By Michael SchlossbergThe Daily Northwestern

No. 21 Wisconsin 24, Purdue 3

In a matchup featuring the nation’s fourth-ranked offense against the nation’s sixth-ranked defense, Wisconsin (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) finally learned just how good its defense really is.

Entering the game averaging 471 yards of total offense per game, Purdue (5-3, 2-2) was held to just 286 against Wisconsin and failed to score at least 10 points for the first time in three years.

“It’s great,” Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu said. “Especially with the high-powered offense they had, to hold them to three points. We really didn’t expect to play this well, and they gave us some things and we took some things ourselves.”

Purdue’s Curtis Painter, the nation’s second-leading passer, completed just 20-of-40 passes for 187 yards and was never able to find a rhythm against the Badgers’ defense.

No. 2 Michigan 20, Iowa 6

Playing without standout receiver Mario Manningham for the second consecutive week, Michigan’s offense appeared to struggle at times against Iowa. But for the second week in a row, Michigan’s defense bailed the offense out.

Holding Iowa (5-3, 2-3) to a pair of field goals, Michigan (8-0, 5-0) was able to shut down the Hawkeye’s offensive attack, giving the Wolverines’ offense time to find its groove.

“They are without question the best defense we’ve played all season,” Iowa quarterback Drew Tate said after the game.

Mike Hart rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing the century mark for the seventh time in eight games.

The contest against Iowa was Michigan’s first game as the No. 2 team in the nation, and Michigan was able to score 17 second-half points to end Iowa’s upset bid.

No. 1 Ohio State 44, Indiana 3

After living in the clouds for the past two weeks, Indiana was brought down to Earth by Ohio State.

Coming into the game having won two consecutive Big Ten games and fresh off its biggest upset in nearly two decades against No. 15 Iowa last week, Indiana (4-4, 2-2) was starting to build confidence as it headed into Columbus, Ohio, to take on the No. 1 team in the nation in Ohio State (8-0, 4-0).

Four quarters later, Indiana ended up faring no differently than any of Ohio State’s previous seven opponents.

“It’s hard to find many things we did well today, ” Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner said. “And that’s a tribute to the Buckeyes.”

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith continued his Heisman campaign, completing 15-of-23 passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns, all thrown to different receivers.

Penn State 26, Illinois 12

Penn State scored nine points in the game’s final 1:20 to come away with a 26-12 homecoming victory over Illinois.

Trailing 9-3 at halftime, Penn State (5-3, 3-2) outscored Illinois (2-6, 1-3) 23-3 in the second half.

Illinois still had a chance to win late in the game. Down 17-12, Illinois had the ball with 1:20 remaining. Penn State linebacker Dan Connor sacked Illinois quarterback Juice Williams in the end zone for a safety, and Penn State returned the ensuing onside kick for a touchdown to seal the victory.

Minnesota 10, North Dakota State 9

With the help of a late fourth-quarter touchdown, Minnesota (3-5, 0-4) avoided becoming the third Big Ten team to lose to a Division I-AA opponent this year.

Trailing 6-3 heading into the fourth quarter, Minnesota running back Amir Pinnix scored Minnesota’s first touchdown to help the Golden Gophers come away with the 10-9 victory.

North Dakota State was ranked No. 6 among Division I-AA teams and was able to rack up 390 yards of total offense against Minnesota, while limiting the Golden Gophers to just 265.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach Michael Schlossberg at [email protected].