Some observations from a light Saturday in the Big Ten:
1. Tight ends play well in Michigan-Penn State game
Penn State beat Michigan, 43-40, in a wild four-overtime game that had some solid individual performances. Michigan sophomore TE Devin Funchess had four receptions for 112 yards and two TDs, including one on a 59-yard reception. Funchess (6-5, 228) has become a bigger part of the passing attack of late, and he should play an even bigger role in the second half of the season. He has the ability to get deep and is a mismatch for linebackers. Penn State sophomore TE Jesse James (6-7, 257) also had a big game, with six catches with 67 yards and a TD. He should be a huge issue for defenses in the red zone going forward. Michigan QB Devin Gardner ran for 121 yards and threw for 240 and three TDs, but he also tossed two interceptions and really wasn't given a chance to make a big play in the overtime sessions because of conservative play-calling.
2. Spartans' defense has strong outing
Michigan State beat Indiana 42-28, the first time this season the Spartans -- who led the nation in total defense heading into Saturday's action -- allowed more than 17 points. But the defense still played a good game. Indiana had thrown for at least 319 yards in every game, but was held to 259 Saturday. The Hoosiers finished with 351 total yards, their lowest output of the season by 124 yards. The Spartans had two sacks and nine quarterback hurries. Speedy senior LB Denicos Allen (5-foot-11, 218 pounds), a solid third-day draft prospect, had a team-high eight tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Senior DT Tyler Hoover had seven stops and a sack, his third of the season. Hoover (6-7, 290), a former defensive end with excellent size, is having a productive season, but his injury history -- he is a sixth-year senior because of past rib and shoulder injuries -- makes him an iffy draft prospect.
3. Huskers' Gregory plays well
Nebraska's defense was dominant in a 44-7 rout of Purdue, holding the Boilermakers to 216 yards. And Purdue's TD came on the final play of the game. But let's hold off on saying the Huskers' defense -- which had been surrendering 445.4 yards and 25.4 points per game -- is back. Purdue true freshman QB Danny Etling was making his first career start, and the Boilermakers were averaging just 301.6 yards and 17 points per game. Let's see the Nebraska defense against a real offense. That won't happen again until Nov. 2, when the Huskers play Northwestern. Nebraska is off next week, then plays Minnesota on Oct. 26. One Husker defender who does appear to be for real is sophomore DE Randy Gregory (6-6, 258), a touted junior-college transfer. He had nine sacks in 2011 for Arizona Western CC but missed last season with a broken leg. He had two sacks against Purdue, giving him 2.5 for the season. Gregory now has eight tackles for loss this season. Gregory is an Indiana native who originally committed to Purdue out of junior college.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
