No. 1 Texas holds off late rally by No. 14 Tennessee
National roundup: Florida makes statement vs. Ole Miss; Raiola leads Ducks past Trojans at Colliseum; Long Iowa TD drive beats Michigan
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The top-ranked Texas Longhorns knew just how to celebrate their latest win over Tennessee after their first visit to Neyland Stadium.
Break out the victory cigars.
"It’s just kind of a little bit of a tradition here at Tennessee, so we had cigars or somebody had cigars in there," coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I'm not certain. So my suit's probably going to stink whenever I get on the plane."
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian sings “The Eyes of Texas” with the team after an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
Colin Simmons tied the program record with five sacks as Texas held the 14th-ranked Volunteers, 20-17, on Saturday with President Donald Trump on hand.
The cigar tradition stems from the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry, which Arch Manning’s uncle Peyton played in for the Vols in the 1990s.
"It's not about me," the Texas quarterback said. "I didn't play very well, but our team played great. Defense played well."
Teammates celebrate with Texas running back Raleek Brown (0) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (Sara Diggins/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)
Raleek Brown ran for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and his 4-yarder with 5:41 left gave the Longhorns (4-0) the winning margin in the SEC opener for both teams. Giannis Spetic kicked a pair of field goals.
"We win big games around here, we do," Sarkisian said. "I know we don't win them all, but we won a lot of them. And what an incredible performance by our defense."
Texas dominated defensively with 10 sacks, led by Simmons. The linebacker’s day for the record books also will be remembered for his vulgar celebration after one sack. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct with the referee saying Simmons was "simulating" using the restroom.
"We took him out, we addressed it and put him back in," Sarkisian said. "At that point, I'm not going to give the guy a death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct. We got to fix it, though. That can’t continue."
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon made it interesting late, capping an 80-yard drive with a 30-yard TD pass to Mike Matthews with 1:22 left. Linebacker Arion Carter recovered the onside kick, and Jelani McDonald batted away Brandon's Hail Mary pass to Travis Smith Jr. in the end zone on the final play.
Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) breaks up a Hail Mary pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. (1) on the last play of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Sarkisian called it a crazy finish to a game in which Texas also gave up a 57-yard punt return by Qua Moss for a TD. Sarkisian took a timeout that gave Tennessee a second chance at the onside kick after sending the first out of bounds.
"Next thing you know you’re fighting to finish a game, which we were able to do," Sarkisian said.
Manning threw for 201 yards while being sacked six times. He also was intercepted once with the Longhorns needing the smothering defensive performance on a day with too many penalties, including two illegal forward passes by Manning.
Tennessee (3-1) hadn’t beaten The Associated Press’ No. 1 team since 1985, and that drought continues.
"Up front we weren't good enough," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. "Quarterback was not good enough. We didn't play smart enough, but I'll take the effort."
Elsewhere in the AP Top 25:
Georgia wide receiver Talyn Taylor (1) makes a one-handed catch against Oklahoma defensive back Eli Bowen (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
NO. 2 GEORGIA 41, OKLAHOMA 13
ATHENS, Ga. -- Chris Cole scored on a 85-yard fumble return as Georgia took advantage of three first-half turnovers by John Mateer and overwhelmed struggling Oklahoma.
Mateer lost two fumbles, each recovered by Cole, and threw an interception in the first half as Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1 SEC) fell behind 28-0. K.J. Bolden picked off a pass from Mateer in the second quarter.
While Mateer struggled with turnovers, Gunner Stockton was almost perfect in the first half for Georgia (4-0, 2-0). Stockton completed his first nine passes, including a 35-yard touchdown throw to Talyn Taylor.
The Sooners finished with four turnovers, including a fumble by tight end Rocky Beers in the third quarter.
Mateer’s second lost fumble, forced by Raylen Wilson, was returned 23 yards by Cole late in the first half to set up Chauncey Bowens’ second touchdown run.
Georgia rolled despite holding out its top running back, Nate Frazier, due to injured ribs. Bowens had touchdown runs of 2 and 6 yards as the fill-in starter. Dwight Phillips added a 54-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen (34) recovers a fumble and heads to the end zone for a touchdown against the Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
NO. 3 NOTRE DAME 49, PURDUE 10
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- CJ Carr threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, linebacker Drayk Bowen scored his first career TD on a 15-yard fumble return and Notre Dame beat Purdue.
Carr was 14 of 22 for 237 yards and threw his first interception of the season. It’s the second straight week Carr has had a TD pass and a TD run in the same game. Aneyas Williams carried 14 times for 80 yards with one TD as the Fighting Irish (4-0) produced a season-high 177 yards rushing.
Notre Dame has won 14 straight and will start October with a perfect record for the first time since 2021.
Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) jumps in celebration after rushing for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Noah Lantor)
NO. 21 FLORIDA 52, NO. 4 MISSISSIPPI 28
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- New Florida coach Jon Sumrall called his program a sleeping giant when he took over 10 months ago and has said repeatedly since that it’s time to "wake the beast.”
Well, the Gators are officially growling.
Jadan Baugh ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns, Duke Clark added 126 yards and a score on the ground, and No. 21 Florida manhandled fourth-ranked Mississippi to reach 4-0 for the first time since 2019. It tied Florida’s most points against a top-five team since beating Florida State 52-20 in the 1996 national championship game.
"It’s not asleep, but it ain’t fully awake yet. It’s being kind of stirred up a little bit,” said Sumrall, who became the first coach in Southeastern Conference history to lead his team to 200 or more points in his first four games. "We're going to get there. It's coming.
"I didn’t come here for us to be average."
The Gators (4-0, 2-0 SEC), installed as 3 1/2-point favorites, proved Las Vegas oddsmakers right by leading from start to finish. They scored touchdowns on five consecutive drives in the second half to pull away.
The Rebels (3-1, 1-1), meanwhile, insisted that last week's victory against LSU, the one that spoiled former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's return, was not their "Super Bowl." But they failed to build off that emotional win.
Miami wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw (7) scores a touchdown as Central Michigan defensive back Matthew McKenzie, back, defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
NO, 6 MIAMI 52, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Darian Mensah passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns, plus ran for another score as Miami capped an unbeaten September by topping Central Michigan.
Malachi Toney caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown for Miami (4-0), and all four of Mensah’s touchdowns came in the second quarter. Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw also caught scoring passes from Mensah, who completed 23 of 27 throws.
Mensah -- whose scoring run capped a 97-yard TD drive late in the second quarter for a 35-3 halftime lead -- has 14 touchdown throws, 12 incompletions and zero interceptions this season.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, right, catches a pass over Illinois defensive back Juice Clarke during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
NO. 7 OHIO ST. 42, ILLINOIS 19
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Jeremiah Smith tied an Ohio State record with four touchdown catches and also had career highs with 12 receptions for 217 yards as the Buckeyes beat Illinois.
According to Sportradar, it is the 23rd time since 2000 a FBS player has had double-digit catches for at least 200 yards and four scores in a game. The last to do it was Western Michigan’s Sky Moore against Northern Illinois in 2021.
It is the fifth time an Ohio State receiver has had four touchdowns. The last time it happened before Saturday was Noah Brown at Oklahoma in 2016.
It also tied for the sixth-most receiving yards in an OSU game and tied for sixth-most receptions.
Smith tied the mark with 10:07 remaining in the fourth quarter when he was wide open on a 26-yard touchdown to extend the Buckeyes’ lead to 35-13.
Smith also became the third receiver since 2015 from a Power Four conference to have at least three games with at least 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns in one half. DeVonta Smith had four at Alabama and Ja’Marr Chase did it three times at LSU.
South Carolina linebacker Fred “Jayr” Johnson (0) holds onto Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
NO. 8 ALABAMA 48, SOUTH CAROLINA 18
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Keelon Russell threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score as Alabama beat South Carolina.
Ryan Coleman-Williams caught two TD passes, and Red Morgan returned an interception for a score for the Crimson Tide (4-0, 2-0 SEC).
Russell completed 21 of 27 passes as Alabama answered a sluggish third quarter with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2 SEC) pulled within 35-18 before Alabama regained control.
Daniel Hill’s 1-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive that consumed 6:43 and stretched the lead to 42-18. Russell added a 9-yard scoring run after Dijon Lee Jr. forced a fumble that Luke Metz recovered.
LSU quarterback Landen Clark (11) carries for a touchdown against Texas A&M in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
NO. 10 LSU 35, NO. 23 TEXAS A&M 6
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Sam Leavitt hit Jackson Harris twice for touchdowns -- once for 57 yards on a Lane Kiffin fourth-and-short special -- and LSU defeated Texas A&M.
Kiffin started sprinting down the sideline while Leavitt’s fourth-down pass was in the air, having seen the Aggies freeze on a play fake as Harris sprinted into the open down the middle of the field.
The LSU coach then put both hands over his shoulder and swung them down vigorously as if wielding a sledge hammer.
The play put LSU (3-1, 1-1 SEC) ahead 21-3 in the third quarter and the Aggies (2-2, 0-2 SEC) did not threaten after that en route to their second straight defeat.
Texas Tech wide receiver Kenny Johnson (2) makes a catch as Sam Houston State safety Jace Arnold defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
NO. 11 TEXAS TECH 49, SAM HOUSTON 14
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine became the first FBS player in 13 years to return two interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive throws, Cameron Dickey ran for two scores as the Red Raiders beat Sam Houston.
Both pick-6s by Romaine came in the opening minute of the second quarter, and were against different quarterbacks.
The Red Raiders (4-0) extended their home winning streak to 11 games, their longest since 12 in a row from 2007-09.
A nearly five TD favorite, Texas Tech led only 21-14 at halftime before Dickey’s second scoring run, a 13-yarder, and Will Hammond’s 21-yard TD to Coy Eakin in the first five minutes after the break.
Hammond finished 17-of-29 passing for 224 yards, but threw three interceptions in the final 5 1/2 minutes of the first half -- though Sam Houston (1-3) got only seven points off those. Hammond added a 23-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, top, jumps over Southern California cornerback Jontez Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NO. 20 OREGON 41, NO. 12 SOUTHERN CAL 27
LOS ANGELES -- Dylan Raiola passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns after star Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s frightening injury, leading the Ducks to a stirring victory at Southern California.
Moore left the Coliseum field in an ambulance in the second quarter after USC linebacker Desman Stephens hit him late on a slide. Stephens was ejected for targeting, and the game was delayed for 15 minutes while Moore -- a Heisman Trophy candidate and likely high NFL draft pick -- received medical attention.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, bottom, is loaded into an ambulance following a hard tackle by Southern California linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Raiola, the two-year Nebraska starter who transferred to Oregon last January, threw a 3-yard TD pass to Evan Stewart on his second snap. He then led the Ducks to 270 yards and four touchdown drives in the second half, including Dakorien Moore’s go-ahead, 29-yard TD catch with 8:35 to play and Jordon Davison’s clinching 2-yard run with 2:03 left.
Dierre Hill Jr. rushed for two touchdowns after halftime for Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), which generated 504 total yards in a strong Big Ten opener.
Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) breaks a tackle by Iowa State safety Duhron Goodman (21) during a touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
NO. 15 UTAH 31, IOWA ST. 17
AMES, Iowa -- Wayshawn Parker broke a 54-yard run on the game’s opening play from scrimmage for the first of his three touchdowns and Utah held off Iowa State in the second half to beat the Cyclones.
Parker rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two TDs on 18 carries and caught five passes for 65 yards and a score for the Utes (4-0, 1-0 Big 12).
Jaylen Raynor got the Cyclones (2-2, 0-1) within 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, scoring on an 8-yard run and throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Overby after Overby had stretched the ball over the line to convert a fourth-and-12 on the previous play.
The Utes punted on their first three series of the second half and then put away the Cyclones with a 61-yard drive ending with Devon Dampier’s 13-yard TD pass to Parker and Jackson Bennett’s interception on the first play of Iowa State’s ensuing possession.
Parker led a Utah rushing attack that finished with 206 yards, and Dampier was 18 of 27 for 206 yards and two TDs.
Wake Forest defensive back Brian Blades II (2) reacts as they defeat Louisville in an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
WAKE FOREST 30, NO. 16 LOUISVILLE 27
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Connor Calvert kicked three field goals, including a 32-yarder with 6:20 remaining, to lift Wake Forest to a 30-27 upset win over Louisville.
Gio Lopez threw for 225 yards and a touchdown on 12 of 19 passing for the Demon Deacons (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who scored their first conference win of the season. Carlos Hernandez caught nine of those for 194 yards, just three yards off the career best he set last season against Delaware.
Ty Clark III carried the ball 21 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
Louisville (2-2, 1-1) played without two starting defensive backs, and Lopez and Hernandez took full advantage. The duo connected on a 77-yard touchdown pass to put the Demon Deacons up 17-14 with 5:49 left in the first half. After the defense picked off Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, their 31-yard pass led to Clark’s second score, a 6-yard run that made it a 10-point lead with 1:19 to go in the half.
The Cardinals rallied to tie the game, using a 61-yard touchdown pass from Kienholz to Jaleel Skinner to make it a three-point game just 22 seconds after Clark’s last score. Carson Hilbert tied it with 9:37 left in the third on a 41-yard field goal.
Hilbert, who also made a 54-yarder late in the third to tie the game at 27, missed a 42-yarder with 2:29 remaining. Nick Keller lined up for a 57-yarder with 15 seconds remaining, but Gabe Kirschke blocked it to seal the upset.
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) celebrates his 16-yard touchdown reception against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
NO. 17 IOWA 20, NO. 18 MICHIGAN 19
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Hank Brown threw a game-ending, 16-yard touchdown pass to Reece Vander Zee to lift Iowa to a win over Michigan.
The Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) went 91 yards on the final drive -- boosted by an unnecessary roughness penalty against Michigan on a third down at midfield. Brown’s 29-yard pass to Addison Ostrenga set up the final play with 2 seconds on the clock.
Bryce Underwood threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan early in the fourth quarter -- their second scoring connection of the game -- but the Wolverines (3-1, 0-1) could not make enough plays on both sides of the ball to hold on for the win.
Mississippi State wide receiver Sanfrisco Magee (13) scores a touchdown against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/James Pugh)
NO. 24 MISSISSIPPI ST. 31, NO. 19 MISSOURI 24
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Kamario Taylor threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns, including a tiebreaking, 24-yard pass to Sanfrisco Magee with 3:57 remaining, and Mississippi State rallied past Missouri.
Fluff Bothwell rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown and had six catches for 55 yards and another score for the Bulldogs (4-0, 2-0 SEC). Anthony Evans III had eight catches for 114 yards, and Magee had two TD receptions.
Taylor, who finished 27 of 38, led the Bulldogs on two long touchdown drives in the first quarter and two more in the fourth. In between, it was all Missouri.
Austin Simmons finished with 295 yards passing and three touchdowns for the Tigers (3-1, 0-1), and Cayden Lee had 11 receptions for 156 yards and two TDs.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) scores a touchdown against Missouri State defenders Martavis Blackmon (15) and Anthony Mattison, back, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
NO. 22 SMU 34, MISSOURI ST. 24
DALLAS -- Kevin Jennings threw for 464 yards to become SMU’s career passing leader as the Mustangs overcame an early 10-point deficit for a win over Missouri State and the coach who used to be his offensive coordinator.
Jennings finished 33-of-39 passing, including a school-record 21 consecutive completions, with three touchdowns and an interception. Tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom had two of the scores, while Yamir Knight had 11 catches for 164 yards with a late 28-yard TD. Jalen Cooper caught eight passes for 125 yards.
With his 722 career completions and 9,162 yards passing, Jennings surpassed the 9,081 yards and 718 completions Ben Hicks had from 2016-18. Jennings also had a 1-yard TD run and his 78 TDs responsible for (67 passing, 11 rushing) broke Tanner Mordecai’s previous school record of 76 in that category.
While Jennings already had 291 yards passing and Knight 125 receiving by halftime, the Mustangs (3-1) had two turnovers in the first quarter that Missouri State (1-3) converted into a 10-0 lead.
Houston wide receiver Amare Thomas (0) makes a touchdown catch against Georgia Southern defensive back Chance Gamble (31) in the second half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
NO. 25 HOUSTON 42, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 28
STATESBORO, Ga. -- Conner Weigman threw four touchdown passes and ran for two scores, leading Houston to a win over Georgia Southern in coach Willie Fritz’s return to Statesboro.
Fritz, Houston’s third-year coach, led the Eagles from 2014-15.
Houston (3-1) scored touchdowns on its first six possessions. In addition to his two rushing scores, Weigman threw TD passes to four receivers, hitting tight end Traville Frederick Jr. along with wide receivers Koby Young, Amare Thomas and Trent Walker. He finished 17 of 22 for 239 yards, and Re’Shaun Sanford II led the Cougars on the ground with 120 yards.
Georgia Southern (1-3) overcame an early 14-0 deficit to briefly tie the game 14-all.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten:
Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson (13) reaches across the goal line to score against Michigan State defensive back Nijhay Burt (0) and defensive lineman Isaac Smith, bottom center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
NEBRASKA 31, MICHIGAN STATE 13
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Anthony Colandrea passed for 212 yards and two first-half touchdowns as undefeated Nebraska pulled away for a win over mistake-prone Michigan State in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
Vincent Genatone scored twice for Nebraska (4-0) while Mekhi Nelson rushed for 61 yards and one touchdown. Kwazi Gilmer caught three passes for 63 yards, including a 44-yard score.The Cornhuskers’ defense held the Spartans to 252 total yards, recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers.
MINNESOTA 27, WASHINGTON 24
SEATTLE -- Drake Lindsey tossed three touchdowns in the first half to three different receivers and Minnesota defeated Washington.
Lindsey completed his first eight passes and finished 21 for 29 for 204 yards. He found seven different receivers with Javon Tracy grabbing seven receptions for 41 yards and a score.
Lindsey threw three first-half touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. was 17-for-27 passing for 207 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
UCLA 54, MARYLAND 3
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Ta’Shawn James and Scooter Jackson returned interceptions for touchdowns in the third quarter, and UCLA dominated Maryland.
Wayne Knight ran for 100 yards and a touchdown for the Bruins, who enter their open date undefeated under new coach Bob Chesney. UCLA led 20-3 after the first half and then extended its margin as rain began to fall harder in the final two quarters.
After a loss last week to Virginia Tech, Maryland coach Michael Locksley entered the game under increasing pressure, and the Terrapins responded with a desultory showing.
Across the country:
Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer makes a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
VIRGINIA TECH 21, BOSTON COLLEGE 14
BOSTON -- Jeffrey Overton Jr. ran for a 76-yard go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Virginia Tech rallied past Boston College in a game played in a nor’easter.
Ethan Grunkemeyer went 22 of 35 for 147 yards and a TD. John Love added two field goals for the Hokies (4-0, 1-0 ACC), who have won their first four under first-year coach James Franklin. It’s their best start since 2017.
BC QB Mason McKenzie ran for 138 yards with two touchdowns, and also completed 11-of-23 passes for 111 yards in a contest played in bands of rain and swirling winds with gusts up to 40 mph in front of a mostly empty stadium in the second half.
STANFORD 34, GEORGIA TECH 27
STANFORD, Calif. -- Davis Warren passed for a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns to lead Stanford in a comeback win over Georgia Tech.
Stanford trailed 20-10 after a Georgia Tech touchdown in the second quarter, but scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives in the second half after managing only one TD in the first. Georgia Tech’s Alberto Mendoza threw a touchdown to Jaiven Plummer in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game.
Trelain Maddox scored both of Georgia Tech’s first-half touchdowns.
CINCINNATI 31, KANSAS STATE 26
CINCINNATI -- Running back Cole Tabb rushes for three second-half touchdowns, helping the University of Cincinnati rally to beat Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams.
Cincinnati (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) finished with 436 yards total offense, including 270 yards on the ground,
Gi’Bran Payne rushed for 126 yards on 16 carries, marking the third time this season he eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, and Tabb had 124 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Cincinnati trailed 17-10 at halftime but tied the score at 17-17 early in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Tabb, and then pulled ahead 24-17 on its next possession when Tabb sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown.
Kansas State closed to within 24-20 on a 36-yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez with 9:31 remaining in the game, but Tabb increased the Cincinnati lead to 31-20 on a 14-yard touchdown run with 3:28 remaining.
OKLAHOMA STATE 41, WEST VIRGINIA 24
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Drew Mestemaker threw for a season-high 389 yards and three touchdowns as Oklahoma State beat West Virginia in their Big 12 opener.
Caleb Hawkins rushed for 180 yards and a score for the Cowboys. Oklahoma State roared back from a 14-3 deficit to improve to 3-1 for the first time since 2021. They’ve now beaten the Mountaineers in six straight meetings in Morgantown.
Quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. ran for three touchdowns for West Virginia, which fell to 3-1. West Virginia compiled 334 rushing yards. Cam Cook rushed for 193 yards, and Mike Hawkins had 102.
BAYLOR 23, COLORADO 13
WACO, Texas -- DJ Lagway threw two touchdowns in his return to Baylor’s lineup, including the go-ahead score with 9:02 left as the Bears beat Colorado in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
Lagway, the Florida transfer and Texas native, had missed the past two games since an ankle injury in a season-opening loss to Auburn. He completed 19 of 39 passes for 221 yards. Rhett Armstrong kicked three field goals for 3-1 Baylor.
Colorado tied the game 13-all with 11:04 left when backup quarterback Isaac Wilson threw a 17-yard touchdown to Joseph Williams. But the Bears responded to go ahead on Lagway’s 33-yard TD to Jadon Porter.
UCF 21, TCU 13
Orlando, FL -- Quarterback Keyone Jenkins completed 19 of 20 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown and UCF’s defense forced four turnovers to guide UCF to a Big 12-opening win over TCU.
The Knights (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) forced four turnovers, sacked quarterback Jaden Craig four times and added eight tackles for a loss. The Horned Frogs gained 339 total yards, well below the 475.0 per game they averaged entering the game.
Craig finished with 310 pass yards and two interceptions. Jordan Dwyer had five catches for 100 yards, including a 49-yard catch that set up TCU’s lone touchdown, a one-yard run by Jeremy Payne in the first quarter.
TCU (2-2, 0-1) outgained UCF in the game, but the Knights took advantage of the short field from their first two turnovers in the game and took the lead. Penalties also helped set the Horned Frogs back and keep the Knights on the field to swing the game.
AUBURN 21, VANDERBILT 15
AUBURN, Ala. -- Byrum Brown threw and ran for a touchdown, Cade Carlson recovered a blocked punt for a score and Auburn beat Vanderbilt.
The Tigers bounced back from a home loss to Florida to give coach Alex Golesh his first league win. Brown completed 18 of 27 passes for 140 yards, including a touchdown to Chas Nimrod, and threw an interception.
Omar Mabson II added 24 yards rushing and turned in the play of the day on special teams: He blocked a punt in the second quarter that Carlson scooped up and returned 10 yards to put the Tigers ahead 14-3. Jared Curtis completed 22 of 33 passes for 199 yards for Vandy. He also led the team with 18 carries for 46 yards.
ARIZONA 34, WASHINGTON STATE 24
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Noah Fifita threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns and Arizona overcame a halftime deficit to beat Washington State.
Tre Spivey III had Arizona seven catches for 129 yards and two scores for the Wildcats in the game between the two former Pac-12 foes. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Cougars at home. Quarterback Caden Pinnick threw for 241 yards and a touchdown.
N.C. STATE 41, APPALACHIAN STATE 31
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Duke Scott bounced outside to the left for the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown run with 5:08 left that helped N.C. State overcome a blown 21-point lead and beat Appalachian State.
Scott ran for 148 yards and two TDs for the Wolfpack. That came on a night when N.C. State was trying to regroup from a shocking loss at Vanderbilt on a last-second fumble that was recovered for a score.
Malachi Singleton threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score to lead Appalachian State.
TULANE 24, SOUTHERN MISS 21
NEW ORLEANS -- Maurice Turner rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yard go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, as Tulane rallied past Southern Miss.
Southern Miss (1-3) led 21-14 after Landry Lyddy threw his third touchdown pass early in the third quarter, a 22-yarder to Mario Sanders. Cooper Helmke’s 26-yard field goal pulled Tulane (2-2) within 21-17 with 8:35 remaining before Turner broke free for a 74-yard touchdown run with 5:26 left to give the Green Wave the lead.
Southern Miss drove to the Tulane 3-yard line on its next possession, but TJ Smith blocked Creighton Wilbanks’ 21-yard field-goal attempt with 1:45 remaining to preserve the lead.
UTSA 59, COLORADO STATE 45
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Owen McCown passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns, Will Henderson III and Brandon High Jr. each rushed for a score, and UTSA beat Colorado State.
UTSA trailed 14-0 after the opening two minutes as Mel Brown returned the opening kickoff for a 94-yard touchdown and K’saan Farrar connected with a wide-open Terrence Smith Jr. for a 74-yard touchdown on Colorado State’s first offensive play of the game.
But the Roadrunners rallied behind five straight touchdown drives to go ahead 35-14 with 6:48 left in the second quarter. Mekhi Anderson returned a third-quarter kickoff 100 yards to make it 42-28. Colorado State got within a one-touchdown deficit two times in the fourth quarter -- with 8:55 and 2:09 remaining -- but UTSA had an answer each time.
CLEMSON 24, CAL 10 (LATE FRIDAY)
BERKELEY, Calif. -- Bryant Wesco Jr. had Clemson’s first punt return touchdown in eight years to break a tie late in the third quarter and the Tigers went on to beat California in a game where both offenses struggled.
Both Clemson and Cal struggled to generate much offense in the first matchup between the schools since the Golden Bears joined the ACC in 2024. The teams combined for one offensive touchdown until Gideon Davidson put the game away with a 75-yard run with 2:59 to play. Davidson finished with 159 yards rushing and two TDs.
FBS teams on bye this week: Arizona State, No. 9 BYU, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, North Carolina, North Dakota State, San Jose State, Syracuse.