Here is the latest Big Ten Conference sports news from The Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer became the fifth Division I women's basketball coach to win 1,000 games when the Scarlet Knights beat Central Connecticut State 73-44. Stringer joined Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer and Sylvia Hatchell in the 1,000-victory club.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former Michigan State football employee Curtis Blackwell has filed a lawsuit claiming his employment agreement was violated when he was disciplined while the school addressed sexual assault allegations against three players in 2017. The players pleaded guilty to reduced charges. Blackwell was suspended with pay, and the school ultimately decided not to renew his contract.

UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff rankings held steady at the top, with Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan an unchanged first four from last week. The third rankings of the season were drama-free after every top-10 team won last weekend.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Freshman James Akinjo had 19 points, including a key 3-point play, and seven assists, Jamorko Pickett blocked a shot in the closing seconds and Georgetown beat Illinois 88-80. Akinjo sank a floater in the lane with 39 seconds left and was fouled, making the free throw to extend Georgetown's lead to 84-80.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The question for Michigan State is a tricky one: Are the Spartans' offensive woes mostly because of injuries, or are there deeper problems the program needs to resolve? After a 26-6 loss to Ohio State last weekend, Michigan State is 13th in the Big Ten in total offense. It's been a disappointing showing for a unit that returned almost every starter from a year ago.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — With No. 9 Ohio State next on the schedule, Maryland has yet another obstacle to overcome. Interim coach Matt Canada says starting quarterback Kasim Hill tore the ACL in his left knee against Indiana last week, making this the second straight season he's had cut short by a knee injury. Tyrrell Pigrome will start against the Buckeyes on Saturday.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa tight end Noah Fant has 18 career touchdowns, the best in school history. Yet the Hawkeyes are mired in a three-game losing streak and Fant hasn't caught a touchdown in four straight games. Coach Kirk Ferentz says Iowa is better if it can get the ball to Fant, a junior who is likely an NFL draft pick when he decides to leave school. Iowa is a 16-point favorite in Saturday's game at Illinois.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State deputy athletic director Greg Ianni is retiring after a quarter century with the school's athletic department. Ianni will retire from his current duties at the end of January. He will then remain in an advisory role for the athletic director for the remainder of his contract, which ends June 30.

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