Road Is Not Kind to No. 13 Iowa

Jeff Smoker and Michigan State made quick work of No. 13 Iowa.

Smoker threw touchdown passes on Michigan State’s first two possessions and broke three school career passing records in the Spartans’ 20-10 victory Saturday in a Big Ten Conference opener at East Lansing, Mich. The Hawkeyes had won their previous 13 regular-season games.

Smoker, 28 for 44 for 218 yards, set school marks for completions (478), attempts (818) and touchdown passes (48). He was 13 for 15 for 94 yards in the first quarter.

“It gives you a tremendous boost and to get a win against a team like Iowa is just a great start,” Smoker said.

He connected on all seven of his passes in the Spartans’ 10-play, 80-yard opening drive, the last a 17-yard scoring pass to Ziehl Kavanaght.

The Spartans (4-1) employed a hurry-up offense in the first quarter that appeared to confuse the Hawkeyes (4-1).

“They changed things up, they came out in a little different offense and threw some screens at us. They took us out of our rhythm,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Michigan State Coach John L. Smith said it was important for his team to score early.

“That was huge,” he said. “You let the offense work for you and you take what you can get.”

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No. 4 Ohio State 20, Northwestern 0 -- The Buckeyes (5-0) limited the Wildcats (2-3) to 185 yards at Columbus, Ohio, and won their 19th consecutive game.

It was Ohio State’s first shutout in 62 games, dating to a 41-0 victory at Illinois in 1998.

The Buckeyes’ regular quarterback, Craig Krenzel, missed his second game because of a hyperextended right elbow. He threw some before the game but never left the sideline.

Scott McMullen completed 16 of 25 passes for 166 yards with one interception.

Northwestern (2-3, 0-1) missed two field goals and had a touchdown called back because of a penalty.

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No. 11 Michigan 31, Indiana 17 -- The Wolverines shook off a hangover from their loss at Oregon and won their 12th in a row against the Hoosiers at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Steve Breaston scored touchdowns on a punt return and a reception and Chris Perry, despite fumbling twice, ran for 112 yards.

The Wolverines (4-1) turned the ball over four times but built a 31-3 before giving up two touchdowns in the final 4:16 to the Hoosiers (1-4).

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No. 24 Minnesota 20, Penn State 14 -- Marion Barber III ran for 134 yards and a touchdown at State College, Pa., as the Golden Gophers won their third in a row over the Nittany Lions.

After Penn State fell behind, 14-0, Michael Robinson, who replaced injured starter Zack Mills, engineered two touchdown drives in the second quarter, bringing the Nittany Lions within three points at 17-14 on a 10-yard touchdown run.

With Minnesota holding a 20-14 lead, Robinson drove Penn State (2-3) to the Minnesota 15 with 25 seconds left, but overthrew Gerald Smith in the end zone on fourth down, securing the victory for Minnesota (5-0).

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Wisconsin 38, Illinois 20 -- Dwayne Smith ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns at Champaign, Ill., as the Badgers (4-1) handed the Fighting Illini (1-4) a third consecutive loss.

Wisconsin built a 21-0 lead, then saw Illinois close within eight points before the Badgers secured the victory. Illinois has lost seven consecutive Big Ten openers.