It was an exhilarating day in college football, filled with narrow escapes and stunning victories. Notably, No. 3 Oregon defeated No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 in a nail-biting Big Ten clash. This victory marked Oregon’s first-ever win against a top-two ranked opponent.
The matchup, the first top-five game at Autzen Stadium, drew a record crowd of 60,129 fans. They witnessed a thrilling contest where both teams exchanged scores. Oregon celebrated their historic win over Ohio State, solidifying their place in college football history.
The Buckeyes took a 31-29 lead after a field goal with six minutes remaining. However, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel responded brilliantly. He completed all five of his passes for 41 yards, leading the Ducks downfield. Atticus Sappington then kicked a 19-yard field goal, putting Oregon ahead 32-31.
Ohio State regained possession with just over a minute left. Unfortunately, quarterback Will Howard’s run ended with him unable to stop the clock as time expired. According to ESPN Research, this marks the first one-point decision in an AP top-three matchup since 1991.
After the game, ecstatic Ducks fans flooded the field, celebrating one of the program’s most significant victories. Coach Dan Lanning expressed his joy, highlighting the moment’s significance for players and fans alike.
“It’s a fun moment that everyone in green got to enjoy,” he said. “That’s what makes it rewarding.”
Prior to this win, the Ducks had a daunting 0-19 record against top-two ranked teams. With this victory, they improve to 6-0, while Ohio State falls to 5-1.
Penn State Edges USC in Overtime
In another exciting game, No. 4 Penn State narrowly defeated USC in overtime. Tight end Tyler Warren had a record-breaking day, catching 17 passes—tying the FBS single-game record for tight ends.
Throughout regulation, the Nittany Lions trailed, managing to tie the score three times. With under three minutes remaining, running back Nicholas Singleton caught a touchdown, sending the game into overtime. Kicker Ryan Barker then nailed a 36-yard field goal, lifting Penn State to a 6-0 record. Quarterback Drew Allar threw for a career-high 391 yards and two touchdowns, while Warren amassed 224 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Tennessee Survives Florida
No. 8 Tennessee faced a potential upset against Florida, but emerged victorious with a 23-17 overtime win. Initially, Florida’s defense stifled Tennessee, limiting them to zero points and just 130 total yards in the first half.
After halftime, Tennessee rallied to take a 17-10 lead. However, backup quarterback DJ Lagway’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike forced overtime. Tennessee ultimately triumphed in this intense showdown.
LSU Stuns Ole Miss
No. 13 LSU achieved a stunning 29-26 victory over No. 9 Ole Miss in another thrilling overtime game. Trailing by seven in the final minute, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson, tying the game.
In overtime, Nussmeier connected with wide receiver Kyren Lacy for a 25-yard touchdown, securing LSU’s win. The Tigers improve to 5-1, while Ole Miss drops to 5-2.
Texas Dominates Oklahoma
In the Red River Rivalry, No. 1 Texas convincingly defeated No. 18 Oklahoma 34-3, reclaiming the golden hat. Quarterback Quinn Ewers returned from injury, throwing for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Running back Quintrevion Wisner led the ground game with 118 yards and a touchdown.
With this victory, Texas also improves to 6-0, setting their sights on a crucial matchup against No. 5 Wide receiver Isaiah George, who scored his team’s 41-31 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday.
This week showcased the excitement and unpredictability of college football, with thrilling finishes and historic victories.
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