Big Ten Football Week 3 Capsules: Nebraska Rolls to 3-0

The Big Ten Conference is 29-5 to open the 2024 season. The league has six teams ranked in the AP Top 25 going into Week 3. Follow along belong for results from every Big Ten contest.

Sep 14, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) runs against Northern Iowa Panthers linebacker Tucker Langenberg (29) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Big Ten Conference is 29-5 to open the 2024 season. The league has six teams ranked in the AP Top 25 going into Week 3.

Follow along belong for results from every Big Ten contest.

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Tim Keenan III (96) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

No. 4 Alabama 42, Wisconsin (2-1) 10

The Badgers got on the board first with a field goal but then it was pure Crimson Tide domination. A 28-0 run for Alabama put the game well out of reach, handing Luke Fickell and Wisconsin their first loss of the season.

The Badgers offense was balanced, but ineffective. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was 5-for-5 for 16 yards but left the game early. Braedyn Locke was 13-for-16 for 125 yards and a touchdown in relief. Chez Mellusi led the backfield with 66 yards on the ground.

Sep 14, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings (20) runs the ball against the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the first half at Michigan Stadium. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

No. 17 Michigan (2-1) 28, Arkansas State 18

After getting dominated at home by Texas a week ago, Michigan came out with the first points of the game led 21-3 at the half. Despite the final score looking closer thanks the Red Wolves adding 15 points over the final six minutes, the Wolverines cruised to their second victory of the year.

The Wolverines ran for north of 300 yards in this one, led by the 153 yards and two touchdowns from Kalel Mulligans. Donovan Edwards was next with 82 yards and one score.

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) stiff arms Central Michigan Chippewas defensive lineman Jaden Davis (95) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois (3-0) 30, Central Michigan 9

After an emotional win over a then-ranked Kansas team last week, Illinois continued to struggle running the ball. No matter, though, as the defense allowed Central Michigan just a trio of field goals on the day.

Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer chucked the ball around for 242 yards and two touchdowns. The Illini ran for 137 yards on the ground, led by 54 yards from Josh McCray and 53 yards from Ca'Lil Valentine.

Sep 14, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) scores.a touchdown during the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

No. 9 Oregon (3-0) 49, Oregon State 14

Finally without a close out, the Ducks hung it out their old Pac-12 foe and still-rival in Corvallis. Tied 7-7 after one quarter, Oregon got a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take th elead for good.

Dillon Gabriel passed for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Tez Johnso was the main target, grabbing seven receptions for 110 yards.

Sep 14, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

No. 18 Notre Dame 66, Purdue (1-1) 7

This was never a game from the time the contest kicked off. Notre Dame scored on the opening drive and then never let up, pummeling Purdue.

The Boilermakers managed just 162 yards of total offense. Quarterback Hudson Card was 11-for-24 passing for 124 yards, throwing one touchdown and wo interceptions.

Michigan State's Charles Brantley returns an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter in the game against Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State (3-0) 40, Prairie View A&M

Over before it even started, the Spartans put up four touchdowns in the first half, including a pick six, to stay undefeated. Michigan State posted 458 yards of total offense, including 270 yards passing from Aidan Chiles and Tommy Schuster. Nate Carter led the backfield with 91 yards on the ground, scoring once.

Sep 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) celebrates running back Darius Taylor's (1) touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota (2-1) 27, Nevada 0

A pair of field goals in the first quarter ended up being enough for the Golden Gophers, but adding three touchdowns the rest of the way didn't hurt either. A balanced offense saw Minnesota throw for 191 yards and rush for 195 yards.

Darius Taylor led the ground attack with 124 yards on 11 carries, scoring a pair of touchdowns.

Sep 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) carries the ball and later scores a touchdown during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Lumen Field. / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Washington State 24, Washington (2-1) 19

The first Apple Cup since conference realignment made this a nonconference affair and the Cougars knock off one of the new Big Ten teams. The Huskies, though, had a solid game in the stat book: 452 total yards, including 326 through the air and no turnovers. The difference came on penalties, with Washington getting called for 16 penalties for 135 yards.

Iowa kick Rhys Dakin (9) punts against Troy Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa (2-1) 38, Troy 21

Troy held its own through three quarters, trailing just 24-21 going into the final frame, but a pair of Iowa touchdowns in the fourth sealed the victory for the home side.

Cade McNamara was an efficient 19-for-23 through the air, but that only resulted in 176 yards. Kaleb Johnson was the show on offense, carrying the rock 25 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Sep 14, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) and wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (13) celebrate after a touchdown against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska (3-0) 34, Northern Iowa 3

The Panthers used more than 10 minutes of clock on their first possession, settling for a field goal, but it was all Huskers the rest of the game. Nebraska got touchdowns from four different players to finish the nonconference slate undefeated.

Dylan Raiola played just over three quarters at quarterback. He finished 17-for-23 through the air for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The turnover is the first of his career at NU, and came on his 80th career pass.

Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive back Kanye Clark (1) in the first half at Rose Bowl. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indiana (3-0, 1-1 Big Ten) 42, UCLA (1-1, 0-1 Big Ten) 13

Indiana scored 14 points in the first quarter and never looked back, opening their Big Ten slate by handing league newcomer UCLA a loss. Hoosier quarterback was exceptional, going 25-for-33 through the air for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

Sep 14, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver A.J. Henning (8) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Jack Bailey (69) against the Eastern Illinois Panthers during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. / David Banks-Imagn Images

Northwestern (2-1) 31, Eastern Illinois 7

Only leading 14-7 at halftime, Northwestern overpowered Easter Illinois in the second half to pull away for the win. The Wildcats had more than 300 yards both through the air and on the ground, led by the Jack Lausch to AJ Henning connection that accounted for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Sep 14, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) passes the ball to Terrapins running back Roman Hemby (24) as Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Trey McDonald (16) during the first half at Scott Stadium. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Maryland (2-1) 27, Virginia 13

After falling behind 6-0, Maryland got on the board before Virginia added a touchdown to lead 13-7 at the half. Maryland ran off 20 points in the second half, then closed the contest by running off the final 5:09 of game time to seal the win.

No. 3 Ohio State, Rutgers, and No. 11 USC are not in action this week.

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