More than 5 million fans witnessed Big Ten football this season. And unless all 5 million are Illinois alums, the games produced some very satisfied customers.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights (and lowlights) from the regular season just concluded:
BEST GAMES
Michigan 27, Penn State 25
With 30 seconds to play, officials appease Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr by adding two ticks to the clock. With one second left, Chad Henne hits Mario Manningham to give Penn State its lone blemish.
Penn State 17, Ohio State 10
A frenzied Beaver Stadium crowd of 109,839 celebrates a dominant defensive performance. Tamba Hali effectively ends the game by sacking Ohio State’s Troy Smith and causing a fumble.
Wisconsin 23, Michigan 20
Wisconsin’s John Stocco scores on a 4-yard quarterback draw on third-and-goal with 24 seconds to play.
Michigan 34, Michigan State 31
Wolverines kicker Garrett Rivas flubs a 27-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter but nails a 35-yarder in overtime.
Northwestern 28, Iowa 27
Trailing by 13 with 3:27 to go and no timeouts, Wildcats drive 77 yards for a touchdown. Joel Howells’ perfect onside kick leads to Ross Lane’s game-winning 9-yard TD catch.
BEST PERFORMANCES (INDIVIDUAL)
Penn State’s Michael Robinson vs. Illinois
Throws four TD passes and runs for two scores in the first half of a 63-10 laugher.
Northwestern’s Brett Basanez vs. Purdue
Completes 37 of 55 passes for 463 yards and three TDs. Also runs for 43 yards and a TD.
Penn State’s Alan Zemaitis vs. Michigan State
Intercepts three passes in BCS-bid clinching victory.
Ohio State’s Troy Smith vs. Michigan
Wolverine killer completes 7 of 8 passes on game-winning drive to finish with 300 passing yards on 27-for-37 day.
Penn State’s Tamba Hali vs. Wisconsin
Imitates Alex Brown with nine-tackle performance that includes school-record four sacks.
Michigan’s Mike Hart vs. Michigan State
Overcomes ankle injury to carry 36 times for 218 yards.
Northwestern’s Tim McGarigle vs. Wisconsin
Racks up 25 tackles, one shy of the NCAA record.
Wisconsin’s Brian Calhoun vs. Illinois
Runs for five touchdowns, going untouched on at least three.
Iowa’s Ed Hinkel vs. Minnesota
Celebrates final day at Kinnick Stadium by hauling in four TD catches.
Indiana’s James Hardy vs. Iowa
Part-time basketball player snags 12 catches for 203 yards.
WORST PERFORMANCES (TEAM)
Michigan State vs. Ohio State
Rather than spike the ball, the Spartans rush their field-goal team onto the field seconds before halftime. Only 10 players make it, no one plugs the left side of the line and the resulting block and 72-yard return transform a potential 20-7 lead into a 17-14 edge.
Illinois vs. Penn State
The Illini defense gives up eight first-half touchdowns. Joe Paterno’s sympathy is all that keeps the Nittany Lions below 100 points.
Michigan State vs. Northwestern
The double-digit favorite allows NU to reel off 49 consecutive points. NU’s Basanez completes 24 of 30 passes while counterpart Drew Stanton throws three interceptions.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
Badgers overcome 10-point deficit with three minutes to play. Shocker comes when Gophers’ Justin Kucek drops a snap and gets his punt blocked–and recovered–in the end zone.
Illinois vs. Purdue
Illini score just three points against one of league’s worst defenses.
Northwestern vs. Arizona State
Not a conference game, but worth noting for this: NU allows 773 yards of offense.
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tgreenstein@tribune.com
