2008 Big Ten Conference football season

August 2023 2008 Big Ten Conference football season #193980 #FFFFFF NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football BigTen.png 125px September, 2008through January, 2009 11 ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network 2009 NFL Draft 2009 NFL Draft Aaron Maybin (Penn State) Buffalo Bills, first round (11th overall) Regular Season Penn State Ohio State Co-Champions Runner-up Michigan State Shonn Greene Chicago Tribune Silver Football Football 2007 2009 The 2008 Big Ten Conference football season was the 113th season for the Big Ten. Preseason Ohio State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference with Wisconsin and Illinois second and third, respectively by the Media. Ohio State running back Chris Wells was chosen as the Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the year while fellow Buckeye linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the year. Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller entered his final season, while Michigan's Rich Rodriguez began his first in Ann Arbor. In a given year, each Big Ten team will play eight of the other Big Ten teams. Thus for any given team in a given year, there are two others which will not be competed against. Below is the breakdown of "no-plays" for 2008: Team—Does not play Illinois—Michigan State, Purdue Indiana—Michigan, Ohio State Iowa—Michigan, Ohio State Michigan—Indiana, Iowa Michigan State—Illinois, Minnesota Minnesota—Michigan State, Penn State Northwestern—Penn State, Wisconsin Ohio State—Indiana, Iowa Penn State—Minnesota, Northwestern Purdue—Illinois, Wisconsin Wisconsin—Northwestern, Purdue Standings Team Conference Overall RankWinsLossesWinsLossesAPCoaches Penn State7111288 Ohio State 71103911 Michigan State 62942424 Northwestern 5394RVRV Iowa 53942020 Wisconsin 3576 Minnesota3576 Illinois3557 Purdue 2648 Michigan2639 Indiana 1739 Rankings 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings AP Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Final Illinois 20 24T 24 22 22 Indiana Iowa 20 Michigan 24 Michigan State 23 20 22 18 18 17 22 21 19 24 Minnesota 25 20 Northwestern 24 24 22 Ohio State 2 (21) 3 (15) 5 (1) 13 14 14 12 12 10 13 12 10 10 10 10 10 9 Penn State 22 19 17 16 12 663 3 3 3 (6) 7 7 6 6 6 8 Purdue Wisconsin 13 11 10 8 9 18 Schedule August 30: Akron @ Wisconsin Coastal Carolina @ Penn State Maine @ Iowa Syracuse @ Northwestern Western Kentucky @ Indiana Youngstown State @ Ohio State Utah @ Michigan Northern Illinois @ Minnesota Michigan State @ California Illinois @ Missouri September 6: Eastern Illinois @ Illinois Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State Marshall @ Wisconsin Miami (Ohio) @ Michigan Northern Colorado @ Purdue Ohio @ Ohio State Florida International @ Iowa Oregon State @ Penn State Murray State @ Indiana Northwestern @ Duke Minnesota @ Bowling Green September 13: Florida Atlantic @ Michigan State Louisiana @ Illinois Montana State @ Minnesota Southern Illinois @ Northwestern Iowa State @ Iowa Oregon @ Purdue Penn State @ Syracuse Michigan @ Notre Dame Ohio State @ Southern California Wisconsin @ Fresno State September 20: Central Michigan @ Purdue Florida Atlantic @ Minnesota Iowa @ Pittsburgh Ohio @ Northwestern Temple @ Penn State Troy @ Ohio State Notre Dame @ Michigan State Ball State @ Indiana September 27: Michigan State @ Indiana Minnesota @ Ohio State Northwestern @ Iowa Purdue @ Notre Dame Wisconsin @ Michigan Illinois @ Penn State October 4: Indiana @ Minnesota Iowa @ Michigan State Penn State @ Purdue Illinois @ Michigan Ohio State @ Wisconsin October 11: Iowa @ Indiana Minnesota @ Illinois Toledo @ Michigan Michigan State @ Northwestern Purdue @ Ohio State Penn State @ Wisconsin October 18: Purdue @ Northwestern Wisconsin @ Iowa Ohio State @ Michigan State Michigan @ Penn State Indiana @ Illinois October 25: Illinois @ Wisconsin Minnesota @ Purdue Northwestern @ Indiana Penn State @ Ohio State Michigan State @ Michigan November 1: Northwestern @ Minnesota Central Michigan @ Indiana Iowa @ Illinois Michigan @ Purdue Wisconsin @ Michigan State November 8: Illinois @ Western Michigan Michigan @ Minnesota Ohio State @ Northwestern Penn State @ Iowa Purdue @ Michigan State Wisconsin @ Indiana November 15: Indiana @ Penn State Minnesota @ Wisconsin Northwestern @ Michigan Ohio State @ Illinois Purdue @ Iowa November 22: Iowa @ Minnesota Cal Poly @ Wisconsin Illinois @ Northwestern Indiana @ Purdue Michigan @ Ohio State Michigan State @ Penn State Key matchups Date Visitor Home SignificanceAugust 30 Michigan State 31 California 38 In the first matchup between these two teams since 2002, the Cal Bears handed the Spartans their 8th consecutive loss by seven points or less.http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2008/08/spartans_cant_overcome_mistakes_drop_opener_to_cal_38-31 Spartans can't overcome mistakes, drop opener to Cal, 38-31 The State News August 30 Utah 25 Michigan 23 In Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez's first game for the Wolverines, the Utes beat Michigan to sustain their position as the non-BCS team with the most victories against BCS teams (14).http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=451764 Sporting News - NFL - NCAA - NBA - MLB - NASCAR - UFC - WWE Sporting News 2009-01-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080911223236/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=451764 2008-09-11 dead August 30 Illinois 42 Missouri 52 This is the first time that both teams were ranked when they went against each other. Missouri's win over the Fighting Illini drops Illinois's record to 7–15 in the Arch Rivalry. The Tigers have also won the past four games against Illinois.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282430142 https://web.archive.org/web/20080901165540/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282430142 dead September 1, 2008 Illinois vs. Missouri - Game Recap - August 30, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com August 30 Syracuse 10 Northwestern 30 Northwestern's win over Syracuse is the first non-conference BCS win since 2004. The Wildcats also won their fourth-straight season opening game.http://nusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083008aah.html NU Sports Northwestern University 2009-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212819/http://nusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083008aah.html 2011-07-08 dead September 6 Oregon State 14 Penn State 45 The Nittany Lions improved their all-time record against Pac-10 teams to 23-11. This also marks Penn State's tenth consecutive win against a non-conference team and seventh against a Pac-10 team at home. With the loss, it dropped Oregon State's record against the Big Ten to 0–2.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282500213 https://web.archive.org/web/20080909033803/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282500213 dead September 9, 2008 Oregon State vs. Penn State - Game Recap - September 6, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 6 Northwestern 24 Duke 20 In the only Big Ten-ACC season matchup in the 2008 season, Northwestern avenged a 2007 home loss that snapped Duke's 22-game losing streak. This also improved the Wildcats' record in Durham to 5-3.http://nusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090708aab.html NU Sports Northwestern University 2009-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080915031524/http://nusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090708aab.html 2008-09-15 dead September 13 Michigan 17 Notre Dame 35 In a rainy matchup between the two winningest programs in the FBS, the Irish forced six turnovers to avenge two blowout losses by Michigan the last 2 seasons.http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26691135/ NBC Sports NBC Sports 2009-01-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20081216141156/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26691135/ 2008-12-16 dead September 13 Penn State 55 Syracuse 13 The first game since 1990 between these two teams was dominated by the Nittany Lions. Penn State outgained Syracuse 560-169 and allowed only eight first downs in the entire game.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282570183 https://archive.today/20120719075902/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282570183 dead July 19, 2012 Penn State vs. Syracuse - Game Recap - September 13, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 13 Iowa State 5 Iowa 17 In this annual matchup for the Cy-Hawk Trophy, the Iowa defense held the Cyclones to only 3 points despite Iowa State's offense being within the Hawkeye 30-yard line six times. With the win, Iowa has won the trophy 21 times over Iowa State's 11.http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48393&SPID=4653&DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=1580528 Iowa Capitalizes to Take 17-5 Cy-Hawk Win Cyclones.com September 13 Oregon 32 Purdue 26 This Big Ten-Pac-10 game played in West Lafayette, Indiana, #16 Oregon needed two overtimes to put upset-minded Purdue away. Purdue also snapped a 13-game home win streak in August/September and with Oregon's win, the Boilermakers lost 15 straight games vs. ranked opponents, with its last win vs. Iowa in 2003.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282572509 https://archive.today/20120718081400/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282572509 dead July 18, 2012 Oregon vs. Purdue - Game Recap - September 13, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 13 Ohio State 3 USC 35 These teams that have combined for three BCS championships and five BCS National Championship game appearances saw USC dominate the Buckeyes in the Coliseum by holding Ohio State to only 3 points. The Buckeyes had a streak of 141 consecutive games scoring at least one touchdown snapped. The last time Ohio State was kept out of the end zone was against Michigan November 23, 1996, in a 13-9 loss.http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87743&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1581862September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes September 20 Notre Dame 7 Michigan State 23 Playing for the Megaphone Trophy, neither of these teams had won at home since 2001. This year proved different as MSU defeated Notre Dame in East Lansing. The Spartans were led by Javon Ringer's 201 yards on the ground in the win against the Irish.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640127 https://web.archive.org/web/20080924050827/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640127 dead September 24, 2008 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State - Game Recap - September 20, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 20 Iowa 20 Pitt 21 In this Big Ten-Big East matchup is the first game between these teams since 1952, the Hawkeyes had more total yards than the Panthers (361-259), but went home with a loss after not allowing a touchdown in the first three games of the 2008 season.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640221 https://web.archive.org/web/20080923061837/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282640221 dead September 23, 2008 Iowa vs. Pittsburgh - Game Recap - September 20, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 27 Michigan State 42 Indiana 29 In the Big Ten conference opener for both teams, the Old Brass Spittoon remained in East Lansing after Michigan State Running Back Javon Ringer, who had rushed for 200 yards in two straight games, ran just 2 yards shy of making a third straight 200 yard game.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710084 https://web.archive.org/web/20080929223256/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710084 dead September 29, 2008 Michigan State vs. Indiana - Game Recap - September 27, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com September 27 Purdue 21 Notre Dame 38 In the only nonconference matchup of the week, the Shillelagh Trophy was returned to South Bend after the Irish avenged a 2007 loss in Ross–Ade Stadium. Purdue has also lost 15 of its last 16 games at Notre Dame Stadium dating back to 1976.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710087 https://web.archive.org/web/20080929014033/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282710087 dead September 29, 2008 Purdue vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - September 27, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com October 18 Michigan 17 Penn State 46 The Nittany Lions received their first win against the Wolverines since 1996 and avenged a nine-game losing streak to Michigan.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282920213 https://web.archive.org/web/20081021103124/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282920213 dead October 21, 2008 Michigan vs. Penn State - Game Recap - October 18, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com October 18 Wisconsin 16 Iowa 38 In another Big Ten traveling trophy game, the Hawkeyes returned the Heartland Trophy to Iowa City, Iowa, after a two-year losing streak against the Badgers. Wisconsin also dropped to 0-4 in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1996 season.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282922294 https://web.archive.org/web/20081021103149/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282922294 dead October 21, 2008 Wisconsin vs. Iowa - Game Recap - October 18, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com October 25 Michigan State 35 Michigan 21 This intrastate rivalry intensified in the 2007 season when Wolverine player Mike Hart dubbed the Spartans as Michigan's little brother. The Spartans returned the Paul Bunyan Trophy to East Lansing which was in the Wolverines' possession since 2002. It also marked the first time Michigan State won in Michigan Stadium since 1990.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990130 https://archive.today/20120714024219/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990130 dead July 14, 2012 Michigan State vs. Michigan - Game Recap - October 25, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com October 25 Penn State 13 Ohio State 6 This rivalry matchup was again the featured point of College Gameday of the week for the 4th straight year. In front of an Ohio Stadium record crowd of 105,711, the Nittany Lions won their first game in Columbus since 1978. With Penn State's win, the all-time series is tied at 12-12. Ohio State dropped only its third Big Ten game since the 2005 season.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990194 https://web.archive.org/web/20081029213722/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=282990194 dead October 29, 2008 Penn State vs. Ohio State - Game Recap - October 25, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 8 Michigan 29 Minnesota 6 The second oldest traveling trophy in the nation was up for grabs in this matchup between the Golden Gophers and Wolverines. The Little Brown Jug was won again by Michigan for the past nineteen of the last twenty times. Michigan also won its 12th straight win in the Metrodome and stopped a five-game losing streak.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283130135 https://web.archive.org/web/20081211164300/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283130135 dead December 11, 2008 Michigan vs. Minnesota - Game Recap - November 8, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 15 Minnesota 32 Wisconsin 35 The oldest matchup in the FBS saw Minnesota with a two-touchdown lead at halftime in Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin, however, capped a second-half rally with a pair of safeties and a touchdown off a Minnesota turnover in the fourth quarter to win the matchup. The Badgers have won the last five matchups against the Gophers to keep Paul Bunyan's Axe in Madison.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283200275 https://web.archive.org/web/20081220205938/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283200275 dead December 20, 2008 Minnesota vs. Wisconsin - Game Recap - November 15, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 15 Ohio State 30 Illinois 20 The Buckeyes avenged their 2007 loss against the Illini when Ohio State was ranked 1st in the polls. Ohio State ran its consecutive Big Ten road win to 15 and also returned the Illibuck to Columbus with Ohio State holding a 57-23 advantage over Illinois.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283200356 https://web.archive.org/web/20081205132523/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283200356 dead December 5, 2008 Ohio State vs. Illinois - Game Recap - November 15, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 22 Michigan 7 Ohio State 42 The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the greatest sports rivalries. This annual matchup as the last regular season game has decided 24 Big Ten championships including this season's matchup. The Buckeyes won their fifth straight game against the Wolverines and continued their home winning streak against Michigan to 4. Ohio State clinched a share of a 4th straight Big Ten championship after beating Michigan. The Wolverines have not won since the 100th matchup between the archrivals in 2003.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270194 https://web.archive.org/web/20081202132525/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270194 dead December 2, 2008 Michigan vs. Ohio State - Game Recap - November 22, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 22 Michigan State 18 Penn State 49 In this snowy matchup, Penn State returned the Land Grant Trophy to Happy Valley after avenging a 2007 season loss to the Spartans. Penn State increased its record against the Spartans to 12-4 since 1993. Penn State clinched a share of the Big Ten championship with a win over Michigan State and also a Rose Bowl berth for the first time since the 1994 season after beating Ohio State earlier in this season. The win also marked the 800th win in school history which is only the 6th team in the FBS and 3rd from the Big Ten to do so.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270213 https://archive.today/20120716221827/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270213 dead July 16, 2012 Michigan State vs. Penn State - Game Recap - November 22, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 22 Iowa 55 Minnesota 0 The Floyd of Rosedale stayed with the Hawkeyes after a dominating win by Iowa. Shonn Greene set the Iowa single-season rushing record with 1,729 yards breaking Tavian Banks' record set in 1997. It was Minnesota's final time playing its home games in the Metrodome as the school moves into TCF Bank Stadium next season.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270135 https://web.archive.org/web/20081205104912/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270135 dead December 5, 2008 Iowa vs. Minnesota - Game Recap - November 22, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 22 Illinois 10 Northwestern 27 This was the last battle for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, which the schools agreed to retire after the NCAA declared it to be abusive to Native Americans. While the schools had agreed that Northwestern would be the trophy's final resting place regardless of the game result, the Wildcats won the trophy on the field, making it five wins in the last six matchups. The win for Northwestern meant a nine win season for only the fifth time in school history. It also knocked Illinois out of a bowl game after making it to the 2008 Rose Bowl.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270077 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025212316/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283270077 dead October 25, 2012 Illinois vs. Northwestern - Game Recap - November 22, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com November 22 Indiana 10 Purdue 62 In Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller's final game, the Old Oaken Bucket was returned to the Boilermakers after their performance against the Hoosiers. This was also the most lopsided game in the series between these two teams since 1893.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283272509 https://archive.today/20120714144646/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283272509 dead July 14, 2012 Indiana vs. Purdue - Game Recap - November 22, 2008 - ESPN ESPN.com Spring games April 12 Michigan April 19 Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan State Ohio State Penn State Purdue Wisconsin April 25 Minnesota April 26 Northwestern Homecoming games September 27 Northwestern 22, Iowa 17 October 4 Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 Illinois 45, Michigan 20 October 11 Minnesota 27, Illinois 20 October 18 Northwestern 48, Purdue 26 Penn State 46, Michigan 17 October 25 Indiana 21, Northwestern 19 Minnesota 17, Purdue 6 Wisconsin 27, Illinois 17 Penn State 13, Ohio State 6 November 1 Northwestern 24, Minnesota 17 Statistical leaders Team Scoring OffenseTeamGPTSAVGPenn State1248240.2Iowa1239630.3Illinois1234428.7Wisconsin1234428.7 Scoring DefenseTeamGPTSAVGPenn State1214912.4Ohio State1215713.1Iowa1215913.3Northwestern1223219.3 Passing OffenseTeamATTYDSTDYDS/GIllinois3933,23222269.3Purdue5022,99516249.6Penn State3462,88722240.6Minnesota3802,59714216.4 Rushing OffenseTeamATTYDSTDYDS/GWisconsin5292,54431212Penn State4822,53935211.6Ohio State50120191.6Iowa4682,27227189.3 Total OffenseTeamRUSHPASSTOTALTDYDS/GPenn State2,5392,8875,42657452.2Illinois2,0343,2325,26639438.8Wisconsin2,5442,3134,85741404.8Purdue1,4982,9954,49335374.4 Passing DefenseTeamATTYDSTDYDS/GOhio State3821,97210164.3Penn State3642,0166168.0Purdue3592,19914183.3Wisconsin3672,26913189.1 Rushing DefenseTeamATTYDSTDYDS/GPenn State3951,1511195.9Iowa3831,179798.3Ohio State3771,3796114.9Northwestern4241,53215127.7 Total DefenseTeamRUSHPASSTOTALTDYDS/GPenn State1,1512,0163,16717263.9Ohio State1,3791,9723,35116279.3Iowa1,1792,2953,47415289.5Wisconsin1,5992,2693,86834322.3 3rd DownsTeamCONVATTPCTPenn State8516152.8Northwestern8618845.7Ohio State7016043.8Illinois6716241.4 Opp. 3rd DownsTeamCONVATTPCTPenn State5317230.8Iowa6218333.9Northwestern6118033.9Ohio State6017035.3 Red Zone OffenseTeamATTTDFGTOTALPCTOhio State3823133694.7Penn State6141165793.4Minnesota372493389.2Northwestern5127184586.5 Red Zone DefenseTeamATTTDFGTOTALPCTIowa281292175Northwestern3919143076.9Michigan State392293076.9Purdue4724133778.7 Turnover MarginTeamGAINLOSSDIFFOhio State2813 +15Minnesota3018 +12Penn State2213 +9Iowa2721 +6 PenaltiesTeamNO.YDSAVG/GPenn State4033528Iowa4739633Purdue6048440.3Michigan5750041.7 Individual PassingPlayerSchoolCOMPATTYDSTDINTPASS EFF.Juice WilliamsIllinois2193813,1732216138.1Adam WeberMinnesota2363762,585148128.6Curtis PainterPurdue2273792,4001311118.6Daryll ClarkPenn State1712852,319174145.2 RushingPlayerSchoolATTYDSYPCTDShonn GreeneIowa2781,7296.217Javon RingerMichigan State3701,5904.321Evan RoysterPenn State1851,2026.512Kory SheetsPurdue2341,1314.816 ReceivingPlayerSchoolRECYDSYPCTDArrelious BennIllinois671,05515.73Eric DeckerMinnesota7692512.26Desmond TardyPurdue6787613.15Greg OrtonPurdue6972010.45 TacklesPlayerSchoolSOLOASTTOTALAVG/GBrit MillerIllinois726013211James LaurinaitisOhio State467512110.1Greg JonesMichigan State72431159.6Anthony HeygoodPurdue65491149.5 SacksPlayerSchoolSACKSYARDSAaron MaybinPenn State12.078Jammie KirlewIndiana10.586Brandon GrahamMichigan 1064William VanDeSteegMinnesota9.569 InterceptionsPlayerSchoolINTYARDSTDPat AngererIowa5340Otis WileyMichigan State4841Kurt ColemanOhio State4180 Kick returnsPlayerSchoolRETYDSTDAVGLONGDesmond TardyPurdue12345028.868Derrick WilliamsPenn State18486227.094Aaron ValentinPurdue16411025.764Troy StoudermireMinnesota36909025.258 Punt returnsPlayerSchoolRETYDSTDAVGLONGRay SmallOhio State23348115.180Marcus SherelsMinnesota14174012.434Andy BrodellIowa36383110.681Otis WileyMichigan State23234010.278 KickingPlayerSchoolPATFGPTSPTS/GKevin KellyPenn State57/5719/231149.5Phillip WelchWisconsin30/3117/20818.1Brett SwensonMichigan State34/3420/25947.8 All-Big Ten Conference Team First Team OffenseIndividualTeamPositionDaryll ClarkPenn StateQuarterbackShonn GreeneIowaRunning BackJavon RingerMichigan StateRunning BackEric Decker MinnesotaReceiverDerrick WilliamsPenn StateReceiverA.Q. Shipley Penn StateCenterSeth OlsenIowa GuardRich Ohrnberger Penn State GuardAlex Boone Ohio State TackleGerald Cadogan Penn StateTackleBrandon MyersIowa Tight EndKevin Kelly Penn StateKicker First Team DefenseIndividualTeamPositionMitch KingIowaLineCorey WoottonNorthwesternLineAaron MaybinPenn StateLineJared OdrickPenn StateLineGreg JonesMichigan StateLinebackerJames LaurinaitisOhio StateLinebackerNavorro BowmanPenn StateLinebackerVontae Davis Illinois Defensive BackOtis WileyMichigan State Defensive BackMalcolm JenkinsOhio StateDefensive BackAnthony ScirrottoPenn StateDefensive BackZoltan MeskoMichiganPunter Awards National awards Doak Walker Award RB Shonn Greene, Iowa Rimington Trophy C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State Lott Trophy LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State Jim Thorpe Award CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State Conference honors Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year RB Shonn Greene, Iowa Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Mitch King, Iowa Big Ten Freshman of the Year QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State Dave McClain Coach of the Year (Big Ten Coach of the Year) Coach Joe Paterno, Penn State Bowl games Bowl GameDateStadiumCityTelevisionConference MatchupsPayout (US$)Insight BowlDecember 31, 2008Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, ArizonaNFLMinnesota 21 vs. Kansas 42$1.2 MillionChamps Sports BowlDecember 27, 2008Citrus Bowl Orlando, FloridaESPNWisconsin 13 vs. Florida State 42$2.25 MillionAlamo BowlDecember 29, 2008Alamodome San Antonio, TexasESPN Northwestern 23 vs. Missouri 30$2.2 MillionOutback BowlJanuary 1, 2009Raymond James StadiumTampa, FloridaESPNIowa 31 vs. South Carolina 10$3 MillionCapital OneJanuary 1, 2009Citrus BowlOrlando, FloridaABCMichigan State 12 vs. Georgia 24$4.25 MillionFiesta BowlJanuary 5, 2009University of Phoenix StadiumGlendale, ArizonaFoxOhio State 21 vs. Texas 24$17.5 MillionRose BowlJanuary 1, 2009Rose BowlPasadena, CaliforniaABCPenn State 24 vs. USC 38$18 Million Attendance The overall attendance for the Big Ten was a total of 5,399,659 fans attending 77 contests this year. This meant that conference schools averaged 70,125 fans per home contest this season. Each Big Ten team has seven home games during the season with two exceptions; Indiana played eight games in Memorial Stadium and Illinois played two neutral sites to limit the Illini to six games in Memorial Stadium. Below are the figures for each game, the total for the team's season and the average attendance per game. The rankings below are by average attendance per game. TeamGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Game 7Game 8Total AverageMichigan108,421106,724 109,833109,750107,267110,146107,856 ---759,997108,571Penn State106,577108,159105,106109,626110,017108,445109,845 ---757,775108,253Ohio State105,011 105,002102,989 105,175105,378105,711*105,564 ---734,830104,975Wisconsin80,91080,39681,60881,52481,24181,22880,709 ---567,61681,088Michigan State71,78970,32176,36677,52677,36075,12175,522 ---524,00574,857Iowa70,58570,58570,58570,58570,58570,58567,676 ---491,18670,169Illinois60,13158,63262,87062,87062,87062,870 --- ---370,24361,707Purdue51,47654,66657,10157,21554,21559,13563,107 ---396,91556,702Minnesota44,02943,92941,00340,51154,12255,04064,071 ---342,70548,957Indiana30,06730,12341,34931,83233,42830,69826,14030,618254,25531,781Northwestern20,01519,06222,06932,52727,16347,13032,166 ---200,13228,590 * denotes Ohio Stadium record vs. Penn State on October 25. References