Big Ten Conference report

Northwestern 24, at No. 20 Minnesota 17: Brendan Smith grabbed a deflected ball and returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining, sending Northwestern (7-2, 3-2) past stunned Minnesota (7-2, 3-2). Wildcats quarterback Mike Kafka rushed for 217 yards, a school record for a quarterback.

at No. 22 Michigan St. 25, Wisconsin 24: Brett Swenson kicked a 44-yard field goal with seven seconds left, lifting the Spartans (8-2, 5-1). Wisconsin (4-5, 1-5) hurt its chances of playing in a seventh straight bowl game.

Central Michigan 37, at Indiana 34: Backup quarterback Brian Brunner threw for a school-record 485 yards and four touchdowns to send the Chippewas (7-2) past the Hoosiers (1-4).

at Purdue 48, Michigan 42: Justin Siller passed for three touchdowns and the win by Purdue (3-6, 1-4) assured Michigan (2-7, 1-4) of its first losing season since 1967.

at Illinois 27, Iowa 24: Matt Eller kicked a 46-yard field goal with 24 seconds left and Illinois (5-4, 3-3) withstood Iowa’s fourth-quarter comeback. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi led the Hawkeyes (5-4, 2-3) on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that tied the score, 24-24.