Welcome back to the College Football Weekly Recap! This week, some MAJOR teams lost, and we even have a surprise cameo. You might be wondering, what exactly happened this week? Let’s find out!
#10 Alabama defeats #16 Vanderbilt 30-14 at home on College GameDay
Roughly a year removed from a historic upset at Vandy’s place, they travelled to Tuscaloosa to face off against the Crimson Tide on College GameDay. After being tied at 14 at the half, the Commodores unfortunately failed to score in the second half, ultimately sealing their fate in the 30-14 loss. Alabama QB Ty Simpson threw 23/31 for 340 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception; RB Jam Miller ran for 136 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
#20 Michigan beats Wisconsin at the Big House on Big Noon Kickoff, 24-10
Despite Wisconsin’s best efforts in the first half, a strong second half by the Wolverines was enough to lead them to a home victory. QB Bryce Underwood’s stat line read 19/28, 270-yard, and one TD. RB Justice Haynes rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, and WR Donaven McCulley hauled in six catches for 112 yards and another score.
#3 Miami triumphs over in-state conference rival Florida State, 28-22
In a game that was once rumored to be this weekend’s College GameDay, Canes QB Carson Beck went 20/27 for 241 yards and a staggering four touchdown passes against heated rival Florida State on the road in Tallahassee. Freshman WR Malachi Toney continued to impress, catching seven passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Hurricanes scored off both of Seminoles QB Thomas Castellanos’s interceptions in the second and third quarters, respectively.
Florida upsets #9 Texas at the Swamp, 29-21
The Gators are back on their feet again as they defeated #9 Texas 29-21 in Gainesville. Texas’s first two fourth quarter drives resulted in interceptions thrown by Longhorns QB Arch Manning, which proved to be vital. QB DJ Lagway revitalized himself, by throwing 21/28 for 298 yards, two TDs, and an interception. RB Jadan Baugh recorded 107 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. WR Dallas Wilson caught two touchdown passes to go along with 111 yards and six receptions. Billy Napier can breathe another sigh of relief.
Cincinnati fans storm field as #14 Iowa State falls, 38-30
Despite a solid day on offense for the #14 ranked Cyclones on the road, the defense gave the Bearcats offense the better end of the stick, handing Iowa State its first loss of the season. QB Brendan Sorsby went 13/25 for 214 yards and two TDs, and RB Evan Pryor rushed 10 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. This was Cincinnati’s first win over Iowa State in program history, and first win over a ranked opponent at home since December 4, 2021.
UCLA, without permanent coaching staff, earns first win of the season over #7 Penn State thanks to Neuheisel’s heroics, 42-37
One week after losing the Whiteout game to Oregon, Penn State faltered to the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium. The Nittany Lions never held a lead in the game, as Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava went 17/24 for 166 yards and two touchdowns through the air. More importantly, he rushed for three touchdowns on 16 carries for 128 yards. UCLA players celebrated with interim OC Jerry Neuheisel, as father Rick (The former Bruins head coach from 2008-11) watched his victorious son in the CBS Sports studio. UCLA became the first team since 1985 to beat a top 10 team after starting 0-4 or worse, earned its first win over PSU since 1967, and ended a 16-game losing streak against AP top 10 opponents. Penn State and Texas fell unranked simultaneously for the first time in two decades.
#24 Virginia holds off Louisville in overtime, 30-27
The #24 ranked Cavaliers were on the edge of their seats at Louisville, praying for no field rush to happen. After forcing the Cardinals to kick a field goal on their first possession, Virginia responded with a two-yard TD run from RB J’Mari Taylor, giving them a 30-27 road win. After missing out on bowl eligibility the past few years, the Cavs are becoming relevant again.
Belichick, North Carolina humiliated at home yet again by Clemson, 38-10
Once again, the Tar Heels just could not get the ball rolling on either side against the Tigers. Instead, they decided to let QB Cade Klubnik throw 22/24 for 254 yards and a touchdown, as WR TJ Moore recorded five receptions for 108 yards and a score. WRs Adam Randall and Christian Bentancur recorded two TDs each. Will the Belichick experiment be short-lived? Should he focus on Canton instead of continuation and Jordon?
FCS Spotlight: Georgetown defeats Morgan State 27-24 with 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass
For the first time, an FCS team has been featured on the recap. After a close matchup between the Georgetown Hoyas of the Patriot League and the Morgan State Bears of the MEAC, the Hoyas found themselves down 24-21 on the Morgan State 49-yard line with seconds left on the clock. QB Dez Thomas II took the snap and heaved a Hail Mary downfield. WR Jimmy Kibble caught the ball in the end zone for an improbable touchdown, giving the Hoyas a non-conference win. It’s never over till it’s over, even in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Other scores!
- Minnesota 3, #1 Ohio State 42
- Kent State 0, #5 Oklahoma 44
- Mississippi State 9, #6 Texas A&M 31
- #11 Texas Tech 35, Houston 11
- Kentucky 14, #12 Georgia 35
- Boise State 7, #21 Notre Dame 28
- #22 Illinois 43, Purdue 27
- West Virginia 24, #23 BYU 38
- Boston College 7, Pittsburgh 48
- Wake Forest 30, Virginia Tech 23
- Syracuse 18, SMU 31
- Duke 45, California 21
- Kansas State 34, Baylor 35
- Oklahoma State 13, Arizona 41
- Colorado 21, TCU 35
- Kansas 27, UCF 20
- Washington 24, Maryland 20
- Michigan State 27, Nebraska 38
