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

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's offense sputtered at times over the past few years because it never quite knew what it might get out of its rushing attack. The 14th-ranked Hawkeyes are soaring this season behind a ground game that appears to have found its way. Iowa heads into a crucial early showdown with No. 19 Michigan on the heels of one of its best days running the ball in years.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah Ohio State is raising his profile with three interceptions in the past two games. The junior from Texas says he finally got "the monkey" of his back when he got his first career interception against Miami in the team's fourth game. He picked up two more last week in a prime-time game against Nebraska. Coach Ryan Day says Okudah is thriving in a new defensive scheme and with another year of experience.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — No. 25 Michigan State will find out right now how it measures up against the Big Ten's top teams. The Spartans face Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State _ all in a row, with the first two of those games on the road. First up is No. 4 Ohio State, which has looked dominant so far.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Maryland coach Mike Locksley wants the Terrapins focusing on only one thing: their Big Ten matchup at Rutgers. He doesn't want his team to dwell on its riveting to start to the season. He certainly has no interest in the Terrapins wallowing in back-to-back losses, including a record-setting defeat against Penn State. The coach says "whether it's games where we have great success or games like the most recent one against Penn State where we weren't very good, we need to move on."

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rutgers' C. Vivian Stringer will receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching honor next spring. The award is given annually to college basketball coaches who exemplify the late UCLA legend's standard of success and personal integrity. She will be recognized on April 10 at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles.

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