It was perhaps the ugliest 20-minute stretch in the history of Badger football. Up 19-0, Wisconsin had dominated Michigan in front of its home crowd until the end of the third quarter when the wheels fell off during a 14-play, 80-yard Wolverine drive. Then an 85-yard Michigan scoring drive immediately followed by a 25-yard interception return for a score and, finally, a 77-yard drive which began with a 58-yard quarterback keeper.

Wisconsin still had a chance to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, and did, only to have the conversion taken away due to an inexcusable illegal formation.

It was exciting football, but an embarrassing moment for Wisconsin, which failed to capitalize on what appears to be a wide open BCS race. Allan Evridge proved he’s a flawed quarterback — he missed on too many opportunities and deserves a fair chunk of the blame for failing to put the Wolverines away — and the team’s vaunted running game stalled against a so-so Michigan front seven.

It was also a game that defied the numbers: Wisconsin won the time of possession, committed fewer turnovers, and gained more yards. Still, what may have won it for Michigan was anther number — 110,000 fans who booed loudly at the end of the first half, only to be won over again in the second half. Their support became the momentum boost the Wolverines needed to pull off what might be the best comeback story of the young season, and something Rich Rodriguez’s young players will use as a springboard moving forward.

The end of the road for Wisconsin? Of course not, this is the Big Ten, where second and third chances are commonplace.

Scoreboard

Michigan State 42, Indiana 29
Ohio State 34, Minnesota 21
Northwestern 22, Iowa 17
Notre Dame 38, Purdue 21
Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25
Penn State 38, Illinois 24

Team of the Week: Penn State

Beaver Stadium gave the Nittany Lions an advantage, but even on a neutral field it seemed apparent that Joe Paterno owns the better of the two teams. Sure, Penn State’s defense gave up a pair of big plays to Arrelious Benn, but their offense had perhaps its best showing of the season: Daryll Clark completed 70 percent of his passes and Evan Royster averaged 7.3 yards per carry. The 38-24 win over a ranked Illinois squad was an important September statement.

Disappointment of the Week: Wisconsin

Not so much because Wisconsin blew a big second half lead at Michigan, but more so because Bret Bielema’s club blew a chance to inch closer to a top five national ranking.

Player of the Week: Derrick Williams, all-purpose, Penn State

Many believed Arrelious Benn would be the one scoring from a number of ways in the Illini-Nittany Lion clash, but instead it was Williams, who caught a touchdown in the first quarter, had a five-yard rushing score in the second, and took back a kick 94 yards in the fourth. It was arguably the best day of Williams’ somewhat disappointing career at Penn State, and the boost the Nittany Lions needed to jump into the BCS picture.

Freshman of the Week: Philip Welch, K, Wisconsin

About the only thing keeping the Badgers in their contest against Michigan was the leg of their freshman kicker. Welch made all three of his attempts from beyond 40 yards, and finished the game with more than half of Wisconsin’s 25 points. Filling the place kicking duties vacated by Taylor Mehlhaff was a big concern for the Badgers and so far Welch has performed above expectations.

Another meltdown

In Iowa, the Hawkeyes had held a 17-3 lead before Northwestern’s C.J. Bacher came alive. The senior quarterback connected on a short touchdown pass just before half, then added two more in the second half for a 22-17 Wildcat win. It was the second straight week Iowa gave up a lead in the fourth quarter.

Big Ten MVP?

Forget the Big Ten, no player in the nation means as much to his team as running back Javon Ringer does to the Spartans. He carried 44 times for 198 yards in the win over Indiana, and added two catches for 20 yards (did we mention he returns kicks?). Ringer made an argument to become the Big Ten’s top offensive player for a fourth straight week (Northwestern’s C.J. Bacher and Penn State’s Derrick Williams will challenge).

Welcome back, Wells

Chris Wells’ return to the Buckeyes was a statistical success — 106 yards, 7.6 yards per carry. More importantly, Ohio State was able to limit his touches (14) in his first game back since suffering a toe injury against Youngstown State in the opener. The win over the Gophers served as a warm-up for this week’s game at Wisconsin where Wells will undoubtedly accept a bigger workload.

Additional Notes

Talk about a swing play – at the end of the third quarter of the Indiana and Michigan State contest, Ben Chappell nailed Terrance Turner for a 97-yard touchdown strike. The touchdown put the Hoosiers ahead, 35-34. Seconds later, however, the game referees brought everything back and slapped Indiana guard Cody Faulkner with a holding call and awarded Michigan State a safety.

Northwestern kicker Amado Villarreal had a few rough spots in his team’s win over Iowa on Saturday. Following a third quarter touchdown he missed an extra point which would have tied the score, 17-17. On the Wildcats’ next possession Villarreal missed a 34-yard field goal which would gave given Northwestern its first lead of the game. Villarreal also had a 37-yard attempt blocked in the second quarter.

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