Recap Rundown: Week One

In our new in-season segment 'Recap Rundown', we will give you the Cliff's Notes on every team that played in the past week. The need-to-knows from each team on one page.

Sep 03, 2025

We are excited about this one.

The ‘Recap Rundown’ is a compilation of the work of our fantastic team at CFBDepth.com, working diligently to update and make thoughtful observations for each of our 136 schools. This team includes the following individuals, who must be followed on social channels:

Ryan Coacher: @CoacherRyan

Eric Lilly: @bearcatbunch

Jaden Del Guercio: @guercio_jaden

Ryan West: @ryanwest1513

Will O’Connor: @WillOC_94

Note: You can click on the team name to be taken to their live depth chart, which is being updated/prepped for week two as we speak.

Another note: The “PGWE” stands for post-game win expectancy number, provided by collegefootballdata.com.

So, enjoy the first edition of the ‘Recap Rundown’ presented by CFBDepth:

Southeastern Conference

Alabama ::: Loss, at Florida State, 17-31 PGWE: 2% -- To say the opener in Tallahassee was a disappointment would be an understatement. The Tide were manhandled on the lines of scrimmage in a beatdown at the hands of the Seminoles. It took QB Ty Simpson too long to get the training wheels off, and when he started to find his groove, it was too late. On defense, they had no response for the misdirection presented by OC Gus Malzahn and QB Tommy Castellanos. Not all is lost, but the Tide have less room for error going forward.

Auburn ::: WIN, at Baylor, 38-24 PGWE: 97% -- An impressive 2025 opener as the Tigers roll into Waco and beat the Baylor Bears handily. The post-game win expectancy numbers suggest it could have been even worse than that 38-24 final. Jackson Arnold showed up and really got the job done, primarily with his legs, rushing for 137 yards and two scores. They were undoubtedly helped by a 98-yard kickoff return for a score from Rayshawn Pleasant as well. Auburn was actually outgained yardage-wise in the game, giving up nearly 500 total yards to the Bears, so there is some work to do on the defensive side of the ball as they prepare for week two against Ball State.

Georgia ::: WIN, Marshall, 45-7 PGWE: 100% -- The Dawgs eased their way into the 2025 season against Marshall, easily beating the Thundering Herd, 45-7. QB Gunner Stockton showed his dual-threat abilities in this one, accounting for four touchdowns (two passing; two rushing) to pace the offense. He hooked up with WR Zach Branch for a 47-yard strike. KJ Bolden came up with a big special teams play, blocking a punt and setting them up for another score. Georgia has FCS Austin Peay next week.

Florida ::: WIN, LIU, 55-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Gators handled LIU with ease in week one, facing little resistance en route to a 55-0 win in Gainesville in week one. They allowed just 87 yards of total offense and racked up 28 first downs, to just two for the Sharks. Just as impressive, the Gators did not commit a penalty in the game. They had their opening tune-up and now prepare for a USF team that whooped up on Boise State in week one and will be treating this as their Super Bowl. It would be nice to have freshman WR Dallas Wilson back for that game, but that outlook remains cloudy.

LSU ::: WIN, at Clemson, 17-10 PGWE: 96% -- Finally, the Tigers and Brian Kelly break through in an opening test, beating the other Tigers in Clemson, 17-10. QB Garrett Nussmeier didn't do anything too spectacularly, but he managed the game and led them to a victory, throwing for 230 yards and the eventual game-winning touchdown. That catch was an amazing, acrobatic haul-in by CJ Daniels. The defense then locked down and held Cade Klubnik down to seal it. That Blake Baker defense stiffled the Clemson rushing attack all day, limiting them to 31 yards on 20 carries.

Missouri ::: WIN, Central Arkansas, 61-6 PGWE: 100% -- We were expecting to see a quarterback battle unfold in this game, but one of the competitors, Sam Horn, was significantly injured on his first drive. Beau Pribula took full advantage against the FCS competition, accumulating four scores (two passing, two rushing) while pacing the Tigers' offense. It was not without growing pains on the newly formed offensive line, which was clearly not in sync for much of the game. Damon Wilson II, the Georgia transfer, made his debut with the Tigers, getting two sacks in the game. Overall, it was an expected dominant first tune-up session as they prepare for the renewal of the rivalry by hosting Kansas in week two.

Ole Miss ::: WIN, Georgia State, 63-7 PGWE: 100% -- The offense was clicking on all cylinders for Ole Miss, racking up over 700 yards and posting 63 points against Georgia State in week one. QB Austin Simmons struggled early, tossing two interceptions, but settled down and finished with big numbers (341 yards and three touchdowns). Kewan Lacy appears to have been confirmed as the lead back for the Rebels, running 16 times for 108 yards and three scores. The defense was solid, especially against the pass, giving up just 69 yards through the air. Next up is a revenge game against Kentucky in Lexington in week two.

Arkansas ::: WIN, Alabama A&M, 52-7 PGWE: 99% -- After Alabama A&M responded to the Razorbacks' opening touchdown drive with one of their own, tying the game at 7-7, it was all Arkansas. QB Taylen Green picked them apart, tossing a career-high six touchdowns on the day. His favorite target was South Carolina transfer O'Mega Blake (7-121-TD). This is the first time these two programs have ever played. Maine transfer DB Shakur Smalls was a beast on the defensive side in his debut, racking up four tackles, a strip sack, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup. Things get slightly tougher as they will take on Arkansas State in week two.

Texas A&M ::: WIN, UTSA, 42-24 PGWE: 94% -- The Aggies took care of business against the Roadrunners of UTSA. Though, it was not as dominating a defensive performance many hoped for, allowing 24 points in the process. Hyped NC State transfer WR KC Concepcion lived up to it with three grabs for 72 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a punt 80 yards to open the scoring. UTSA RB Robert Henry busted through for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the second half to make things a little uncomfortable. From there, A&M settled in and pulled away. UTSA added a late touchdown to make it look a bit closer than it really was. Next up is a date with Utah State.

Kentucky ::: WIN, Toledo, 24-16 PGWE: 89% -- Despite many believing the Wildcats were ripe for taking an upset in week one, Mark Stoops' squad won the way they like to win. They ran the football on offense and got after Toledo QB Tucker Gleason early and often. RB Dante Dowdell led the way on the ground with 129 yards, while Seth McGowan chipped in with 78 more to get them to 220 yards and three scores. The passing game was stifled as Zach Calzada was just 10/23 for 85 yards. The defense was stout when it counted as well, getting a goal-line stand early on and stopping the Rockets on 3/4 fourth down tries. Ole Miss is on deck, and they haven't forgotten the loss suffered to the Wildcats last year.

South Carolina ::: WIN, vs. Virginia Tech, 24-11 PGWE: 78% -- It was a family affair for the Gamecocks in their week one showdown with Virginia Tech. Shane Beamer's dad, Frank, the longtime Hokies head coach, was in attendance and witnessed his son's decisive victory, highlighted by a big special teams play that broke the game open. Vicari Swain's 80-yard punt return put it out of reach. The offense was held in check most of the game, but QB LaNorris Sellers did enough to get them in the win column. The defense was smothering, holding the Hokies without a touchdown all game. A great start to 2025 for the Gamecocks. They'll get a 'bye' of sorts in week two against South Carolina State.

Tennessee ::: WIN, vs. Syracuse, 45-26 PGWE: 99% -- The Vols handled their business against Syracuse, as expected, in week one. The final score of 45-26 may not have even been as indicative of the play as a whole. It was encouraging to see the balance achieved on offense and the solid play from new QB Joey Aguilar. They managed just under 500 yards of total offense with Aguilar going 16/28 for 247 yards and three passing touchdowns. Star Thomas was the leading rusher with 92 yards. Colton Hood was a beast on the defensive side of the ball, racking up four tackles, a significant fumble recovery for a touchdown, and three pass breakups. The Vols get an FCS opponent in week two (ETSU) before hosting Georgia in week three.

Mississippi State ::: WIN, at Southern Miss, 34-17 PGWE: 98% -- The Bulldogs avoided an upset from a rebuilding Southern Miss squad with a dominant second half. After going into the half, up just 13-10, they scored three unanswered touchdowns to break things open in their 34-17 win over the Golden Eagles. It was the running back combo of Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth who took over and delivered the win. QB Blake Shapen was also very sharp, going 26/34 for 270 yards, including a 55-yard strike to Seydou Traore to open the scoring. DL Will Whitson was the star on defense, racking up four tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and five pressures despite playing just 25 snaps. The Bulldogs look to shake up the landscape with an upset over Arizona State in week two.

Vanderbilt ::: WIN, Charleston Southern, 45-3 PGWE: 100% -- We saw a lot of what was expected from Diego Pavia and company in an easy win over FCS Charleston Southern, a 45-3 victory. Pavia hit on six of the first seven passes and built on that strong connection with TE Eli Stowers. They found the end zone on their first three possessions and appeared to be clicking on all cylinders, granted against a weaker opponent. They certainly weren't perfect with a high number of penalties, especially on the offensive line. There is some rust they knocked off in anticipation of a big trip to Blacksburg, VA, for a week two showdown with the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Texas ::: Loss, at Ohio State, 7-14 PGWE: 0% -- Yes, Arch Manning looked lost at times against the Buckeyes in a week one loss, but he faced one of the most fearsome defensive units in the land on the road. Things will get better. In fact, as a whole, the PGWE number suggests that Texas had every opportunity to come out on top in this one. The new offensive line was a storyline and came together, even with some question marks heading into the game. There were plenty of good things if you look closer at that disappointing result in Columbus week one. That said, the Longhorns now must quickly fix some of these issues and lay it on San Jose State in week two.

Oklahoma ::: WIN, Illinois State, 35-3 PGWE: 100% -- John Mateer threw for 392 yards, breaking Baker Mayfield's debut passing yards mark in the process. The Sooners did what they wanted against the FCS Illinois State Redbirds. Keontez Lewis caught nine passes and could become the go-to receiver for this passing game. The defense was dominant and only gave up the field goal because of a Mateer mistake that set them up for it. With head coach Brent Venables calling plays, they held them to just 34 yards passing. All of this said, it was against an inferior opponent, and we'll need to see it in week two against Michigan.

Big Ten Conference

Ohio State ::: WIN, Texas, 14-7 PGWE: 100% -- In the single most anticipated week one matchup in all of college football, the Buckeyes came out on top of Texas in Columbus to kick off the 2025 season. It wasn't always pretty, and the PGWE numbers suggest it really could have gone the other way, but the Buckeyes made life difficult for Arch Manning early and often in this one. The big play was Julian Sayin's connection with Carnell Tate for a score that put Ohio State on top by two touchdowns. They held on late to capture a signature win right out of the gate as they defend their National Championship. They have FCS Grambling on deck in week two.

Wisconsin ::: WIN, Miami (OH), 17-0 PGWE: 99% -- Coming into this game, all eyes were on the offense as Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. was expected to re-ignite things on that side of the ball. That did not happen; in fact, he was hobbled by an in-game injury that forced him out. Word is that he avoided serious injury, but the offense was not all that impressive. The defense bailed them out in a big way, pitching their first shutout since 2022, as Miami (OH) could muster just 117 yards of total offense in the contest. The front seven was imposing all game long. They have another easy opponent on tap for week two as Middle Tennessee is coming off a loss to an FCS squad. It is likely that Edwards will be limited to avoid further injury risk, though he is not expected to play week two.

Penn State ::: WIN, Nevada, 46-11 PGWE: 100% -- As expected, the Lions rolled in week one over Nevada, led by their dynamic duo of running backs. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for three rushing touchdowns and stayed relatively fresh, each getting just eight carries. Drew Allar did the rest, going 22/26 for 217 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers, led by Dani Dennis-Sutton's forced two fumbles and a sack. The Lions look ahead to another 'tune-up' game against FIU in week two.

Michigan ::: WIN, New Mexico, 34-17 PGWE: 100% -- The opening win over New Mexico was both exciting and disappointing. There were a few miscues on defense that slightly overshadowed a great debut for freshman QB Bryce Underwood, finishing 21/31 for 251 yards passing with a touchdown. The surprise breakout performer was TE Marlin Klein, who caught six of those passes for 93 yards and a score. The Wolverines were once again without their star safety Rod Moore, who continues to remain out with an injury after missing all of last season. They now prepare for a trip to Norman, Oklahoma, to take on the Sooners in week two. They will be without LB Jaishawn Barham for the first half as he was ejected for targeting in the second half of this one. We'll learn a lot about this team in week two.

Northwestern ::: Loss, at Tulane, 3-23 PGWE: 3% -- The Wildcats struggled mightily in week one against Tulane, dropping the opener 23-3. Much of the blame could be attributed to the struggles at quarterback, as SMU transfer Preston Stone accounted for five turnovers in the game (four interceptions, one fumble). The fact that the defense held the Green Wave and their new QB, Jake Retzlaff, to just 23 points is one positive takeaway, considering they were put in bad spots consistently throughout the game. Braun backed his quarterback after the game, so a change there is not imminent, and they can work things out in week two against FCS Western Illinois.

Indiana ::: WIN, Old Dominion, 27-14 PGWE: 77% -- The Hoosiers saw flashbacks to last year's playoff game against Notre Dame, when ODU QB Colton Joseph rumbled 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. That was the story for Indiana in this ugly 27-14 win. The red-zone offense was particularly bad, having made it inside the Monarch's ten-yard line six times and managing just two touchdowns and two field goals. The run game was solid, led by both Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, but the passing game struggled at times with new QB Fernando Mendoza at the helm. Joseph got them again later on a 78-yard touchdown run, but stymied the attack outside of that for the most part. The Hoosiers will look to get back on track in week two against Kennesaw State.

Nebraska ::: WIN, vs. Cincinnati, 20-17 PGWE: 63% -- These Cornhuskers found a way to escape Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City with a hard-fought 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats. QB Dylan Raiola didn't look all that comfortable leading the offense, but did make some big plays, enough to get the job done. He found two new receivers for scores, including Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter. Malcolm Hartzog Jr. came up with the big interception on an ill-advised throw by Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby to seal the victory late. The run defense appeared to struggle by the numbers (allowing 200 yards), but most of those came from Sorsby scrambling to avoid pressure. The Huskers will work on things next week in an expected blowout of Akron in week two.

Minnesota ::: WIN, Buffalo, 23-10 PGWE: 99% -- The Gophers handled the MAC's Buffalo Bulls in week one, with a smothering defensive performance in the 23-10 win at home. QB Drake Lindsey looked the part, particularly down the stretch in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. He finished with 290 yards and two passing touchdowns. RB Darius Taylor was the expected bellcow, toting it 30 times for 141 yards. The defense bottled up Buffalo's rushing attack, holding Al-Jay Henderson to just 25 yards on 11 carries. This was a solid performance to get 2025 kicked off for P.J. Fleck's squad, and they get an FCS tune-up in week two against Northwestern State.

Iowa ::: WIN, Albany, 34-7 PGWE: 100% -- The Hawkeyes took care of business against the FCS Albany Great Danes in week one, 34-7 at Kinnick Stadium. However, the storyline is how out of sync the passing game looked for new QB Mark Gronowski and this offense, managing just 48 passing yards. The bigger storyline may just be the loss of starting RB Kamari Moulton, who suffered an injury and left the game. He has already been ruled out for the CyHawk game in week two against Iowa State. There isn't a lot of positive momentum heading into the Hawkeyes' rivalry game in week two.

Michigan State ::: WIN, Western Michigan, 23-6 PGWE: 100% -- The Spartans played a clean first game with a stout defensive front. QB Aidan Chiles needs to be elite this year to ensure MSU and Head Coach Jonathan Smith have a successful season. Almost had a shutout until the very end as well after a late touchdown from Western Michigan spoiled that attempt.

Maryland ::: WIN, Florida Atlantic, 39-7 PGWE: 100% -- Maryland had a ton of question marks entering the season, but some of those questions became clearer. Freahman QB Malik Washington is clearly the guy for the Terps, and this receiver room, beyond Jalil Farooq, looked fairly capable of being lethal down the road.

Purdue ::: WIN, Ball State, 31-0 PGWE: 100% -- Purdue kicked off the Barry Odom era with a great start. Ryan Browne looked poised and played a great game, even accounting for the lack of an imposing opponent. Purdue was the worst Power Four team in 2024 in terms of first-quarter points, and Saturday, they got off to a hot start to build up a lead against a hapless Ball State squad.

Rutgers ::: WIN, Ohio, 34-31 PGWE: 57% -- Rutgers offense looked really competent after losing star RB Kyle Monangai last season. The offense seems to be more dynamic and versatile. For the defense, there is a lot to improve and a lot of injuries to work through if Rutgers wants to be a respectable Big Ten team this season. Solid week one, but Ohio was torching their secondary, which might be concerning.

Illinois ::: WIN, Western Illinois, 52-3 PGWE: 100% -- With a ton of hype entering the season, the fighting Illini came out strong against an FCS opponent. Time will tell if this team can live up to these hefty expectations.

Washington ::: WIN, Colorado State, 38-21 PGWE: 100% -- The Huskies handled Colorado State in week one, winning 38-21. That extended their home winning streak to 21 games. They were solid on the ground, led by RB Jonah Coleman's 177 yards. QB Demond Williams Jr. was efficient through the air in an all-around solid offensive performance. The Husky defense was a tale of two halves. The Rams offense managed to answer the scoring drives in the first half, leading to an uncomfortable 14-14 score. However, new DC Ryan Walters made some adjustments and shut down the Colorado State attack in the second half. WR Denzel Boston made a one-handed touchdown grab in the third quarter to give them the lead back, and then it was all Huskies.

USC ::: WIN, Missouri State, 73-13 PGWE: 100% -- Even though they played one of the more inferior FBS teams possible, USC looked to have better chemistry and culture than they have ever had in the Lincoln Riley tenure. With a few injuries to key guys on defense, the team looks to have playmakers at every position group up and down the roster.

Oregon ::: WIN, Montana State, 59-13 PGWE: 100% -- Oregon looked explosive with another fantastic atmosphere at Autzen Stadium. With RB Makhi Hughes, the star transfer from Tulane, not playing, the Oregon run game looked very deep and strong, even against an FCS opponent. Montana State might struggle to absorb all its losses in the portal, especially alongside other FCS teams.

UCLA ::: Loss, Utah, 10-43 PGWE: 0% -- Nico Iamaleava's transfer from Tennessee to UCLA sparked a national buzz around the program for the first time in a while. The opening game did not go as planned. Utah dominated UCLA's offensive line, and Nico was missing a ton of throws that he is expected to make. Utah is a formidable opponent, but not the ideal start to 2025 for the Bruins.

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Big 12 Conference

TCU ::: WIN, at North Carolina, 48-14 PGWE: 97% -- TCU boatraced UNC in Bill Belichick's CFB coaching debut 48-14 behind QB Josh Hoover's 284 yard, two TD performance. Hoover also threw an interception, but the Horned Frogs controlled the game after the first possession after falling behind 7-0 early. TCU outgained UNC 542 to 222 and spent much of the night on cruise control. RB1 Kevorian Barnes had 113 yards and a TD on 11 carries while WR Jordan Dwyer had 136 yards and a TD on nine receptions. TCU hosts Abilene Christian next week before SMU comes to town in two weeks.

Baylor ::: Loss, Auburn, 24-38 PGWE: 3% -- Following a lot of offseason hype, Auburn's visit in week one resulted in a 38-24 loss at home, which feels like a letdown. BU was never really in this one as the Tigers tied or outscored them in all four quarters. QB Sawyer Robertson was productive (419 yds, 3 TD) but not accurate (27/48) as he was under pressure all game, taking four sacks. The Bears were never able to establish a running game as they were playing behind all game, but RB Bryson Washington managed 54 yards on 14 carries. Kole Wilson is the clear WR1 (8 / 134 yds) as he received 35% of targets. Baylor will need to bounce back quickly as they play at SMU week two.

Oklahoma State ::: WIN, UT Martin, 27-7 PGWE: 92% -- Oklahoma State had a comfortable 27-7 home win over UT Martin, but lost their QB1 Hauss Hejny (foot) in the process. Hejny has already gone through surgery and could be back in the middle of Big 12 play, but for now, this QB room is three freshmen. QB Zane Flores will take over the job. He threw for 136 yards on 13/20 passing after Hejny left the game. Despite HC Mike Gundy listing 5 RBs as "OR"s in their week one depth chart only two of them were getting high leverage carries in this game -- Kalib Hicks (21/56yds) and Sesi Vailahi (9/32yds and a TD). LB Wendell Gregory had three sacks, but his status (arrest) is now up in the air as they head to #7 Oregon.

Kansas State ::: WIN, North Dakota, 38-35 PGWE: 80% -- Kansas State had a true Ireland hangover, but the Wildcats held on to a dramatic 38-35 win over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. KSU did lose RT Terrence Enos Jr. during this game, and that injury will be one to monitor going forward. QB Avery Johnson had 318 yards and 3 TD in the air (28/43) plus 43 yards on the ground. WR Jayce Brown has cemented himself as WR1, having received nearly 40% of all air targets so far this season. Brown had 12 of KSU's 28 receptions. KSU gave up 354 total yards and lost the time-of-possession battle. They'll be happy to escape to a tune-up game vs. Army this week before playing at Arizona on 9/12.

West Virginia ::: WIN, Robert Morris, 45-3 PGWE: 100% -- There wasn't much doubt before, but now it is all gone -- West Virginia's QB1 is Nicco Marchiol. 17/20 224yds and a TD for the junior QB, all while backups Scotty Fox Jr. and Jaylen Henderson barely saw the field. Marchiol was also involved in WVU's dynamic run game (13/56 1TD) that amassed 393 rushing yards and 5 TDs. Eight Mountaineers had 20+ rushing yards as they blasted Robert Morris 45-3. WVU's WR1 is Jacksonville State transfer Cam Vaughn (7/126 1TD), who was the only receiver to get over 40 yards. WVU heads to Athens, Ohio, this week before their big game vs. Pitt at home in week three.

Iowa State ::: WIN, South Dakota, 55-7 PGWE: 100% -- Unlike Kansas State, Iowa State did not have any bit of an Ireland hangover as they dismantled South Dakota 55-7 in week 1. QB Rocco Becht broke the school record for accuracy (19/20) while throwing for 278 yards and 3 TD. TE Benjamin Brahmer was the leading target guy for the Cyclones with seven receptions, 47 yards and 2 TD. The Cyclones kept the RB room fresh, with only one back getting over 10 carries: third-stringer Dylan Lee, who had 13 carries for 81 yards and a TD. No drama here for Iowa State as they prepare for the biggest game of their season vs. Iowa on Saturday.

Texas Tech ::: WIN, Arkansas–Pine Bluff, 67-7 PGWE: 100% -- Texas Tech obliterated Arkansas Pine Bluff in week one, 67-7, behind QB Behren Morton's first half explosion, going 16/20 201yds and four touchdowns. Morton left the game with a lower body injury and it will be one to monitor this week before they host the lowly Kent State Golden Flashes. Will Hammond was QB2 and threw for 92yds and a TD on 7/9 passing, he also ran for a 64 yard TD. RB Cameron Dickey (13/90) had double the carries of J'Koby Williams (6/56) so maybe this isn't a true RB split. Five wide receivers found the end zone, but former 5-star WR Micah Hudson still has yet to do so in his young career.

Kansas ::: WIN, Wagner, 46-7 PGWE: 100% -- Kansas moves to 2-0 after steamrolling Wagner 46-7, the Jayhawks are now outscoring opponents 77-14 this season. Big change of tone this week as KU heads to Missouri to face its rivals. The Andy Kotelnicki-inspired offense of 21-'23 appears to be back in Lawrence with way more diversity in 12/13 personnel offenses. Alabama transfer WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr. was the focal point with six receptions for 130 yards and two scores, while Cam Pickett found the end zone again despite being banged up. Missouri should expect to see a heavy dose of KU RB Hishaw Jr. with Leshon Williams out -- Hishaw Jr. rushed 14 times for 89 yards and a score in this one.

BYU ::: WIN, Portland State, 69-0 PGWE: 100% -- BYU dismantled the Portland State Vikings 69-0, which is the largest shutout in BYU program history. The Cougars were up 49-0 at halftime after a 35-point outburst in the 2nd quarter, they also had 267 yards on 19 carries in the first half. A nice debut for true freshman QB Bear Bachmeier who was 7/11 97yd and 3 TD and also picked up two rushing scores. BYU had FOURTEEN players record a rush on Saturday for 468 yards and 5 TD combined. LJ Martin led the way with 8/131 and was able to kick his feet up late in the game. The lowly Stanford Cardinal comes to town next week as BYU looks to prove itself against a P4 (can we call them that?) opponent.

Cincinnati ::: Loss, vs. Nebraska, 17-20 PGWE: 64% -- Cincy has to be happy with how the defense showed up, holding QB Dylan Raiola to 243 yards on 42 attempts in a de facto home game for Nebraska, but the offense for the Bearcats was an absolute disaster. Three points in the first half and 69 passing yards from Brendan Sorsby on 13/25 passing were something UC couldn't overcome. Sorsby made up for it in the second half with 96 yards rushing and 2 TD, but it wasn't enough, as he threw a pick to end the game while Cincy was in field goal range to tie it up. No notable injuries here, and UC faces off with Bowling Green and Northwestern State before a huge clash at Kansas.

UCF ::: WIN, Jacksonville State, 17-10 PGWE: 94% -- UCF wins a close one in Scott Frost’s return to Orlando, 17-10 over Jacksonville State. The Knights had a 14-point fourth quarter behind a backup (for now?) QB Tayven Jackson's awesome performance. 17/24 with two TD while the starter Cam Fancher had 5/9 32 yards and 39 yards rushing before injury struck. Team captain Myles Montgomery is officially the bellcow back for the Knights with 79 yards on 21 carries; the rest of the RBs combined had just four carries, showing us who Frost really trusts. Montgomery also led the team in receiving with 71 yards in the air, 64 coming in one play. Time will tell if it's Jackson or Fancher's job when NC A&T comes to town this weekend.

Houston ::: WIN, Stephen F. Austin, 27-0 PGWE: 100% -- Houston's defense stole the show in Connor Weigman's debut, limiting Stephen F. Austin to just seven first downs the entire game. UH comfortably wins this one 27-0 and was in control the entire game. Weigman had a solid debut himself with 159 yards and 3 TD on 15/24 passing, while the RB room was nearly spot on with our rush% projections. Conners carried the load (15/50) with Burnette right behind him (10/40) while Sneed and Butler also got a few opportunities. TE Tanner Koziol is going to be a big threat for the Cougars (7/63). Houston faces a much tougher test next week at Rice.

Arizona ::: WIN, Hawaii, 40-6 PGWE: 100% -- Arizona waxed the Rainbow Warriors 40-6 in week one, but the score didn't tell the whole story. Wildcats QB Noah Fifita had an ugly performance, going just 13/23 with 161 yards and a touchdown, and they only had 185 yards rushing. Hawaii turned the ball over FIVE times and lost by 34 despite out first down-ing the Wildcats 21 to 16. Arizona has a tune-up game vs Weber State on deck, and then an important technically ‘out of conference’ game against another Big 12 foe -- Kansas State.

Arizona State ::: WIN, Northern Arizona, 38-19 PGWE: 100% -- ASU follows up their Playoff appearance with a sluggish opener vs Northern Arizona. The Sun Devils win 38-19 and never really pulled away from NAU. 25/39 1TD and 1 INT for QB Sam Leavitt in addition to 73 yards rushing and two scores. Not exactly what you want to see from their leader in a game in which they were 29.5-point favorites. Cam Skattebo is gone, and the three Sun Devils runners who played (Kyson & Raleek Brown, and Kanye Udoh) only combined for 130 rush yards vs. NAU. ASU needs one of these guys to emerge to replicate last season's success. Good news? Jordyn Tyson is healthy -- the WR connected with Leavitt 12 times for 141 yards and 2 TDs.

Utah ::: WIN, at UCLA, 43-10 PGWE: 100% -- Utah QB Devon Dampier had about as good a debut as one can have -- going 21/25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns in the air, to go with 87 yds and another score on the ground. The Utes defenses showed up in the 43-10 drubbing at UCLA. Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava was 11/22 with an interception against this unit. Utah controlled this game in a road environment with 493 total yards and 37:28 time of possession. Utah plays Cal-Poly and at Wyoming before a massive Big 12 opener vs. Texas Tech.

Colorado ::: Loss, Georgia Tech, 20-27 PGWE: 2% -- Colorado falls to 0-1 in their first game in the post-Hunter/Shedeur era. While the Buffaloes hung in there and nearly stole the game, there were a lot of concerning things that happened in this game, and it all starts with the Georgia Tech running game. The Yellow Jackets had 320 rushing yards against the talented Colorado defensive line. It's notable that the Buffaloes weren’t able to take advantage of three straight first half turnoverss from their opponent. QB Kaidon Salter had 159 yards on 17/28 with a TD + 43 yards rushing. CU WR Omarion Miller tweaked his hamstring -- something to monitor going forward, the CU should be OK this week against Delaware, but they head to Houston in two weeks.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Florida State ::: WIN, Alabama, 31-17 PGWE: 97% -- Florida State kicked off the season with a statement-making 31–17 upset over No. 8 Alabama, capitalizing on physical dominance and efficient execution. Boston College transfer QB Tommy Castellanos impressed, particularly on the ground, while Alabama failed to find a consistent offensive rhythm. The Seminoles outpaced the Tide with better time of possession, a strong defensive showing, and capitalized on Alabama's mistakes to pull off the unexpected win.

Louisville ::: WIN, Eastern Kentucky, 51-17 PGWE: 96% -- Louisville opened the season with a commanding 51–17 win over Eastern Kentucky, flashing dominance in all phases. Sophomore RB Isaac Brown broke loose for 126 yards and two scores on just six carries, while QB Miller Moss threw for 223 yards and a touchdown in his debut. Caullin Lacy’s 93-yard punt return TD sparked the rout as the defense held EKU to only 44 first-half yards. The lone blemish was 11 costly penalties, but no new injuries were reported.

Clemson ::: Loss, LSU, 10-17 PGWE: 30% -- Clemson’s season opener fell short as they dropped 17–10 to #9 LSU in Death Valley. The Tigers suffered significant personnel losses early—Antonio Williams exited with a hamstring injury, and Khalil Barnes left late in the second quarter, leaving key spots undermanned. QB Cade Klubnik still managed 200 yards of total offense, and Adam Randall scored Clemson’s lone rushing touchdown. Bryant Wesco Jr. led in receiving, while playmakers like Avieon Terrell and Ronan Hanafin helped Clemson generate critical defensive plays. Despite a promising start, Clemson’s offense floundered without Williams, and injuries underscored deeper issues on both sides of the ball that need resolution moving forward.

Miami (FL) ::: WIN, Notre Dame, 27-24 PGWE: 90% -- In a dramatic season opener, Miami edged out No. 6 Notre Dame 27–24 in a high-profile Week 1 clash. Carson Beck looked sharp, throwing two second-quarter touchdown passes that helped Miami seize control. Freshman WR Malachi Toney broke through with a strong showing, while CJ Daniels wowed with a one-handed TD catch just before halftime. The defense rose to the occasion, containing the Irish’s rushing attack. In the end, it was Carter Davis’s 47-yard field goal with just over a minute to go that sealed a statement win for the Hurricanes. Miami proved its mettle in all three phases and set a confident tone for the year.

North Carolina State ::: WIN, East Carolina, 24-17 PGWE: 75% -- NC State rebounded from last season’s bowl disappointment by overcoming ECU 24–17 in a tightly contested season opener. Quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 318 yards and added a rushing touchdown, while Wesley Grimes and Teddy Hoffmann emerged as key receiving threats. Defensively, the Wolfpack stifled ECU’s rushing attack and delivered a clutch fourth-down stop late in the fourth quarter to preserve the win. Despite a few special-teams mishaps—multiple missed field goals and penalties—the Wolfpack held firm when it mattered most, showcasing poise and toughness on both sides of the ball.

Virginia Tech ::: Loss, vs. South Carolina, 11-24 PGWE: 22% -- Virginia Tech fell 24–11 to No. 13 South Carolina in a hard-fought season opener. The defense provided a strong backbone, forcing turnovers, securing a safety, and holding the Gamecocks in check through most of the first half. The Greene brothers—Ayden and Donavon—stood out in the passing game, combining for 165 yards and offering consistent targets for QB Kyron Drones. John Love’s leg kept Tech competitive, knocking in three field goals (including a 56-yarder). However, self-inflicted mistakes—including dropped passes, penalties, red-zone inefficiency, and two interceptions—undermined their chances. The game slipped away in the fourth quarter when South Carolina broke the seal with an 80-yard punt return touchdown and followed with a deep touchdown strike, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Duke ::: WIN, Elon, 45-17 PGWE: 96% -- Duke shook off a sluggish start to dominate in the second half of their season opener, pulling away for a convincing 45–17 win over Elon. Quarterback Darian Mensah—making his Duke debut—threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, completing a flawless 11-for-11 in the second half. Cooper Barkate emerged as his go-to receiver with 117 yards, while Que’Sean Brown electrified the crowd with a 78-yard punt return touchdown. The defense kept Elon in check with 10 tackles for loss, turning a tightly contested first half into a comfortable blowout. No injuries were reported postgame, and Duke looks to build off this convincing win heading into a huge week 2 contest with Illinois.

North Carolina ::: Loss, TCU, 14-48 PGWE: 3% -- In Bill Belichick’s highly anticipated college coaching debut, North Carolina fell 48–14 to TCU in a lopsided season opener. After a promising start—highlighted by Caleb Hood’s early touchdown—the offense swiftly unraveled. Gio Lopez struggled, going over two hours without a completion before exiting with a back injury after a costly fumble. That turnover led directly to a TCU touchdown and fueled a run of 41 unanswered points. In relief, Max Johnson delivered a bright moment, engineering a touchdown drive to his brother Jake, marking a powerful personal comeback. Yet, the damage had been done: three turnovers, untimely defensive breakdowns, and systemic misfires spoiled the night. UNC now faces a pressing need to regroup, correct foundational issues, and clarify the quarterback situation before heading into its matchup with Charlotte.

Syracuse ::: Loss, vs. Tennessee, 26-45 PGWE: 6% -- In the Aflac Kickoff Game, Syracuse fell to No. 24 Tennessee, 45–26, in a contest where they could never quite wrest control away. Freshman QB Steve Angeli showed poise with 247 passing yards in his debut, but Syracuse leaned heavily on RB Yasin Willis, who delivered 91 yards and three touchdowns to keep his team in it. However, the Orange defense buckled under Tennessee’s balanced offense, surrendering big run plays and failing to generate key stops down the stretch. The final margin reflected a well-executed Vols game plan, as Syracuse’s offense flashed promise but ultimately couldn’t overcome the defensive shortcomings.

Georgia Tech ::: WIN, at Colorado, 27-20 PGWE: 81% -- Behind Haynes King’s electrifying dual-threat performance—combining 143 passing yards with 156 rushing yards and three rushing TDs—Georgia Tech overcame early miscues (three turnovers in their first three drives) to edge Colorado 27–20 in a thriller at Folsom Field. The Jackets leaned into a potent rushing attack, controlled the line of scrimmage, and executed late under pressure, with King’s 45-yard dash in the final minute breaking the back of the Buffs. Despite some offensive sloppiness and a controversial penalty tied to an injury, Tech’s resilience and physicality shone through in a season-opening win on the road.

Pittsburgh ::: WIN, Duquesne, 61-9 PGWE: 100% -- Pitt wasted no time making a statement, overpowering local rival Duquesne 61–9 in the long-awaited "City Game" renewal. Quarterback Eli Holstein delivered a career-best with four passing touchdowns and added another 41 yards on the ground. Blue Hicks made an immediate impact with two touchdown receptions in his debut, while Desmond Reid provided spark and momentum with both a punt return and a rushing touchdown. The Panthers' defense set the tone early—Kyle Louis notched two significant sacks, and the unit regularly forced three-and-outs. Attention now turns to the health of Rashad Battle, who exited in the second half, and continued progress from returning WR Censere Lee.

Boston College ::: WIN, Fordham, 66-10 PGWE: 99% -- Boston College kicked off its 2025 season with a resounding 66–10 home victory over Fordham, marking the highest point total since 2015. Dylan Lonergan impressed in his first outing, throwing for four touchdowns and spreading the ball to standout playmakers like Lewis Bond and Jaedn Skeete. The defense and special teams set the tone in the second half—with Bam Crouch returning an interception for a score, and a blocked punt adding to the dominance. The Eagles showed depth, balance, and efficiency across all three phases, setting an optimistic tone for the season.

Virginia ::: WIN, Coastal Carolina, 48-7 PGWE: 99% -- Virginia kicked off the season with a dominant 48–7 win over Coastal Carolina, excelling in all three phases. Quarterback Chandler Morris delivered 264 passing yards and two touchdowns before exiting with a shoulder injury. James Madison transfer Cam Ross starred with 124 receiving yards and a blazing 100-yard kickoff return, totaling 224 all-purpose yards. The defense was unrelenting, holding Coastal to just seven points and stifling their rushing attack. Despite the blowout, Chandler Morris’s status and the continued absence of linebacker Kam Robinson remain key to monitor as UVA heads into tougher matchups.

Wake Forest ::: WIN, Kennesaw State, 10-9 PGWE: 74% -- Wake Forest escaped with a narrow 10–9 win over Kennesaw State to open the Jake Dickert era, but it was hardly a convincing performance. While Robby Ashford managed 218 passing yards and a short rushing score, he struggled to find rhythm and consistency, leaving the offense stagnant for much of the night. The loss of Demond Claiborne to a rib injury only compounded the lack of explosiveness, as the Deacs managed just a single field goal after halftime. Ultimately, it was the defense—led by Nick Andersen and a timely pass rush—that bailed Wake Forest out. Still, questions remain about whether the offense can generate enough firepower against more formidable opponents.

California ::: WIN, at Oregon State, 34-15 PGWE: 80% -- California roared back onto the scene with a decisive 34–15 win over Oregon State. True freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele stole the show, tossing three touchdown passes while completing his first nine attempts—a rare feat for a debutant. Trond Grizzell and Brandon High Jr. paced the ground and air attack, with Grizzell’s touchdown catch and High’s short rushing score establishing offensive balance. Momentum shifted with Hezekiah Masses’ interception return early in the second half, giving Cal an emphatic edge. No injuries were noted, and the Golden Bears showcased poise and depth across all phases as they prepare for Texas Southern next week.

SMU ::: WIN, East Texas A&M, 42-13 PGWE: 95% -- SMU kicked off the season with a resounding 42–13 victory over East Texas A&M, leveraging a swift start and opportunistic defense. Kevin Jennings balanced the offense with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score, while Romello Brinson’s 63-yard TD catch set the tone early. On defense, Ahmaad Moses’ 95-yard pick-six and Alexander Kilgore’s interception return injected energy and widened the gap. However, the Mustangs walked away with caution after losing both top receiver Jordan Hudson and defensive leader Kilgore to injuries late in the first quarter—though X-rays were negative, their availability for next week’s matchup remains to be seen.

Pac-12 Conference

Washington State ::: WIN, Idaho, 13-10 PGWE: 15% -- Idaho almost pulls off another week one upset as last year they had Oregon on the ropes. Washington State’s roster churn was one of the most significant in our off-season tracking after Jake Dickert left for Wake Forest. Clearly, they are still getting acclimated to the new system. If the Cougars do not figure it out soon, it will be a dreadful season with more superior opponents ahead.

Oregon State ::: Loss, California, 15-34 PGWE: 43% -- The Beavers got off to a slow start against their former Pac-12 foe Cal, with the Bears going up 14-0 early. Oregon State's offense was stagnant until it made some adjustments in the latter part of the game to find some magic. Oregon State will need to establish the run game more if it wants to find any success this season.

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The American Conference

South Florida ::: WIN, Boise State, 34-7 PGWE: 98% -- USF had arguably the best G5 win in the country in what was a rout of Boise State. This game was a showcase on national TV for QB Byrum Brown and a fast, aggressive rebuilt defense. Brown threw for 210 and had 43 on the ground with two scores. He was the best player on the field. The defense was a problem all night as they were quick in pursuit of the football and bullied Boise up front. LB Jhalyn Shuler was all over the field and had 14 tackles. This team proved it can hang with an upper echelon team and will look to build some momentum as they face Florida and Miami the next 2 weeks.

Memphis ::: WIN, Chattanooga, 45-10 PGWE: 99% -- Memphis did what they were expected to and dominated an undermanned Chattanooga team. They ran for 233 and four scores on the ground with transfer QB Brendon Lewis leading the way. The passing game was solid as well. Two picks and ten TFLs helped Memphis establish its lead and close out the game. Safety Chris Bracy was all over the field for the Tigers. This is a really talented group, and it will be fascinating to see the growth of the team with a new QB. They will compete for a playoff spot.

Tulsa ::: WIN, Abilene Christian, 35-7 PGWE: 98% -- Tulsa had a fairly dominating performance this week against Abilene Christian. QB Kirk Francis was impressive with 218 and two scores and no picks. The run game was reliable as RB Dominic Richardson ran for 142 and a score. Really well-balanced attack by the offense. Something to note, they did rotate through quite a few offensive linemen options as they look to establish their best starting 5. LB Ray Coney was the leader on defense with 14 tackles, and 1.5 TFLs. They will need to prove they can hang with some of the upper echelon teams in the American.

Temple ::: WIN, at Massachusetts, 42-10 PGWE: 100% -- QB Evan Simon had one of the best performances in the country, throwing for 248 yards and six touchdowns. He left no doubt as to why he will be QB1 this season. RB Jay Ducker was impressive as well with 128 yards on the ground. Just a really balanced attack from Temple and an easy win. The Temple defense really settled in after the first quarter and shut out UMass the rest of the game. This program seems to have some real positive momentum, and it will be interesting to follow their growth this year under new head coach K.C. Keeler over from Sam Houston.

Navy ::: WIN, VMI, 52-7 PGWE: 100% -- Navy showed why they are expected to be one of the best teams in the group of five. They dominated VMI in all aspects of the game with star QB Blake Horvath playing just half the game. Navy's strength is obviously the ground game, and they did whatever they wanted on Saturday running for 468 yards with 11 different guys recording a carry. An impressive performance all the way around. The defense was tenacious with five sacks and seven TFLs. They are going to be fun to watch all season. They have UAB to open American play next week, and a similar result may be expected.

East Carolina ::: Loss, at North Carolina State, 17-24 PGWE: 18% -- ECU is very familiar with NC State after beating them in their bowl matchup last season. There is no love lost between these two, and it was another battle this year. QB Katin Houser threw for 366 and a touchdown, and he did everything he could to keep ECU in the game. While the pass game was really good, the Pirates could not run the ball. They managed just 30 total rush yards for the game, with the leading rusher being London Montgomery with just 32 yards. They essentially matched NC State's yardage, but a few key penalties and failed 4th downs really made it tough for ECU. They will look to bounce back this week.

Tulane ::: WIN, Northwestern, 23-3 PGWE: 99% -- Tulane came away from week one with a dominating performance against Northwestern. New Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff showed us a familiar performance to what he did last year at BYU, with 152 in the air and 113 on the ground. It was really the ground game that was the difference - shocking for a G5 team to maul a Big Ten team up front. Tulane averaged 6.4 yards per carry. The defense was flying all over the field, generating four interceptions and three sacks. DB Javion White led the unit with two picks. Make no mistake, this is one of the best teams in the G5.

North Texas ::: WIN, Lamar, 51-0 PGWE: 100% -- It was a highly impressive showing for North Texas as the air raid offense was simply unstoppable. New starting QB Drew Mestemaker threw for 329 yards with three touchdowns with nine different guys registering a catch. He showed us why he earned the job in camp. WR Cameron Dorner was his #1 target with seven catches and a touchdown. Defensively, it was an equally impressive performance as the unit had three sacks and eight TFLs. LB Ethan Wesloski also took a fumble to the house. This will be a sleeper team to follow this season in the American.

Charlotte ::: Loss, vs. Appalachian State, 11-34 PGWE: 1% -- The Tim Albin era started rocky with a tough loss to Appalachian State in downtown Charlotte. New QB Conner Harrell struggled throwing the football, and the run game could not do much better. RB CJ Stokes led the team with 49 yards on the ground, but as a group, they averaged just 2.6 yards per carry. A fumble and interception also allowed App State to take advantage of a 49ers defense that got torched in the air giving up over 400 yards. There are several areas for improvement for a team that may struggle to compete s heavyweights. They will host Bill Belichick’s North Carolina squad in week two and they will be out to prove they are better than they showed in week one.

UTSA ::: Loss, at Texas A&M, 24-42 PGWE: 50% -- UTSA played one of the tougher week 1 games in the American, and gave A&M all they could handle at times. While it may look like they got blown out, UTSA had the ball and were down just 21-17 at one point in the second half. QB Owen McCown struggled to complete passes and threw for just 121 yards. The star was RB Robert Henry Jr., who had 177 yards and two scores to keep the game within reach for UTSA. Ultimately, the defense could not overcome a big day from A&M QB Marcel Reed. They did stop the run, but did not record a sack.

Florida Atlantic ::: Loss, at Maryland, 7-39 PGWE: 1% -- The Zach Kittley era did not get off to a good start as FAU got blown out by Maryland in their opener. While WR Easton Messer was able to reel in 15 catches, turnovers just killed FAU the entire game. They ended with six interceptions, four of which were thrown by starter Caden Veltkamp. While not a focal point of the offense, the run game struggled to get established, allowing Maryland to focus on the pass game. Defensively, FAU struggled to contain Maryland's freshman QB and did not record a sack. I'd expect a much sharper FAU team in week two.

Rice ::: WIN, at Louisiana, 14-12 PGWE: 74% -- What a start for Scott Abell and the Rice Owls as they pull the upset on Louisiana in week one. RB Quinton Jackson was the star with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown, with RB Daelen Alexander adding 74 rushing yards. While the offense didn't do much else outside those two, it was good enough to get the win. The defense was stifling, forcing two turnovers and allowing just 239 yards. Week two will present a slightly more challenging test against the Big 12’s Houston Cougars.

Army ::: Loss, Tarleton, 27-30 PGWE: 92% -- Army did not have the start to the season that they were looking for, taking a tough home overtime loss to FCS Tarleton State. New quarterback Dewayne Coleman led the team with 100 yards rushing, but also threw two interceptions and left the game with an injury. Three Army turnovers really crushed momentum, and they found themselves in a dogfight where every possession mattered. LB Andon Thomas led the defense with 14 tackles. Surprisingly, this veteran-laden defense was not able to stop the Texans and will need to regroup as they move forward.

UAB ::: WIN, Alabama State, 52-42 PGWE: 43% -- With head coach Trent Dilfer on the hot seat after a rough last year, this game was an excellent opportunity for UAB to get off to a good start to the season. The offense, led by QB Jalen Kitna and RB Jevon Jackson, put up points with ease. Kitna's throws were accurate and efficient, with two passing touchdowns, and Jackson racked up 166 yards and two scores himself. The problem for UAB was on defense, where Alabama State was able to throw all over this secondary. They will have to clean up that side of the ball if they want to be competitive in the American.

Independents

Notre Dame ::: Loss, at Miami (FL), 24-27 PGWE: 10% -- The Fighting Irish came up short in Miami to fall to 0-1 on the season after a valiant comeback attempt that was not quite completed. QB CJ Carr finished an uneven performance, going 20/31 for 205 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He did throw an interception as well. After a Miami field goal with 1:04 remaining, Carr was sacked twice to seal things up for the Hurricanes in South Florida. The running game struggled to get much going, averaging just 3.3 yards per tote, and that was a deciding factor. The Irish get a quick bye in week two and prepare for Texas A&M coming to South Bend in week three.

Connecticut ::: WIN, Central Connecticut, 59-13 PGWE: 100% -- The Huskies handled FCS Central Connecticut, 59-13 in week one. They threw it all over the Blue Devils, as Joe Fagnano racked up 260 yards and three touchdowns through the air. WR Skyler Bell led the way in the receiving crew with 135 yards and two touchdowns. 12 players recorded receptions in the game. After a tentative start, the defense found their footing and dominated the rest of the game. The crowd was recorded at 37,594, the largest at Rentschler Field since 2013. The Huskies look to bring this momentum with them into a week two showdown at Syracuse.

Mountain West Conference

Colorado State ::: Loss, at Washington, 21-38 PGWE: 0% -- The Rams' performance Saturday evening in Seattle was admirable under the circumstances. They were big underdogs, but fought back and found ways to answer UW's scores, even tying it up at 21 in the second half. The new offense had its moments, but was stymied by the Dawgs in the second half, finally succumbing to the more talented team. LB Owen Long was the star on the defensive side of the ball, racking up 13 tackles (11 solo). QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi struggled at times, including throwing a pivotal interception in the second half, which helped Washington gain some more distance on the scoreboard.

San Diego State ::: WIN, Stony Brook, 42-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Aztecs got off to a good start against FCS-level Stony Brook in week one. Their 42-0 victory was never in doubt. QB Jayden Dengal and RB Lucky Sutton were the catalysts from the start. Sutton racked up a career-high 100 yards on 23 carries and scored twice. Denegal managed the offense, going 13/25 for 207 yards and a score (with no picks). The defense was the story, holding the Seawolves to under 100 yards in the game and pitching a shutout. They will look to bring that level of play as the competition stiffens next week in Pullman, as they take on the Washington State Cougars.

Boise State ::: Loss, at South Florida, 7-34 PGWE: 2% -- The Broncos simply did not show up in their week one game in South Florida. After getting off to a decent start, things derailed quickly, and that #25 ranking is sure to fall after a 34-7 loss to the Bulls. They scored on their first offensive drive of the game, but didn't add another point for the rest of the game. They certainly missed their catalyst of the past two seasons in RB Ashton Jeanty. His replacement(s) managed just 122 yards on 38 carries. The offensive line was a disappointment overall, and they also failed to convert on three fourth-down attempts in USF territory. The Bulls pulled off a fake punt touchdown on top of it all, and it was a week one to forget for the Broncos.

Wyoming ::: WIN, at Akron, 10-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Cowboys won ugly in their opener in Akron, Ohio, over the Zips, 10-0. This is their first shutout victory in an opener since 1977. QB Kaden Anderson led the offense with 260 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception. RB Sam Scott was leaned on 29 times, and he responded with 129 yards. WR Chris Durr Jr. was the star, racking up 190 receiving yards and scoring the game's only touchdown. They did leave points on the board, though, racking up 400 yards, but only managed to cash in for ten points. On defense, they stymied the Zips all game and were led by LB Brayden Johnson, who racked up eight tackles and logged a key interception as they were driving for their first points of the game.

Utah State ::: WIN, UTEP, 28-16 PGWE: 76% -- The Aggies secured a 28-16 win over UTEP in week one. RB Miles Davis rumbled for a 58-yard touchdown run early in the game to set the tone for a rather ho-hum offensive performance overall. They did generate some explosive plays in Bronco Mendenhall's debut, but things weren't always great, as QB Bryson Barnes was sacked six times in the game. That is going to need to improve, but if anybody can get things rolling, it is Bronco. The defense did its job, holding UTEP to 181 yards passing and tightening on third downs (allowed just 4 of 15). They will need to tighten the run defense, which allowed over 200 yards and one explosive touchdown run. Things get a bit tougher in week two as they take on Texas A&M.

Air Force ::: WIN, Bucknell, 49-13 PGWE: 100% -- The Falcons secured an easy win over the Bucknell Bison in week one, marking their 19th consecutive opening game win. The offense utilized a little more balance in securing the victory, and after a punt on their opening drive, scored four straight touchdowns to pull away. Senior Cade Harris was the star on offense, running for two touchdowns and catching another. LB Korey Johnson returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown to help pull away. They dominated time of possession with a solid run game and completed 6/9 passes for 159 yards. The young defense was solid against the FCS foe. They have a bye in week two before taking on Utah State.

Nevada ::: Loss, at Penn State, 11-46 PGWE: 0% -- The Wolfpack faced one of the toughest challenges in college football in week one, playing on opening day in Happy Valley against Penn State. The fact that they managed to score 11 points is enough to claim victory, despite a final score of 46-11. They managed 203 yards of total offense against the vaunted Nittany Lions defense. QB Chubba Purdy did extend some plays using his athleticism (finished with 55 yards rushing), but struggled to a 7/15 line for 97 yards and an interception. The defense did an admirable job against the two-star backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, holding them to 62 yards on 16 combined carries. However, they did score three times. They get FCS Sacramento State in week two and should have their way.

Hawaii ::: Loss, at Arizona, 6-40 PGWE: 0% -- After a win in week zero against Stanford, the Warriors were smoked by the Arizona Wildcats in week one. Turnovers plagued the offense early, putting them in a hole they couldn't dig out of. They could not run the ball against Arizona, racking up just 67 yards. QB Micah Alejado struggled his way to an 18/31 performance for 157 yards and a pick before exiting, re-injuring his right ankle. The five Hawaii turnovers resulted in 23 points for the Wildcats. They held the ball for nearly nine more minutes, but managed just 3.8 yards per play. That's tough to overcome. Kansei Matsuzawa accounted for the only points, kicking two field goals from 34- and 41-yards.

New Mexico ::: Loss, at Michigan, 17-34 PGWE: 1% -- The Lobos battled in the Big House in week one. Even though they eventually fell 34-17, they put up a fight and even caused some angst amongst the sellout crowd in Ann Arbor. They actually were within 17-10 in the second quarter. They had a fun trick play touchdown after a direct snap to RB D.J. McKinney, he threw to an open receiver in the back of the end zone for a nine-yard score. QB Jack Layne was efficient with his throws, going 31/47 for 208 yards, but had three ill-advised throws that were intercepted. The defense played hard and even stifled the Wolverines from time to time throughout the game, but were done in by allowing chunk running plays to Justice Haynes of 56 and 59 yards. Despite the loss, it was a confidence-building game for the Lobos in Jason Eck's debut as head coach.

UNLV ::: WIN, at Sam Houston, 38-21 PGWE: 70% -- The Rebels looked better in their second game of 2025, handling Sam Houston to the tune of a 38-21 victory. They were in control for most of the game and looked notably improved on the defensive side of the ball after a shaky first outing against FCS Idaho State. QB Anthony Colandrea took over as the full-time starter here and was 19/23 for 249 yards through the air and managed three total touchdowns (two passing; one rushing). He found WR Jaden Bradley six times for 125 of those yards and a score. DB Aamaris Brown was the star on defense, racking up four tackles, two sacks, and a pick-six en route to earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Fresno State ::: WIN, Georgia Southern, 42-14 PGWE: 100% -- Matt Entz grabbed his first win as Fresno's head coach in a 42-14 victory over Georgia Southern. It didn't look good early after three turnovers led to two JC French touchdown tosses and a 14-10 deficit. However, the second half was a different story as the Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 29-0. They ran for 351 yards, their most since 2014. RB Rayshon Luke found the end zone three times, and Bryson Donelson rumbled for 167 yards and another score. After E.J. Warner threw two interceptions, the offense shifted to a more ground-heavy attack, taking over. It was a display of in-game adjustments that bodes well for the future of this program.

San Jose State ::: Loss, Central Michigan, 14-16 PGWE: 4% -- Central Michigan surprisingly upended the Spartans in week one in San Jose. It was a disappointing result as the high-flying offense from 2024 was not all there in the opener. QB Walker Eget threw for 308 yards, but was inefficient (24/43) with two costly interceptions. WR Danny Scudero was a bright spot, busting on the scene with nine catches for 189 yards in his debut. The running game did not do its part, forcing the offense to be one-dimensional, which the Chippewas were prepared for. The Spartans lost the turnover battle 3-0, and it's tough to overcome that deficit.

Conference USA

Western Kentucky ::: WIN, North Alabama, 55-6 PGWE: 100% -- The Hilltoppers returned to action in week one and nabbed their second win of the season relatively easily over FCS North Alabama, 55-6. QB Maverick McIvor torched the Lions for 305 yards and five touchdowns. K.D. Hutchinson had another big game, accumulating 113 yards and two scores on his five grabs. This one was never in doubt after North Alabama managed a pair of first-quarter field goals. The Hilltoppers now turn their attention to a showdown at Toledo in week two.

Louisiana Tech ::: WIN, Southeastern Louisiana, 24-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Tech defense picked up where they left off, nabbing a 24-0 shutout victory over FCS-level Southeast Louisiana. Linebackers Kolbe Fields and Sifa Leota led the charge with 13 tackles each, while Mekhi Mason added 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Offensively, things started slow but picked it up in the second half as things opened up a bit more for them. They will quickly transition from this Louisiana team, to another named Louisiana State University (LSU) in week two. Quite the difference and we'll see what that defense is really made of against the Tigers in Baton Rouge.

Florida International ::: WIN, Bethune–Cookman, 42-9 PGWE: 100% -- Willie Simmons records a successful debut for the Panthers as they beat up on FCS Bethune-Cookman, 42-9 in week one. They tied a school record with six rushing touchdowns in the game.

Middle Tennessee ::: Loss, Austin Peay, 14-34 PGWE: 0% -- Derek Mason's blue Raiders had one of the most disappointing results in all of week across college football. Their loss to FCS Austin Peay wasn't really even close. The Governors went there and beat them 34-14. Austin Peay jumped on them quickly, building a three touchdown lead before MTSU knew what happened. QB Nicholas Vattiato struggled for much of the game, completing only 15 of 36 passes for 104 yards. The Blue Raiders were outgained in total yardage, 341 to 153. They also had a critical roughing the passer penalty after cutting the game to a 10-point deficit in the third quarter. They couldn't overcome it. Next up is a trip to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers.

UTEP ::: Loss, at Utah State, 16-28 PGWE: 24% -- The Miners struggled their way to a 28-16 loss at Utah State in week one. When Malachi Nelson hit Kenny Odom on a 34-yard touchdown strike late in the first quarter, they were up 7-3 and feeling good about their chances. They allowed Utah State's Miles Davis to get loose down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown run, in which he tightroped the sideline and appeared to step out of bounds. It was not overturned, and the Aggies went on a 17-0 run. The long-awaited debut for Nelson, who won the starting quarterback job, was nothing special as he went 22/34 for 178 yards, the touchdown to Odom, and one interception. The defense consistently pressured the backfield, racking up six sacks and 12 TFLs. They need to tighten up on the penalties that plagued them in the third quarter. Overall, a decent performance but a loss to open the 2025 season.

Liberty ::: WIN, Maine, 28-7 PGWE: 88% -- A win is a win, but there are some causes for concern with Jamey Chadwell's group after a 28-7 victory over FCS Maine. They got off to a slow start and didn't even tie the game until there were just seven seconds left in the first half when QB Ethan Vasko found Reese Smith on a nine-yard connection. That was after Maine broke through with a 77-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. Things improved after the break as the Flames won the second half 21-0 to secure the win.

New Mexico State ::: WIN, Bryant, 19-3 PGWE: 80% -- Tony Sanchez gets a win in his first game as head coach for the Aggies, beating FCS Bryant 19-3. This didn't come without challenges on the offensive side of the ball. They only managed to outgain the Bulldogs by 50 yards (305 to 255) and really struggled on third down, converting just 4/15. QB Logan Fife found PJ Johnson III for a 20-yard touchdown strike early on and then RB Kadarius Calloway put things away late with a 17-yard touchdown scamper. Between the two touchdowns, there was a lot of 'meh'. The defense was solid against the lower-level opponent, but it doesn't overshadow a solid performance from JACK Jamall Thompson Jr., who racked up nine tackles.

Sam Houston ::: WIN, UNLV, 38-21 PGWE: 30% -- The Bearkats fall to 0-2 on the season after a 38-21 loss to UNLV at home. The struggles continue on both sides of the ball. They are now rotating at quarterback with Hunter Watson and Mabrey Mettauer (Wisconsin transfer) getting a chance to infuse the offense with some life. Mettauer provided the one big play in the passing game, with a 59-yard touchdown pass to Tim Burns Jr. in the fourth quarter. He also threw the only interception between the two. This final score was less indicative of the game flow, as the Bearkats added late touchdowns to make it appear closer than it was. A lot of work to do for Phil Longo in his first season at the helm. Hawaii is up next.

Jacksonville State ::: Loss, at UCF, 10-17 PGWE: 6% -- It was a valiant effort through the rain and delays in Orlando against UCF, but ultimately it fell short. Tied 0-0 at the half both teams were trying to find their footing (literally). Charles Kelly's head coaching debut for the Gamecocks was doomed by two late touchdowns from Tayven Jackson, who replaced their injured starter Cam Fancher. The offense was stymied most of the game, but one bright spot was TCU transfer RB Cam Cook, who got involved in multiple facets, running for 75 yards and grabbing four passes for 43 more. He was unable to convert a fourth-and-one run with just 1:35 left before the Knights took the ball and quickly struck for the winning score. All in all, a solid performance for the Gamecocks in week one.

Kennesaw State ::: Loss, at Wake Forest, 9-10 PGWE: 12% -- No opening loss still provided more of an upbeat feel post-game than this Owls team going into a road ACC environment and coming out losing by just one point. Jerry Mack's squad was well prepared and put on a defensive show against another transitioning program in Wake Forest. The 10-9 final score tells the story. Both defensees dominated after both offenses showed promise on the first (scripted) drives. The Owls want to go fast, and Indiana transfer Dexter Williams II looked the part at times; however, as the game rolled along, the struggles in the passing game intensified. The Owls held the Deacons, who lost their star RB Demond Claiborne on the first drive of the game, to just 2.8 yards per carry on 47 run plays.

Missouri State ::: Loss, at USC, 13-73 PGWE: 0% -- The Bears entrance into the FBS ranks was not exactly ceremonious, having to travel to LA to take on the USC Trojans in the Coliseum sure seemed like an enormous task. The 73-13 final score will tell you just about everything you need to know. They actually held a lead in this game, 3-0 early, which included an impressive 23-yard scamper from FIU transfer RB Shomari Lawrence, but it was all downhill from that point. The Trojans racked up just under 600 yards of total offense. Veteran QB Jacob Clark had his moments, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Tristian Gardner in the second quarter. That was about it for the highlights. The Bears get a much more manageable week two game as they head to Marshall to take on the Herd.

Delaware ::: WIN, Delaware State, 35-17 PGWE: 95% -- The Blue Hens open their FBS time with an easy win over 'rival' Delaware State, an FCS opponent. So, we'll wait to pass much judgment. They likely lost their starting QB, Zach Marker, to a knee injury in the game. The offense under backup (now starter) Nick Minicucci was solid. They put up 409 total yards, including a late 50-yard touchdown pass to Jake Thaw to put things away. They limited mistakes, outside of the fumble lost on the play Marker was hurt. This game was tight in the third quarter before the defense came up with two key takeaways, including one interception returned for a touchdown to help put things away. The Hens now travel to Boulder to take on Coach Prime and the Buffaloes in week two.

Mid-American Conference

Toledo ::: Loss, at Kentucky, 16-24 PGWE: 11% -- Toledo were a popular underdog this weekend to pull of an SEC upset but it did not happen. They hung with Kentucky for a bit as it was 10-2 heading into the 4th. A late TD made the scoreline a bit more flattering. Penalties proved costly throughout the game as they racked up 11 for 93 yards. The Toledo defense held its own vs. a below-average offense by SEC standards. They created a safety, but couldn't stop the Big Blue Wall rushing attack for a lot of the game. Gleason got into a bit more of a groove late. He found some chemistry with standout WR Junior Vandeross. The explosive offense of WKU is next, presenting an intriguing matchup for two contrasting styles.

Ohio ::: Loss, at Rutgers, 31-34 PGWE: 43% -- Ohio gave Rutgers everything they had and probably deserved a win. Parker Navarro showcased why he might be playing on Sundays. He was flawless through the air and also made a significant impact with his legs. RB Sieh Bangura's return to the Bobcat offense was also a welcome addition. For as good as the offense was, the defense was a big letdown. They could not get any crucial stops or disruptions. Rutgers only punted once, coming away with points on all their other drives. Ohio's offense will definitely have the rest of the MAC on notice though as they look like early contenders for the conference based on other results around the MAC.

Miami (OH) ::: Loss, at Wisconsin, 0-17 PGWE: 1% -- Miami's offense was stifled the whole game by a smothering Badger defense. Dequan Finn got nothing going through the air, and his mobility was kept in check, too. Going 0-for-9 on third down sums up Miami's night. The defense performed admirably. They created some pressure, forced a turnover, and held Wisconsin to 350 yards despite them having ~40 minutes of possession. Adam Trick had a standout game with several tackles, two sacks and two TFLs. If the offense can find some traction, it should give Rutgers a pretty tough test next week.

Western Michigan ::: Loss, at Michigan State, 6-23 PGWE: 0% -- WMU had a productive first drive that showed promise for the offense but ultimately ended with a TOD. And after that drive, there was very little the rest of the way. MSU dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Neither Jones nor Lowry asserted themselves as the starting quarterback, so that headache will linger for at least another week. The game felt out of reach at halftime, and both sides went through the motions the rest of the way. Tate Hallock snagged an INT for a touchdown to provide one positive moment in an otherwise pretty uneven contest. WR Leary, despite not being on the injury report, had very little playing time, which was curious.

Central Michigan ::: WIN, at San Jose State, 16-14 PGWE: 96% -- The Drinkall Era at CMU began with a bang, and it all started wth some power running. They punched San Jose State in the mouth and kept driving the ball down the field on the ground. Eventually, the Spartans sold out on the run and began to handle the rushing attack, but CMU did enough early to stay in the game and win it late down the stretch. The Defense surrendered a couple of big passing plays, but they kept SJST's offense off-balance enough throughout the game and also forced three turnovers. Overall, an impressive road performance to start the season in a game few were giving them a chance to win.

Northern Illinois ::: WIN, Holy Cross, 19-17 PGWE: 98% -- Holy Cross is a pretty tough FCS outfit, and they definitely made things tense for the Huskies in week one. NIU's offense struggled. Holst had few moments, got hurt, and eventually returned. Telly Johnson was stifled on the ground, and it was actually backup runner Chavon Wright who had some big moments. A kickoff return touchdown bailed out the anemic offense. The NIU defense was smothering. They allowed very little on the ground and forced a pick as well. Their kickoff team also let up a return for a score. In the end, NIU did just enough to sneak by Holy Cross. NIU will need to get the offense in gear to keep up with what Maryland put on display in week two.

Eastern Michigan ::: Loss, at Texas State, 27-52 PGWE: 0% -- EMU took a thumping at the hands of Texas State. The Bobcats came away with points on nine of ten drives against the Eagles’ defense. QB Noah Kim was okay early on, and Dontae McMillian had some nice chunk runs out of the backfield, but they could not keep up with the scoring pace of the Bobcats. The defense will want to burn the tape on this one. They surrendered 600+ yards, and most surprisingly, nearly 400 of it was on the ground. Lots of missed tackles turned modest gains into chunk plays. Fortunately for EMU, they'll have a get-right game vs. FCS LIU next.

Akron ::: Loss, Wyoming, 0-10 PGWE: 0% -- A shutout in the home opener was not the way the Zips hoped to start the season. The run game never got in gear, and despite the close score, it felt like it was abandoned a bit in the play calling. For such a close game, a 60/40 split in pass attempts vs. rush attempts seems wildly off-balance. Finley and the receivers were not in sync, connecting only ~40% of the time on pass attempts. It's tough to tell whether it was because of a bland Wyoming offense, but Akron's defense played well. They kept them in the game the entire time and even generated some momentum with a big interception by Markus Boswell. Unfortunately, the offense never took advantage.

Bowling Green ::: WIN, Lafayette, 26-7 PGWE: 95% -- A win is a win, but it wasn't quite a statement win for Eddie George’s team in his debut against FCS Lafayette. Perhaps they were holding a bit back in their playcalling, given it was an FCS opponent, but on the surface, there weren't a ton of offensive bright spots. QB Drew Pyne's first appearance gave a bit of cause for concern. He made only three throws of 10+ yards, and even when not pressured, did not seem to create much. The defense did what it had to do. They allowed very little and kept the game in hand from nearly the start to the finish. They didn't generate any turnovers, as they didn't have to play aggressively. There were a couple of key injuries during the game in the defensive backfield that are being monitored.

Buffalo ::: Loss, at Minnesota, 10-23 PGWE: 1% -- The good from this one is that WR Victor Snow is a game breaker on offense. The downside was that the running game struggled against the Gophers, and QB TaQuan Roberson had few standout moments, aside from the deep ball touchdown pass to Snow. They hung the defense out to dry by failing to sustain drives, which allowed Minnesota to pull away late. Buffalo went three-and-out on their final three possessions, which followed their only score. Time of possession for the Gophers was 38:28, so considering that, the Bulls defense held up admirably, and Murdock demonstrated why he's a force on defense. Given the opponent, Buffalo played a quality road game and should not be too disappointed.

Ball State ::: Loss, at Purdue, 0-31 PGWE: 0% -- There were not many positives to glean from Mike Uremovich's first game in charge of Ball State. Purdue burst out to an early lead and never let up. Ball State went three-and-out on three of their first four possessions and it was 21-0 before they knew it. It's not a surprise that Ball State wanted to establish the run, but their lack of confidence to pass, especially when trailing, is alarming. The defense didn’t muster much of a fight either. They were exposed pretty equally by the run and pass, didn't generate much pressure, and didn’t force any turnovers. Small positives included not turning the ball over and outpossessing Purdue. K Carson Holmer missed cashing in on points, shanking kicks from 48 & 29 yards.

Kent State ::: WIN, Merrimack, 21-17 PGWE: 100% -- Kent State saw their first win in quite some time. It wasn't pretty, and the competition wasn't exceptional, but they managed to get it done. QBs CJ Montes and Dru DeShields split time under center. Both had their moments and also points of concern. Jordan Nubin, listed as out before the game, was a significant concern both for this game and going forward. The defense did pretty well in stopping scripted run plays but were exposed a bit from quarterback scrambles. The bright spots include the emergence of WR Cade Wolford, creating a couple of big plays in limited snaps, as well as Da'Realyst Clark's crucial kick return touchdown to reclaim the lead late.

Massachusetts ::: Loss, Temple, 10-42 PGWE: 0% -- UMass started off strong against Temple, opening with a beautifully scripted drive and followed it up with another long drive ending in three points. After that, everything stalled on offense. Even on a couple of additional good drives the rest of the way, they ended in a turnover on downs, a fumble, and an interception. While the offense stalled, the defense also had no answers for Temple's methodical attack on the ground and through the air. On top of the lack of success, there are serious injury concerns in the secondary. They had three defensive backs, who would normally see snaps listed as questionable and none played. This will need to be monitored going forward.

Sun Belt Conference

Appalachian State ::: WIN, vs. Charlotte, 34-11 PGWE: 96% -- The Dowell Loggains era at Appalachian State kicked off emphatically with a 34–11 victory over Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium. Quarterback AJ Swann dazzled, throwing three TDs and commanding the offense with poise. Rashod Dubinion powered the run game, while Jaden Barnes rebounded from an early mistake to deliver a 134-yard receiving performance with a score. App State totaled 586 yards of offense, outgaining Charlotte by a wide margin. The defense was equally dominant—stifling the 49ers’ run game and forcing turnovers at critical moments.

Troy ::: WIN, Nicholls, 38-20 PGWE: 100% -- Troy launched its season with an emphatic 38–20 comeback win over Nicholls State, powered by a dominant fourth quarter and a physical rushing attack. Goose Crowder orchestrated the comeback, tossing two touchdowns and rushing for another to erase a double-digit deficit. Tae Meadows spearheaded the ground game with 186 yards and a long touchdown run, while Tray Taylor and Ethan Conner contributed key TD receptions. The Trojan defense sealed the victory with relentless pressure—recording four sacks and numerous stops on third down. With no injury concerns left in their wake, Troy heads into next week’s showdown with Clemson with confidence and momentum.

Arkansas State ::: WIN, Southeast Missouri State, 42-24 PGWE: 99% -- Arkansas State kicked off the season with a convincing 42–24 victory over Southeast Missouri State, powered by Jaylen Raynor’s efficient arm and multi-dimensional ground assault. Raynor’s three-touchdown passing night was complemented by contributions on the ground from Ja’Quez Cross, Devin Spencer, and Kenyon Clay. The Red Wolves displayed balance and composure, building leads in each quarter and putting the game out of reach. Despite a mid-game push from SEMO, A-State maintained control behind a well-rounded effort—both in the air and on the ground—setting the tone for their forthcoming Sun Belt campaign.

Georgia State ::: Loss, at Ole Miss, 7-63 PGWE: 1% -- Georgia State fell hard in their season opener, losing 63–7 to Ole Miss in a game dominated by the Rebels from wire to wire. Ole Miss’s offense was onto something special—exploding for 400 passing yards and 295 on the ground—while the Panthers struggled to keep pace. Quarterback Christian Veilleux did manage to connect with Javon Robinson for a long touchdown. Still, the only real positives for Georgia State came from defensive efforts by Chams Diagne and Jordan Huff, who each recorded interceptions and led the team in tackles. With no reported injuries, the focus for the Panthers now shifts to regrouping and building for their upcoming home opener.

Louisiana ::: Loss, Rice, 12-14 PGWE: 26% -- In their season opener, Louisiana fell 14–12 to Rice in a defensive slugfest at Cajun Field, with the passing game never finding its rhythm. Quarterback Walker Howard struggled through the air, managing just 88 passing yards with an interception, though he did provide a spark with a 25-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Kicker Tony Sterner kept the Cajuns close with field goals from 47 and 51 yards, but Rice’s run-heavy attack, led by Quinton Jackson, proved too much to overcome. A failed two-point conversion loomed large as Louisiana’s offense sputtered, snapping their streak of eight straight season-opening wins.

South Alabama ::: WIN, Morgan State, 38-21 PGWE: 99% -- South Alabama opened the season with a convincing 38–21 win over Morgan State, leaning on a balanced attack and opportunistic defense. Running back Kentrel Bullock’s 127 yards and two TDs fueled the ground game, while Bishop Davenport’s precision passing added touchdowns and control. On the receiving end, Devin Voisin’s 31-yard scoring grab in the fourth quarter helped put the game away. Defensively, the Jaguars were dominant—Ty Goodwill’s 11 tackles and a defense that forced four turnovers set the tone with no injury concerns and strong showings in all three phases.

Louisiana-Monroe ::: WIN, Saint Francis (PA), 29-0 PGWE: 99% -- ULM opened its season with a clinical 29–0 shutout of St. Francis, marking its first blanking in a decade. Despite a near two-hour weather delay, the Warhawks imposed their will on both sides of the ball. Braylon McReynolds spearheaded the attack with explosive rushing and even scored through the air, while Aidan Armenta and Hunter Herring contributed touchdowns by ground and air. On defense, Perkins-McAlister and Wilson cemented a dominant front, consistently halting any St. Francis momentum. With no injury concerns emerging, ULM looks to build momentum as it prepares for its upcoming challenge at Alabama.

Georgia Southern ::: Loss, at Fresno State, 14-42 PGWE: 0% -- Georgia Southern jumped out to a promising 14‑10 lead early in the second quarter thanks to two touchdown passes from JC French IV, one going to Camden Brown. Chance Gamble’s interception helped set up that second score. However, the Bulldogs responded decisively—with a 26-yard field goal before halftime to narrow the gap. Georgia Southern’s offense would be stifled thereafter, as Fresno State dominated the second half with a punishing ground game. The Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 29‑0 after halftime, tallying 351 rushing yards and scoring four rushing touchdowns. Georgia Southern couldn’t find its rhythm in the second half and suffered a 42‑14 loss in its opener.

Texas State ::: WIN, Eastern Michigan, 52-27 PGWE: 100% -- Texas State opened its 2025 campaign with a commanding 52–27 victory over Eastern Michigan, powered by a dominant running game and sharp passing. Redshirt freshman Brad Jackson dazzled under center, throwing four touchdowns, while Beau Sparks hauled in four of those scores. Lincoln Pare and company rushed for 332 rushing yards, with Pare himself totaling 167. Although the defense stumbled early, it tightened up after halftime, preserving the win. Despite the lopsided result, head coach GJ Kinne emphasized the need to sustain defensive consistency, especially as the Bobcats look ahead to tougher tests.

Coastal Carolina ::: Loss, at Virginia, 7-48 PGWE: 1% -- Coastal Carolina’s season opener was a disappointing start, as they were dismantled 48–7 by Virginia in Charlottesville. Quarterback MJ Morris showed flashes, completing over half his passes for 163 yards—but Coastal’s offense sputtered otherwise, with Ja’Vin Simpkins contributing their lone touchdown on the ground. Virginia’s transfer-fueled attack coasted, dominating all three phases with explosive passing, a punishing ground game, and game-changing special teams, including a blocked punt and a 100-yard kickoff return. Coastal’s defense couldn’t contain the Cavaliers, and the lack of offensive rhythm left plenty of questions as they head into their home opener.

Old Dominion ::: Loss, at Indiana, 14-27 PGWE: 42% -- Old Dominion put up a commendable fight in their 27–14 road loss to No. 20 Indiana, propelled mainly by Colton Joseph’s earth-shaking 75-yard touchdown runs to open and close the game. While those plays accounted for nearly all of their offense, the Monarchs struggled elsewhere—Joseph threw three interceptions, and the offense after those big plays couldn’t sustain momentum. Defensively, they yielded ground but held firm on all other drives. Ultimately, mistakes and inconsistency overshadowed flashes of potential in this season opener.

Southern Miss ::: Loss, Mississippi State, 17-34 PGWE: 3% -- Southern Miss opened the Charles Huff era with a spirited showing but ultimately fell 34–17 to Mississippi State. Braylon Braxton led the Golden Eagles with three total touchdowns—rushing and passing alike—but he couldn't compensate for a stalled second half. After staying competitive early, Southern Miss was outplayed in the third quarter, surrendering 21 unanswered points. Mississippi State's offense broke through with big plays on the ground and timely passing, while Southern Miss lacked sufficient resistance to reverse momentum. With no injury concerns, the focus now moves to regrouping and sharpening execution ahead of next week’s matchup.

Marshall ::: Loss, at Georgia, 7-45 PGWE: 1% -- Marshall battled hard in the 45–7 season opener against Georgia, but the Bulldogs pulled away early and controlled the contest. Freshman quarterback Zion Turner provided a glimpse of hope in the second half with a steady 100 yards through the air, while Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw paced the receiving group with clutch yardage. However, Georgia’s dominance—amassing 488 total yards and limiting Marshall to just 207—overshadowed those efforts. The Bulldogs’ physicality and execution smothered Marshall's rhythm, leaving the Thundering Herd with few positive takeaways beyond a modest second-half spark.

James Madison ::: WIN, Weber State, 45-10 PGWE: 99% -- James Madison opened the 2025 season with a commanding 45–10 win over Weber State, showcasing depth and dominance on both sides of the ball. QB Alonza Barnett III made a strong return from injury with passing and rushing scores, while Matthew Sluka added his own two-touchdown cameo. The ground game was powerful, fueled by George Pettaway and Wayne Knight’s combined 188 rushing yards, including Knight’s electrifying 59-yard dash. WRs Isaiah Alston and Landon Ellis kept the passing attack sharp with touchdown catches. Meanwhile, the defense and special teams provided sparks—forcing turnovers and blocking a punt that led to points. With no injuries to report, James Madison sets a confident tone as they look ahead to Sun Belt play.

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