Around the Big Ten: Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan State
Jeremiah O. Sarkett |Sep 18,2007
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 Around the Big Ten: Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan State
Iowa and Iowa State
The Cy-Hawk Trophy was at stake Saturday as inter-state rivals Iowa and Iowa State met at the sold-out and rowdy Jack Trice Stadium in Ames Iowa. Tickets for this game were sold-out months in advance, as this storied rivalry has once again become the biggest game of the year for both programs.
Iowa State kicker Bret Culbertson tied the school record with five field goals and kicked a 28-yard field goal with one second on the game clock to propel the Cyclones past the Hawkeyes 15-13. The win was Iowa State's fourth win in five tries at home against Iowa and the Cyclones have taken seven of the last ten from their in-state rival.
Jake Christensen and Iowa struggled on offense and the Hawkeyes were held to just 233 total yards, going three-for-13 on third downs. Christensen was not impressive - he went 12-of-23 for only 118 yards. The Hawkeye quarterback was pressured all game and was also sacked four times. Christensen did however find the end zone on an 11-yard run as the Hawkeyes came out swinging in the second half, but it was not enough to get past Culbertson and his five field goals. It was pure jubilation as the Cyclone faithful stormed the field- Ames was rocking Saturday.
Minnesota and Florida Atlantic
Minnesota was slashed and burned Saturday by Florida Atlantic as Rusty Smith threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns, while the Owls' defense forced seven turnovers in the 42-39 victory in Miami.
Saturday's victory was one of the biggest wins for Florida Atlantic's football program as they notched their first win against a Big Ten opponent. The Sun Belt Conference is alive!
Smith had it working all game and Willie Rose had two big touchdowns for the Owls. Minnesota was down 42-24 in the fourth quarter before they started a rally that was cut just short as Tavious Polo picked Adam Weber's pass at the Florida Atlantic 35 yard line with three seconds left and that was all she wrote for the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota had seven turnovers, while Florida Atlantic had not one - the Owls protected the ball and Smith made terrific reads all game. The score should not have been so close, but the Golden Gophers did come alive in the second half and Jay Thomas added a 91-yard kickoff return for Minnesota's first score. Florida Atlantic out gained Minnesota 580-470 while not turning the ball over and attacked the vulnerable Golden Gopher secondary - the Minnesota secondary is one of the worst in the Big Ten and maybe in all of college football.
Michigan State and Pittsburg
Michigan State was in a dogfight in East Lansing Saturday when Pittsburg rolled into town.
Jehuu Caulcrick rushed for a touchdown and helped the Spartans hold off Kevan Smith and the Panther comeback in the second half. Kicker Brett Swenson added a 23-yard field goal with 2:54 remaining to give the Spartans the lead that they would never relinquish and the final score was 17-13.
Pitt could not find its passing rhythm all game, but did get some great play from tailback LeSean McCoy who broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown and ended the day with 25 carries for 172 yards. Smith had pressure all game and was unable to get anything going with the passing game and ended the game just nine-of-18 for 85 yards and had two costly interceptions.
The game was also very sloppy has both schools were whistled repeatedly for penalties. The Spartans had 11 penalties for 125 yards, while Pitt had 10 for 71 yards, but in the end, it came down to the turnovers and Michigan State played inspired defensively and created three big take aways that sealed the deal.
Mark Dantonio has the Spartans playing defense, and with a 3-0 start, this team is looking much improved and ready to make some noise this year in the up-and-down Big Ten.
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