Darius Willis News

Purdue's defensive players had heard all week how special Indiana's skill players could be.

I watched the Bucket game Saturday afternoon with a large throng of Indiana fans that took over one of the two restuarants on the island that had the Big Ten Network.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An Indiana University offense rich with talented football players might do more than carry the defense early next season, coach Bill Lynch said Tuesday.

How important was it for Purdue football coach Danny Hope and his players to finish the season on a strong note? The Hoosiers may have been the Big Ten's best team over three quarters BLOOMINGTON, Ind.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Purdue may not lose leading tackler Jason Werner after all.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Joey Elliott threw a career-high four touchdown passes to help Purdue beat Indiana 38-21 on Saturday and retain the Old Oaken Bucket.

Here's proof Dan Persa's right hand is OK: He has no trouble offering a firm handshake.

They are 4-7. They have fought the good fights and lost. They have been competitive.

They didn't yell, didn't pout, didn't make any frustrated gestures during the first 27 minutes of Saturday's game, when visiting Indiana had established a 10-0 lead and Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions were having trouble simply maintaining possession of the football.

Indiana media relations all-star Jeff Keag just sent out the final injury report in advance of Saturday's game at Penn State.

Penn State looks to get back on the winning track to close out their 2009 regular season, starting with this week's game against Indiana.

Don't tell Bryan Payton he's a backup, an afterthought, a bit player in a football season of near misses.

Indiana at a glance About the school Undergraduate population: 31,626 Most famous alumni: Mark Cuban Fun facts: Nothing beats a good time like a bicycle race, which is why IU's campus hosts the "Little 500 weekend," when non-bikers enjoy "beer, shots, and then some more beer," according to one description.

No. 24 Wisconsin followed the same old script to grind down Indiana. John Clay ran for 134 yards and a touchdown, Montee Ball scored two TDs and the Badgers held off the Hoosiers' fourth-quarter rally for a 31-28 victory Saturday.

Indiana apparently won't have to go into Saturday's game without it's starting free safety.

Upon further review, booth reviews were plentiful in Big Ten action Saturday. Indiana had two touchdowns erased in its 42-24 loss to then-No. 7 Iowa.

Iowa City, Ia. - Don't bet on a blowout. Oddsmakers have tabbed Iowa's football team as a 17-point favorite, but recent results suggest Saturday's 11 a.m. tussle with Indiana will have plenty of tense moments.

They played like the destructive Hyde, too, until the fourth quarter when the rational and sane Dr.

7 Iowa rally for a 42-24 victory over Indiana on Saturday. Brandon Wegher had a career-high 118 yards rushing and three TDs for the Hawkeyes , who scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to stun the shell-shocked Hoosiers.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg IOWA CITY, Iowa -- So much for my prediction that Indiana won't have many sustained drives against No.