The Week

MIDWEST

Critics who have been putting down the Big Ten as the "Big Two-Little Eight" better take a closer look at Wisconsin. With its 26-0 rout of Illinois, the Badgers now have a 5-0 record, a six-game win streak and the Big Ten lead. All of which may force Coach John Jardine to make a big decision this week as the Badgers prepare to meet Michigan in Ann Arbor; the chief engineer of Wisconsin's rout of the Illini was reserve Quarterback Charles Green.

Starting Quarterback Anthony Dudley sat out the Illini game with a sore back, but Green, who was so nervous about his promotion that he couldn't get to sleep until 3:30 a.m. Saturday, completed nine of his first 10 passes and finished with 11 out of 16 attempts for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on a 12-yard run. Wisconsin finished with a 432-78 edge in yards gained, a 28-6 advantage in first downs and its first conference shutout win since 1966. The Badger defense, which has given up but 34 points this season, forced four turnovers and did not allow a first down until the third quarter.

At East Lansing, 78,183 in the stands and 637 in the press box witnessed the 70th meeting—and 30th sellout—between Michigan and Michigan State, which was marked by gusty winds and a third-quarter downpour. Michigan reigned at the same time, winning 24-14, its eighth straight in the intrastate rivalry.

Quarterback Rick Leach threw for one touchdown and ran for another as the third-ranked Wolverines rushed for 309 yards. Michigan's Harlan Huckleby was the game's leading ground gainer with 146 yards—and no fumbles—on 31 carries. The defeat was Michigan State's third and a costly one for Coach Darryl Rogers, who lost Middle Guard Kim Rowekamp to a knee injury, possibly for the rest of the season.

Ohio State scored more points in the first quarter than it has in any other game in Woody Hayes' tenure en route to a 46-0 defeat of Purdue. The fourth-ranked Buckeyes tallied on their first three possessions—counting a 65-yard touchdown interception return by Mike Guess—and wound up with a 29-0 lead at the end of the first 15 minutes.

Purdue freshman Quarterback Mark Herrmann, who had completed at least 20 passes in each of his previous games, finished with 11 of 21 for 117 yards and two interceptions.

Guess' interception, which came on Purdue's fifth play from scrimmage, was a stunner, but Columbus fans may have been almost as shocked when the Buckeyes' first offensive play was a 46-yard pass from Rod Gerald to Herman Jones. "I thank Woody for keeping the score down," said Purdue Coach Jim Young. "Believe me, it could have been much higher."

"I've never seen a team do a better job against a great passer," Hayes agreed, "and I can't remember when we put it all together offensively and defensively against a team as good as Purdue."

Hayes rested injured Tailback Jeff Logan, Center Tim Vogler and Defensive Tackle Ed Beamon, and if Buckeye opponents need another statistic to disturb them, Ohio State gained 391 yards rushing and 106 passing, with only two seniors—Jim Harrell and Herman Jones—contributing. Harrell had a 36-yard pass reception, Jones a 45-yarder.