ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan tight end Zack Marshall has apologized after messages attributed to him criticizing offensive coordinator Jason Beck leaked on social media following the Wolverines' 20-14 loss to Minnesota. Leaked group messages showed texts alleged to have come from Marshall saying that Beck had met with the team’s tight ends and “told us none of us are valuable to this offense.” Other messages contained criticisms of the Wolverines’ offensive scheme. Marshall, a senior, has appeared in five games this season. In his apology, he says he made inappropriate comments and “pointed fingers instead of taking accountability.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State coach Ryan Day says he was pleased with how the Buckeyes ran the ball and stopped the run in their win at Iowa. Fifth-ranked Ohio State rushed for 160 yards while holding the Hawkeyes to 39 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes closed out the game with a 16-play drive that lasted 9 1/2 minutes and included 11 rushes. But Day says the Buckeyes need to show more consistency on special teams. Punter Joe McGuire failed on one of his two attempts to pin the Hawkeyes deep and kicker Connor Hawkins missed a 40-yard attempt in the second quarter.
UNDATED (AP) — At times, it’s hard to separate Indiana running backs Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. There’s a 1-inch height difference and an 8-pound weight difference. Both came to Bloomington after multiple seasons at other schools. Each dealt with an injury last week, and Richard and Beebe both possess the speed-power combination and productivity Indiana coach Curt Cignetti demands from his ground game. Even their stats are nearly identical. Either could be a star as a solo act. But this rushing duo seems to be playing better together.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Big Ten spokesman says no disciplinary action will be taken against officials who worked the Maryland-Nebraska football game on Saturday or against Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule for his postgame criticism of the crew. The Big Ten announced Monday that Nebraska’s final point-after kick in a 48-23 victory in Lincoln was incorrectly officiated after a roughing-the-snapper penalty was called. Rhule indicated after the game that he expected to be fined for his criticism of officials. The Huskers were flagged 16 times and a combined 28 penalties were called. That was most in a game since 2021.
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears has been named the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. The fourth-year player was selected Monday by the conference’s coaches and a media panel. Fears was a unanimous selection for the preseason all-conference team along with Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort. The All-Big Ten preseason team also includes David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic of Illinois, Maryland’s Pharrell Payne, Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney of defending champion Michigan, John Mobley of Ohio State, UCLA’s Trent Perry, Rodney Rice of USC and Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter.
UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State running back Aiden Flora is Associated Press national player of the week in college football for his performance against West Virginia. The former walk-on ran for three touchdowns and a career-high 212 yards and passed for two TDs in the 45-42 victory. His five touchdowns accounted for are most among Football Bowl Subdivision running backs this season and he’s the first FBS running back since at least 1996 with two rushing TDs, two passing TDs and 100 yards rushing in a game. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith was runner-up after catching 11 balls for 206 yards against Iowa.
