Big Ten Buzz: Scores plus the best, worst of Week 12

Buckeyes linebacker Ryan Shazier forces a Montee Ball fumble on a crucial fourth-and-goal stand. (US Presswire)

Big Ten scoreboard:

Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14: The Buckeyes (11-0, 7-0) allowed a game-tying, 5-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but RB Carlos Hyde scored first in overtime and the Ohio State defense didn't allow a first down, sealing the win in Madison. Braxton Miller was held to a season-low 97 yards passing and didn't break any of his trademark runs. Linebacker Ryan Shazier was briefly knocked out of the game due to a vicious helmet-to-helmet collision with Badgers RB Montee Ball but returned and made the game-changing play of the day. On 4th-and-1 from the 1-yard line, Shazier met Ball in mid-air as he was trying to break the NCAA's all-time touchdown record of 78 and forced a fumble that Ohio State recovered. Even though the Badgers (7-4, 4-3) would tie the game, Shazier's stop deflated a wild home crowd. (For more on the game, check out CBSSports.com's Eye on College Football blog)

(Video courtesy of ESPN)

Purdue 20, Illinois 17: Despite a late fourth-quarter touchdown run from QB Nathan Scheelhaase, the Boilermakers (5-6, 2-5) held on to beat the Fighting Illini (2-9, 0-7) and keep their bowl eligibility hopes alive. Purdue QB Robert Marve was efficient again, going 18 of 26 for 176 yards and a touchdown, and RB Akeem Shavers ran for a 99 yards, his highest total this season. Purdue is a game from bowl eligibility and hosts Indiana next with a chance to achieve its third win a row, an impressive feat given that the Boilermakers lost their first five conference games.

Nebraska 38, Minnesota 14: The host Huskers (9-2, 6-1) didn't allow a Gopher (6-5, 2-5) point until 7:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. A win next weekend at Iowa and the Huskers will clinch the Legends Division title and face Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. WR Kenny Bell set a career-high with 136 receiving yards and two touchdowns and Taylor Martinez topped 300 yards passing for the third time this season. Senior RB Rex Burkhead didn't play in his final home game because of an ankle injury that has plagued him all season.

Michigan 42, Iowa 17: The Wolverines (8-3, 6-1) earned their first victory over Iowa (4-7, 2-5) in the past four meetings and gave senior Denard Robinson one final victory in the Big House. Robinson, who injured his throwing arm three weeks ago, started at running back, and QB Devin Gardner made his third straight start for Michigan. Robinson proved to be a big threat out of the backfield, rushing 13 times for 98 yards and was featured on numerous reverses. Starting RB Fitzgerald Toussaint left the game early in the first quarter and was carted off the field with a left leg injury. The loss ends any chance of Iowa gaining bowl eligibility. (For more on the game, check out CBSSports.com's Eye on College Football blog)

Penn State 45, Indiana 22: The Nittany Lions (7-4, 5-2) scored a season-high 45 points as QB Matt McGloin set a career-high with 397 passing yards. The Hoosiers (4-7, 2-5) hung with Penn State's potent passing attack until a decisive fourth-and-long conversion in the third quarter extended a drive that ended with Zach Zwinak's 1-yard rushing touchdown. His score extended Penn State's lead to 13 points and effectively ended Indiana's hopes of playing in a bowl game. LB Michael Mauti left the game early in the first quarter after an Indiana player rolled onto his leg. Coach Bill O'Brien offered no updates following the game.

Northwestern 23, Michigan State 20: Despite relinquishing two second-half leads, the Wildcats (8-3, 4-3) held on to beat the Spartans (5-6, 2-4) and secure a winless conference home record for Michigan State. Seven of the past eight road teams have won in this series. QB Trevor Siemian threw for 165 yards and freshman TE Dan Vitale had nine catches for 110 yards. The Wildcats needed to find offense elsewhere as RB Venric Mark sat on the bench for the second half with an upper body injury. K Jeff Budzien hit his three field goal attempts, including a 27-yarder in the fourth quarter to break a 20-20 tie.

(Courtesy of Big Ten Network)

Play of the day: Any of Penn State WR Allen Robinson's three touchdowns could've qualified as the marquee play of the day, but his first touchdown -- a one-handed grab over Hoosier CB Brian Williams -- was fantastic. McGloin had four first-half touchdown passes. Robinson also took a short screen pass 53-yards in the second quarter for his second touchdown of the day.

He said what? "I've coached the greatest ... a Hall of Fame QB ... and Mauti is one of the most special players I've been around," Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said after Saturday's win, referring to New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. Mauti was one of the most outspoken players on the team after the the NCAA levied crippling sanctions on the program and helped galvanize the Lions during preseason. He's had two knee surgeries and had to leave Saturday's game with a left leg injury.

RapidReports offensive star of the day: Michigan QB Gardner accounted for six touchdowns in the Wolverines' 42-17 win over Iowa. He threw for 316 yards and added 37 yards and three touchdowns rushing. Gardner's three rushing scores tied Robinson's career-high. Over the past three weeks, Gardner has looked increasingly comfortable in the pocket and is clearly a better quarterback option than Robinson. But lining up Robinson in the backfield, if nothing else, forces defenses to honor his speed and helps open the passing game for Gardner.

RapidReports defensive star of the day: Northwestern LB David Nwabuisi picked off Spartan QB Andrew Maxwell and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the second half. Although the 13-5 lead was short-lived, it was a huge defensive stand by the Wildcats, who've been prone to second-half collapses.

His seat is getting uncomfortable: For the second week in a row, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz occupies this dubious spot. The Hawkeyes are mired in a five-game losing streak, the longest since 2000 -- Ferentz's second season as head coach. The loss means the Hawkeyes will miss out on a bowl game for the first time in four seasons. Even though Michigan's quarterback situation was unstable, the Hawkeyes' defense wasn't prepared for the possibility of Denard Robinson playing running back. Michigan scored on touchdown drives of at least 60 yards on each of its first six possessions, and the secondary looked completely lost against Gardner. Iowa athletic director Gary Barta should at least evaluate his options.

A possible spot on the bench for: Michigan RB Toussaint suffered an ugly first-quarter leg injury and was carted off on a stretcher. His season is expected to be over. Coach Brady Hoke didn't elaborate on the injury but he did say that Toussaint was at a local hospital having surgery following the game. Robinson and backup Thomas Rawls would figure to get Toussaint's carries next weekend at Ohio State.

Why you should care about these three stats:

• Gardner sets record: Michigan's Gardner became just the sixth quarterback since 2000 to throw for 300 yards, pass for three touchdowns and rush for three touchdowns. Two of the five who've accomplished the feat include Kansas State's Collin Klein and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel.

• McGloin breaks Penn State single-season record: QB McGloin threw for 397 yards and broke the Penn State single-season mark of 3,003 set by Daryll Clark in 2009. McGloin, who has a game left next weekend against Wisconsin, has 3,073 this season.

• Ball ties NCAA all-time TD record: Wisconsin's Ball ran seven yards for a second-quarter touchdown against Ohio State, tying him with Travis Prentice for the NCAA all-time touchdown record of 78.

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.