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Saturday Superlatives: Another Utah-USC classic, upsets and scares galore

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1 year ago

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Saturday Superlatives: Another Utah-USC classic, upsets and scares galore


Here are the best plays, players, moments and more from Week 8 in college football. If you went to bed early on Saturday night, there’s a decent chance you’re wondering how Washington ended up in a 15-7 game against 1-6 Arizona State. But hey, it was one of those days, with a lot of upsets and several Top 25 teams finding out whether they can survive dangerous fights.

Game of the Week: No. 14 Utah 34, No. 18 USC 32. The clash of amazing USC offense vs. amazing Utah defense was everything we’d hoped, but it was actually Utah’s offense that ended up stealing the show.

Thanks to a big night from Bryson Barnes and another breakout game from safety-turned-running back Sione Vaki (217 total yards, two TDs), the Utes pulled ahead 28-14 in the third quarter. The Trojans clawed their way back, got stops and got a 61-yard punt return by freshman phenom Zachariah Branch to set up an 11-yard go-ahead score by Caleb Williams. They just left too much time — 1:46 — on the clock when they pulled ahead.

Utah got to midfield with the help of a roughing the passer penalty on a third down, and then Barnes saved the day with a 26-yard scramble down to USC’s 19-yard line. Cole Becker finished the job with a 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

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Kyle Whittingham and his tough 6-1 Utes are now 3-0 against Lincoln Riley and are yet again the Pac-12 team responsible for delivering a fatal blow to USC’s College Football Playoff hopes.

Player of the Week: Utah QB Bryson Barnes. He threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 57 and another TD. He overcame what could’ve been a game-changing pick six in the fourth quarter by guiding a game-winning drive. And he outdueled Caleb Williams and knocked the Trojans out of the CFP race. No matter how this season ends, the former walk-on should be a hero in Salt Lake City for a long time for this one.

After the game, Whittingham announced quarterback Cameron Rising won’t be making a comeback from his knee injury this season. It’s up to Barnes to keep leading the Utes in their pursuit of one last Pac-12 title. Next up: Oregon is coming to town.

Best quote: You really can’t sum it up any better than this.

Heisman watch: I was in Columbus on Saturday and wrote about another record-setting day from the dude they’re evidently now calling … Maserati Marv? Is that nickname going to stick? Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. brought his best against a top-10 Penn State team with an elite defense, catching 11 passes for 162 yards plus a game-sealing touchdown in a 20-12 victory and putting himself right back in the Heisman Trophy conversation with his fifth 100-yard performance of the season.

Crazy finish: Minnesota 12, Iowa 10. The most Iowa ending you’ve ever seen would be the Hawkeyes getting a go-ahead score on a punt return touchdown by Cooper DeJean to win a game in which the offense averaged a half-yard per play in the second half (24 plays, 12 yards). Well, that is exactly what happened — but then came an absurd twist: DeJean’s touchdown return was reviewed and reversed to a fair catch.

The postgame referee explanation: DeJean waving his arm was considered an “invalid fair catch” signal of fair catch that, by rule, makes it a dead ball at the spot where he caught it. DeJean insists he wasn’t trying to call a fair catch. Iowa then got the ball at its 46-yard line. Three plays later, Minnesota’s Justin Walley picked off Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill to seal the victory.

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The Hawkeyes are averaging 19.5 points per game and will need to score 34 points per game the rest of the way in order to satisfy the contract requirements of offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. They’ll also need to win out and get some help in order to get to the Big Ten title game.

Yet another crazy finish: No. 8 Texas 31, Houston 24. The first and last Big 12 matchup between these two schools was a memorable one.

The Longhorns grabbed a 21-0 lead early. Houston got hot with a 21-point run to tie it up. Texas went up by 7 with five minutes left despite losing quarterback Quinn Ewers to an injury. Houston then drove 65 yards but ran into trouble on a third-and-1 in the red zone. Running back Stacy Sneed appeared to gain a first down but was spotted short for no gain.

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen was not in a good place after that call. The Cougars threw it on fourth down and couldn’t convert. This one meant a lot to Houston, and it came oh-so-close.

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Best upset: Virginia 31, No. 10 North Carolina 27. Virginia had never won a road game against a top-10 opponent. Nobody expected it to on Saturday night. The 1-5 Cavaliers pulled off one of the great stunners of this season thanks to three rushing touchdowns from Mike Hollins and three fourth-quarter stops from their defense after grabbing the lead. UNC quarterback Drake Maye got a shot to lead a game-winning drive but was picked off by Virginia’s James Jackson with 26 seconds left. It was an absolutely shocking loss for the undefeated Tar Heels and a hard-earned signature victory for coach Tony Elliott and his program in Year 2.

Best interception: Washington cornerback Mishael Powell. The No. 5 ranked Huskies were seriously in the danger zone due to an unusually sloppy performance against Arizona State. The Sun Devils were driving to extend their lead to 14-6 midway through the fourth quarter when Powell stepped in front of a Trenton Bourguet throw and ran it back for an 86-yard pick six. This play flipped what looked like a very losable game. The Huskies survived without scoring any offensive touchdowns and advanced to 7-0.  

Powell’s interception was the most important one. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the best one. Boston College cornerback Amari Jackson might’ve had the pick of the year on Saturday with this one in a 38-23 win at Georgia Tech.

Honorable mention goes to UTSA’s Nicktroy Fortune for paying attention and stealing this one with a toe-tapper against FAU.

Best stop: Did you get enough crazy finishes? Can I interest you in one more? Miami rallied back from a 17-7 deficit in the fourth quarter and took Clemson to double overtime despite the absence of injured quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Hurricanes linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. got to be the hero on fourth down with the game on the line, taking the right angle and dragging down Cade Klubnik for a 28-20 win that dropped the Tigers to 4-3. After the misery of the botched ending against Georgia Tech, Miami has bounced back in a big way.

Best big fella TD: Now here’s the game-winning touchdown pass your opponent will never see coming. Wisconsin’s Braedyn Locke tossed a 3-yard pass to offensive lineman Nolan Rucci with 27 seconds left, and the Badgers dropped 18 points in the fourth quarter for a 25-21 comeback win at Illinois. That’s a former 5-star recruit making a 5-star catch.

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Best catch: BYU WR Darius Lassiter made an amazing Odell Beckham Jr. grab while getting pushed out of bounds during the Cougars’ 27-14 upset win over Texas Tech.

Best pass: Air Force had only attempted 28 passes on the year entering its game against Navy on Saturday. Maybe the No. 22 Falcons should be tossing it around a little more? Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier tossed this one to receiver Dane Kinamon on the first play of the second quarter, and he took it all the way for a 94-yard touchdown. That’s the longest pass in Air Force history, and it helped spark a 17-6 win for the 7-0 Falcons.

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Best rushing performance: For the second week in a row, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II takes home this honor. Gordon put up 284 total yards in a win over Kansas last Saturday. He followed that up with 29 carries for 282 yards and four touchdowns to power a 48-34 road win at West Virginia. The Cowboys have totally turned around their season, and the sophomore back is the biggest reason why.

Streak ends: Nevada won a college football game for the first time in 413 days on Saturday. The Wolf Pack went to San Diego State as an 11-point underdog and snapped a 16-game losing streak with a 6-0 victory. They hadn’t won a game since a home victory over Texas State on Sept. 3, 2022.

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Best smooch: UCF receiver Javon Baker had plenty of time to blow a kiss to Oklahoma’s sideline on this 86-yard touchdown. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables protested this one with officials after the play, arguing that a taunting penalty should’ve taken the TD off the board. He was told they didn’t see it happen. The No. 6 Sooners would get the last laugh in a 31-29 victory.

Best stall: Utah showed off a real mastery of the substitution rules to slow down the pace against USC and burn clock.

Easiest block: Oregon tight end Patrick Herbert helps Bucky Irving out on this touchdown run by laying out a Washington State linebacker who … forgot the play wasn’t over?

Best meme: The Lane Kiffin-Auburn relationship is a little complicated so, yeah, not too shocked by that tweet. Or the quote tweet.

Whittingham kept it nice and simple late Saturday night with Lincoln Riley’s preferred emoji to celebrate four in a row over the Trojans.

(Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)





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Murphy, Pancol combine for three TD plays as Duke beats Virginia Tech 31-28

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1 hour ago

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November 24, 2024

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Murphy, Pancol combine for three TD plays as Duke beats Virginia Tech 31-28


DURHAM, N.C. — Maalik Murphy’s three touchdown passes to Eli Pancol helped Duke overcome his three interceptions in a 31-28 win over slumping Virginia Tech on Saturday night.

Pancol racked up 188 yards receiving on five catches and Duke (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), which had only nine first downs until the last four minutes, held on for its second victory in a row.

Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten rushed for 84 yards and a late touchdown, but the Hokies (5-6, 3-4) lost their third consecutive game.

With quarterback Kyron Drones out with an injury, Virginia Tech used Collin Schlee as the starter before turning to William Watson III. Schlee threw for one touchdown, while Watson fired for 140 yards and reached the end zone on a two-point conversion run for the game’s final points with 9:19 to play.

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Duke overcame four turnovers. The Blue Devils had the ball at Virginia Tech’s 16-yard line with a first down before Star Thomas fumbled, with the Hokies taking over with 1:44 remaining. They didn’t pick up a first down.

Duke’s 14-0 lead less than 6½ minutes into the game came from Murphy’s 86-yard connection with Pancol on the team’s first snap. The hooked up for a 77-yard TD play on the next possession.

Virginia Tech scored 17 straight points, with Schlee’s 65-yard pass play to Ali Jennings providing the team’s first points. Ayden Greene had a 21-yard TD run. Jennings posted 158 yards receiving.

Duke’s Star Thomas (17) stretches for extra yards in the grasp of Virginia Tech’s Mansoor Delane, back, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

The takeaway

Virginia Tech: The Hokies remain a victory shy of bowl eligibility with one game remaining. They had three possessions with a chance to tie or take the lead in the final eight minutes but managed only 20 yards combined on those series.

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Duke: The Blue Devils had enough big plays, but the rushing attack has pretty much been abandoned until a couple of late drives. The defense that had been so stout for portions of the season had some holes, but the unit buckled up down the stretch. The only blemish on Duke’s 5-1 home record is an overtime loss to SMU.

Up next

Virginia Tech: at home Saturday vs. Virginia

Duke: Saturday at Wake Forest

Duke's Star Thomas (17) tries to run the ball away...

Duke’s Star Thomas (17) tries to run the ball away from Virginia Tech’s Jaden Keller (24) and Mansoor Delane (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

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5 thoughts from SMU-Virginia: Mustangs clinch conference title berth in first ACC season

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10 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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5 thoughts from SMU-Virginia: Mustangs clinch conference title berth in first ACC season


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Mustangs spent three decades pushing to be back in a power conference.

This season — and Saturday’s win over Virginia — showed why.

No. 13 SMU (10-1, 7-0) dominated in its final road contest against the Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4) 33-7 to clinch a spot in the ACC title game on Dec. 7.

Between a lights-out defensive performance, which included shutting out Virginia for the first 55 minutes of play, and another impressive showing from quarterback Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs cruised to victory to become the first team in the conference to secure their trip to Charlotte.

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Here are five thoughts from the win.

SMU’s ACC title berth proves Mustangs belong, can thrive in a power conference

Mustangs continue to make history in first ACC season

Each week during this historic season, SMU has seemingly achieved more feats many thought were impossible during their first year in the ACC.

After tearing through their first six conference opponents, SMU’s win Saturday made it the first team to make the conference title game in its first season after moving from a Group of Five conference to a power conference.

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The Mustangs’ dominant win against Virginia was their 16th straight against a conference opponent and 10th consecutive on the road — both among the longest active streaks in FBS.

The Mustangs were picked to finish seventh in the ACC’s preseason poll, majorly exceeding expectations with their season that now has them on the brink of their first College Football Playoff appearance.

SMU defense led by Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte stifles UVA offense

SMU’s defense has been its most consistent facet this season, but after a weaker performance against Boston College last week, the group was seeking a bounce-back game.

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That’s exactly what the Mustangs got from Scott Symons’ group, which was 4:16 away from posting its first shutout of the season. The Cavaliers finished with just 173 total yards and 65 on the ground. Last week against Boston College, the Mustang defense allowed 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

SMU was successful in getting to Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea, finishing with nine sacks. Defensive linemen Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte led the team with two each. Kori Roberson had 1.5 sacks.

Virginia made just three red zone trips. It missed a 41-yard field goal in the first half and could not convert a fourth-down attempt in the second half after intercepting Jennings.

With under five minutes to play, Virginia finally found the end zone as Colandrea hit Malachi Fields for the four-yard touchdown.

SMU is in good spot to keep top HC for the long haul. Rhett Lashlee’s extension proves it

Kevin Jennings earns spot to compete on conference’s biggest stage

Jennings didn’t even begin the season as an ACC starter, but over the course of the last 12 weeks, he’s proven to be one of the conference’s top quarterbacks.

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Against Virginia, Jennings was outstanding again, leading the Mustangs with a career-high 323 yards on 25 of 33 passing (76%) and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).

He had a stretch in the first half where he completed 12 straight passes, including a third-down conversion where he dodged multiple sacks before finding Roderick Daniels Jr. for the completion.

Jennings did have two turnovers in the second half, an interception and a fumble.

Nevertheless, a matchup with either Heisman candidate Cam Ward from Miami or Clemson’s Cade Klubnik in the ACC championship will be an intriguing one.

All wide receivers get involved in Jennings’ career day

Jennings has lost two of his top receiving targets over the past few weeks with both tight end RJ Maryand and wide receiver Jake Bailey going down with season-ending injuries.

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But Saturday’s win showed the depth of the Mustang pass catchers with six different players recording multiple receptions and combining for 323 total yards.

Jordan Hudson led the group in receptions for the second consecutive week. After recording a career-high seven catches for 99 yards and a touchdown against Boston College, Hudson had six for 56 yards and a 17-yard touchdown reception in the first half against Virginia.

SMU’s leading receiver in yardage, however, was Moochie Dixon, who took four catches 89 yards with a long of 53 yards. Daniels added another five for 58 yards.

Tight end Matthew Hibner had SMU’s final 16-yard touchdown with 1:42 remaining.

The receivers stepped up, as Virginia limited SMU’s running backs, which combined for 111 yards on 35 carries.

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Coast-to-coast ACC footprint brings unprecedented travel schedule for SMU equipment truck

Mustangs to close out regular season at Ford Stadium

SMU will get a chance to enjoy senior day next week without worrying about its ACC title game chances.

Having already clinched their spot, SMU will play its final regular-season game at Ford Stadium against Cal with a chance to become the first since the 1992 Florida State Seminoles to finish its inaugural campaign in a power conference unbeaten.

SMU has more to play for beyond the ACC title game. While it looks like the Mustangs will need to win the ACC championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, at-large bids are still at play. Finishing 8-0 in conference play would be key to helping the Mustangs’ chances at one of those seven spots — or a better bowl selection should they miss out on the playoff.

They will also await their ACC championship opponent. Miami can secure their title game berth with a win over Syracuse next week, but Clemson would earn the spot if Miami loses.

    SMU’s ACC title berth proves Mustangs belong, can thrive in a power conference
    SMU drops nonconference game at home as Mississippi State finds bench-led boost

Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.





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SMU-Virginia free livestream: How to watch college football game, TV, schedule

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18 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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SMU-Virginia free livestream: How to watch college football game, TV, schedule


The No. 13 SMU Mustangs play against the Virginia Cavaliers in a college football game today. The matchup will begin at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN 2. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Mustangs enter this matchup with a 9-1 record, and they are undefeated in conference play. Notably, the team has won seven games in a row. In their most recent game, the Mustangs defeated Boston College 38-28.

During the victory, SMU accrued 438 total yards. The team’s star quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown for 15 touchdowns and nearly 2,200 yards this season, so he will be a key player to watch today.

The Cavaliers enter this matchup with a 5-5 record, and they are coming off a 35-14 loss against Notre Dame. During the loss, Virginia struggled offensively. The team had five turnovers, which included three interceptions. Notably, Virginia only completed 17-36 passes against Notre Dame, so they will need to rely on their rushing attack today.

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Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

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