Nonconference play is in the books for the majority of Big Ten programs, giving teams their final chances to improve before the all-telling conference schedule.
While UCLA, USC, Purdue and Rutgers kicked off Big Ten action a week early, most of the conference either successfully routed their weaker opponents or fell at the hands of Power Four nonconference squads.
Here’s how the Big Ten fared in Week 3.
Interconference play kicks off, for some
There were a pair of Big Ten games Saturday, as Purdue traveled to Los Angeles to face UCLA while USC played Rutgers on the road.
The Bruins and the Boilermakers had themselves a high-scoring affair, with UCLA winning 52-38.
UCLA’s running backs combined for 369 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Wayne Knight led the way with 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The Bruins’ quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw 276 passing yards for three touchdowns, while Purdue starter Ryan Browne threw 378 yards for three touchdowns and an interception.
Rutgers lost to USC in the second all-time meeting between the two historic programs. The Trojans 42-35 win put them at 3-0 on the season, while Rutgers fell to 0-3.
The Scarlet Knights put up a fight in their first conference game after losing to UMass and Boston College. However, quarterback Dylan Lonergan threw a pair of interceptions that both resulted in Trojan scores, including a 99-yard pick six by Prophet Brown.
Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiava threw 277 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running backs King Miller for USC and Antwan Raymond for Rutgers each led their teams with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond (3) takes a handoff during the Penn State football game against Rutgers at SHI Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Piscataway, N.J. The Nittany Lions beat the Scarlet Knights 40-36.
Sawyer Hadlum
The teams had near-identical yardage by the final whistle — USC’s 461 total yards just edged out Rutgers’ 460.
Oregon, Ohio State back on track
After suffering an upset to Oklahoma State in Week 2, Oregon faced Portland State, a team the Ducks are notorious for blowing out in the nonconference slate.
Oregon got to play a lot of its depth in its 84-0 victory as four quarterbacks, as 14 receivers and five running backs got on the box score.
The Ducks broke multiple program records on Friday night, including the most total points and biggest margin of victory in the modern era.
Quarterback Dante Moore racked up 280 passing yards and four touchdowns as the Ducks led 49-0 at halftime. Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola put up 124 yards and three touchdowns in the second half before depth quarterbacks Akili Smith Jr. and Brock Thomas closed the game.
Portland State only tallied two rushing yards, and Gabe Downing threw 101 yards with three interceptions on three consecutive drives in the third quarter.
Ohio State avenged its Week 2 loss to Texas with a 59-3 victory over Kent State. The Buckeyes’ defense had three turnovers, holding the Golden Flashes to only 63 passing yards and 71 rushing yards.
James Franklin bests Mike Locksley
Former Penn State head coach James Franklin beat a Big Ten opponent for the first time at Virginia Tech by defeating Maryland 35-26 on the road.
The Hokies scored 27 points in the first half, but put up only eight in the second half. They still managed to halt the Terrapins’ fourth-quarter comeback.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds — both former Nittany Lions — were the stars of the show. Grunkemeyer threw 314 yards and had four total touchdowns while Reynolds closed the game with 12 catches for 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Reynolds is currently second among the ACC in receptions, trailing only Malachi Toney.
James Franklin, Virginia Tech’s new head football coach, pauses after he was introduced during an NCAA college football news conference on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Robert Simmons | AP Photo
Other notable results
Michigan State kept its meeting with No. 3 Notre Dame relatively close, with the Fighting Irish winning 27-10. The Spartans’ defense couldn’t stop the run in their own territory, as all three Fighting Irish touchdowns were scored on the ground.
Wisconsin is now on a two-game winning streak after a 54-10 victory over Eastern Michigan. The final play of the game saw the Badgers block a 40-yard field goal attempt and freshman Donovan Dunmore return it for a scoop-and-score.
Iowa and Indiana each posted shutouts this past week, blanking Northern Iowa 55-0 and Western Kentucky 38-0, respectively. Both teams remained undefeated heading into Big Ten action.
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