Notre Dame won their first conference game with a 31-19 defeat of Michigan, in what was a matchup of two teams thought to be relatively even.
Indiana defeated Illinois 56-17. Head Coach Luke Gross was relatively happy with it all but, as he has been saying for a while, it's about an objective standard, not the score.
"We had our moments," he said.
And finally Wisconsin continued its offensive run with a 57-0 shutout of Purdue.
Wisconsin did well to bottle up the Boilermakers and even though the Badgers' scoring didn't get going until well into the first half, they controlled field position fairly well.
A line break, penalty, lineout, and maul produced what appeared to be Wisconsin's opening try right around 20 minutes. But Purdue smartly didn't contend the maul so instead it was an obstruction call against the Badgers. Center Joe Venner finally did get over as Wisconsin kept up the pressure. Callum Jones and Joseph Koch also added tries—all three being backs, but all three would certainly credit the hard work of the Wisconsin forwards. And the forwards got the fourth try of the half with No. 8 Emilio de Palm going over after a massive run from prop Owen Klovas.
Wisconsin wasn't perfect and they made a few boneheaded mistakes, but finally prop Bryce Quinton snagged a turnover ball and powered over. to start the second-half score.
Purdue hit hard and were aggressive in the breakdown, but all that work eventually sapped some energy and Wisconsin was able to pull away.
Next week Michigan State is at Notre Dame, Purdue is at Indiana, while Michigan hosts Wisconsin.
That Badgers-at-Wolverines matchup should tell us a lot.
Ohio State has a non-conference game against longtime rivals Tennessee. Illinois is at McKendree in another non-conference game.
