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Maryland Terrapins

Maryland

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Maryland Terrapins Football team

Spotlighting Daniel Wingate | Maryland Football | The Journey

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Big Ten Week 3 football Schedule, Key Matchups, and Saturday slate | Big Ten Football

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Oregon Ducks

Oregon

Oregon Ducks Football team

Analyzing Oregon's Surprising Start to the Season | Oregon Football

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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan

Michigan Wolverines Football team

Impact of Bryce Underwood's Legs on Michigan's Offense | Michigan Football

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Big 12 Conference

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones Football team

Iowa State at Iowa | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Football | 9/12/2026

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Iowa City, IA

West

Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa Hawkeyes Football team

2026-09-12 | Football | Iowa State Cyclones vs Iowa Hawkeyes | #44395 | COMPLETE

Iowa

Iowa State at Iowa | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Football | 9/12/2026 (gUddfTnDCvs)

A Linebacker's Born: Spotlighting Daniel Wingate | Maryland Football | The Journey

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Nebraska Huskers

Nebraska

Nebraska Huskers Football team

FLASHBACK: 2012 Taylor Martinez B1G Championship Touchdown | Nebraska Football

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Who is the most iconic player in program history? | Big Ten Football

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Who's the First Football Player You Think of from Each Big Ten School? | Big Ten Football

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Cornhuskers’ Fast Start: Dynamic QB, Big Plays | Nebraska Football

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Penn State Football

Penn State

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Maryland Football

The Terps and Hokies last crossed paths in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl. 

🐢 vs. 🦃 - Saturday on @FS1 https://t.co/iWZK82iH0r

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USC Football

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𝐟𝐥𝐲est in the world ✈️✌️

⚔️ at Rutgers • Saturday 12:30PM PT
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Guess who is in the backfield already?

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Washington Football

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Ohio State Football

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<div class="payload-richtext">After a Week 2 that delivered wild finishes, conference play arrives early with a pair of long-distance trips, as USC travels to New Jersey to visit Rutgers while Purdue heads west to face UCLA. The conference matchups are just a preview of what’s to come over the next few months, and the rest of the board is just as loaded with non-conference matchups. <h2>Unbeaten Trojans fly east for early Big Ten test  </h2>Fresh off three 16+ point wins, No. 12 USC opens its Big Ten slate on the East Coast against Rutgers at SHI Stadium (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS).   Lincoln Riley’s offense is rolling, putting up at least 39 points per game. QB Jayden Maiava leads the nation in passing yards (896) and touchdowns (10), spreading the ball to backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan. With standout wide receiver Trent Mosley out, freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Mark Bowman will step up as Maiava’s primary targets in the passing game. The spotlight, however, falls on new coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense. Despite an 0-2 start, Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights feature top Big Ten playmakers in running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff — who shares the national lead with five touchdown catches along with 333 receiving yards (second in the country) in two games. This matchup will offer an early barometer for USC's upgraded unit as the Trojans look to win their Big Ten opener for the second straight season and Rutgers looks to get into the victory column. <h2>Undefeated UCLA puts perfect mark on the line against Purdue </h2>The Bob Chesney era has gotten off to a perfect start, with UCLA winning its two games over Cal and San Diego State by multiple scores. After reaching the College Football Playoff with James Madison in 2025, Chesney’s culture and play style is apparent, led by running back Wayne Knight, who is tied for the nation’s lead with six rushing touchdowns. The Bruins revamped defense has also started out the season strong, allowing 34 points in two games, but it now welcomes in a Purdue team that’s averaging 40 points a game. With quarterback Ryan Browne completing over 77% of his passes for 646 yards and four touchdowns, Barry Odom’s Boilermakers can push tempo and light up the scoreboard. The two offenses have succeeded in different ways so far this season: UCLA’s ground-and-pound, ball-control identity behind Knight against Purdue’s balanced attack (the only team in the country with a QB averaging 300 yards per game and a running back averaging 100 yards rushing).  Tune in Saturday at 11 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. Beyond those showdowns, a few key non-conference games across the Big Ten highlight this week’s action on Saturday night: <ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="1"
 >After a 2-0 start, Maryland welcomes former Penn State coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech to College Park. The Hokies have started the season with two wins, led by Nittany Lion transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer under center (7:30 p.m. ET on FS1).</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >Pat Fitzgerald’s Michigan State goes on the road for the first time this season to face one of the country’s best teams in No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC). </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Northwestern’s final game at the Martin Stadium will be a cinematic one, as Deion Sanders and Colorado come to Evanston for a showdown along Lake Michigan (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX). </li></ul>The matchups don’t stop there, with teams like Oregon and Ohio State looking to bounce back after heartbreaking Week 2 losses. Check out the full schedule <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here.
 </a> </div>

UCLA Football celebrates after a win

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UCLA

Purdue

Rutgers

Coast-to-Coast Clashes: Conference Play Kicks Off Early

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/2026%20FB%20Week%203%20Release.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - WEEK 3
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/standings/2026/">
 STANDINGS
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/">
 SCHEDULE
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/abbott/">
 WE GIVE BLOOD DRIVE
 </a> • Week 3 ushers in the start of conference play with a pair of games on Saturday. No. 12 USC heads to Rutgers for a 3:30 p.m. ET outing on CBS and RV UCLA is set to host Purdue on Big Ten Network at 11 p.m. ET. Saturday’s slate also includes a clash between Michigan State and No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.• The Big Ten had nine teams included in this week’s AP and 10 in the US LBM Coaches Polls. The AP poll featured No. 4 Indiana, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 12 USC, No. 14 Penn State, No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Michigan and No. 21 Oregon, while Washington and UCLA received votes. Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan’s rankings remained the same in the coaches’ poll with shifts for No. 11 USC, No. 15 Penn State, No. 18 Oregon, No. 20 Iowa and No. 24 Washington. Nebraska and UCLA also earned votes.• The Big Ten Football Players of the Week were announced Monday with Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea being named Offensive Player of the Week. The quarterback threw a career-high four touchdown passes, all before halftime, with 222 passing and 33 rushing yards. Colandrea is the first Nebraska quarterback since 2016 to throw for at least three touchdowns in consecutive games.• John Henry Daley was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week behind his efforts in Michigan’s win over Oklahoma. Daley recorded his first sack as a Wolverine along with 3.0 TFL and finished the game with eight tackles.• Iowa’s Caden Buhr took home the Special Teams Player of the Week honor after he connected on the 42-yard game-winning field goal with 15 seconds on the clock, pushing the Hawkeyes past Iowa State, 16-13.• In USC’s victory over Louisiana, Mark Bowman had a team-best six receptions for 83 yards to earn Freshman of the Week recognition. The rookie tallied the most receiving yards by a Trojan tight end in a single game since 2009. He also had a pair of touchdowns, the first tight end to score two touchdowns in a game for USC since 2022.• Michigan defeated No. 11 Oklahoma, 17-10, for its first win at home against a ranked opponent since 2024 and first over the Sooners in program history.• With a 55-0 victory over Howard, Indiana recorded its seventh win by at least 50 points since 2024, which leads FBS teams.• The 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game will be played on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be broadcast by FOX. The winner will represent the conference as the Automatic Qualifier (AQ) to the College Football Playoff. • Abbott and the Big Ten Conference kicked off Season 3 of the We Give Blood drive on August 26. Donations are tracked in real-time until December 4. The school with the most donations at the end will be announced on December 5 at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game. Every donation can help save up to three lives — and someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. The leaderboard can be found on page 6.• Indiana captured its first national title last season with a 27-21 victory over Miami (Fla.) in the 2026 College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Hoosiers capped off the season as the only team in college football history to go 16-0.• The Big Ten has claimed three consecutive College Football Playoff championships by three different universities (Indiana 2026, Ohio State 2025, Michigan 2024).• With national championships in football and men’s and women’s basketball, the Big Ten became the second conference to sweep football and basketball national titles since 1981-82. The Big Ten is the only conference to achieve the feat with three different schools.</div>

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2026 Week 3 Football Release

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Illinois – The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday that tickets for the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT/8 a.m. PT. Fans can continue to <a href="https://web.witcontests.com/bigten/form/football-ticketing-updates-260911">
 sign up before Sept. 16 for access to exclusive presales
 </a> and the best opportunity to secure seats for the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. The 16th annual title matchup on Saturday, Dec. 5, will pair the top two teams in the Big Ten standings at the conclusion of the regular season inside Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT on FOX. Last year the Indiana Hoosiers defeated Ohio State, 13-10, in their debut appearance in the game on the way to a perfect 16-0 season and College Football Playoff championship. 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game weekend also will include Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper at the Indiana Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5. More than 200,000 square feet will be dedicated to interactive games, entertainment, Big Ten merchandise, giveaways, food and beverages, and much more. The game will cap nearly two weeks of Big Ten action in and around Indianapolis, beginning with the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament from Nov. 20-25, 2026, at Fishers Event Center. Big Ten Conference play kicks off this Saturday, Sept. 19, when USC visits Rutgers (3:30 p.m. ET; CBS) and UCLA hosts Purdue (8 p.m. PT; BTN). ###</div>

Curt Cignetti raises the Big Ten football trophy

2026 FCG Tickets On Sale

Big Ten Football Championship

2026 Big Ten Football Championship Game

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – Following Week 2 contests, the Big Ten Conference Football Players of the Week were announced Monday. Below are this week’s honorees:Offensive Player of the Week Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska Sr. – QB – St. Petersburg, Fla. – Lakewood • Threw a career-high four touchdown passes, all before halftime, in a 56-7 win over Bowling Green • Totaled 222 passing and 33 rushing yards • First Nebraska quarterback since 2016 to throw for at least three touchdowns in consecutive games • Last Nebraska Offensive Player of the Week: Emmett Johnson (Nov. 10, 2025)Defensive Player of the Week John Henry Daley, Michigan Sr. – DE – Alpine, Utah – Lone Peak • Recorded first sack as a Wolverine along with 3.0 TFL to upset No. 11 Oklahoma, 17-10 • Finished the game with eight tackles • Last Michigan Defensive Player of the Week: Jimmy Rolder (Oct. 27, 2025)Special Teams Player of the Week Caden Buhr, Iowa So. – PK – Bettendorf, Iowa – Bettendorf • Connected on a 42-yard game-winning field goal with 15 seconds remaining for a 16-13 victory over Iowa State • Made field goals from 32, 45 and 42 yards for a new career high • Last Iowa Special Teams Player of the Week: Kaden Wetjen (Nov. 24, 2025)Freshman of the Week Mark Bowman, USC Fr. – TE – Castle Rock, Colo. – Mater Dei • In a 49-30 win over Louisiana, recorded a team-best six receptions for 83 yards • Most receiving yards by a Trojan tight end in a single game since 2009 • Tallied a pair of touchdowns, the first tight end to score two touchdowns in a game for USC since 2022 • Last USC Freshman of the Week: King Miller (Oct. 13, 2025)2026 Big Ten Football Players of the Week Sept. 7 O: Jayden Maiava, QB, R-Sr., USC Co-D: Caleb Bacon, DE, R-Sr., PSU Co-D: Ta’Shawn James, DB, Sr., UCLA ST: Javon Tracy, WR, 5th-Yr., MINN F: Jamal Rule, RB, Fr., NEBSept. 14 O: Anthony Colandrea, QB, Sr., NEB D: John Henry Daley, DE, Sr., MICH ST: Caden Buhr, PK, So., IOWA F: Mark Bowman, TE, Fr., USC</div>

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2026 Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa and USC Claim Weekly Football Honors

<div class="payload-richtext">From over 110,000 fans witnessing a top-15 win in Ann Arbor to clutch late-game theatrics in Iowa City, here were some of the highlights in Week 2 of college football. <h2>Defense Leads Wolverines to Gritty Win Over No. 11 Sooners </h2>There was no bigger statement across the Big Ten than in Ann Arbor, where Michigan defeated No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 for the first marquee win of the Kyle Whittingham era. Following a Week 1 walk-off Hail Mary, the Wolverines held an explosive Sooners offense that scored 51 points in its opener scoreless in the first half. After building a 10-0 lead behind Bryce Underwood’s 38-yard touchdown run, Oklahoma erased the deficit to knot the score in the second half. But Michigan stayed poised under pressure, controlling the clock with the run game (33 minutes of possession, 152 rushing yards) and standing tall on defense. In the fourth quarter, Jyaire Hill stepped in front of John Mateer’s pass for a crucial interception, handing the offense a short field for Jordan Marshall's game-winning touchdown plunge. The victory gives Whittingham a signature victory and builds solid momentum as Michigan (now ranked No. 19) prepares to wrap up non-conference play next week against UTEP. <a href="https://mgoblue.com/news/2026/9/12/football-wolverine-defense-stymies-no-11-sooners-to-move-to-2-0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Read more from the Maize and Blue
 </a>. <h2>Hawkeyes Rally from Early Deficit to Claim Thrilling Cy-Hawk Win </h2>At Kinnick Stadium, No. 21 Iowa showed incredible resolve to reclaim bragging rights in the 2026 installment of the Cy-Hawk Series, roaring back from an early 10-0 deficit to defeat rival Iowa State 16-13. It was the Hawkeyes’ first victory over the Cyclones at home since 2018.  After a sluggish start, Iowa settled in and knotted the score at 10 behind a one-yard touchdown push from quarterback Hank Brown and a 45-yard field goal from Caden Buhr. Wide receiver Tony Diaz provided a steady spark for the offense throughout the night, hauling in eight receptions for 95 yards to keep the chains moving.  With the game tied at 13 late in the fourth quarter, Iowa’s defense clamped down, stopping the Cyclones to set up the final drive. The Hawkeyes drove 31 yards on nine plays. With just 15 seconds remaining, Buhr drilled a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNia9IxD_O/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 42-yard game-winning field goal
 </a> to ignite the crowd in Iowa City. The comeback victory keeps Iowa undefeated at 2-0 and secures a crucial early-season rivalry trophy. <a href="https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2026/09/13/buhrs-late-field-goal-lifts-hawkeyes-past-iowa-state" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Read more from the Hawkeyes
 </a>. Across the conference, there were a handful of B1G performances: <ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
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 >Defending national champion No. 5 Indiana shut out Howard 55-0 in Bloomington, with wide receiver Charlie Becker scoring <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdMiLlkkeSn/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 three touchdowns on three receptions
 </a> in the first half.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >No. 14 USC advanced to 3-0 behind a 49-30 win over Louisiana. Jayden Maiava threw for 261 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, and freshman Trent Mosley continued the hot start to his college career with an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNt3W_Dp3S/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 86-yard punt return touchdown.
 </a> </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >No. 1 Ohio State dropped a <a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2026/9/13/football-no-1-ohio-state-falls-on-the-road-at-no-4-texas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 24-23 heartbreaker
 </a> to No. 4 Texas in Austin. Jeremiah Smith posted eight receptions for 164 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >Quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 20-of-24 passes for 222 yards and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNTVTHkRla/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 four touchdowns
 </a> in Nebraska’s 56-7 win over Bowling Green.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="5"
 >Michigan State running back Cam Edwards ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the Spartans’ 35-7 win against Eastern Michigan. <a href="https://x.com/B1Gfootball/status/2098889371659169793" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Check out the second one here.
 </a> </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="6"
 >On the first play from scrimmage, Abu Sama III broke out for a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNKvzAx4Ko/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 72-yard touchdown
 </a> in Wisconsin’s 36-9 rout of Western Illinois. </li></ul>Check out the complete <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Week 2 scoreboard here
 </a>, or jump over to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/b1gfootball/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 @b1gfootball
 </a> for all the must-see highlights. </div>

Bryce Underwood hugs Michigan teammate Nico Andrighetto after the Wolverines' win over Oklahoma

Big Home Wins Highlight Football Week 2 

<div class="payload-richtext">The 2026 NFL season is here, and across all 32 teams, there are players who starred on college football Saturdays who are now leading their teams in the pros. Turn on any NFL matchup, and conference alumni are plentiful, spanning from Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Super Bowl LX Champions Seattle Seahawks to Saquon Barkley with the Philadelphia Eagles. Heading into the 2026 season, hundreds of former conference stars are set to suit up for another campaign, but only one player can claim the top spot for each school based on their NFL legacy, college roots, and projected impact. With that, here are Andrew McDevitt’s best players from each Big Ten school entering the 2026 season. <h2>Illinois Fighting Illini — Kerby Joseph (S, Detroit Lions) </h2>
 <img
 alt="Illinois_KerbyJoseph.png"
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 A First-Team All-Big Ten safety in 2021, Joseph has paid immediate dividends for Detroit since being drafted in the third round. He led the entire NFL with nine interceptions in 2024, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and helping secure the NFC's top seed. Though he only played six games last season, he tallied three interceptions. He’s still recovering from injury but remains one of the league's elite ball-hawking safeties.  <h2>Indiana Hoosiers — Fernando Mendoza (QB, Las Vegas Raiders) </h2>
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 Indiana's NFL pipeline is poised to explode under Curt Cignetti with a school-record eight players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, led by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. In 2025, Mendoza orchestrated a flawless 16-0 campaign, throwing 41 touchdown passes while guiding Indiana to its first Big Ten title in nearly six decades and its first national championship. His landmark year made him the first Hoosier ever to win the Heisman Trophy, capping off one of the most remarkable single seasons in college football history. While he hasn’t taken a snap on the NFL stage yet, his impact in Bloomington and professional potential earned him a spot on McDevitt’s list. <h2>Iowa Hawkeyes — George Kittle (TE, San Francisco 49ers) </h2>
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 Entering his 10th season in San Francisco, George Kittle continues to build an undeniable Hall of Fame resume as one of the most complete and dominant tight ends in modern NFL history. Drafted in the fifth round out of Iowa in 2017, Kittle is the dynamic heart of the 49ers' offense. Through his first nine seasons, Kittle has amassed 8,008 career receiving yards—placing him 10th all-time among tight ends — to go along with seven Pro Bowl nods and two First-Team All-Pro honors. A four-time 1,000-yard receiver, he remains a rare dual-threat force. <h2>Maryland Terrapins — DJ Moore (WR, Buffalo Bills) </h2>
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 Before establishing himself as one of the NFL's premier playmakers, Moore was terrorizing Big Ten defenses in College Park. The 2017 Big Ten Receiver of the Year set single-season Maryland records with 80 catches for 1,033 yards before heading to the Carolina Panthers as a first-round draft pick in 2018. Moore has stacked five 1,000-yard seasons — highlighted by an explosive 2023 campaign in Chicago where he posted career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364), and touchdowns (9) —  en route to surpassing 8,000 career receiving yards. Now heading into year nine, Moore is a primary target for Josh Allen and is primed for another massive chapter in 2026. <h2>Michigan Wolverines — Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE, Detroit Lions) </h2>
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 Before transforming Detroit’s defense, Aidan Hutchinson posted one of the most dominant individual seasons in Michigan history, earning 2021 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors while setting the Wolverines' single-season record with 14 sacks. The 2022 No. 2 overall pick quickly validated the draft hype, bringing his trademark motor, relentless pursuit, and game-changing pass-rush abilities to the NFL stage. Coming off a monster 2025 campaign where he racked up 14.5 sacks and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors, a fully healthy Hutchinson enters 2026 primed to solidify his standing among the league's top-tier edge rushers. <h2>Michigan State Spartans — Kenneth Walker III (RB, Kansas City Chiefs) </h2>
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 Walker III’s legendary 2021 season at Michigan State — highlighted by 1,636 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns, and the Doak Walker Award — served as a launching pad for his pro career. After logging three 1,000-yard seasons in Seattle, the home-run threat earned Super Bowl LX MVP honors with a 135-yard rushing performance against New England. Now joining the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year, $45 million deal, the tackle-breaking back will look to elevate the Chiefs' backfield for another championship run. <h2>Minnesota Golden Gophers — Antoine Winfield Jr. (S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) </h2>
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 A unanimous All-American during Minnesota’s 2019 season, Winfield Jr. brought his high-octane playmaking straight to the NFL. Drafted in 2020, he earned immediate starting status, capping his rookie year with a key Super Bowl LV interception to secure a ring. Now entering year seven, the two-time Pro Bowler and 2023 First-Team All-Pro selection is the soul of Tampa Bay’s secondary. With 500+ total tackles, 18 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles, Winfield stands as one of the league’s superior safeties.<h2>Nebraska Cornhuskers — Cam Jurgens (C, Philadelphia Eagles) </h2>
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 alt="Nebraska_CamJurgens.png"
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 Philadelphia's Super Bowl-winning center anchors the top of the Cornhusker rankings. A former Third-Team All-Big Ten selection in Lincoln, the 2022 second-round pick has earned two Pro Bowl nods while leading one of the strongest offensive lines in professional football. Along with his Super Bowl ring, he helped Philadelphia reach the final game as a rookie in 2022, where he appeared in all 17 regular season and three postseason games. <h2>Northwestern Wildcats — Rashawn Slater (OT, Los Angeles Chargers) </h2>
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 Selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Slater earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie and hasn't looked back. The Chargers secured their franchise tackle with an extension through 2029, making him one of the highest-paid tackles in NFL history and cementing the two-time Pro Bowler as a cornerstone up front. Now going into his sixth season, Slater protects fellow Big Ten school alum Justin Herbert while being led by former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. <h2>Ohio State Buckeyes — Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seattle Seahawks) </h2>
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 Andrew McDevitt’s top spot in Ohio State's ever-expanding NFL pipeline belongs to the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LX Champion. Smith-Njigba took over the league in his third season, shattering the Seahawks’ franchise record for single-season receptions (119) and leading the NFL with an astonishing 1,793 receiving yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. Now entering his fourth NFL season, the former Rose Bowl Offensive MVP represents the absolute gold standard of Big Ten alumni in the pros. While Columbus keeps churning out superstar receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave, JSN’s historic season has placed him in a league of his own entering 2026.<h2>Oregon Ducks — Penei Sewell (OT, Detroit Lions) </h2>
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 The 2019 Outland Trophy winner and unanimous First-Team All-American at Oregon has shown why Detroit snatched him seventh overall in 2021. Anchoring the Lions' offensive front, Sewell has already stacked four Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro honors early in his career. At just 25 years old, the former Duck is one of the best offensive linemen in the entire NFL. <h2>Penn State Nittany Lions — Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia Eagles) </h2>
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 After bursting onto the pro scene as the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the New York Giants, Barkley crossed NFC East rivalry lines to Philadelphia. In his first season with the Eagles, he delivered one of the most productive stretches ever by a running back, becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard regular-season rushing mark. He accumulated a single-season running back record 2,283 combined yards across the regular season and playoffs to earn NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. The star back capped off that campaign with a Super Bowl ring and heads into 2026 looking for his fifth consecutive 1,000+ yard season. <h2>Purdue Boilermakers — George Karlaftis (DE, Kansas City Chiefs) </h2>
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 Born in Athens, Greece, Karlaftis earned First-Team All-Big Ten accolades at Purdue before the Chiefs selected him 30th overall in 2022. He solidified his role as a staple on Kansas City’s defensive line, recording six sacks as a rookie and 10.5 sacks in year two during the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl runs. That rapid rise earned Karlaftis a massive four-year, $93 million contract extension in 2025, solidifying his crucial, ongoing role in Kansas City's defense. <h2>Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Kyle Monangai (RB, Chicago Bears) </h2>
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 A former First-Team All-Big Ten selection in Piscataway, Monangai burst onto the NFL scene in 2025 after being selected in the seventh round by Chicago. After rushing for over 3,000 yards in Piscataway, Monangai finished second on the Bears’ roster with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season, helping power the team back to the playoffs. This season, Monangai returns as a vital piece of Chicago's backfield. <h2>UCLA Bruins — Quentin Lake (S, Los Angeles Rams)</h2>
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 Entering his fifth NFL season with the Rams, the former UCLA safety has established himself as a reliable secondary starter. After recording a career-high 111 tackles in 2024, an elbow injury cut his 2025 campaign short. Lake, who had six interceptions at UCLA, anchors a reloaded Rams defense boosted by reigning DPOY Myles Garrett, the unretired Aaron Donald, and secondary additions Trent McDuffie (former Washington Husky) and Jaylen Watson. <h2>USC Trojans — Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Detroit Lions) </h2>
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 Selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, St. Brown has four Pro Bowls and two First-Team All-Pro nods over five seasons. With over 6,000 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns heading into year six, he stands at the top of a deep group of NFL Trojan wideouts. His relentless work ethic, elite route-running, and physical run-after-catch style make him the standard-bearer for a stacked L.A.-to-NFL pipeline that features Drake London, Jordan Addison, and Michael Pittman Jr. <h2>Washington Huskies — Budda Baker (S, Arizona Cardinals) </h2>
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 Entering his 10th NFL season in 2026, the Bellevue native and Husky icon remains a dominant force in Arizona. Baker has racked up over 1,000 career tackles and six 100-tackle seasons, leading all NFL defensive backs in total tackles since entering the league in 2017. An eight-time Pro Bowler, two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, and winner of the NFL's Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, Baker has put together nearly a decade of high-level consistency. <h2>Wisconsin Badgers — T.J. Watt (LB, Pittsburgh Steelers) </h2>
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 The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year enters his 10th season in Pittsburgh as one of the most prolific pass rushers of his generation. Pittsburgh's all-time franchise sack leader boasts 115 career sacks, eight Pro Bowls, and four First-Team All-Pro selections, anchored by an iconic 2021 campaign in which he matched Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record with 22.5 sacks. (Myles Garrett surpassed the mark with 23.0 in 2025). A three-time NFL sack leader, the former First-Team All-American earned his spot on McDevitt’s list as the crown jewel of Wisconsin’s pipeline. <h2>Honorable Mentions Across the Big Ten </h2>These are just some of the former Big Ten school stars that'll shine on Sundays in 2026, in addition to heavy hitters like Micah Parsons (Penn State), Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), Justin Herbert (Oregon), and Cooper DeJean (Iowa). Be sure to catch all the action this NFL season, and don't forget to watch closely on Saturdays as the Big Ten's next generation of pro talent takes center stage. </div>

Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrates Super Bowl victory

Saturdays to Sundays: The Top NFL Superstar from Every Big Ten School

<div class="payload-richtext">Following a strong 17-2 start, Big Ten football enters Week 2 with a prime opportunity to showcase its strength. At the top of the board, No. 1 Ohio State takes a road trip to Texas, Michigan prepares for its own SEC opponent, and the Hawkeyes gear up for the state of Iowa’s favorite rivalry. Across the entire conference, Week 2 serves as a chance for teams to build chemistry and get into form before Big Ten play kicks off. <h2>Heavyweight collision: No. 1 Ohio State takes on No. 4 Texas </h2>Rarely does September deliver this much firepower: No. 1 Ohio State heads to Austin for a heavyweight battle with No. 4 Texas. Both programs carry national title aspirations, and the winner gains an early edge in the College Football Playoff race. When these teams met in the 2025 opener, Ohio State’s defense dictated a physical 14-7 win over then-top-ranked Texas. Back then, Julian Sayin and Arch Manning were newly minted starting quarterbacks; now, both are Heisman contenders. Sayin comes off a 3,610-yard, 32-touchdown campaign, while Manning overcame early growing pains to account for 3,163 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. The Buckeyes and Longhorns have equally lethal supporting casts. Sayin distributes to superstar wideout Jeremiah Smith with 1,000-yard sophomore running back Bo Jackson behind him. Manning benefits from an upgraded arsenal featuring receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman alongside dynamic back Hollywood Smothers — a trio that combined for four touchdowns in Texas’ 59-7 opening rout of Texas State. As is the case with many elite-level clashes, this one could be won in the trenches. Defensively, both rosters boast NFL-caliber units with top-tier edge rushers. Ohio State will rely on Kenyatta Jackson Jr. to pressure Manning, while Longhorn Colin Simmons will try to get to Sayin. We’ll see which line holds up on Saturday. For Ohio State, this road trip is the early-season measuring stick of its championship ambitions. Don’t miss the top-five clash on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. <h2>Maize Out at the Big House: Michigan Hosts No. 11 Oklahoma  </h2>Kyle Whittingham leads the Wolverines into a "Maize Out" at the Big House against No. 11 Oklahoma, where Michigan’s offensive outcome will rest on sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood. Fresh off a two-touchdown season debut, Underwood meets an elite Oklahoma scoring defense that finished seventh nationally at 15.5 points per game in 2025 and shut out UTEP in the 2026 opener. He’ll look to connect again with JJ Buchanan (126 yards vs. Western Michigan) and get elevated protection from his offensive line to find a way through Sooners’ territory. After limiting the Broncos to 221 total yards, the Wolverines defense now faces a stiffer test in Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, who threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Whether it’s the defensive front with John Henry Daley or the secondary with Rod Moore Jr., Jyaire Hill and Smith Snowden, Michigan's defense will need to rely on its veterans to leave with the win. Watch this one on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on FOX. <h2>Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy: No. 21 Iowa Hosts Iowa State </h2>Coming off a decisive 40-0 opening win, No. 21 Iowa shifts its focus to a rival. The Hawkeyes host Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium in front of a raucous sellout crowd for the annual Cy-Hawk showdown. Though Iowa holds a 7-3 edge over the last decade, the recent momentum is in Ames. Having lost two straight in the series, the Hawkeyes are searching for their first home win over the Cyclones since 2018. To bring bragging rights back to Iowa City, pass rushers Iose Epenesa, Kenneth Merrieweather and the Hawkeyes will need to pressure Cyclones quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who produced four touchdowns in his Iowa State debut. Offensively, Kirk Ferentz plans to deploy both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski at quarterback. Whichever signal-caller takes the snaps will lean heavily on running back Kamari Moulton — coming off a 183-yard, two-touchdown opener — and receiver Tony Diaz to generate explosive plays. We’ll have a playoff-like atmosphere in Iowa City. See it yourself on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. <h2>An emotional night in Boston </h2>There’s a slew of games across the country this weekend, including Rutgers’ East Coast showdown with Boston College on ESPN2 Friday night. The Scarlet Knights will wear <a href="https://x.com/RFootball/status/2097057411831861599" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 custom “Never Forget” gear
 </a> to honor their 37 fallen alumni on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, while the Eagles will sport their iconic Red Bandanna uniforms in memory of Welles Crowther.  Check out the complete weekend slate <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here.
 </a> </div>

Ohio State football celebrates

Buckeyes-Longhorns, Wolverines-Sooners, Hawkeyes-Cyclones Headline Week 2

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference on Wednesday shared an expansion of its plan to allow enhanced replay review insight during football broadcasts.Wednesday’s announcement is an extension of the September 1 announcement that the Big Ten would offer enhanced replay reviews during Friday night games this season. Beginning this Saturday (September 12), all football broadcasts from Big Ten venues that include Big Ten replay and on-field officials will be able to feature live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, alongside video of the game footage being viewed during the process and a view inside the state-of-the-art Big Ten Replay Center.This will include all conference games during the 2026 season as well as home non-conference matchups officiated by Big Ten crews. A complete list of those non-conference contests is below. Saturday, September 12 Indiana vs. Howard (BTN) Washington vs. Utah State (BTN) Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan (BTN) Purdue vs. Wake Forest (FS1) Nebraska vs. Bowling Green (FS1) Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois (BTN) USC vs. Louisiana (BTN)Friday, September 18 Oregon vs. Portland State (BTN)Saturday, September 19 Ohio State vs. Kent State (FOX) Penn State vs. Buffalo (BTN) Minnesota vs. Akron (BTN) Wisconsin vs. Eastern Michigan (Peacock) Illinois vs. Southern Illinois (Peacock) Michigan vs. UTEP (BTN) Indiana vs. Western Kentucky (Peacock) Iowa vs. Northern Iowa (FS1) Washington vs. Eastern Washington (BTN) Nebraska vs. North Dakota (BTN)Friday, September 25 Rutgers vs. Howard (BTN)Saturday, October 10 Northwestern vs. Ball State (TBD)Saturday, October 31 UCLA vs. Nevada (TBD) </div>

B1G Replay Center.jpeg

2026 Expanded Big Ten Broadcast Replay Access

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/2026%20FB%20Week%202%20Release.pdf">
 BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - WEEK 2
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/standings/2026/">
 STANDINGS
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/">
 SCHEDULE
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/abbott/">
 WE GIVE BLOOD DRIVE
 </a> • Week 2 of the 2026 season features a pair of non-conference clashes against top-15 opponents. Saturday opens with RV Michigan hosting No. 11 Oklahoma at noon ET on FOX before No. 1 Ohio State visits No. 4 Texas at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.• The Big Ten had 11 teams included in this week’s AP and US LBM Coaches Polls. The AP poll featured No. 1 Ohio State, No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 Oregon, No. 14 USC, No. 16 Penn State, No. 19 Washington and No. 21 Iowa, while Michigan, UCLA, Illinois and Minnesota received votes. The rankings remained the same in the coaches’ poll with the addition of No. 24 Michigan. Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and UCLA also earned votes.• With every team in action, the Big Ten combined to go 16-2 in Week 1 contests. Four teams posted shutouts over the weekend as USC, Penn State, Iowa and Maryland combined to win by a 186-0 margin.• In his first game at the helm for Penn State, Matt Campbell’s squad defeated Marshall, 45-0. With the shutout, Campbell became the first Nittany Lion head coach to earn a shutout in his debut since Dick Harlow in 1915.• This season’s first Big Ten Football Players of the Week were announced Monday. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava captured Offensive Player of the Week honors after going 23-of-25 for 349 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-0 shutout of Fresno State. His 92.0 percent completion rate is the highest single-game completion percentage by a Trojan quarterback since at least 1995.• Penn State’s Caleb Bacon and UCLA’s Ta’Shawn James were Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Bacon recorded six tackles, all in the first half of a 45-0 win over Marshall and tied his career high with three tackles for loss. James secured a pair of critical interceptions to break a 24-all stalemate against California. The defensive back also had eight tackles, the most among the secondary.• Minnesota’s Javon Tracy was named Special Teams Player of the Week. The wide receiver became the first Gopher ever and fifth player in Big Ten history to score two punt return touchdowns in a game. He set a school record with 167 yards on four returns against Eastern Illinois.• Nebraska’s Jamal Rule earned the Freshman of the Week laurel after accounting for 169 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut versus Ohio. Rule had 122 rushing yards, marking the first time a true freshman Husker running back topped the century mark in a season opener in 22 seasons. He is just the sixth Big Ten freshman since 1995 to have two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in a game and the first since 2021.• The 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game will be played on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be broadcast by FOX. The winner will represent the conference as the Automatic Qualifier (AQ) to the College Football Playoff. • Abbott and the Big Ten Conference kicked off Season 3 of the We Give Blood drive on August 26. Donations are tracked in real-time until December 4. The school with the most donations at the end will be announced on December 5 at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game. Every donation can help save up to three lives — and someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. The leaderboard can be found on page 6.• Indiana captured its first national title last season with a 27-21 victory over Miami (Fla.) in the 2026 College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Hoosiers capped off the season as the only team in college football history to go 16-0.• The Big Ten has claimed three consecutive College Football Playoff championships by three different universities (Indiana 2026, Ohio State 2025, Michigan 2024).• With national championships in football and men’s and women’s basketball, the Big Ten became the second conference to sweep football and basketball national titles since 1981-82. The Big Ten is the only conference to achieve the feat with three different schools.</div>

OSU FB 1.jpg

2026 Week 2 Football Release

<div class="payload-richtext">Big Ten football delivered blowouts, shutouts, and intense late-game survivals in its return over opening weekend. From highlight-reel plays to suffocating defenses, Week 1 set the stage for the rest of the 2026 football season. <h2>Oregon Defeats Boise State in Autzen Thriller </h2>While the Ducks admitted there were lessons to be learned from week one, No. 2 Oregon secured one of the weekend's most exciting victories, surviving a fierce 34-27 battle against Mountain West Champion Boise State to open the season in front of a rocking Autzen Stadium crowd. Led by quarterback Dante Moore’s 378 passing yards and three touchdowns — including <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc9He5SlBMf/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 the 62-yard winner
 </a> to Dakorien Moore — the Ducks offense outscored Boise State 20-10 in the second half to take control. Three Oregon targets had over 70 receiving yards. Jeremiah McClellan and Moore had 150 and 93, respectively, with a score apiece, while Evan Stewart tallied a game-high eight receptions in his first game back after missing all of last season. <a href="https://goducks.com/news/2026/9/5/football-ducks-see-lessons-to-be-learned-from-opening-win" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Read Oregon’s full recap
 </a>. <h2>Four for Four: Newcomers Sweep Opening Weekend </h2>New chapters began for four Big Ten programs this weekend, and every single new head coach passed their debut test. All four leaders — Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald, Penn State’s Matt Campbell, Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham and UCLA’s Bob Chesney — secured victories to open their tenures at their new schools. After Fitzgerald’s Spartans beat Toledo in East Lansing Friday night, Campbell’s Penn State dominated Marshall, defeating the Thundering Herd 45-0 behind Rocco Becht’s 271 passing yards and four touchdowns. Out west, Chesney’s Bruins had six rushing touchdowns in a 45-24 win over Cal. The most dramatic of the four wins came in Ann Arbor, where Kyle Whittingham’s first Michigan win was one to remember. <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fbigten%2Fstatus%2F2096460445213217097&data=05%7C02%7Csabello%40bigten.org%7C16309c37e5f14844d87c08df0cc651c6%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639243718064417563%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=G%2FAVKUqcgWJOfJ2HSymn4ZstqNKK5KqFmln9kRGfSEY%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 After replay review
 </a> put one second back on the clock, <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FB1Gfootball%2Fstatus%2F2096437294504759321&data=05%7C02%7Csabello%40bigten.org%7C16309c37e5f14844d87c08df0cc651c6%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639243718064439143%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=POsyZFPfwAtr1%2FmU5AlHE1OOLQmK8YE%2F2VR9yq6eHcs%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Bryce Underwood threw up a Hail Mary
 </a> which was caught by JJ Buchanan as time expired to give the Wolverines a 13-12 win over Western Michigan.  <h2>The Apple Cup </h2>The Boeing Apple Cup will reside in Seattle after No. 17 Washington defeated long-time rival Washington State 24-10 on Sunday. It took every unit to clinch the victory; Tyler Robles kicked a 48-yard field goal, Demond Williams Jr. threw a touchdown pass and scored with his legs, all while the Husky defense forced three turnovers on the day. The Purple and Gold have now won four of the last five meetings with the Cougars. <h2>Standing Tall: Contenders Handle Business </h2>Elsewhere, ranked conference teams picked up right where they left off.  <ul style="text-align: left;" class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="1"
 >Defending national champion and No. 6 Indiana extended its winning streak to 17 games with a dominant 52-16 victory over North Texas in front of a sold-out crowd in Bloomington. Quarterback Josh Hoover shined in his Hoosier debut, throwing for 231 yards and four touchdowns, including a <a href="https://x.com/bigten/status/2096273997038026858" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 spectacular one-handed touchdown grab
 </a> from Nick Marsh. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >No. 1 Ohio State kicked off the season with a 56-3 win over Ball State. Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith put on an absolute clinic in the first half. For the game, Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while Smith brought in eight catches for 151 yards and two scores — highlighted by a <a href="https://x.com/B1Gfootball/status/2096291072955527608" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 spectacular 48-yard helmet catch
 </a>. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Kirk Ferentz’s 28th season at Iowa got off to a hot start, with the Hawkeyes’ defense allowing just 120 total yards against NIU at Kinnick Stadium, forcing two turnovers and pitching a 40-point shutout.  </li></ul>Up next: Week 2 action packed with benchmark battles. We’ll break down all the top matchups in our full preview this Friday — in the meantime, view the complete schedule <a href="https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESVwHrOzAVgA8DNimwMQ47AlsiXKlSIX2iOyjtdXhSmN7qYiOZVhH_yPAzNYAmThwyo1uEifc9-9zVCuvCe80MELriYRYARVUDjXuwY-sD0nCLE4vwwM80bw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>. </div>

Oregon football runs in for a touchdown

Wild Finishes and Shutouts: Football's Back in Business

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – Following Week 1 contests, the Big Ten Conference Football Players of the Week were announced Monday. Below are this week’s honorees:  Offensive Player of the Week Jayden Maiava, USC QB – R-Sr. – Palolo, Hawaii – Liberty • Went 23-of-25 for 349 yards and three touchdowns in USC’s 39-0 shutout of Fresno State • His 92.0 percent completion rate is the highest single-game completion percentage by a Trojan quarterback since at least 1995 (minimum 25 attempts) • Finished against San Jose State going 25-of-29 for 286 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Also had one TD on the ground • Ranks second among USC quarterbacks in the last 30 seasons with the most career games with 200+ passing yards, one passing TD and one rushing TD • Has thrown no interceptions and only six incompletions through two games • Last USC Offensive Player of the Week: Jayden Maiava (Sept. 1, 2025) Co-Defensive Player of the Week Caleb Bacon, Penn State DE – R-Sr. – Lake Mills, Iowa – Lake Mills • Recorded six tackles, all in the first half of a 45-0 win over Marshall • Tied his career high with three tackles for loss • Had a pair of solo tackles for loss on back-to-back plays and had a solo sack • Last Penn State Defensive Player of the Week: Dani Dennis-Sutton (Nov. 17, 2025) Co-Defensive Player of the Week Ta’Shawn James, UCLA DB – Sr. – Oklahoma City, Okla. – Carl Albert • Secured a pair of critical interceptions that helped break a 24-24 draw as UCLA outscored California 21-0 in the fourth quarter • Earned the first two picks of his career in his Bruin debut • Added eight tackles, the third-most on the squad and most among the secondary • Last UCLA Defensive Player of the Week: Carson Schwesinger (Nov. 11, 2024) Special Teams Player of the Week Javon Tracy, Minnesota WR – 5th-Yr. – Indianapolis, Ind. – Decatur Central • Became the first Gopher ever and fifth player in Big Ten history to score two punt return touchdowns in a game • First to accomplish the feat in his first career game returning punts • Set a school record with 167 yards on four returns against Eastern Illinois • Brought back his first return 87 yards, the second-longest in program history, for a touchdown and added a 69-yard return score in the third quarter • Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Dragan Kesich (Nov. 4, 2024) Freshman of the Week Jamal Rule, Nebraska RB – Fr. – Salisbury, N.C. – Charlotte Christian • Accounted for 169 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in his collegiate debut versus Ohio • Had 122 rushing yards, marking the first time a true freshman Husker running back topped the century mark in a season opener in 22 seasons • Tallied two rushing touchdowns and scored on a 24-yard pass reception • Became just the sixth Big Ten freshman since 1995 to have two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in a game and the first since 2021 • Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week: TJ Lateef (Nov. 10, 2025) 2026 Big Ten Football Players of the Week Sept. 7 O: Jayden Maiava, QB, R-Sr., USC Co-D: Caleb Bacon, DE, R-Sr., PSU Co-D: Ta’Shawn James, DB, Sr., UCLA ST: Javon Tracy, WR, 5th-Yr., MINN F: Jamal Rule, RB, Fr., NEB</div>

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Minnesota

2026 USC, Penn State, UCLA, Minnesota and Nebraska Earn Weekly Football Honors

2026 FB Availability Reports

<div class="payload-richtext">Week 1 of college football season is officially here, and Minnesota and Illinois opened their seasons with Thursday night home victories. <h2>Ground Game Powers Gophers to Blowout Victory </h2>In Minneapolis, the Golden Gophers jumpstarted the season with a dominant win over Eastern Illinois, defeating the Panthers 59-7. Senior Darius Taylor ran for three first-half touchdowns, while Javon Tracy set the program record by returning two punts for touchdowns. Check them both out right <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc2YVecEfig/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>. Junior quarterback Drake Lindsey completed 19 of 24 passes for 264 yards and a score in Minnesota’s blowout win. Read the full recap <a href="https://gophersports.com/news/2026/9/3/football-tracy-taylor-lead-gophers-to-59-7-season-opening-win" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here.
 </a> <h2>Houser’s Huge Orange and Blue Debut </h2>Closing out the evening in Champaign, Illinois secured a 42-23 win over UAB, marking the program's sixth consecutive season-opening victory. Transfer quarterback Katin Houser was lights out in his Fighting Illini debut, completing 13 of 17 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a score on the ground. One of the touchdowns came at the buzzer with Hauser hauling a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc2YEXSlC1u/?img_index=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Hail Mary lob to Ty Robinson to end the first half.
 </a> Senior wide receiver Collin Dixon had six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns (a career-high), while running back Ca'Lil Valentine had 88 yards and a score of his own. Read the complete recap <a href="https://fightingillini.com/news/2026/9/3/football-fighting-illini-secure-season-opening-win-over-uab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here.
 </a> <h2>Week One Continues </h2>The remaining 15 programs take the field starting with No. 14 USC, Michigan State, and Purdue on Friday night. We took a peek at some of this weekend’s matchups. No. 2 Oregon opens the season at Autzen Stadium against reigning Mountain West Champion Boise State. The Ducks return stars on both sides of the ball, headlined by QB Dante Moore. Tune in to watch the Ducks on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. No. 17 Washington welcomes in-state rival Washington State to Husky Stadium for the Apple Cup. With bragging rights and early-season momentum on the line, the Huskies look to defend home turf against a spoiler-minded Cougars squad. Watch the Pacific Northwest clash at 4:00 p.m. ET on NBC on Sunday. For the first time in 10 years, college football returns to the iconic Lambeau Field when Wisconsin faces No. 4 Notre Dame in the Shamrock Series. Last time the Badgers played in Green Bay, they upset No. 5 LSU 16-14. Watch the Badgers face the Irish at Lambeau on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.  Defending CFP Champion No. 6 Indiana also kicks off tomorrow against North Texas. Check out everyone's opening matchups and the viewing information on <a href="https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESVwHrOzAVFxBwJFpamtWlcc-7lrdkzihnLYVhVs4lrHH4l6RXWpI_A8qFEPeMOU3SsWyO7ONX1bc7fHv1zM15Bph-U-tFhDKha3w8kU2z756GFajPYjyu-w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 the Big Ten football schedule.
 </a>  Photo from <a href="https://gophersports.com/news/2026/9/3/football-tracy-taylor-lead-gophers-to-59-7-season-opening-win" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 gophersports.com
 </a>. </div>

Javon Tracy scores a touchdown for Minnesota

Illinois

Punt Return Touchdowns, Hail Mary Highlight Football’s Week 1 Openers

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/2026%20FB%20Week%201%20Release.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - WEEK 1
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/standings/2026/">
 STANDINGS
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/fb/schedule/">
 SCHEDULE
 </a> | <a href="https://bigten.org/abbott/">
 WE GIVE BLOOD DRIVE
 </a> • All 18 teams are set to take the field this week, highlighted by Sunday night’s 7:30 p.m. ET meeting on NBC between Wisconsin and No. 4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. The Badgers are returning to Lambeau Field for the first time since 2016 when they upset No. 5 LSU to start their campaign.• USC opened the Big Ten’s slate in Week 0 with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State. The Trojans produced 505 yards of total offense, including 341 passing and 164 rushing.• The Big Ten’s four new head coaches are gearing up to hit the sidelines for the first time this season. Pat Fitzgerald will lead Michigan State against Toledo at 8 p.m. ET Friday on FS1. Saturday will feature Penn State’s Matt Campbell versus Marshall (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1), Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham against Western Michigan (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) and Bob Chesney’s Bruins visiting Cal (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).• When Rutgers hosts UMass on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network, head coach Greg Schiano will be seeking the 100th victory of his career. Schiano would be the eighth current Big Ten head coach to surpass the 100-win threshold.• The 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game will be held on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be broadcast by FOX. The winner will represent the conference as the Automatic Qualifier (AQ) to the College Football Playoff. • Abbott and the Big Ten Conference kicked off Season 3 of the We Give Blood drive on August 26. Donations are tracked in real-time until December 4. The school with the most donations at the end will be announced on December 5 at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game. Every donation can help save up to three lives — and someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. The leaderboard can be found on page 6.• The 2026 AP Preseason Poll features eight Big Ten teams in No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. T14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington, No. 18 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa, while Illinois and Minnesota received votes.• Indiana captured its first national title last season with a 27-21 victory over Miami (Fla.) in the 2026 College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Hoosiers capped off the season as the only team in college football history to go 16-0.• The Big Ten has claimed three consecutive College Football Playoff championships by three different universities (Indiana 2026, Ohio State 2025, Michigan 2024).• With national championships in football and men’s and women’s basketball, the Big Ten became the second conference to sweep football and basketball national titles since 1981-82. The Big Ten is the only conference to achieve the feat with three different schools.</div>

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2026 Week 1 Football Release

Indiana raises the football on the Big Ten Football Championship trophy

18 Teams, 5 Questions: The Ultimate Football Season Preview

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten on Tuesday announced expanded access to the football replay review process for select games during the 2026 season.Beginning September 4, Friday broadcasts of conference home games will have access to live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, as well as a view inside the state-of-the-art Big Ten Replay Center.The new broadcast enhancements will debut this Friday with three Big Ten games. A complete schedule is below.Big Ten Broadcasts With Enhanced Replay Access Friday, September 4 – Purdue vs. Indiana State (BTN) Friday, September 4 – Michigan State vs. Toledo (FS1) Friday, September 4 – USC vs. Fresno State (FOX) Friday, September 18 – Oregon vs. Portland State (BTN) Friday, September 25 – Rutgers vs. Howard (BTN) Friday, September 25 – Indiana vs. Northwestern (FOX) Friday, October 2 – Northwestern vs. Penn State (FOX) Friday, October 9 – Washington vs. Iowa (TBD) Friday, October 16 – Purdue vs. Washington (FOX) Friday, November 6 – Illinois vs. Nebraska (FOX) Friday, November 13 – UCLA vs. Illinois (FOX) Friday, November 20 – Michigan State vs. Oregon (FOX) Friday, November 27 – Iowa vs. Nebraska (CBS) Friday, November 27 – Wisconsin vs. Minnesota (FOX)</div>

Big Ten Football News

Headlines

Coast-to-Coast Clashes: Conference Play Kicks Off Early

2026 Week 3 Football Release

2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game Tickets On Sale Sept. 22

Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa and USC Claim Weekly Football Honors

Big Home Wins Highlight Football Week 2

Saturdays to Sundays: The Top NFL Superstar from Every Big Ten School

Buckeyes-Longhorns, Wolverines-Sooners, Hawkeyes-Cyclones Headline Week 2

Expanded Big Ten Broadcast Replay Access

2026 Week 2 Football Release

Wild Finishes and Shutouts: Football's Back in Business

USC, Penn State, UCLA, Minnesota and Nebraska Earn Weekly Football Honors

2026 Football Availability Reports

Punt Return Touchdowns, Hail Mary Highlight Football’s Week 1 Openers

2026 Week 1 Football Release

18 Teams, 5 Questions: The Ultimate Football Season Preview

Friday Football Enhanced Replay Access

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