Despite posting superlative numbers in his four years at Michigan, quarterback John Navarre often said he would look back on his collegiate career with a strong sense of regret if he never led his team to a Big Ten championship.
After Saturday, he doesn’t have to worry.
Consummately poised throughout the most pressure-filled game of his life, Navarre completed 21-of-32 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns as No. 4 Michigan (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 35-21, giving the Wolverines the outright conference title for the first time since 1997.
“This is something we haven’t had in a while. The Big Ten championship was our goal and the rest was gravy,” Navarre said. “It’s a dream come true.”
An NCAA record crowd of 122,188 was on hand at Michigan Stadium to watch the 100th game of the storied Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.
With the win, the Wolverines not only earned a trip to the Rose Bowl, but also upended the Buckeyes’ hopes of winning back-to-back national championships.
Michigan’s well-balanced offense knifed through the renowned Ohio State (10-2, 6-2) defense throughout the majority of the first half. Wolverines receiver Braylon Edwards caught two touchdowns as Michigan built a 28-7 lead several minutes into the third quarter. But Ohio State and its much-maligned offense battled back, cutting the score to 28-21 with nearly the entire fourth quarter left to play.
Michigan sealed the win midway through the fourth quarter, however, on a 15-yard touchdown run by tailback Chris Perry. Perry battered the Ohio State run defense — a unit that entered the game holding opponents’ running attacks to a nation’s best average of 50.5 yards per game — all day long, totaling 154 yards and two scores.
Perry also contributed 55 receiving yards while playing through several tackles that left him unable to reach the sideline without assistance.
“There was no way I was coming out of the game,” Perry said. “This is one of those games that’s going to be remembered.”
Iowa 27, Wisconsin 21: With no time remaining, Hawkeyes’ free safety Sean Considine broke up John Stocco’s four-yard pass attempt in the endzone, giving No. 13 Iowa (9-3, 5-3) the win in a see-saw battle with Wisconsin (7-5, 4-4).
“We didn’t want it any other way,” said Considine, who also intercepted a pass in the third quarter that led to Iowa’s go-ahead score. “It was up to us. It was a test of character.”
Things looked bad for the Hawkeyes early, as they committed three first-half turnovers and spotted Wisconsin a 14-0 lead. The Badgers struggled, however, after quarterback Jim Sorgi was knocked out of the game because of a head injury in the second quarter. Replacement Matt Schabert threw three interceptions returned for touchdowns before he was benched in favor of Stocco.
Hawkeyes running back Fred Russell rushed for 137 yards on 28 carries, including a one-yard touchdown run that gave Iowa a 24-21 lead late in the third quarter.
Purdue 24, Indiana 16: Boilermakers wide receiver John Standeford caught six passes for 151 yards, including two touchdowns, as No. 12 Purdue (9-3, 6-2) topped Indiana (2-10, 1-7) to secure a New Year’s Day bowl bid.
Purdue running back Jerod Void had 31 carries for a career-high 141 yards and one touchdown. The Boilermakers took a 21-3 lead early in the third quarter, but Indiana made a valiant comeback attempt, coming up with one of its most inspired efforts of the season.
Hoosiers running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis led the charge with a monster performance, rushing 31 times for 155 yards and one touchdown, and catching four passes for 39 yards.
Michigan State 41, Penn State 10: Spartans quarterback Jeff Smoker threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns as Michigan State (8-4, 5-3) trounced Penn State (3-9, 1-7), giving the Nittany Lions their first nine-loss season in school history.
Smoker connected with tight end Eric Knott for a 14-yard touchdown pass with three minutes to go in the second quarter, giving the Spartans a 21-3 lead that they carried into halftime. With his performance, Smoker became the first Michigan State quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
