Iowa Earns Share of the Title

Iowa and Wisconsin knew the implications of Saturday’s game in Iowa City. Michigan earlier had suffered its first Big Ten Conference defeat, meaning the Hawkeye-Badger winner would earn a share of the conference championship.

No. 17 Iowa responded with a 30-7 victory over the No. 9 Badgers, giving the Hawkeyes a share of the title for the second time in three seasons.

Wisconsin, which played without leading rusher Anthony Davis, would have earned a berth to the Rose Bowl had it won.

Instead, the Badgers, 9-2 and 6-2 in the Big Ten, probably are ticketed for the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1. Wisconsin and Michigan did not play and a conference tiebreaker would have sent the Badgers to Pasadena.

Iowa (9-2, 7-1) probably will play in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1.

Because the Hawkeyes lost to Michigan, 30-17, on Sept, 25, they were eliminated from playing in the Rose Bowl, win or lose, before Saturday’s game.

Iowa shut down Wisconsin’s offense, as the Badgers finished with 41 rushing yards and 186 total yards. Matt Bernstein, Davis’ replacement, had 28 rushing yards in 11 carries.

The Badgers, ranked No. 4 two weeks ago, had their promising season crumble with two consecutive losses by a combined 79-21.

“We lost a lot of stuff today. We lost a trip to ... the Rose Bowl, a shot at the Big Ten title,” Wisconsin safety Robert Brooks said. “It just wasn’t a game today.”

The Badgers turned the ball over four times.

“The turnovers were a big factor all season,” said Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz, whose team rebounded from a 2-2 start to win its seventh in a row.

“They’re always an important stat and they are critical to us having success.”

The deciding moment came late in the third quarter when Iowa’s Sean Considine stepped in front of an overthrown pass by Wisconsin’s John Stocco deep in Badger territory.

Iowa scored eight plays later when Drew Tate passed 12 yards to Scott Chandler, putting the Hawkeyes ahead, 21-7, with 3:24 to play in the third quarter.

Two more turnovers set up short drives capped by Kyle Schlicher field goals, ensuring Iowa’s 18th consecutive home victory, the nation’s fourth-longest streak.

“What more can you ask for when we’re getting interceptions, fumbles, forcing pressures on quarterbacks?” Iowa cornerback Antwan Allen said.

Northwestern 28, Illinois 21 -- Brett Basanez passed seven yards to Jonathan Fields for the winning touchdown in overtime as the Wildcats defeated the Fighting Illini at Evanston, Ill., in what might have been Coach Ron Turner’s final game at Illinois.

It was the fourth overtime game for the Wildcats, a Division I-A record. Northwestern (6-5, 5-3) also beat Ohio State and Indiana in overtime and lost to Texas Christian.

The Wildcats have to win at Hawaii next Saturday to be bowl eligible.

Illinois (3-8, 1-7) has gone 9-26 since going to the Sugar Bowl three years ago, fueling speculation that Turner will be fired.

Purdue 63, Indiana 24 -- Kyle Orton passed for 522 yards and six touchdowns, setting a school record with 530 total yards, as the Boilermakers brushed aside the Hoosiers at West Lafayette, Ind.

Taylor Stubblefield, with 14 catches for 138 yards, set the NCAA record for career receptions with 309. The previous mark was 300 by Louisville’s Arnold Jackson from 1997 to 2000.

Stubblefield is eight receptions ahead of Marshall’s Josh Davis, who also surpassed Jackson’s total on Saturday.

The Boilermakers (7-4, 4-4) finished with a conference record 763 yards and scored their most points since 1912. Indiana (3-8, 1-7) ended its season with three consecutive losses.