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Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana

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Big Ten

Indiana Hoosiers Football team

2026 Indiana Football Fall Training Camp | Can the Hoosiers Defend their Title?

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Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions Football team

Penn State Fall Camp Preview: Enters Year One Under Matt Campbell | Penn State Football

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Washington Huskies

Washington

Washington Huskies Football team

Elise Woodward Named Washington Football Radio Play-By-Play Announcer | B1G Today

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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan

Michigan Wolverines Football team

Michigan HC Kyle Whittingham & Players Preview the 2026 Season | 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days

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Washington HC Jedd Fisch & Players Preview the 2026 Season | 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days

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Who is on Mike Shanahan's radar as "next-man-up" receivers? | Indiana Football

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Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State

Michigan State Spartans Football team

FLASHBACK: Kurtis Drummond INSANE One-Handed INT | Michigan State Football

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West

Nebraska Huskers

Nebraska

Nebraska Huskers Football team

Matt Rhule on Nebraska's defensive evolution under new DC Rob Aurich | Nebraska Football

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'That is the deepest defensive line room in all of college football' | Indiana Football

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'This is definitely our best team': Matt Rhule on this season's roster | Nebraska Football

'This is definitely our best team': Matt Rhule on this season's roster | Nebraska Football (42ZcU-IVOFQ)

Washington Football

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Ohio State Football

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Northwestern Football

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<div class="payload-richtext">Earning a gold jacket and a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio, is the ultimate honor in professional football. Leading the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are two Big Ten school legends who redefined their positions: former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and Nebraska running back Roger Craig. Long before punching their tickets to Canton in August, both stars built legacies that transformed the sport. Brees captivated West Lafayette as a Big Ten Champion before embarking on a 20-year NFL career where he amassed 13 Pro Bowl selections, over 80,000 passing yards, and a Super Bowl trophy with the New Orleans Saints. Alongside him stands Craig, the Husker powerhouse who revolutionized the modern running back position as a cornerstone of San Francisco’s 1980s dynasty — capturing three Super Bowl rings, earning 1988 NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, and becoming the first player in league history to post 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.  From college football Saturdays to Canton’s sacred grounds, Brees and Craig now stand among the game’s immortal icons. Their enshrinement is only part of a legendary Class of 2026: joined by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri, all five inductees have officially cemented their enduring legacies in pro football history. <h2>Drew Brees: From Purdue Star (1997–2000) to NFL Legend (2001–2020) </h2>Before he became one of the NFL’s all-time passing leaders, Brees put Joe Tiller’s “Basketball on Grass” offense on the map in West Lafayette. He departed Purdue holding virtually every major passing record in school and conference history, racking up 11,792 passing yards and 90 passing touchdowns. In 2000, Brees won the Maxwell Award as college football's most outstanding player, claimed Big Ten MVP honors, and guided Purdue to its first Rose Bowl berth in 34 years.  Drafted 32nd overall in 2001, Brees spent 20 seasons becoming one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. He retired after the 2020 season ranking second in league history in career passing yards (80,358) and touchdown passes (571), only falling behind fellow Big Ten legend Tom Brady. A 13-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Brees topped 5,000 passing yards in a season five times — a feat no other quarterback in league history has accomplished more than twice.  Brees' crown jewel came in February 2010, when he earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XLIV after leading the Saints to their first championship in franchise history over the Indianapolis Colts. Today, Brees still stands as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Big Ten history. He led Purdue to a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl berth while setting 13 conference records. Upon leaving West Lafayette, he held the Big Ten career records for passing yards (11,792), completions (1,026) and passing touchdowns (90), and he still ranks among the top passing leaders in conference history. <h2>Roger Craig: From Nebraska Powerhouse (1979–1982) to 3-Time Super Bowl Champion (1983–1993) </h2>Craig became the centerpiece of legendary coach Tom Osborne’s run scheme from 1979 to 1982. Over four seasons, he amassed over 2,400 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in Lincoln, earning All-Big Eight (now Big 12) honors in 1981 after posting a 1,060-yard season. Craig carried that dominance directly to the pros. Selected in the second round of the 1983 draft by San Francisco, he quickly emerged as the ultimate dual-threat weapon in Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense. Across 11 NFL seasons, Craig amassed 8,189 rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards, and 73 total touchdowns. In 1985, Craig made NFL history by becoming the first player to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (a club joined only by Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey). A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team, Craig won three Super Bowl titles with San Francisco and was named the 1988 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 2,036 scrimmage yards (tied Eric Dickerson). Decades after transforming their positions on Big Ten Saturdays, Brees and Craig have reached the apex of football immortality. Whether through Brees' prolific passing that elevated Purdue and New Orleans or Craig's versatility that powered Nebraska and the 49ers dynasty, both legends set new standards for excellence. As their bronze busts take their permanent place in Canton alongside the rest of the Class of 2026, their journeys stand as a testament to the enduring impact of Big Ten greatness on the highest stage of the game. </div>

2026 NFL Hall of Fame Class

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Purdue

From College Football to Canton: Drew Brees and Roger Craig Headline 2026 Hall of Fame Class

<div class="payload-richtext">Big Ten football is at its peak, and all 18 teams are hungry for a title. In a league that boasts three straight national championships, appearances in 14 of the last 22 CFP games, and four of the last six national championship game bids, whoever comes out on top will have earned it.Every team's head coach and top players traveled to Chicago, Illinois to give insights on their strategy and mentality coming into the 2026 football season. Check out the highlights and full features from each team.In alphabetical order... <h2>Illinois Football Is Building “Sustainable Success” Under Bielema, Whitman</h2>
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 Bret Bielema put it plainly: "Anybody can have a year or two or maybe three, but you're going into year six to have the success we've had"—and the numbers back him up. Transfer QB Katin Houser is locked in, promising fans a team that's "tough, smart, and dependable," while a brand-new 3-3-5 defensive scheme is designed to give Big Ten offenses serious headaches. The Illini have something real brewing in Champaign—<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60196/">
 read their full feature
 </a>. <h2>Indiana's Still Hungry—or Hungrier?</h2>
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 Curt Cignetti and the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers showed up in Chicago with one focus: the process. Replacing Fernando Mendoza, new quarterback Josh Hoover brings a proven arm and a winning track record, while linebacker Isaiah Jones and defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker anchor a veteran defense that ranked No. 4 in the nation last season. "We embrace being the hunter still," Tucker said. With Cignetti holding the standard every single day, there's little doubt this program has the potential to repeat. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60206/">
 Read Indiana's full feature
 </a> for more from Cignetti and his leaders. <h2>Iowa: Kirk Ferentz Enters Year 28 with Big Ambitions</h2>
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 Kirk Ferentz enters year 28 with plenty of questions — and plenty of reasons for optimism. Tight end Addison Ostrenga summed up the mood best: "I feel like this year we finally have offense figured out." Meanwhile, linebacker Jayden Montgomery is embracing his growing leadership role, and Ferentz himself is zeroing in on rebuilding a defensive line that lost seven of its top eight players. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60192/">
 Read the Hawkeyes' feature
 </a> for key storylines heading into fall camp. <h2>Young Maryland Looks to Exceed Expectations</h2>
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 Mike Locksley isn't shy about where Maryland stands heading into 2026: "The tough times are behind us now"—and with 71% of production returning from a talented young squad, that's very possible. Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington is back and sharper than ever, bringing 2,963 passing yards and 17 touchdowns worth of experience into year two, while five-star edge rusher Zion Elee—Maryland's highest-rated recruit ever—already has teammates buzzing.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60211/">
 Read the Terps' full story
 </a> for a deeper look. <h2>Michigan Looks to Take Next Step under New Leadership</h2>
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 Kyle Whittingham arrives in Ann Arbor with 21 seasons of head coaching experience, a championship pedigree, and a loyal staff in tow. Sophomore dual-threat QB Bryce Underwood—who Whittingham calls a "cannon" with a "very high ceiling"—leads a revamped offense loaded with explosive new weapons. On defense, the Wolverines are banking on a healthy John Henry Daley to anchor a unit hungry to recapture that 2023 national title form. The schedule is a gauntlet, though—Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State all loom large. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60208/">
 Read the full Michigan recap
 </a> for more from Whittingham and the Wolverines. <h2>Michigan State: Pat Fitzgerald Returns with Big Aspirations</h2>
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 Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, and he's come to East Lansing with a "bag of chips" on his shoulder and a championship expectation in hand. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is already rallying his teammates for 9 a.m. "optional" practices, and linebacker Jordan Hall is crediting defensive coordinator Joe Rossi as "the most pivotal" force in his growth. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60199/">
 Read the full feature
 </a> ahead of the Spartans' 2026 campaign. <h2>Minnesota, P.J. Fleck Enter Year 10 with High Expectations</h2>
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 P.J. Fleck enters his decade year with a roster built to take the next step. Anthony Smith returns as the Big Ten's reigning sack leader, while QB Drake Lindsey says he's no longer just surviving game weeks—he's owning them. If this year's media days are any indication, the Gophers are ready to pull off a surprise or two this season. Don't sleep on Minnesota. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60197/">
 Read the full preview
 </a>. <h2>Nebraska Eyes a Return to Prominence</h2>
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 After four seasons of laying the groundwork, Matt Rhule and his Cornhusker crew are ready to build. With dual-threat transfer Anthony Colandrea under center, a brand-new 4-2-5 defensive scheme under Broyles Award nominee Rob Aurich, and five-star cornerback Danny Odem III joining a defense that's already promising to be "tenacious and relentless," Nebraska is thinks 2026 could be its year.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60209/">
 Read the Huskers' full media days feature
 </a> for insights on their approach to this season. <h2>Northwestern Football: “Why Not Us?”</h2>
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 David Braun walked into Big Ten Football Media Days with a simple question: "Why not us?" After a 7-6 season capped by a bowl win, the Wildcats are building more than just a brand new Ryan Field. Transfer QB Aidan Chiles brings a dual-threat dimension Northwestern hasn't had in years, Chip Kelly's high-octane offense is set to make some noise, and a defense that held opponents to under 20 points per game returns a leader in Robert Fitzgerald—one of the best safeties in the conference.Evanston is excited. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60210/">
 Read the full Northwestern preview
 </a>. <h2>Ohio State Bringing a Pro Approach to 2026</h2>
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 It's no secret that Ryan Day's got big stars returning, and they're all focused on the hardware. Julian Sayin is hungry to build on a historic 77% completion rate, and safety Jaylen McClain is stepping up with a simple mindset of "that pro mentality." Jeremiah Smith "has a chance to leave a legacy behind," according to Day, before likely becoming a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60202/">
 Read more from Day and his stars
 </a> on Ohio State's championship approach to 2026. <h2>Oregon Eyes a Breakthrough Behind Lanning, Moore </h2>
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 Dan Lanning calls this "the most player-led team" he's had at Oregon. Dante Moore's carrying more confidence after a 30-touchdown season—and is 17 pounds stronger—and the team is coming together off the field. Tight end Jamari Johnson summed up the team's edge: "What sets us apart is our connection. We know each other's why." <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60200/">
 Read the full preview
 </a> to see why this Oregon squad might be built different. <h2>Matt Campbell's Penn State: Culture, Transfers, and Big Goals</h2>
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 Matt Campbell came to State College to win, and his players are on the same page. "We're not settling for less," linebacker Tony Rojas declared. "We all stayed to win a national championship." Quarterback Rocco Becht—the winningest returning QB in college football—is bringing an aggressive, no-fear mindset to the offense, while Campbell's culture-first philosophy is already reshaping the program from the ground up.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60194/">
 Read the story
 </a> to get insights on the mentality of Matt Campbell's crew. <h2>Purdue Looking to Bounce Back</h2>
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 Barry Odom and the Boilers are done settling. "We are in a very persistent pursuit of creating consistent winning football," he said, setting the tone for what he hopes is a program-defining season. With QB Ryan Browne taking "a big step" and linebacker Charles Correa ready to be the "quarterback of the defense," the Boilermakers are hungry, focused, and eager to bring winning football back to Ross-Ade Stadium.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60198/">
 Check out Purdue's preseason preview
 </a> from Odom, Browne, and co. <h2>Rutgers Football 2026: Defense Is the Key to a Comeback Year</h2>
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 Greg Schiano expressed one key focus at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover: "We need to get better at defense, period." With Antwan Raymond laser-focused on winning over personal glory — "That's number one on my list" — and a wide-open quarterback competition, there's a lot of opportunity in Piscataway this season. <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60193/">
 Take a peek
 </a> at the Scarlet Knights' plan for 2026. <h2>The Chesney Era Begins: UCLA Football Building a New Foundation in 2026</h2>
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 Bob Chesney isn't "interested in putting artificial limits" on his Bruins team. He wants to "lead the nation in development." Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is a product of that energy, feeling sharper mentally and physically heading into 2026, while linebacker Cole Martin is buying into a new defensive system that already has the unit looking tighter than last season.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60203/">
 Read the full story
 </a> for more on UCLA's new roster, Chesney's culture-first philosophy, and what it all means for the Bruins in 2026. <h2>USC Football Looks Different with "Alignment"</h2>
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 Lincoln Riley was straightforward about the Trojans' X factor in 2026: "Our alignment is as strong as it's ever been." QB Jayden Maiava is locked in and embracing the pressure — "accept it, move on, and just continue to see it as an opportunity" — while DT Jide Abasiri is sending a message to the fanbase: "Get excited. It's going to be a good season."<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60195/">
 Read the full breakdown
 </a> on USC's championship-level confidence, including its No. 1 recruiting class and a retooled defense under Gary Patterson. <h2>Washington Carries Loyalty-Focused Philosophy into 2026</h2>
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 With 58 returners, a quarterback poised for a breakout season, and a coaching staff that didn't lose a single member this offseason, Jedd Fisch and Washington are betting big on loyalty. And the signs from the last couple years suggest it's paying off. With a reloaded offense and a matured quarterback in Demond Williams Jr., the Huskies seem ready to make some noise.<a href="https://bigten.org/article/60205/">
 Read the full feature
 </a> on Washington's media days. <h2>Wisconsin Football “Tough, Nasty, and Disciplined”</h2>
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 Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers are on a mission to reclaim a "tough, nasty, and disciplined" identity. Dual-threat transfer QB Colton Joseph brings a dynamic new dimension to a Wisconsin offense, while linebacker Sebastian Cheeks is primed to wreak havoc on the other side of the ball. Safety Matthew Jung said it best: "They came here to bring back the winning culture in Wisconsin.” <a href="https://bigten.org/article/60191/">
 Read the Badgers' full feature
 </a> on what we learned from Fickell and his leaders. Want more content like this? <a href="https://bigten.org/user/subscribe/">
 Click here
 </a> and select "football". </div>

Big Ten Network interviews a football head coach

2026-7-30 FBMD Recap

<div class="payload-richtext">CHICAGO, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 football preseason honors on Tuesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover® in Chicago. A media panel selected the 12-member preseason list. Seven different schools placed students on this year’s preseason honors list, led by three honorees from Indiana. Eight of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker, Minnesota’s Anthony Smith, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, Oregon’s Dante Moore, USC’s Jayden Maiava, and Rutgers’ KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week. The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows: 2026 Big Ten Preseason Honors WR Charlie Becker, IND LB Rolijah Hardy, IND DL Tyrique Tucker, IND OL Kade Pieper, IOWA DL Anthony Smith, MINN QB Julian Sayin, OSU WR Jeremiah Smith, OSU QB Dante Moore, ORE DB Koi Perich, ORE QB Jayden Maiava, USC WR KJ Duff, RU RB Antwan Raymond, RU</div>

2026 Preseason Football Team

Big Ten Announces Football Preseason Honors

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/2026%20Distinguished%20Scholar%20Recpients.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Full Distinguished Scholar Recipient List
 </a>    ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that 1,962 students on varsity rosters have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes students from all 18 institutions, plus Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame and 41 sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.    The 2025-26 class of Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients includes 359 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic year, represented in bold on the official list.    Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student's academic career.     A complete list of the 2025-26 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipients can be found above.    </div>

Distinguished Scholar 2025-26

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Big Ten Recognizes 2025-26 Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients 

<div class="payload-richtext">PORTLAND, Ore. - As the sun set over the rolling hills of Cooper Mountain Vineyards on Saturday evening, “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest” concluded its immersive educational experience where student-athletes from all 18 Big Ten institutions learned firsthand about the rich culture and history of the Pacific Northwest.   Over the course of less than 48 hours, over 175 student-athletes and administrators engaged in programming that included visits to Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Historical Society, the Grande Ronde Reservation, and Cooper Mountain Vineyards. The event brought together participants from all 18 Big Ten institutions, creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and relationship-building among student-athletes from across the conference.    “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest was a remarkable experience that allowed attendees to better understand and interact with the history, culture, landscape, and people that give the Pacific Northwest its distinct identity,” said Big Ten Chief Operating Officer Kerry Kenny. “The unique opportunity to connect student-athletes from across the country to an immersive experience outside of their traditional element is what distinguishes the Big Ten in preparing these young men and women for life after campus.”    At the Oregon Historical Society on Saturday morning, student-athletes learned about how Oregon became the state it is today, including the often-untold Black, Native American, and Japanese history that has shaped the state. Participants also toured the Yasui Family exhibit, learning about the challenges Japanese Americans faced during World War II and the advocacy efforts that helped advance civil rights in the decades that followed.    The quote on the back of the Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest T-shirt: “What is done to the least of us can be done to all of us” was from Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Minori Yasui.    “I found his bravery in speaking out about these issues incredible,” said Indiana women’s track & field sprinter Kristina Vincic. “Having a voice isn’t an easy thing and it takes time to build one. That’s something we can definitely tie in to our teams.”     After learning about Native American history at the Oregon Historical Society, participants experienced its living impact firsthand at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans Powwow. Student-athletes learned about the traditional longhouse, witnessed cultural traditions, and took part in the Grand Entry ceremony.  Often competitors on the field, student-athletes joined together to dance with members of the Grande Ronde Confederation and in honoring Veterans. For many student-athletes, it is the moment they said they will remember most about the trip.    “It was beautiful seeing the tradition unfold right before my eyes and getting involved with it,” said Penn State football student-athlete Armstrong Nnodim. “As athletes we get caught up in the competitive world, so to come here and bond with everyone from different backgrounds was amazing.”   Launched in 2022, the Big Life Series is part of the Big Ten’s commitment to providing educational and developmental opportunities beyond competition. The Pacific Northwest program represented the latest installment of the initiative, connecting student-athletes with the people, places, and histories that shape communities throughout the conference’s expanded footprint. For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes who participated in “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.boostsport.ai%2Fboost-cms%2FBig%2520Life%2520Series%2520-%2520PNW%2520Particpant%2520List.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cmbeck%40bigten.org%7Cd0617ab4c96a4bf79db008dedc36f22d%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639190325738707341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GjLuIJk14zxzwkzs%2F2YwIayNyP0Z%2BMluB6cv5PAsGcA%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
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 </a>. </div>

Big Ten takes on the spirit of the Pacific Northwest at the Oregon Historical Society

Big Life Series Showcases the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. - As part of the “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, the Big Ten will host over 150 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from all 18 Big Ten schools in Portland, Ore. from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12. The program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the region’s rich history, culture and communities through an immersive educational experience.   Programming will begin Friday evening with a nature walk through Multnomah Falls to showcase the region’s deep ties to nature and the history of the Pacific Northwest landscape.    On Saturday, student-athletes will visit the Oregon Historical Society and have the chance to learn about the Japanese American West Coast experience and hear firsthand from a member of the Oregon Black Pioneers. Through discussions centered on resilience, community, and historical impact, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the individuals and stories that have shaped the Pacific Northwest.    The group will then travel to the Grand Ronde Reservation for a Veterans Powwow, which will provide an opportunity to engage with living cultural traditions and better understand the history, values and contributions of the Native American communities across the region.   The evening will conclude with a dinner at Cooper Mountain Vineyard, where student-athletes will have a hands-on discussion about the agricultural history of the region and the grape-growing operation.   The Big Life series is an immersive educational experience started in 2022 that focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. With trips to Selma, Alabama; Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Portland, Oregon attendees learn about the historical and cultural significance of the region. Since its inception, over 500 students-athletes have participated in these programs. Along with the educational component of the experience, the Big Ten uses these trips to leave a lasting impact in the communities it visits.  For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes attending “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.boostsport.ai%2Fboost-cms%2FBig%2520Life%2520Series%2520-%2520PNW%2520Particpant%2520List.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cmbeck%40bigten.org%7Cd0617ab4c96a4bf79db008dedc36f22d%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639190325738707341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GjLuIJk14zxzwkzs%2F2YwIayNyP0Z%2BMluB6cv5PAsGcA%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>.   </div>

Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest

Big Life Series Heads to the Pacific Northwest

2025-26 AOY Graphic

Indiana’s Mendoza, UCLA’s Betts Named Big Ten Athletes of the Year (070826)

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. - Riding the momentum of three consecutive College Football Playoff championships, the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday announced the complete list of football student-athletes scheduled to be in Chicago next month for 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover®. The three-day event returns to the Hilton Chicago on July 28-30, with Big Ten Network providing live coverage of all three days. Each of the conference’s 18 institutions will be represented by its head coach and three student-athletes. This year’s lineup is highlighted by a pair of returning First Team All-Americans, 15 All-Big Ten selections from the 2025 season, three head coaches who led their teams to last year’s College Football Playoff, and four head coaches debuting for their schools this fall. The conference season concludes in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 5, at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium (8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT/5:00pm PT; FOX). DAY 1 (July 28): Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin  DAY 2 (July 29): Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA  DAY 3 (July 30): Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington Media intending to cover the event can apply for credentials <a href="https://secure.ticketmanager.com/events2/?eventKey=9f3fa8c8-4923-47cf-af96-f909bd762534" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>. All applications must be submitted by Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m. CT.  TUESDAY, JULY 28 ILLINOIS  Matthew Bailey, DB  Juice Clarke, DB  Katin Houser, QB  Bret Bielema  IOWA  Zach Lutmer, DB  Jayden Montgomery, LB  Addison Ostrenga, TE  Kirk Ferentz PENN STATE  Rocco Becht, QB  Anthony Donkoh, OL  Tony Rojas, LB  Matt Campbell RUTGERS  Kwabena Asamoah, OL  KJ Duff, WR  Antwan Raymond, RB  Greg Schiano USC  Jide Abasiri, DT  Jayden Maiava, QB  Alex VanSumeren, DT  Lincoln Riley WISCONSIN  Chris Brooks, WR  Sebastian Cheeks, LB  Matthew Jung, S  Luke Fickell  WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 MICHIGAN STATE  Jordan Hall, LB  Nikai Martinez, S  Alessio Milivojevic, QB  Pat Fitzgerald MINNESOTA  Maverick Baranowski, LB   Drake Lindsey, QB  Anthony Smith, DL  P.J. Fleck OHIO STATE  Jaylen McClain, S  Julian Sayin, QB  Jeremiah Smith, WR  Ryan Day OREGON  Jamari Johnson, TE  Dante Moore, QB  Teitum Tuioti, OLB  Dan Lanning PURDUE  Ryan Browne, QB  Charles Correa, LB  De’Nylon Morrissette, WR  Barry Odom UCLA  Nico Iamaleava, QB  Cole Martin, DB  Samuel Omosigho, LB  Bob Chesney THURSDAY, JULY 30 INDIANA  Isaiah Jones, LB  Carter Smith, OL  Tyrique Tucker, DL  Curt Cignetti  MARYLAND  Michael Hershey, OL  Malik Washington, QB  Daniel Wingate, LB  Michael Locksley MICHIGAN  Jordan Marshall, RB  Trey Pierce, DT  Bryce Underwood, QB  Kyle Whittingham NEBRASKA  Justin Evans, C  Luke Lindenmeyer, TE  Andrew Marshall, CB  Matt Rhule  NORTHWESTERN  Robert Fitzgerald, DB  Caleb Komolafe, RB  Griffin Wilde, WR  David Braun WASHINGTON  Landen Hatchett, C  Jacob Manu, ILB  Demond Williams Jr., QB  Jedd Fisch </div>

FBMD

Big Ten Conference Announces List of 54 Football Student-Athletes to Appear at Football Media Days Presented by Discover® 

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference, in collaboration with partners FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and the Big Ten Network, announced on Wednesday kickoff times and network designations for the first three weeks of the 2026 football season, along with select additional contests.Big Ten football will open the 2026 season riding the momentum of three consecutive College Football Playoff National Championships won by three different schools, including defending champion Indiana. Big Ten teams featured in the three most-watched college football games of the 2025 campaign and seven of the Top-10, including three games that matched conference teams against one another.The 2026 conference calendar will culminate on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis where No. 1 and No. 2 will meet in the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game (FOX, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT). Last year’s title matchup between the Hoosiers and Ohio State drew 18,332,000 viewers on FOX — the most-watched college football conference championship game of all time.Kickoff times and television designations not announced today will be determined and distributed according to the 12-/6-day in-season selection process. Exact Homecoming start times will be confirmed no later than 12 days in advance of kickoff.Saturday, August 29, 2026 San Jose State at USC | NBC | 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PTThursday, September 3, 2026 UMass at Rutgers | BTN | 6 p.m. ET Eastern Illinois at Minnesota | Peacock | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT UAB at Illinois | BTN | 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CTFriday, September 4, 2026 Indiana State at Purdue | BTN | 7 p.m. ET Toledo at Michigan State | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET Fresno State at USC | FOX | 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PTSaturday, September 5, 2026 North Texas at Indiana | FOX | 12 p.m. ET Ohio at Nebraska | FS1 | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT Ball State at Ohio State | BTN | 12:30 p.m. ET Boise State at Oregon | CBS | 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT Marshall at Penn State | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. ET NIU at Iowa | BTN | 4:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. CT Western Michigan at Michigan | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET Hampton at Maryland | BTN | 8 p.m. ET South Dakota State at Northwestern | BTN | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT UCLA at Cal | ESPN | 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PTSunday, September 6, 2026 Washington State at Washington | NBC | 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT Wisconsin at Notre Dame | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CTFriday, September 11, 2026 Rutgers at Boston College | ESPN2 | 7:30 p.m. ETSaturday, September 12, 2026 Howard at Indiana | BTN | 12 p.m. ET Oklahoma at Michigan | FOX | 12 p.m. ET Oregon at Oklahoma State | ESPN | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT/9 a.m. PT Penn State at Temple | ESPN2 | 12 p.m. ET Wake Forest at Purdue | FS1 | 12 p.m. ET Duke at Illinois | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT Maryland at UConn | CBS Sports Network | 3:30 p.m. ET Eastern Michigan at Michigan State | BTN | 3:30 p.m. ET Mississippi State at Minnesota | CBS | 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT Utah State at Washington | BTN | 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT Bowling Green at Nebraska | FS1 | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT San Diego State at UCLA | BTN | 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT Western Illinois at Wisconsin | BTN | 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT Iowa State at Iowa | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT Ohio State at Texas | ABC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT Louisiana at USC | BTN | 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PTFriday, September 18, 2026 Portland State at Oregon | BTN | 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PTSaturday, September 19, 2026 Akron at Minnesota | BTN | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT Kent State at Ohio State | FOX | 12 p.m. ET Buffalo at Penn State | BTN | 12 p.m. ET Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin | Peacock | 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT SIU at Illinois | Peacock | 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT UTEP at Michigan | BTN | 3:30 p.m. ET USC at Rutgers | CBS | 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT Western Kentucky at Indiana | Peacock | 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT UNI at Iowa | FS1 | 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT North Dakota at Nebraska | BTN | 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT Eastern Washington at Washington | BTN | 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT Virginia Tech at Maryland | FOX or FS1 | 7:30 p.m. ET Michigan State at Notre Dame | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET Colorado at Northwestern | FOX or FS1 | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT Purdue at UCLA | BTN | 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PTFriday, September 25, 2026 Howard at Rutgers | BTN | 7 p.m. ET Northwestern at Indiana | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CTSaturday, September 26, 2026 Wisconsin at Penn State | TBD | TBD (HC)Friday, October 2, 2026 Penn State at Northwestern | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CTSaturday, October 3, 2026 Purdue at Illinois | TBD | TBD (HC) Maryland at Nebraska | TBD | TBD (HC) Michigan State at Wisconsin | TBD | TBD (HC) Indiana at Rutgers | TBD | 8 p.m. ET (HC) Washington at USC | TBD | TBD (HC)Friday, October 9, 2026 Iowa at Washington | FOX or FS1 | 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PTSaturday, October 10, 2026 Illinois at Michigan State | TBD | TBD (HC) Ball State at Northwestern | TBD | TBD (HC) Maryland at Ohio State | TBD | TBD (HC)Friday, October 16, 2026 Washington at Purdue | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PTSaturday, October 17, 2026 Rutgers at Maryland | TBD | TBD (HC) Penn State at Michigan | TBD | TBD (HC)Saturday, October 24, 2026 Iowa at Minnesota | TBD | TBD (HC) Michigan State at UCLA | TBD | TBD (HC)Saturday, October 31, 2026 Wisconsin at Iowa | TBD | TBD (HC) Northwestern at Oregon | TBD | TBD (HC) Minnesota at Indiana | TBD | TBD (HC)Friday, November 6, 2026 Nebraska at Illinois | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CTSaturday, November 7, 2026 Maryland at Purdue | TBD | TBD (HC) Penn State at Washington | TBD | TBD (HC)Friday, November 13, 2026 Illinois at UCLA | FOX | 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PTFriday, November 20, 2026 Oregon at Michigan State | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PTFriday, November 27, 2026 Nebraska at Iowa | CBS | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT Minnesota at Wisconsin | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CTSaturday, November 28, 2026 Michigan at Ohio State | FOX | 12 p.m. ETSaturday, December 5, 2026 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game | FOX | 8 p.m. ET^ HC denotes Homecoming ^ Game played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.</div>

MCK_5286.JPG

Big Ten Conference Releases Television Schedule for Early 2026 Season Football Games

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Illinois - In partnership with FOX, the Big Ten Conference on Friday announced the slate of FOX College Football Friday games for the upcoming 2026 season:   Friday, September 4: Fresno State at USC (9pm ET, FOX)Friday, September 25: Northwestern at Indiana (8pm ET, FOX)         Friday, October 2: Penn State at Northwestern (8pm ET, FOX)           Friday, October 9: Iowa at Washington (9pm ET, FOX or FS1*)Friday, October 16: Washington at Purdue (8pm ET, FOX)Friday, November 6: Nebraska at Illinois (8pm ET, FOX)Friday, November 13: Illinois at UCLA (9pm ET, FOX)Friday, November 20: Oregon at Michigan State (8pm ET, FOX)*TBD pending MLB Postseason. Additional information regarding game times and network designations for early-season contests and Homecoming dates will be announced later this month. Big Ten institutions have captured each of the last three College Football Playoff Championships (Indiana 2026, Ohio State ’25, Michigan ’24), and this spring led all conferences with ten first-round selections in the 2026 National Football League Draft. </div>

Indiana Football hoists the College Football Playoff Championship trophy

2026 Friday Night Football schedule announcement FOX

26NFLDraft.jpg

2026 NFL Draft Central

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. –The Big Ten Conference announced today the school participation schedule for the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover®. This year’s event returns to the Hilton Chicago and will feature a three-day format, July 28-30, with Big Ten Network providing live coverage of all three days. Each of the conference’s 18 institutions will be represented by its head coach and three student-athletes.  DAY 1 (July 28): Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin DAY 2 (July 29): Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA DAY 3 (July 30): Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington A limited block of hotel rooms have been reserved for media at Hilton Chicago for this event at a nightly room rate of $299 (plus tax). The reservation link was distributed via email to media, please contact the conference office if it was not received. The hotel reservation deadline is Friday, June 26. Please note that hotel room availability is extremely limited, and reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information regarding credentials, media schedules and student-athlete attendees will be announced at a later date. </div>

FBMD 

Big Ten Conference Reveals School Schedule for 2026 Football Media Day s Presented by Discover®

<div class="payload-richtext">INDIANAPOLIS – Margaret Johnson of the University of Southern California and Sam Edwards from Michigan State University have been selected as this year’s Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients. All 18 Big Ten Conference member institutions were asked to nominate one female and one male student-athlete for the 2025-26 school year. The two honorees selected were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship for their achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and leadership.In recognition of the Big Ten Conference’s leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. Over the last 19 years, the award has contributed more than $300,000 in scholarships.The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals who support intercollegiate athletics. The Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indianapolis Colts, and Visit Indy.Johnson was voted team captain in her sophomore season, becoming just the third sophomore in program history to be voted captain. She has led the Trojans to the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament Final twice in 2023 and 2025 as she pursues her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, while simultaneously working toward a master’s degree in engineering management, maintaining a 3.6 undergraduate GPA and a 3.85 graduate GPA. She has earned recognition as an MSPF Scholar-Athlete and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, in addition to receiving ACWPC All-Academic honors three times. Johnson has also earned Academic All-Big Ten and MPSF All-Academic honors. She has competed internationally, representing the United States on the U.S. Youth National Team, winning gold at the 2022 Junior Pan American Championships and capturing a championship at the Youth World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Johnson also serves as a Student-Athlete Leader for the USC Shoah Foundation, engaging in initiatives that promote empathy, historical understanding, and moral courage.Edwards was voted team captain by his teammates in his graduate season in 2025. While excelling on the field as both a long snapper and linebacker, Edwards made an equally significant impact in the classroom. In 2025, he was appointed student-athlete representative to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, becoming just the fourth football player to serve on the board. He is a five-time Academic All-Big Ten, four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a three-time Academic All-District selection, and a three-time recipient of the team’s Scholar Athlete Award. Edwards graduated in May 2024 with a double major in political theory and Constitutional Democracy/International Relations, completed a minor in political economy in December 2024, and earned his master’s degree in marketing research in December 2025 with a 3.9 GPA. In preparation for a career in law, he has worked as an Ad Hoc Law Clerk at Nichols Law Firm in East Lansing.“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to recognize Sam Edwards and Margaret Johnson as the 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients,” said Patrick Taly, Indiana Sports Corp President. “Their commitment to academic excellence, competitive achievement, and servant leadership embodies the spirit of this award and the values of the Big Ten Conference.”The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the late Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971 to 1989. While leading the conference, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for students competing in conference athletics.2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Nominees University of Nebraska: Rienk Mast, Basketball; Axelina Johansson, Track & Field Michigan State University: Sydney Doloszycki, Softball; Samuel Edwards, Football University of Wisconsin: Ashley Martinez, Soccer University of Iowa: William Ryan, Track & Field University of Minnesota: Aiva Schmitz, Tennis; Andrew Bennett, Diving Indiana University: Maxwell Weinrich, Diving; Avery Parker, Softball University of Washington: Lucy Newlin, Soccer Northwestern University: Samantha Serban, Fencing The Ohio State University: Sloane Matthews, Ice Hockey; Mason Edmund, Swimming University of Maryland: Allyson Williams, Volleyball; Mitchell Lloyd, Lacrosse Rutgers University: Katherine Lang, Swimming & Diving; Noah Kriesman, Track & Field Penn State University: Vasil Ivakimov, Fencing; Katie Dallas, Cross Country & Track Purdue University: Maxwell Blume, Swimming & Diving; Akasha Anderson, Volleyball University of Illinois: Tali Joelson, Gymnastics; Ryan Vanichtheeranont, Gymnastics University of Southern California: Andrej Grgurevic, Water Polo; Margaret Johnson, Water PoloPrevious Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Winners 2025: Teresa Ivan, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving; Micaylon Moore, Nebraska, Track & Field 2024: Trent DiCicco, Ohio State, Lacrosse; Ashley Harlock, Michigan State, Field Hockey 2023: Diana Brown, Illinois, Volleyball; Thomas Penola, Purdue University, Wrestling 2022: Blake Hayes, Illinois, Football; Gianna Glatz, Rutgers, Field Hockey 2021: Kieran Mullins, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Lea Mitchell, Michigan State, Gymnastics 2020: Scott Piper, Michigan State, Swimming & Diving; Sade Olatoye, Ohio State, Track & Field 2019: Anton Stephenson, Nebraska, Men’s Gymnastics; Olivia Rosendahl, Northwestern, Swimming & Diving 2018: Chris Weber, Nebraska, Football; Emily Mills, Rutgers, Golf 2017: Geno Morelli, Penn State, Wrestling; Lindsay Agnew, Ohio State, Soccer 2016: Cody Rush, Nebraska, Track and Field; Lindsay Mable, Minnesota, Gymnastics 2015: Campbell Sode, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Jessica Plant, Minnesota, Swimming & Diving 2014: Spencer Long, Nebraska, Football; Emily Wong, Nebraska, Gymnastics 2013: Sean Fisher, Nebraska, Football; Katelyn White, Nebraska, Cross Country and Track & Field 2012: Miguel Pineda, Penn State, Gymnastics; Margaux Farrell, Indiana, Swimming & Diving 2011: Mike Torchia, Minnesota, Cross Country and Track & Field; Allie Smith, Purdue, Swimming & Diving 2010: Mark Ison, Northwestern, Football; Chelsea Davis, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving 2009: Drew Ratner, Northwestern, Soccer; Lauren Mioton, Purdue, Basketball 2008: Kevin Trulock, Indiana, Football; Molly Crispell, Penn State, Swimming & Diving </div>

Wayne Duke Award 2026

Big Ten Announces 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients

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2026 NFL Draft Central

Big Ten Conference Reveals School Schedule for 2026 Football Media Days Presented by Discover®

Big Ten Announces 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients

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