As the Big Ten season comes to a close this weekend and teams get locked into December bowl games, there is little doubt the effects of some of the most unlikely games could have an effect on the standings. Whether losing to a conference bottom feeder or beating the big guys, this year's Big Ten season had its share of upset specials that made it one to watch.
No. 22 Wisconsin 17, No. 3 Ohio State 10
October 11, 2003
Not even being at home under the Camp Randall lights could give the No. 22 Badgers a foreseeable edge going up against defending national champs, No. 3 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes were on a 19-game winning streak going back to their previous season and even without Ohio State sophomore running back Maurice Clarett, it did not look good for the Badgers. But beneath the rain, UW held its own with the game tied at seven, and without junior running back Anthony Davis, the Badgers suffered what appeared to be a game-ending loss when OSU senior linebacker Robert Reynolds jammed his fingers into UW senior quarterback Jim Sorgi's throat.
With 5:20 left in the game, junior backup quarterback Matt Schabert, who had entered the game late in the third, found senior receiver Lee Evans for the game-winning 79-yard touchdown, propelling the Badgers to a 17-10 win and giving the Buckeyes the only blemish on their record in two seasons.
No. 19 Iowa 30, No.11 Michigan 27
October 4, 2003
The No. 19 Hawkeyes celebrated Homecoming with an upset win over No. 11 Michigan, battling back from a 14-point deficit in the first quarter to beat the Wolverines 30-27.
Tying the game up in the third and eventually taking the lead on a field goal, Iowa was able to contain dangerous senior quarterback John Navarre in the fourth when the Hawkeyes took a 30-20 lead, but found themselves holding their breath when Navarre connected to a receiver for 41-yard touchdown, reducing the lead to a mere field goal.
The Iowa defense clamped down, however, and forced Navarre into three incomplete passes and held off the Wolverines, though producing only 295 yards of offense to Michigan's 463.
Northwestern 16, No. 20 Wisconsin 7
October 25, 2003
Despite coming off a loss to Purdue and missing Sorgi, a game against Northwestern seemed like an automatic victory after beating Ohio State and a narrow loss to the Purdue Boilermakers. But the trip to Evanston proved less than enjoyable for the No. 20 Badgers as they watched the Wildcat defense smother their offense and hold them to a single touchdown as Northwestern beat Wisconsin 16-7.
Without Sorgi and after Davis was once again sidelined early in the game because of his reoccurring ankle injury, the Badger offense struggled to find a rhythm and to establish the run. There were no fourth quarter heroics for Schabert, who overthrew several receivers, and the Wisconsin defense failed on several key downs to get the block including a bizarre Northwestern fake play.
On 4-and-6, the Wildcats faked the punt snap and after holding the ball as the defense looked on in confusion, as Northwestern ran the ball for 20 yards and the first down, eventually scoring the touchdown and securing the win.
Bowling Green 27, Purdue 26
August 30, 2003
With 1:10 left, the Boilermakers were down 27-26 at the Bowling Green 33. But after missing an open receiver and a dropped pass by junior wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield close to the end zone, Purdue was in desperate circumstances. Faced with going for it or trying for the 50-yard field goal, the Boilermakers went for the pass but came up short, allowing the clock to run out and Bowling Green to get the surprise victory in the season opener for Purdue, 27-26.
The hero of the day for Bowling Green was senior quarterback Josh Harris who went 22-of-40 for 357 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 19 times for 34 yards in the victory. The loss was the first time Purdue lost a home opener in over five years.
