By: Joe Cumberland (@punterjoe)
“Not so fast, my friend!”
Lee Corso could be heard saying this phrase time and time again on the early NCAA Football video games. This week that phrase relates to the Big10 playoff chase. While many thought that USC and Ohio State may separate themselves this week, that wasn’t the case. Instead, we find 4 teams with identical conference records and still in the hunt. Somebody won big, someone just got by, and another is still seeking their first win. Let’s catch up on all things Big10.
Spartans Stun Buckeyes
Ohio State entered the week as the lone unbeaten team in the Big10. Michigan State entered at .500 and coming off a disappointing loss to USC. The Spartans’ intention with USC was to prove their early season success was no fluke. They’d have to wait a week, but consider it “point proven”. The Spartans whipped the undefeated Buckeyes 65-27 to notch their first conference win of the season. They did so in a compelling fashion, both offensively and defensively. The Spartans managed 690 total yards of offense, 583 of those being through the air, and had 3 different players go over 100 yards receiving. Defensively they got after Buckeye signal caller Jaylen Tyree and sacked him 7 times, while only allowing Ohio State just 8 rushing yards.
Junior QB Cole Mantell had a career night throwing for 583 yards, the most he’s ever thrown for in a single game. He completed 40 of 49 attempts and tossed 5 touchdowns. In addition, he added 45 yards on the ground. The 623 yards of total offense has him as a Player of the Week nominee. Star freshman running back David Michael continued his strong first season. He scored 2 touchdowns on the ground while rushing for 62 yards. Michael also caught 9 passes out of the backfield. The Spartans had a big night through the air and that resulted in a big night for 3 Michigan State receivers. Sophomore Jimbo Hawk had career highs in touchdowns and yardage. The receiver snagged 8 passes for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Arnez Gray got in on the action with a pair of scores as well. The junior added 121 yards on 5 catches to go along with those touchdowns. Finally, senior Thantos Shockley pulled in 6 passes for 144 yards. He also found paydirt for the Spartans.
Ohio State boasts one of the more talented quarterbacks in the CFSL in Tyree, but the Spartans were up for the challenge. They slowed the playmaker’s damage by sacking him 7 times. Defensive linemen Matthew Tyler and Jeremiah Johnson each had a pair of sacks on the night and were a part of that Spartan defense only allowing 8 rushing yards. Safety Chucky Charles led the way with 10 total stops, while fellow safety Thunder Rain had 7 tackles to go along with a sack.
Special teams were not to be outdone for Michigan State. The Spartans got an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown by Corey Poole.
Ohio State gets a chance to get back on track in a big way as they host defending champion USC. That game will take place Monday at 6:30 pm CST. On Wednesday Michigan State will travel out west to do battle with the Oregon Ducks. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 in that game as well.
Trojans Hang On To Knock Off Wolverines
Windham Carter continues to put up big numbers for Michigan in conference play, however, it wouldn’t be enough to fend off the USC Trojans. A great game saw the horn sound with the Trojans taking it 45-41. Both teams were looking to move to 2-0 in Big10 play and inch closer to a coveted playoff spot. It was USC who achieved that goal while getting 545 total yards of offense, highlighted by making the most of the redzone opportunity. The Trojans found the land of milk and honey 5 times in 7 tries.
QB Jamesyn Golde went 34 of 42 for 408 yards, he threw a pair of touchdowns. The talented junior also rushed for 121 yards and crossed the goal line 3 times on the ground. Dash Delano only carried the ball 4 times on the night but caught 7 passes for 85 yards. Kyle Kross, the Trojan tight end, hauled in 7 passes for 97 yards. Jamarcus Simpson III scored twice while catching 4 passes for 61 yards. The senior is 4th in the CFSL for receiving yardage. Wide-out Cory Smith finished with 81 yards on 7 catches.
Defensively the Trojans were led by safety Morgan Winters. The junior had 10 stops on the night. Derrick Davis continues his impressive season, the linebacker had 8 tackles and a sack. Jay Holt made 8 tackles as well from his linebacker position. USC got sacks from Mark McNally, Jett Trevor, Jaxon Cobb, and LeMichael Black. Winters and Jordan Haack came into the contest co-leading the league in interceptions, but both had multi-game pick streaks that ended against the Wolverines. Both, however, are still tied for 2nd in that category on the season.
Michigan will seek conference win number two on Thursday night against a winless Penn State team. That kickoff is set for 8:30 pm and will be broadcast on Twitch. The Trojans will travel to Columbus to go head-to-head with Ohio State in a Monday night battle on Twitch at 6:30.
Ducks Use Second Half Shutout To Down Nittany Lions
Penn State took a first-half lead into the locker room and were hoping they were en route to their first victory of the season. Oregon would play spoiler and use a strong second half from their defense to win the game 31-28. Penn State falls to 0-2 in conference play, the only team without a Big10 win, and remains winless on the season. Oregon improves to 3-2 on the year, after being winless last season themselves. A strong 70% 3rd down conversion rate aided the Ducks in the winning effort.
Freshman QB Alexa Earl led the way by going 32 of 39 for 341 yards with a touchdown. Ryan Ralosky found the endzone twice and Kyle Odin also punched one in. The running backs combined for just 97 yards on the ground, but got the yards when they mattered most. Odin would also take an Alexa Earl pass 17 yards for a score. Matthew Gulley led the Ducks in yardage with 94 receiving yards, he had 5 catches. Oregon got multi-catch games from Daxton Bliss Jr, Isaiah Love Jr, Devonte Eastland, and Bob McRoberts.
Tyrone Evans starred for the Duck defense by making 10 stops, 3 being for a loss, from his linebacker position. Defensive tackle Ragon Sinn had 9 tackles. Duck defensive backs were up for the challenge, Matthew Nelson Jr, Theo Markos, Trey King, Marquentin King, and Demetrius Toon all had multiple tackles on the way to Oregon’s first conference win of the year.
Penn State will host Michigan on Thursday at 8:30 pm CST. Catch all of that action on Twitch. The Ducks will play host to the Spartans of Michigan State on Wednesday evening. Tune in for that one at 6:30 on Twitch.
Big10 Week 5 Results
USC defeats Michigan 45-41
Michigan State defeats Ohio State 65-27
Oregon defeats Penn State 31-28
Big10 Week 6 Schedule
Monday, February 10, 2025
USC @ Ohio State 6:30 pm (Twitch)
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Michigan State @ Oregon 6:30 pm (Twitch)
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Michigan @ Penn State 8:30 pm (Twitch)
Big10 Game of the Week
This one should be a doozy. The Trojans currently are 2-0 in conference play and in the driver’s seat. The Buckeyes would love to even the field some and pick up their second Big10 win of the year. Jamesyn Golde and Jaylen Tyree both enter as two of the league’s best signal callers, their battle will be a fun one to watch. This collision of CFSL powerhouses should be a great start to Week 6 action.
