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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 8 • 32 has been a competitive series since the two first met as Big Ten opponents in 2011. All three matchups have been decided by a total of seven points, which includes Nebraska's last-second "Hail Mary" to defeat Northwest- ern in 2013. Ameer Abdullah will try and bounce back from a season- low 45 rushing yards against a Northwestern defense that ranks 11th in the conference in stop- ping the run. Additionally, the Cornhuskers field a pass offense that averages 228.5 ypg and has thrown for 11 touchdowns through six games. The Huskers had their first bye last Saturday after falling to Michigan State the week before. Nebraska's second bye week will come following its matchup with the Boilermakers. Nov. 8, vs. Wisconsin Wisconsin has a bye week this week, but faces Big Ten new - comer Maryland in two weeks at Camp Randall. Running back Melvin Gor- don leads a rush-heavy offense that ranks second in the nation with 343.0 yards per game. The Badgers will continue to utilize two quarterbacks until either Joel Stave or Tanner McEvoy emerges as a leader under cen- ter. Both have shown flashes of potential, Stave with his arm and McEvoy with his legs, but incon- sistency has kept their playing time divided. IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER Comments from last week's and this week's opposing coaches Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio "We were getting outflanked (in the first half ). We were playing too much in space. … In the second half, we indicated to everybody what they were running, got that squared away and then got some things fixed up so those bubble sweeps and jet sweeps were no lon- ger there. "Purdue is a good football team. It's an improved football team that continues to move forward. Their offense played extremely well." Minnesota coach Jerry Kill "Their secondary does a great job playing a lot of man coverage. They've locked up everybody they've seen. That al- lows them to play more games up front. That's the one thing I've noticed as the season's gone, they've gotten more and more confident what they're doing on the defensive side. I think that's a lot to do with their secondary. "They've changed quarter- backs, and their quarterback is a dual threat where he can run the ball as well as throw it, so that's given them a couple more options." MInnesota OFFENSE Quarterback: Austin Appleby Running backs: Akeem Hunt, Raheem Mostert, Keyante Green Fullback: Brandon Cottom Wide receivers: Danny Anthrop, DeAngelo Yancey, Gregory Phillips Wide receivers: B.J. Knauf, Cameron Posey, Trae Hart Tight ends: Gabe Holmes, Justin Sinz, Dolapo Macarthy, Jordan Jurasevich Left tackle: David Hedelin Left guard: Jason King Center: Robert Kugler Right guard: Jordan Roos Right tackle: J.J. Prince, Cameron Cermin DEFENSE Defensive ends: Ryan Russell, Evan Panfil Nose guards: Ra'Zahn Howard, Ryan Watson Defensive tackle: Jake Replogle Rush ends: Jalani Phillips, Gelen Robinson Weakside linebacker: Danny Ezechukwu Middle linebackers: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Garrett Hudson Strongside linebacker: Jimmy Herman Cornerback: Anthony Brown Strong safeties: Frankie Williams, Taylor Richards Free safety: Landon Feichter Cornerback: Antoine Lewis, Leroy Clark SPECIAL TEAMS Place-kicker: Paul Griggs Holder: Thomas Meadows Long-snapper: Jesse Schmitt Kickoffs: Griggs Punter: Meadows Kick returners: Mostert, Hunt Punt returner: Williams Others: Corey Clements, Jonathan Curry, Andy James Garcia, Da'Wan Hunte, D.J. Knox, Collin Link, Shane Mikesky, Myles Norwood, Dezwan Polk-Campbell, John Strauser, David Yancey PURDUE LINEUPS VS. MICHIGAN STATE