By: Joe Cumberland (@punterjoe)
Big10 Pretty Much A Dead Heat After Week 2
The second week of conference play only brought minuscule separation in the Big10. Michigan was able to move to 2-0 and became the only conference team to do so. Behind them is a logjam. 4 teams sit at 1-1 in conference play, and all 6 squads still have a shot at one of the 3 playoff bids. This conference has a lot of sorting out to do as the season progresses, and something tells me we will see a lot of Week 2-type dilemmas moving forward. Anyone can win in this league in any given week, which is certainly being played out in the Big10. Let’s jump in and see how much we did, or didn’t, learn in Week 5.
Michigan Pulls Slightly Ahead In Big10
With the conference being so wide open this season, every week feels like a must-win. The Wolverines and Ducks both were looking for conference win number two and a slight edge over Big10 competition. Both teams fought hard, but Michigan pulled out a one-point victory, 45-44, to move to 2-0 in conference play. For the moment, the Wolverines are in the driver’s seat, chasing that Big10 title as the only unbeaten team in conference play.
Michigan used a 17-point 3rd quarter to gain control, but didn’t put the Ducks away. This one came down to the wire. 576 total yards were put up by the “maize and blue,” and the Wolverines overcame 3 interceptions thrown by freshman quarterback Michael Amber. Amber went 29/41 for 379 yards and threw 2 touchdowns en route to victory. The Wolverines were led by longtime star running back Collin MacElroy, who carried the ball 23 times for 112 yards and a score. Wide receiver Jaylen Zachery had 93 yards and two scores on 8 receptions. Oregon defenders couldn’t find a way to stop Michigan tight end Bryan McGuire as he caught 8 passes for 176 yards.
The Wolverines needed big nights on the defensive side of the ball and found them in several players. Cornerback Amarion Xander Martel continues to be one of the best in the CFSL. He posted 2 interceptions to go along with a tackle for loss and 8 total stops. Safety Quez Richardson stepped up for 9 tackles. Perhaps the play that was the single most important was the 29-yard pick-six defensive touchdown by corner Tyson James. James stepped in front of a Duck pass and found paydirt to go along with 6 stops.
Up next for Michigan is a battle with perennial Big10 contender USC. Oregon will host Penn State in Week 6 action.
Hawkeyes Dismantle Trojans
Just looking at stats, you would think this Week 5 clash went the way of USC in their battle with Iowa. Total yards, plays, and time of possession all heavily favored the Trojans. The Hawkeyes, however, used big plays early to jump ahead and stay there. In the end, it was a 48-30 victory, giving Iowa its first conference win since rejoining the CFSL. Both the Hawkeyes and Trojans now sit at 1-1 in a wide-open Big Big10 race.
Freshman quarterback Declan Murphy went 36/49 on the night for 481 yards. He threw 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and was also sacked 5 times. Beau Styles was held in check by the Trojan defense for the most part, but he did manage to score 2 touchdowns in his 15 carries for 63 yards. Continuing to be one of the top freshmen and top tight ends in the league is Leland Everett. The pass-catching tight end had 13 receptions for 143 yards and a score. Brykam Alvarez added 117 yards on 7 catches, and Arnez Gray hauled in a touchdown pass on 6 catches for 93 yards.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes were led by Clayton Cobb. The linebacker had 11 tackles, one being for a loss, and also forced a fumble in the win. Fellow linebacker Fritz Donlin made 9 tackles, had a sack, and an interception. Will Wagner continues his impressive season with 8 tackles and a sack. Freshman defensive tackle Mackenzie Jordan had 2 sacks on the night to go along with 6 total stops.
Up next for Iowa is a trip to Ohio State. The Trojans will host Michigan as Big10 play continues in Week 6.
Buckeyes Dominate Penn State
Week 5 saw both Ohio State and Penn State looking for their first Big10 win of the season. The Buckeyes saw to it early that it would be them getting a tick in the win column. A 30-0 halftime lead became a 44-7 lead heading into the 4th quarter. It was all Buckeyes, all night. Ohio State used a fairly balanced offense, gaining 155 on the ground and 370 through the air, while also scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns. The win gets the Buckeyes back in the thick of the Big10 championship talks.
Jaylen Tyree went 42/57 for 370 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also used his legs for 2 scores while gaining 85 yards on 16 carries. Hadrian Crenshaw scored a touchdown and added 68 yards on the ground. Wide receiver Eden Ballard caught 8 passes for 89 yards and a score. Two-way standout Jordan Little contributed heavily on offense versus the Nittany Lions. The corner/wide receiver exploded for 12 catches and 104 yards.
Making a case for Defensive Player of the Week was safety Jordan Stork. The star had 9 tackles and 2 interceptions, but the highlight of the night was a forced fumble that he recovered and took 92 yards to the land of milk and honey for a touchdown. Mason Davis wouldn’t let Stork be the only Buckeye defender scoring. The linebacker took an intercepted pass 22 yards for a score of his own. Corner Jordan Little made 8 stops, and safety Johnny Taylor had 6 tackles, 2 for loss, and a sack.
Ohio State will host Iowa next week. The Nittany Lions will travel out west to face the Oregon Ducks.
Week 5 Big10 Results
Michigan defeats Oregon 45-44
Iowa defeats USC 48-30
Ohio State defeats Penn State 58-35
Week 6 Big10 Schedule
Wednesday, June 11
Michigan @ USC 6:30 twitch
Thursday, June 12
Iowa @ Ohio State 6:30 twitch
Penn State @ Oregon 8:30 twitch
Week 6 Big10 Game of the Week
Michigan heads to USC to face the defending champion USC. The Wolverines are currently leading the Big10, and USC wants to right the ship. This one should be a slobber knocker from the opening whistle. Tune in Wednesday night at 6:30 to see this important Big10 battle for yourself.
