Monday Morning Big Ten Reading Room

Eleven teams other than Iowa, eleven quotes.

ILLINOIS (4-0), hosts Northwestern this Saturday after beating Western Michigan, 23-20, to get to 4-0 for the first time since 1951.

"We gutted out two wins two weeks in a row. That's toughness." -- Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino. Illinois edged Arizona State a week earlier, 17-14.

INDIANA (1-3), hosts Penn State Saturday after losing at North Texas, 24-21.

"Defensively, they just kind of kicked our butts by getting off blocks and tackling well on the perimeter," Indiana Coach Kevin Wilson said. "We were lucky it was only 21 (to 0) at the half. They worked us pretty good."

MICHIGAN (4-0) hosts Minnesota Saturday after beating San Diego State, 28-7.

"Brady will win a national championship here." -- San Diego State Coach Rocky Long about Brady Hoke, who left SDSU after last season to become Michigan's coach.

MICHIGAN STATE (3-1) is at Ohio State Saturday after beating Central Michigan, 45-7.

“We're confident that we have the mind-set necessary for a defending champion. We were able to work out a lot of our kinks and get ourselves to a level where we're comfortable." -- MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins.

MINNESOTA (1-3) lost at home Saturday to North Dakota State, 37-24.

"The seizures continue to be a concern for me and my family. Rebecca and I have made the decision to do what it takes to find a solution. I hope to be back to work soon, but we believe that taking some time away to get a handle on this is the right thing to do.” -- Minnesota Coach Jerry Kill, who is checking into the Mayo Clinic after suffering a seizure Sunday, his second this month.

NEBRASKA (4-0) is at Wisconsin Saturday after winning at Wyoming, 38-14.

"Are we ready for them? Are they ready for us?" -- Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini about Saturday's showdown in Madison.

NORTHWESTERN (2-1) was idle Saturday.

“I figured if he was going to be able to play, he was playing against us.'' - Illinois Coach Ron Zook on Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa, who hasn't played since he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Iowa last November but has been cleared to play against the Illini.

OHIO STATE (3-1) beat Colorado at home Saturday, 37-17.

"I didn't have any jitters at all," -- OSU freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, who completed 5 of 13 passes for 83 yards in his first start.

PENN STATE (3-1) beat Eastern Michigan at home Saturday, 34-6.

"To be completely honest with you, I am kind of nervous losing them type of players. I don't know how we can replace what those two brought to this defense and to this team. ... But somehow, some way we're just going to have to get it done." -- Nittany Lions defensive tackle Devon Still on injuries suffered by linebacker Michael Mauti and D'Anton Lynn. Mauti suffered a torn ACL and is done for the season. Lynn suffered a stinger and was carted off the field. He was released from the hospital Saturday night.

PURDUE (2-1) was idle this weekend, and hosts Notre Dame Saturday.

"Our house is the only house here that actually looks like a home. It has that Midwest style. A lot of the other homes are what you'd imagine when you think solar homes, spaceship like, futuristic." -- Purdue student McKenna Regan, a member of Team Purdue in the ongoing Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C.

WISCONSIN (4-0) battered South Dakota at home Saturday, 59-10. Now comes Nebraska.

"The atmosphere. The tradition. Everything. .?.?. Night game. Television. Nebraska. What more can you ask for?" -- Wisconsin running back Montee Ball.