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Illinois storms back to stun Michigan State,­ 37-34

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Lovie Smith and Illinois are now eligible for a bowl after the biggest comeback in school history.

The Illini did it by forcing turnovers — no surprise there — and when that wasn’t enough, Brandon Peters and Josh Imatorbhebhe were there to keep the rally going.

Peters threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Barker with 5 seconds left, giving the Illini a 37-34 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night. Illinois trailed 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth. The Illini had never completed a comeback from more than 20 points behind.

“They don’t crown champions after one half of ball,” said Smith, now in his fourth season as Illinois’ coach. “We knew going out that we would have to stop them.”

Down 34-30, Illinois (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) converted fourth-and-17, then drew a pass interference flag in the end zone on another fourth-down pass. It was second-and-goal when Peters patiently rolled out to his right and found Barker open in the back of the end zone.

“They played zone coverage,” Peters said. “The play was built that if they played zone to look to the back of the end zone. They covered it up pretty well, but I extended the play and the DB flowed with me and (Barker) did a good job stepping into the hole, and I just found him.”

Peters threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns.

The Illini are bowl eligible for the first time since 2014. They’ve forced 26 turnovers this season, including four Saturday. This was their fourth straight win.

Ohio St. 73, Maryland 14

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State got its first taste of adversity this week when star defensive end Chase Young was suspended for the Maryland game for a possible NCAA infraction involving a personal loan.

On Saturday, the No. 3 Buckeyes set that to one side and took out their frustrations on beleaguered Maryland, a program heading in the wrong direction.

Justin Fields threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in the first half as Ohio State rolled to a win behind 705 yards of offense and 40 first downs.

A team that gave the Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten, CFP No. 1) headaches last season was no trouble this time, even without the fierce pass-rushing of Young. The preseason All-American was suspended Friday while Ohio State investigates a possible NCAA violation involving a loan.

“We went through a little adversity this week,” coach Ryan Day said. “Adversity reveals character, and our character was at the forefront of this game. I felt we came out and showed we’re made of something special here.”

J.K. Dobbins rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns as the Buckeyes built a 42-0 halftime lead and the backups added to it in the second half.

Wisconsin 24, Iowa 22

MADISON, Wis — Jonathan Taylor rushed for a season-high 250 yards and Danny Davis ran for a touchdown and caught another as No. 16 Wisconsin outlasted No. 18 Iowa.

Taylor became the first running back this season to rush for more than 100 yards against Iowa, as Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 13 College Football Playoff) held on to the Heartland Trophy, given each year to the winner of this game. The Badgers have beaten Iowa four straight times.

“We had to close the game out,” said Taylor, who rushed for 130 yards in the fourth quarter alone. “So you’ve got to make sure you’re being efficient and you’re playing your best ball.”

Taylor’s 250 yards on 31 carries are the most ever by a Wisconsin player against Iowa, surpassing the previous high of 216 by Ron Dayne in 1999.

“Taylor, what an exceptional player he is,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He certainly proved that tonight. We were very impressed with that performance.”

Purdue 24, N’western 22

EVANSTON, Ill. — Aidan O’Connell threw for 271 yards and J.D. Dellinger kicked a 39-yard field goal with three seconds left as Purdue beat Northwestern to keep its bowl hopes alive.

O’Connell, a former walk-on, made his first start and led the go-ahead drive late after Wildcats kicker Charlie Kuhbander’s 32-yard field goal bounced off the left upright.

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