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While Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio State were struggling with their opening day opponents, three Big Ten schools were making short work of theirs. Penn State had little trouble with Akron, beating the Zips 31-7. Michigan State likewise found Montana State easy pickings, rolling over the Bobcats 44-3. And, in Evanston, Northwestern flattened Towson, 47-14.For Michigan State, quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol had big days, with Cousins throwing for three touchdowns and Nichol adding two more. The Spartan rushing game seemed to take its predicted step backwards, though that could just be because the passing game was clicking so well. The MSU defense held Montana State to just 171 yards of total offense; after their opening three-and-out drive, the Bobcats only entered Spartan territory once.
Michigan State wasn't the only school to put up unexpected passing numbers today, however.
In Happy Valley, Penn State senior quarterback Daryll Clark threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns in the Nittany Lions' rout of Akron. Nine of Akron's 12 drives lasted three plays or fewer, though one was a one-play, 41-yard touchdown strike from Chris Jacquemain to Deryn Bowser.
Meanwhile, Northwestern found a hero in freshman running back Arby Fields, who ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter. Scott Concannon also ran for two TDs. The two backs combined for only 13 carries; Northwestern's leading rusher was Stephen Simmons, who had 18 carries for 75 yards.
Other than Michigan State fans learning that they can throw the ball if they can't run it, not much was learned from these too-easy blowouts. Northwestern won't be pushed hard by Eastern Michigan next week, while Central Michigan will be a good stress test for Michigan State's defense. Syracuse, meanwhile, looms as a bigger test for Penn State than we all thought.
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