Big Ten Conference Play Opens: USC, UCLA Own Early League Wins
The short version
- Big Ten conference play began in Week 3 of the 2026 season, including USC's road game at Rutgers.
- UCLA's Wayne Knight rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue and has eight touchdowns in three games.
- Purdue allowed 52 points to UCLA despite a productive offensive night.
- Northwestern beat Colorado 41-7.
- Maryland lost 35-26 to Virginia Tech, deepening pressure on head coach Mike Locksley.
Week 3 brought the start of Big Ten competition, with Los Angeles schools holding the only conference victories after wins by USC and UCLA.
Conference games got underway in the Big Ten during Week 3 of the 2026 college football season, with USC traveling to Rutgers among the matchups. Only two league teams emerged with conference victories, and both play their home games in Los Angeles.
UCLA running back Wayne Knight, who came west with head coach Bob Chesney from James Madison, delivered a standout performance against Purdue in Pasadena, compiling 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Through three games, Knight has reached the end zone eight times. Purdue's offense performed well, but its defense surrendered 52 points in the loss.
Elsewhere, Northwestern dominated Colorado 41-7, a result that drew attention mostly for the Buffaloes' poor showing under Deion Sanders but also suggested the Wildcats could be a factor in the Big Ten this season. Maryland, meanwhile, fell 35-26 at home to Virginia Tech on Saturday, another sign of struggle for a program that has lagged near the bottom of the conference and kept pressure on head coach Mike Locksley.
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Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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