the ball. Kentucky’s Denzil Ware was quick to recover and returned it 98 yards to add on two more points for the Cats.
#19 Oklahoma 31 #23 Tennessee 24
In a hard fought, double-overtime game, the Volunteers (1-1, 0-0 SEC) couldn’t quite hold off the Sooners (2-0, 0-0 Big 12). After a strong first half, Tennessee was leading 17-3 heading into the locker room. The Vols’ Todd Kelly Jr. picked off Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield twice, but the Sooner QB went on to throw for three touchdowns.
The other games:
#16 Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Ball State (1-1, 0-0 MAC), 56-23.
#21 Missouri (2-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Arkansas State (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt), 27-20.
Florida (2-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated East Carolina (1-1, 0-0 AAC), 31-24.
#6 Auburn (2-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Jacksonville State (1-1, 0-0 OVC) in overtime, 27-20.
#17 Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0 SEC) dominated Fresno State (1-1, 0-0 MW), 73-21.
#2 Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Middle Tennessee State (1-1, 0-0 CUSA), 37-10.
Toledo (1-0, 0-0 MAC) defeated #18 Arkansas (1-1, 0-0 SEC), 16-12.