B1G Rewind: Getting defensive

Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio State combined to beat their opponents 181-0 in four home games Saturday afternoon. All had dominant aspects of their performance to go along with their shutouts.

The Wildcats returned eight regular starters from last year's defense, and it shows. Northwestern's defense has dominated their first two opponents in every facet, and Big Ten opponents need to take notice.

In Northwestern's 41-0 win Saturday, Eastern Illinois was 0-for-11 on third down. In the Wildcats' upset win against Stanford in week one, the Cardinal was only 3-of-15 on third down. Northwestern has allowed just six points so far, the fewest in a two-game stretch since 1958, which also was the last time the Wildcats haven't allowed a touchdown in consecutive games.

'Right now, third-down wise, we are able to be pretty efficient with execution of the call and our ability to get the pass rush,' Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald said. 'Obviously that has been the key. Also, putting them in third-and-long situations gives advantages to the defense. It is a product of the scheme and then the guys executing it.'

Neither of the Wildcats' opponents have rushed for more than 85 yards. Saturday, Northwestern had eight tackles for loss.

'We are not trying to live up to a standard,' said Northwestern defensive back Matthew Harris, who returned an interception for a touchdown. 'We are just trying to set goals that people did not even think were possible. It is cool that we have done something that has not been done in a while. At the same time, we have to focus on what we are going to do next.'

Illinois recorded its first shutout since 2012 and held Western Illinois to 141 total yards in a 44-0 win.

The Illini have outscored opponents 96-3 in their first two games. Illinois allowed an average of 34 points a game last year, ranking 107th in the nation and last in the Big Ten.

'When you have four turnovers and you still win 44 to nothing, I think there were a lot of good things,' Illinois interim head coach Bill Cubit said. 'Defense, we were playing really well. I think the defensive coaches are doing an outstanding job of getting those guys running around.'

Wisconsin forced four turnovers, held Miami (Ohio) to minus-3 rushing yards on 24 carries and only nine first downs. The Badgers recorded three interceptions for the time since 2011 and the opponent rushing numbers were the lowest in eight years. The RedHawks converted only 3 of 15 third-down opportunities.

'I thought certainly defensively we did a lot of really good things, did a heck of a job, against the run, we were able to get takeaways,' Wisconsin Coach Paul Chryst said. 'That was big.'

In workmanlike fashion, top-ranked Ohio State beat Hawaii 38-0. The Rainbow Warriors gained only 165 yards, and the Buckeyes forced four turnovers. Ohio State also recorded four sacks and held Hawaii to 2-of-14 on third down.

'I thought they played great,' Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer said. 'They created turnovers. We scored on defense. Short field a couple times. So we've got a lot of work to do in some other areas.'

SPARTAN DIET

Michigan State continues to solidify itself as one of the nation's top programs. The No. 5 Spartans beat No. 7-ranked and defending Pac-12 champion Oregon 31-28 in East Lansing to gain a measure of revenge for last year's loss at Eugene.

Last season Michigan State finished 11-2 with both losses against national title participants Ohio State and Oregon. That might make Saturday's win a little sweeter for the Spartans.

'I think they all count one, I really do,' Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio said. 'But for 24 hours, it's a little bit bigger. And then maybe at the end of the season, it pays you dividends and moves you forward when people talk about strength of schedule and that nature. But it doesn't do you any good if you are not winning and playing well after this fact, either.

Michigan State moved up to No. 4 in the USA Today-Coaches Poll on Sunday morning.

MANY HAPPY DEBUTS

Wisconsin's Chryst, Nebraska's Mike Riley and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh each recorded their first wins at their schools, and all three won decisively. The Cornhuskers rebounded after losing on the final play against BYU to beat South Alabama 48-9. The Wolverines overcame an early deficit to blast Oregon State 35-7. Wisconsin overpowered Miami (Ohio) 58-0.

Nebraska had a well-rounded team performance, from allowing just 19 rushing yards to running back Terrell Newby running for 198 yards.

'I'm very excited,' Riley said. 'It's just an amazing scene out there in that stadium. It came one week late, but I'm glad to get here.'

Harbaugh's quarterback Jake Rudock — a two-year starter at Iowa — completed 18 of 26 passes for 180 yards.

THUMBS UPS

Illinois has outscored its first two opponents 96-3, is 9-of-9 in red-zone opportunities and 5-for-5 on fourth down. ... Iowa outscored rival Iowa State 21-0 in the second half and held the Cyclones to 66 total yards after halftime. ... After giving up more than 650 yards last week, Indiana allowed just 406 to Florida International. ... Michigan held Oregon State to 138 total yards. ... No. 5 Michigan State's 31-28 win against No. 7 Oregon was the Spartans' first home win between top-10 programs since 1961. ... Nebraska held South Alabama to 19 yards on 24 carries. ... Northwestern outgained Eastern Illinois by 358 yards and have yet to allow a TD this year. ... Top-ranked Ohio State has won 15 consecutive games. ... Penn State defenders sacked Buffalo QB Joe Licata six times. ... Purdue rolled up 540 yards of total offense. ... Wisconsin held Miami (Ohio) to minus-3 yards rushing yards. ... Minnesota's punt game registered five boots of 50-plus yards with nary a touchback.

THUMBS DOWNS

Maryland was outscored 42-14 after halftime in a blowout loss to Bowling Green. ... Rutgers gave up 559 yards of total offense and had 11 penalties for 100 yards.

WEEKEND STARS

A week after breaking the Big Ten's single-game punt return yardage record, Maryland's William Likely returned a punt 85 yards for a score. ... Iowa WR Matt VandeBerg caught nine passes for 114 yards, had four catches for first downs in the fourth quarter and recovered a teammate's fumble for a TD. ... Nebraska RB Terrell Newby rushed for 198 yards on 28 carries, caught two passes for 38 yards and scored three TDs. ... Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib had three sacks, forced two fumbles and had an interception. ... Rutgers wide receiver Janarion Grant returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns and compiled a school-record 337 total yards.

NOTEWORTHY

Indiana DB Jameel Cook returned an interception 96 yards for a TD. ... Illinois WR Geronimo Allison caught eight passes for 124 yards. ... Michigan defensive end Chris Wormley had three tackles for loss. ... Minnesota defensive lineman Steven Richardson had seven tackles, including three for loss, plus forced and recovered a fumble. ... Northwestern RB Tom Hruby, a 33-year-old retired Navy Seal, rushed for 25 yards on eight carries. ... Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 101 yards and three TDs. ... Purdue QB Austin Appleby threw for 289 yards and four TDs. ... In his first career start, Wisconsin RB Dare Ogunbowale rushed for a career-high 112 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 25 yards. ... Michigan State WR Aaron Burbridge caught eight passes for 101 yards and a score.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Ohio State (1) 2-0 0-0

Yawn ... wins opener 38-0 at home

2. Michigan State (2) 2-0 0-0

Pulls out a huge win for the program and league

3. Northwestern (3) 2-0 0-0

Hasn't allowed a TD in first two games

4. Minnesota (4) 1-1 0-0

Gutted a high-altitude victory that program used to regularly lose

5. Iowa (5) 2-0 0-0

Road rivalry wins deserve added weight

6A. Wisconsin (6A) 1-1 0-0

Bounces back in a major way

6B. Nebraska (6B) 1-1 0-0

Needed a big home win after last week's shocker

8. Illinois (8A) 2-0 0-0

This program seems to have good leadership at the top

9. Michigan (11) 1-1 0-0

After sluggish start, Wolverines roll to easy win

10. Penn State (13) 1-1 0-0

Allowed no sacks after giving up 10 previous week

11. Rutgers (8C) 1-1 0-0

Good teams don't lose games like this

12. Maryland (8B) 1-1 0-0

Where would this team be without William Likely?

13. Purdue (14) 1-1 0-0

Has appearance of gradual improvement

14. Indiana (12) 2-0 0-0

So far this 2-0 start looks like fool's gold

STANDINGS

WEST DIVISION

Illinois 2-0 0-0

Iowa 2-0 0-0

Northwestern 2-0 0-0

Nebraska 1-1 0-0

Minnesota 1-1 0-0

Purdue 1-1 0-0

Wisconsin 1-1 0-0

EAST DIVISION

Indiana 2-0 0-0

Michigan State 2-0 0-0

Ohio State 2-0 0-0

Maryland 1-1 0-0

Michigan 1-1 0-0

Penn State 1-1 0-0

Rutgers 1-1 0-0

WEEKEND RESULTS

Iowa 31, Iowa State 17

Michigan 35, Oregon State 7

Penn State 27, Buffalo 14

Wisconsin 58, Miami (Ohio) 0

Purdue 38, Indiana State 14

Illinois 44, Western Illinois 0

Bowling Green 48, Maryland 27

Ohio State 38, Hawaii 0

Washington State 37, Rutgers 34

Minnesota 23, Colorado State 20 (OT)

Northwestern 41, Eastern Illinois 0

Michigan State 31, Oregon 28

Nebraska 48, South Alabama 9

Indiana 36, Florida International 22

NEXT SATURDAY

Pittsburgh at Iowa, 7 p.m. (BTN)

Rutgers at Penn State, 7 p.m. (BTN)

Air Force at Michigan State, 11 a.m. (ABC)

Illinois at North Carolina, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)

South Florida at Maryland, 11 a.m. (ESPNU)

UNLV at Michigan, 11 a.m. (BTN)

Kent State at Minnesota, 11 a.m. (BTN)

Northwestern at Duke, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN3)

Northern Illinois at Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN2)

Nebraska at Miami (Fla.), 2:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN2)

Troy at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m. (BTN)

Virginia Tech at Purdue, 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Western Kentucky at Indiana, 3 p.m. (ESPNNews)

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com