Recap Rundown: Week Six
In our in-season segment 'Recap Rundown', we will give you the Cliff's Notes on every team that played in the past week. You'll get the 'need-to-knows' from each team's performance, notes, and news.
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: Clicking on the team name will take you to their live depth chart.
Note: The “PGWE” stands for “post-game win expectancy” number.
Enjoy this week’s edition of the ‘Recap Rundown’ presented by CFBDepth:
Southeastern Conference
Alabama ::: WIN, Vanderbilt, 30-14 PGWE: 95% -- Alabama avenged last season’s upset loss to Vanderbilt with a 30-14 victory. QB Ty Simpson led the offense, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, while RB Jam Miller ran for 136 yards and a score. After trailing 14-7 in the first half, Alabama scored a touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14 entering halftime. The defense dominated the second half, shutting out Vanderbilt and forcing two turnovers. The Crimson Tide secured the win with a 16-play, 69-yard drive in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a field goal that extended their lead to nine points. This is their second straight win over a ranked opponent and improved their home record under head coach Kalen DeBoer to 9-0.
Georgia ::: WIN, Kentucky, 35-14 PGWE: 100% -- The Dawgs defeated Kentucky 35-14, bouncing back from their loss to Alabama last week. The Bulldogs established an early lead with two touchdown runs from QB Gunner Stockton in the first quarter. The offense continued to perform well, with Stockton also throwing a touchdown pass to Cash Jones. RB Dillon Bell also contributed with two rushing touchdowns. The defense held Kentucky to 14 points, including a scoreless second half. Jamon Dumas-Johnson led the defense with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Ellis Robinson IV also contributed with his second career interception. They held the Wildcats to just 45 rushing yards. This win improves Georgia’s record to 4-1 on the season and marks their 16th consecutive victory over Kentucky.
Florida ::: WIN, Texas, 29-21 PGWE: 96% -- The Gators secured an upset over No. 9-ranked Texas, winning 29-21 at the Swamp. The offense was sparked by the impressive debut of freshman WR Dallas Wilson, who caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns from QB DJ Lagway. Lagway had his best performance of the season, throwing for 298 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-28 passing. The Gators’ ground game chipped in with 159 yards, and they converted 7-of-14 third downs. This win ended a three-game losing streak for Florida. Defensively, they put significant pressure on Texas quarterback Arch Manning, sacking him six times and forcing two interceptions. The Florida defense held Texas to just 52 rushing and 341 total yards. Despite a late push by the Longhorns, the Florida defense held strong, including a game-ending sack by George Gumbs Jr. to preserve the upset.
Texas A&M ::: WIN, Mississippi State, 31-9 PGWE: 100% -- The Aggies delivered a dominant second-half performance to defeat Mississippi State 31-9, moving to 5-0 on the season. After a slow start that saw them trailing 3-0 for most of the first half, the offense found its rhythm behind a strong running game, which racked up 299 rushing yards at 5.5 yards per carry. RB Rueben Owens II led the charge with 142 yards on 21 carries, while WR KC Concepcion caught two touchdown passes from QB Marcel Reed. The defense continued its impressive form, stifling Mississippi State’s offense for a second consecutive week. They recorded four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and held the Bulldogs to just 1/10 on third-down conversions. The Aggies pulled away in the fourth quarter with 17 unanswered points.
Kentucky ::: Loss, at Georgia, 14-35 PGWE: 0% -- The Wildcats fell to Georgia for the 16th straight time, 35-14. QB Cutter Boley had his moments, throwing for 225 yards and two touchdowns, including one to WR Kendrick Law. RB Seth McGowan was held to a season-low 44 rushing yards before leaving the game with an injury. They struggled most of the game on the offensive side of the ball and missed a short field goal to boot. Defensively, they weren’t much better, as strong tackling has become an issue over the past couple of weeks. While the Wildcats did force a turnover with an interception by Jordan Lovett, it wasn’t enough. The Dawgs converted 8/11 on third down and faced little resistance. The Wildcats fall to 2-3 on the 2025 season.
Mississippi State ::: Loss, at Texas A&M, 9-31 PGWE: 1% -- The Bulldogs hung around for a bit in the first half. Eventually, they suffered a 31-9 loss to No. 6 Texas A&M. They took an early 3-0 lead with a 24-yard field goal from Kyle Ferrie in the first quarter, but couldn’t muster much against that strong A&M defense. They allowed too much pressure, resulting in four sacks and nine tackles for loss, and converted just 1 of 10 third-down attempts. QB Blake Shapen did manage a 44-yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson in garbage time. RBs Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth combined for 119 rushing yards. This is their 14th consecutive SEC defeat as they head into a week seven bye to collect themselves.
Vanderbilt ::: Loss, at Alabama, 14-30 PGWE: 6% -- Vanderbilt suffered its first loss of the season to Alabama, 30-14 in Tuscaloosa. Despite holding a 14-7 lead in the first half, the Commodores’ offense was shut out in the second half by the Crimson Tide defense. QB Diego Pavia had his worst performance of the season, throwing for just 183 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while also losing a fumble. The running game, which was effective in the first half with 126 yards (12.7 yards per carry), was stifled in the second half, gaining only nine rushing yards. They struggled in the red zone, converting only one (of three) trips into points, while Alabama converted all of theirs. They also lost the time-of-possession battle. It wasn’t a total washout, but this was a game they had hoped to make a real statement in.
Texas ::: Loss, at Florida, 21-29 PGWE: 5% -- The Longhorns dropped their second straight and there are some significant questions surrounding QB Arch Manning’s ability to handle pressure. He completed just 16 of 29 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, the latter of which came in the fourth quarter as Texas attempted to rally. Manning was also sacked six times. They did not establish a run game, with their backs combining for only 11 yards on nine carries. The offensive line was manhandled at the point of attack. The defense also struggled, allowing Florida to gain 457 total yards and giving up multiple explosive plays. Add in a punt block, leading to a safety for Florida and you have all of the ingredients of an upset and a disappointing 3-2 start to the ‘25 season.
Oklahoma ::: WIN, Kent State, 44-0 PGWE: 100% -- As expected, the Sooners dominated Kent State with a 44-0 victory, notching their first shutout win since 2023. Starting in place of the injured John Mateer, quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. led the offense, throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. WR Isaiah Sategna caught two touchdown passes while racking up 172 all-purpose yards. RB Tory Blaylock took 15 carries for 78 yards, as the run game showed some signs of life against a relatively lifeless opponent. The defense held Kent State to just 135 total yards, including only 17 rushing yards. They recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers, including a strip-sack fumble recovered for a touchdown by Gracen Halton. R Mason Thomas stood out with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and the forced fumble.
Big Ten Conference
Ohio State ::: WIN, Minnesota, 42-3 PGWE: 100% -- The Buckeyes dominated Minnesota in a 42-3 victory. QB Julian Sayin was the star, completing 23 of 27 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. WR Carnell Tate exploded for 183 yards on nine grabs, including a 44-yard touchdown catch. Jeremiah Smith also contributed with seven catches for 67 yards and two scores. The offense amassed 474 total yards and converted 7 of 11 third downs. The defense was equally impressive, holding the Golden Gophers to just 162 total yards, including only 68 rushing yards. They stifled Minnesota’s offense on third downs, limiting them to just 1 of 11. This marks the third time in five games this season that this unit has not allowed a touchdown. The #1 Buckeyes are now 5-0 and prepare for a trip to Illinois in week seven.
Wisconsin ::: Loss, at Michigan, 10-24 PGWE: 1% -- The rough road that is 2025 continues for the Badgers, who fell to Michigan 24-10, marking their third straight loss. They started strong with an opening touchdown drive, but their offense stalled afterward, gaining only 177 total yards in the remaining three quarters and managing just one late field goal. They went with Hunter Simmons at quarterback, showed some flashes, but struggled overall. The offensive line also continued to struggle as they managed just 75 rushing yards on the day. Defensively, they held their own in the first half but wore down as the offense struggled to sustain any drives. Head Coach Luke Fickell falls to an 0-8 record against ranked teams during his tenure. Not what the Badger faithful were looking for from this hire.
Penn State ::: Loss, at UCLA, 37-42 PGWE: 45% -- In one of the more shocking results of 2025, UCLA upset the Nittany Lions 42-37. The defense struggled against UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who recorded five total touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and ran for 128 yards. Not many thought the loss of LB Tony Rojas would be so impactful, but it was. Their ‘spy’ game was off, and it opened up the whole playbook. They allowed 446 total yards, including 269 rushing yards, the most Penn State has given up since 2022. QB Drew Allar played well for Penn State, throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 78 yards. However, they couldn’t overcome critical mistakes, and this loss, following that double-OT loss to Oregon a week ago, raises serious questions about the program’s direction under head coach James Franklin.
Michigan ::: WIN, Wisconsin, 24-10 PGWE: 100% -- The Wolverines move to 4-0 on the season by beating up on the Badgers, 24-10. The offense, led by QB Bryce Underwood and RB Justice Haynes, found its stride in the second half. Underwood completed 19 of 28 passes for a season-high 270 yards and a touchdown. Haynes rushed for 117 yards, including a 43-yard run against Wisconsin’s solid run defense that had been limiting opponents to 50 rushing yards per game. WR Donaven McCulley led the way for the pass catchers with six grabs for a season-high 112 yards and a TD. The defense was dominant throughout the game, allowing only three points after Wisconsin’s opening touchdown drive. They held Wisconsin to 252 total yards and only 75 rushing yards, and got a key interception.
Northwestern ::: WIN, Louisiana-Monroe, 42-7 PGWE: 100% -- The Wildcats secured an easy 42-7 homecoming victory over ULM, grabbing a second straight victory. After ULM scored on the opening drive, the Wildcats responded with 42 unanswered points. QB Preston Stone was solid, completing 20 of 31 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 49 yards. He got more involved this week with Hayden Eligon II, Griffin Wilde, and Drew Wagner all catching touchdown passes. RB Caleb Komolafe continued his strong play, rushing for two touchdowns. The defense also made a significant impact, forcing turnovers, recording three sacks, and limiting ULM to only 273 total yards. They move to 3-2 and now look forward to a matchup with a limping Penn State squad in week seven.
Nebraska ::: WIN, Michigan State, 38-27 PGWE: 89% -- The Cornhuskers beat Michigan State 38-27, moving them to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. This was a game of runs. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, fueled by a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Carter Nelson and a rushing touchdown by Emmett Johnson. However, Michigan State responded with 21 unanswered points to take a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter. They rallied, scoring 24 points in the final quarter and a half to secure the win. Johnson led the way, rushing for 83 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. QB Dylan Raiola completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The offensive line struggled with pass protection, allowing five sacks. The Husker defense held Michigan State to 240 total yards and forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by DeShon Singleton. They now prepare for a trip to upstart Maryland in week seven.
Minnesota ::: Loss, at Ohio State, 3-42 PGWE: 1% -- The Gophers suffered a 42-3 loss to No. 1 Ohio State, falling to 4-2 on the season. The Golden Gophers’ offense struggled significantly against a dominant Ohio State defense, managing only 162 total yards, including a meager 68 rushing yards. They were also stifled on third down, converting only 1 of 11 attempts. QB Max Brosmer was held in check, completing 12 of 24 passes for 94 yards with two interceptions, marking his first multi-interception game of the season. They had to abandon that ineffective running game, turning one-dimensional against the Buckeyes. That’s not a sustainable model. Defensively, they played tough early on, holding Ohio State to a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. They were ultimately overwhelmed, allowing 474 total yards and failing to consistently pressure Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, who picked them apart.
Michigan State ::: Loss, at Nebraska, 27-38 PGWE: 11% -- The Spartans battled the Cornhuskers but ultimately fell 38-27, marking their second straight loss and dropping them to 3-2 overall, 0-2 in the Big Ten. It was the special teams that contributed to their downfall this week, as a blocked punt was returned for a Nebraska touchdown in the first quarter. They also turned the ball over three times, including a crucial muffed kickoff return late in the game that allowed Nebraska to take the lead for good. QB Aidan Chiles was intercepted twice in the first half and briefly left the game with an apparent injury after taking a brutal hit in the second quarter. He returned to score two rushing touchdowns but suffered another apparent injury in the fourth quarter. The defense did its best to keep them in the game, recording a season-high five sacks and seven tackles for loss. They held Nebraska to a season-low 261 total yards, including just 67 rushing yards.
Maryland ::: Loss, Washington, 20-24 PGWE: 31% -- The Terps’ perfect season has ended after a 24-20 collapse at home against Washington, blowing a 20-0 lead in the third quarter. The offense stalled in the second half, scoring no points on their final four drives, while the defense fatigued and surrendered 24 unanswered. After grabbing that 20-0 lead, QB Malik Washington managed the short passing game effectively but failed to generate explosive, downfield plays. They also curiously abandoned their run game when they had the lead. Defensively, they were unable to maintain their early dominance against a depleted Washington offense. The collapse exposed weaknesses on both sides of the ball for a Maryland team, and for some reason, the trend of Mike Locksley losing games after a bye week continues, as he is now 0-10 in games following the week off.
Purdue ::: Loss, Illinois, 27-43 PGWE: 21% -- The Boilers fell to No. 22 Illinois 43-27 in Week 6, marking their third straight loss this season and their 11th consecutive Big Ten loss. They held an early 7-0 lead after a touchdown run by QB Ryan Browne. However, Illinois responded with 24 unanswered points in the second quarter. They then turned the ball over, leading to another Illini score, and it was out of reach. The offense showed improvement in some areas, as Browne threw for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, completing 30 of 50 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing touchdown. WR Corey Smith grabbed a 60-yard touchdown reception, his first touchdown as a Boilermaker. The run game amassed 151 yards, with Antonio Harris leading the way with 69 yards and a touchdown on just four carries. Defensively, they did get after Illinois QB Luke Altmyer, but coverage breakdowns in the secondary ultimately cost them. Purdue hopes for the return of injured corner Tony Grimes in Week 7 to bolster the secondary.
Illinois ::: WIN, at Purdue, 43-27 PGWE: 79% -- The Illini avoided the ‘look ahead’ spot with Ohio State on deck next week, handling their business with a 43-27 win over Purdue and hold on to the Cannon rivalry trophy for a second consecutive year. The Illini’s victory was propelled by a dominant 27-point second quarter. QB Luke Altmyer had a career-best performance, throwing for 390 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Hank Beatty, who tallied 186 receiving yards on five catches. Running backs Ca’Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin also contributed with rushing touchdowns, though they struggled to just a 2.9 average in the run game. Illinois kicker David Olano tied an Illinois record with five field goals and set a program mark with 19 points. They now prepare for that showdown with the No. 1 Buckeyes next week.
Washington ::: WIN, at Maryland, 24-20 PGWE: 69% -- It looked like a lost cause when the Huskies found themselves down 20-0 into the third quarter at Maryland. Then, things turned. QB Demond Williams Jr. led the offense, throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 1-yard run by RB Jonah Coleman with just over three minutes left to play. The Huskies racked up 298 yards on their final five drives. The defense also played a pivotal role in the comeback, shutting out the Terrapins in the decisive fourth quarter and allowing only 48 yards during that period. Freshman DB Curley Williams stood out, allowing only three catches for minus-1 yard on six balls thrown his way. The win marked Washington’s first Big Ten road victory since joining the conference and its first conference win of ‘25.
UCLA ::: WIN, Penn State, 42-37 PGWE: 56% -- UCLA secured a stunning 42-37 upset victory over No. 7 Penn State for its first win of 2025. QB Nico Iamaleava had a breakout performance, accounting for all five of UCLA’s touchdowns (three rushing, two passing), racking up 294 yards of total offense. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 166 yards and rushed for a career-high 128 yards. The Bruins took an early 10-0 lead, scoring on their opening drive and then recovering a surprise onside kick. The Lions didn’t go down without a fight, narrowing the deficit to six points in the third quarter after a blocked punt. However, UCLA responded with a key scoring drive and a successful two-point conversion to re-establish a two-score lead. The Bruins’ defense, led by a crucial fourth-down stop by Scooter Jackson in the final minute, sealed the upset win, their first against a top-10 opponent since 2010. New offensive play-caller Jerry Neuheisel was carried off the field in celebration.
Big 12 Conference
TCU ::: WIN, Colorado, 35-21 PGWE: 97% -- In a revenge game of sorts, the TCU Horned Frogs beat up on the Colorado Buffaloes 35-21, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. CU was up 14-0 in the second half, and many people were wondering if the Buffs just have TCU’s number and could pull off the second big upset over Sonny Dykes squad a few years after the first. QB Josh Hoover stepped in to make sure that didn’t happen -- 275 yards, four TD. Star WR Eric McAlister went from questionable to big impact in the span of a few days by adding two scores on 65 yards receiving. TCU also won the turnover battle 4-0. TCU 4-1 (1-1) heads to Kansas State next.
Baylor ::: WIN, Kansas State, 35-34 PGWE: 68% -- Baylor wins a miracle in Waco over Kansas State, 35-34, after trailing nearly the entire game. After scoring 17 points in the first three quarters, they put up an 18-spot in the fourth to steal this one from the Wildcats. QB Sawyer Robertson had 345 yards, two touchdowns, and an INT, while RB Bryson Washington added 63 yards on the ground. Worth noting, Washington did lose a fumble, and his backup, Michael Turner, tallied nearly as many carries as him (7 to 9). TE Michael Trigg had a massive game with 155 yards on eight grabs. K Connor Hawkins was on point, going 2/2 on field goals, including a 53-yarder. The Bears get a bye next week.
Oklahoma State ::: Loss, at Arizona, 13-41 PGWE: 1% -- The Cowboys are still awful even after head coach Mike Gundy was let go by the program. The Cowboys lost 41-13 at Arizona in a game that was over by halftime. Interim HC Doug Meacham repeatedly praised Arizona’s defense in the post-game press conference, and for good reason. They managed just 158 total yards and turned the ball over twice. QB Zane Flores did get banged up, but finished the game with 9/20 47yds and an INT. The Cowboys host Houston this week, and it will be their best chance to secure a Big 12 win this season, but a 1-11 (0-9) record feels inevitable at this point.
Kansas State ::: Loss, at Baylor, 34-35 PGWE: 33% -- Kansas State’s disaster season continues as they blow a late lead in Waco, losing to Baylor 35-34. QB Avery Johnson threw a critical pick-six in the 4th quarter to give Baylor a 32-31 lead before teams exchanged field goals to get to that final. BU blocked a field goal from the 38-yard line as time expired to ensure victory. Before the critical turnover, it was one of Johnson’s better games with 339 yards and two passing TD, to go with 72 yards and a score on the ground. WR Jayce Brown had 106 yards and a TD as well. The Wildcats are now 2-4 (1-2), and their hopes for a spot in the Big XII Conference Championship in Arlington are all but over in the first week of October, as they have to win out and still hope for some help.
West Virginia ::: Loss, at BYU, 24-38 PGWE: 3% -- The Mountaineers put up a fight but fell 38-24 at BYU, limping their way into a bye week at 2-4 (0-3). The third- and fourth-string quarterbacks heading into the season got all the action in this one and combined for over 100 yards rushing. The issue is that Khalil Wilkins and Scotty Fox Jr. combined for only 135 yards in the air, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Starting RB Tye Edwards barely saw the field as he came back from injury with two carries for two yards. A team has never needed a bye week more to try to figure out how they want to finish off the season. Rich Rodriguez has some work to do and big changes are needed to find a silver lining for his first season back in Morgantown.
Iowa State ::: Loss, at Cincinnati, 30-38 PGWE: 1% -- Iowa State lost 38-30 at Cincinnati, marking its first loss of the 2025 season. QB Rocco Becht was the star of the show with 314 yards and two scores on 30/48 passing and two rushing touchdowns. That, despite taking a jarring hit and showing his toughness to stay in the game. RB Abu Sama had a solid day with 96 yards on the ground. WR Brett Eskildsen (105 yards, 1TD) and Chase Sowell (58 yards, TD) added solid production. ISU lost this one early when they fell behind 31-7 in the first half, but fought back in the second and even had a chance to tie the game late. They will look to bounce back against Colorado in Boulder, their second consecutive road game.
Texas Tech ::: WIN, at Houston, 35-11 PGWE: 100% -- The Red Raiders resemble a wrecking ball at this point, demolishing Houston 35-11 this past Saturday behind 345 yards and a touchdown from QB Behren Morton. RB J’Koby Williams (107 yards, 2 TD) and Cameron Dickey (98 yards) combined for over 200 yards on the ground while WR Caleb Douglas added 114 yards receiving. The Tech DL continues to wreak havoc as they add two more sacks to their tally, and the rest of the defense is loving it too, with interceptions from LB Jacob Rodriguez and DB Brenden Jordan. TTU is 5-0 (2-0) and now hosts their first B12 home game of the season with the Kansas Jayhawks coming to town.
Kansas ::: WIN, at UCF, 27-20 PGWE: 97% -- The Kansas Jayhawks bounce back with a big-time 27-20 win at UCF. The Knights led for a lot of this game, but RB Leshon Williams was not having it. Williams had three touchdowns with 58 yards rushing, and QB Jalon Daniels added 235 yards in the air. They accumulated 358 yards of total offense -- to UCF’s 375. They protected the ball this week, avoiding any costly turnovers. That single-handedly was the difference in the game as KU took UCF’s one turnover, a Tayven Jackson fumble, and turned it into seven points one play later. Next up is a showdown with the new class of the Big XII, Texas Tech in week seven.
BYU ::: WIN, West Virginia, 38-24 PGWE: 98% -- It was an explosive play party for BYU in their 38-24 win over WVU. The Cougars averaged 14 yards per pass behind freshman QB Bear Bachmeier’s career high of 351 yards. Bachmeier also threw his first career INT, but it could be good to get that out of the way in this blowout, which wasn’t actually as close as the score indicated. RB LJ Martin added 90 yards and two scores, while Bachmeier added another score on the ground as well. WR Chase Roberts (161 yards) and Parker Kingston (111 yards, TD) each had huge nights. There are things to clean up, though, as BYU fumbled the ball three times (lost two). They have Arizona next.
Cincinnati ::: WIN, Iowa State, 38-30 PGWE: 100% -- The Bearcats took down No. 14 Iowa State at home 38-30 and now have cemented themselves into the Big 12 title conversation. It’s all happening behind UC’s impressive offensive line as the Bearcats had 264 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. QB Brendan Sorsby basically ended the game on an 82-yard TD connection with WR Caleb Goodie. Star LB Jake Golday stands out again with 12 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. It’s not often a punter is mentioned in our recaps, but Max Fletcher’s punt pinned the Cyclones back at the one-yard line in a second-half comeback bid that came up short. Cincy moves to 2-0 and gets UCF at home next.
UCF ::: Loss, Kansas, 20-27 PGWE: 4% -- The Knights are off to a 0-2 start in Big XII play after dropping a home game to Kansas, 27-20. UCF led for much of the game, but wasn’t able to fend off KU in the end. They dealt with quarterback injuries in the game, which disrupted their early rhythm behind their captain, RB Myles Montgomery, who had 110 yards and two touchdowns. QB Tayven Jackson looked to aggravate an earlier injury, and they turned to former starter Cam Fancher, who performed solidly and got them in position to tie the game, but they were unable to punch it in from the one-yard line at the end. They now head north to face their rival Cincinnati, but the Knights are limping with some impactful injuries.
Houston ::: Loss, Texas Tech, 11-35 PGWE: 0% -- Houston fell 35-11 at home to the mighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. QB Conner Weigman was knocked out early in this one with an upper-body injury, and he didn’t return, but the game was over before it started. Weigman is in concussion protocol. They were doubled up in total yards, 552 to 267, and also lost the turnover battle 3-1. Tech held the ball for 38 minutes to just 22 for the Cougars. An impossible task for backup QB Zeon Chriss to try to make a miracle happen, but he did have 59 yards on the ground as the Red Raiders’ defense was just too much. WR Amare Thomas was a bright spot with 70 yards receiving and a touchdown. They head to Stillwater for a slumpbuster in week seven.
Arizona ::: WIN, Oklahoma State, 41-13 PGWE: 100% -- Arizona got back on track after its loss last week with a blowout win over Oklahoma State, 41-13. The defense absolutely locked down the Cowboys, but QB Noah Fifita was the star of the show, throwing for 376 yards, five touchdowns, and one pick. They spread it around nicely through the air, with five pass catchers posting over 50 yards receiving. One head-scratcher to take away from this win is that they managed just 46 yards rushing (on 32 carries), despite leading the whole game. If the Wildcats didn’t turn the ball over twice, this would’ve been even uglier. Next up is #18 BYU.
Colorado ::: Loss, at TCU, 21-35 PGWE: 3% -- The Buffaloes blew a 14-0 lead for the second time in two weeks and fell to TCU, 35-21. Most of it was self-inflicted as they lost the turnover battle 4-0. Colorado had the same amount of yards and first downs as TCU, but the Horned Frogs turned them into touchdowns, while the Buffs turned them into TCU celebrations. QB Kaidon Salter threw three costly interceptions, but did have 217 yards and two touchdowns, on the bright side. Freshman WR Kam Mikell fumbled a punt to add to the steep hill to climb in this one. They are banged up, but need to turn things around quickly as a hungry and mad Iowa State comes to town in week seven.
Atlantic Coast Conference
Florida State ::: Loss, Miami (FL), 22-28 PGWE: 7% -- Florida State’s comeback bid ran out of runway in a 28–22 loss to No. 3 Miami. After falling behind 28–3, Tommy Castellanos steadied and hit back-to-back touchdown drives before a final field goal set up an onside try that the ’Noles couldn’t snag. The hole was dug earlier: turnovers and flags extended Miami possessions, and the secondary surrendered four TD passes off layered shot plays. Duce Robinson again surfaced as the reliable chain-mover, but FSU’s offense spent too long off schedule to fully erase the deficit.
Louisville ::: Loss, Virginia, 27-30 PGWE: 89% -- Louisville fell 30–27 in OT to Virginia in a game decided by mistakes and margins. Chris Bell (12–170–2) kept the Cards alive, and Cooper Ranvier’s 50-yarder forced overtime, but two defensive touchdowns conceded—a 61-yard scoop-and-score and a 47-yard pick-six—tilted the ledger. The run game never found traction for the Cards (54 yards), and after five second-half sacks of Miller Moss, an overturned catch in overtime led to a short field goal before UVA punched in the winner.
Clemson ::: WIN, at North Carolina, 38-10 PGWE: 99% -- Clemson dominated North Carolina 38–10 with a first-quarter avalanche—28 points on 15.8 yards per play—and never looked back. Cade Klubnik carved the Tar Heels with four first-half touchdowns, Adam Randall and Christian Bentancur did the finishing, and a first-snap 75-yard flea-flicker pass from Antonio Williams to T.J. Moore set the tone. The Tigers paired a clean sheet (no turnovers) with balance (399 passing yards, 488 total yards) and controlled the tempo throughout. Defensively, they held UNC to 270 yards and limited explosive plays as the game state tilted early.
Miami (FL) ::: WIN, at Florida State, 28-22 PGWE: 94% -- Miami outlasted Florida State 28–22 behind Carson Beck’s four-TD night and a pass pro unit that kept him clean (one sack). The Canes built a 28–3 cushion with vertical shots—Toney and Daniels split two scores apiece—then leaned on situational execution to survive FSU’s late surge. The run game didn’t pop (~97 yards on 32 carries), but it bled snaps while the defense limited explosives until the frantic finish. FSU’s rally produced two TDs and a field goal, yet Miami avoided the big mistake and watched two onside-kick hopes die to close it out.
North Carolina State ::: WIN, Campbell, 56-10 PGWE: 99% -- NC State overpowered Campbell 56–10, lighting up the first half with 482 yards and four CJ Bailey touchdown passes to put it out of reach early. The Pack hit chunk plays in waves—Hollywood Smothers ripped off 123 on just four totes and added a TD grab, while Jayden Scott finished drives with two rushing scores as the offense stacked 607 total yards. Defensively, Kenny Soares Jr. set the tone and Sabastian Harsh added 1.5 sacks as Campbell mustered 188 yards and only 10 points after an early short-field strike.
Virginia Tech ::: Loss, Wake Forest, 23-30 PGWE: 28% -- Virginia Tech fell 30–23 in a game decided by red-zone finishing and late situational snaps. The Hokies ran it effectively in spurts (152 rushing yards) and got touchdowns from Marcellous Hawkins and Takye Heath, but four second-half possessions inside the Wake 25 produced just three John Love field goals—including a fourth-quarter miss that loomed. Wake Forest stacked points before halftime and then bled the clock with a long fourth-quarter march to restore a seven-point cushion. The Hokies’ defense kept the door cracked, yet the offense couldn’t capitalize on the final chance.
Duke ::: WIN, at California, 45-21 PGWE: 100% -- Duke flipped a 21–7 hole into a 45–21 win with a ruthless second-quarter surge and a defense that took over. Darian Mensah (265, 2 TD) settled the offense, Nate Sheppard sparked explosives (91 yards, two scores), and Anderson Castle cashed drives at the goal line. The defense authored the turning point—six sacks and four interceptions—as pressure rattled Cal’s freshman QB and set up short fields for a 24-point second quarter. After halftime, Duke controlled situational downs and closed with two more touchdowns to cap 38 unanswered. The lone health note: standout LB Tre Freeman exited early with an injury and did not return; no update was provided postgame.
North Carolina ::: Loss, Clemson, 10-38 PGWE: 2% -- Clemson flattened UNC 38–10 by landing haymakers in the opening 15 minutes—starting with a 75-yard double-pass touchdown and a 28–3 first quarter—and never letting the game breathe. Max Johnson moved the ball between the 20s (213 yards), but third-down struggles (2-for-11) and limited rushing production (57 yards) kept the offense out of phase until Benjamin Hall’s late score. The Tigers dictated pace with explosive passing—Cade Klubnik tossed four first-half TDs—and built a yardage edge of 488–270 while UNC added to the uphill climb with eight penalties.
Syracuse ::: Loss, at SMU, 18-31 PGWE: 4% -- Syracuse fell 31–18 at SMU in a game defined by early missed chances and late-arriving offense. The Orange were stuffed on 4th-and-goal on their first possession and came away with just a field goal from three red-zone trips, while Rickie Collins’ three interceptions undercut a 279-yard day. SMU built a 31–3 cushion behind Kevin Jennings’ four touchdown passes, and although SU mounted a 15-point fourth-quarter surge, the hole was too deep. The bigger blow came in-game: WR Justus Ross-Simmons exited with a left-ankle injury and didn’t return, leaving a thin receiving corps to finish out the night.
Pittsburgh ::: WIN, Boston College, 48-7 PGWE: 100% -- Pitt buried Boston College 48–7 by pairing a freshman quarterback breakout with a suffocating start on defense. Mason Heintschel looked poised from snap one, tossing four touchdowns and steering five first-half scoring drives as the Panthers raced to 31–0 at the break. Kenny Johnson owned the intermediate windows, while Juelz Goff and Ja’Kyrian Turner finished drives on the ground as Pitt stacked 503 total yards. Defensively, the Panthers choked off any rhythm—BC had 69 yards in the first half and didn’t reach the end zone until the final two minutes.
Boston College ::: Loss, at Pittsburgh, 7-48 PGWE: 1% -- Pitt overwhelmed Boston College 48–7, burying the game with a 31–0 first half and a four-TD passing day from true freshman Mason Heintschel. Offensively, BC never found traction—216 total yards, just 27 rushing, and three giveaways—until Shaker Reisig connected with Kaelan Chudzinski late to avoid the shutout. Dylan Lonergan managed 89 yards before the switch, while the defense struggled to get off the field as the Panthers stacked 503 yards and controlled possession nearly two-to-one.
Virginia ::: WIN, at Louisville, 30-27 PGWE: 12% -- Virginia edged Louisville 30–27 in OT by turning defense into points and finishing one more drive. The Cavaliers spotted themselves a cushion with Platt’s 61-yard fumble return and Robinson’s 47-yard pick-six, then leaned on a late surge up front—five second-half sacks—to keep the Cardinals from pulling away. In the deciding series, a Louisville catch at the six was overturned, the Cards settled for three, and J’Mari Taylor ended it on a direct snap. Chandler Morris managed the game (149 yards, 1 TD) and briefly left after a late hit but was fine afterward, per Tony Elliott. It wasn’t pretty at 237 total yards, yet UVA’s timely takeaways and situational backbone led to a signature road win.
Wake Forest ::: WIN, at Virginia Tech, 30-23 PGWE: 72% -- Wake Forest finished off a 30–23 road win by pairing a hot second quarter with fourth-quarter composure. The Deacs stacked three first-half touchdowns (Claiborne, Clark III, Falayi) to grab control, then leaned on Robby Ashford’s poise and a clock-chewing drive capped by Connor Calvert’s 27-yard kick. The defense delivered the difference, forcing Virginia Tech to settle for field goals on repeated red-zone chances and protecting a one-score margin despite a short-field giveaway.
California ::: Loss, Duke, 21-45 PGWE: 1% -- Cal blitzed out of the tunnel with three early touchdowns—Jordan King’s six-yard grab sandwiched around two Kendrick Raphael scores—to race ahead 21–7, but the night flipped on pass protection and giveaways. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s sharp opening (chunk throws to De Jesus, Grizzell, Mini) gave way to pressure and mistakes: 3 interceptions, six sacks, and only 41 rushing yards as Duke reeled off 38 unanswered to win 45–21. The Bears finished with 286 yards and four turnovers while the defense wore down under short fields.
SMU ::: WIN, Syracuse, 31-18 PGWE: 96% -- SMU handled Syracuse 31–18 by pairing QB Kevin Jennings’ efficient four-touchdown day with a defense that seized the early leverage. The Mustangs stuffed a goal-line try on the Orange’s first series, then stacked takeaways—three picks—and fourth-down stops to help build a 31–3 cushion. Jennings spread the wealth to Knight, Maryland, McFall, and Hudson while T.J. Harden kept the chains moving on the ground. Syracuse trimmed the margin late, but the outcome never seriously wobbled.
Pac-12 Conference
Oregon State ::: Loss, at Appalachian State, 23-27 PGWE: 57% -- The Beavers fell to Appalachian State 27-23 at Kidd Brewer Stadium, extending their losing streak to six games. The Mountaineers jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, as the Beavers struggled with special teams mishaps and defensive lapses early in the game. Despite the early deficit, the Beavers mounted a comeback, with David Wells Jr. scoring two touchdowns to cut the lead to 17-14 by halftime. The Beavers continued to fight in the second half, bringing the score to 27-23 after a forced fumble for a safety late in the fourth quarter. However, they were ultimately unable to convert in the red zone and score a potential game-winning touchdown in the final minutes, sealing their fate in week six.
The American Conference
South Florida ::: WIN, Charlotte, 54-26 PGWE: 98% -- USF hosted Charlotte on Friday night and secured a relatively easy 54-26 win. While it wasn’t pretty late with the defense allowing 16 points in the fourth quarter, the Bulls handled business. It has become the standard, but QB Byrum Brown was the star with 211 passing yards, 162 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns. Something to monitor will be the rushing attack, potentially losing lead back Cartavious Norton to injury. Sam Franklin and Nykahi Davenport helped the Bulls run for over 400 yards. On defense, Jarvis Lee and D.J. Harris each had an interception. They held Charlotte to just 279 total yards and 4-of-12 on third down, while USF had 631 total yards.
Memphis ::: WIN, Tulsa, 45-7 PGWE: 100% -- Memphis continued its roll in a 45-7 win over Tulsa and has established itself as a favorite for the Group of 5 spot in the playoffs. The offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up over 450 yards. QB Brendon Lewis had a nice game with 266 passing yards, 67 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. He did throw two interceptions and will need to improve in that area moving forward. WR Jamari Hawkins was excellent with seven catches for 110 yards. The defense was all over the field, allowing just 246 total yards and generating four turnovers. Kamari Wilson, Chris Bracy, and Samson Israel all had picks.
Tulsa ::: Loss, at Memphis, 7-45 PGWE: 1% -- Tulsa hit the road on Saturday, but got dominated by a talented Memphis team 45-7. Turnovers were the big story of the game for Tulsa, as QB Kirk Francis threw three interceptions and RB Ajay Allen lost a fumble. They could not get anything going against a stout Memphis defense. The group managed just 246 yards of total offense and had just three yards per rush. Francis did throw a touchdown to Micah Tease, but that was all Tulsa could muster on the day. Defensively, Elijah Green was able to pick off Memphis twice, while Ty Cooper had a sack and two TFLs. There were not many positives to take from this game as they hit the road again this week.
Temple ::: WIN, UTSA, 27-21 PGWE: 58% -- Temple started American Conference play with a spectacular win on Saturday against UTSA. The Owls were dealing with an extensive injury report, but pulled off a great victory after scoring 21 third-quarter points in the comeback. QB Evan Simon continues to play at a high level of football, scoring another two TDs and accumulating 181 yards. He has 12 TD passes this season and no interceptions. While lead RB Jay Ducker did not perform to his usual standard (he was questionable on the injury report), Hunter Smith filled in for him with 74 yards and a TD. TE Peter Clarke was the leading receiver with four catches, 82 yards, and a score. Jamere Jones and Avery Powell each had a pick on defense.
Navy ::: WIN, Air Force, 34-31 PGWE: 53% -- Navy defeated Air Force 34-31 in Annapolis in the first game of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series. Record-setting performances from several players highlighted Navy’s offense. QB Blake Horvath recorded a program record 469 total yards of offense, including 339 passing yards and three touchdowns, along with 130 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. RB Eli Heidenreich set new single-game and career records, with eight receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, LB Luke Pirris led Navy with 12 tackles, while Landon Robinson added 1.5 sacks and recovered a crucial fumble near midfield to seal the victory.
Charlotte ::: Loss, at South Florida, 26-54 PGWE: 2% -- Charlotte fell to USF 54-26 in their Friday night game, hampered by injuries and an inability to capitalize on turnovers. Charlotte’s offense was highlighted by backup quarterback Zach Wilcke, who threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns after starter Grayson Loftis struggled, completing only 2-of-11 passes for -1 yard and an interception. WR E. Jai Mason caught one of Wilcke’s touchdowns, and C.J. Stokes added a rushing touchdown. Linebacker Reid Williford forced a fumble, contributing to Charlotte forcing four turnovers. The 49ers played without 16 players due to injury, including four new season-ending injuries.
UTSA ::: Loss, at Temple, 21-27 PGWE: 43% -- UTSA lost its American Conference opener to Temple 27-21 on Saturday. Despite holding a 14-3 halftime lead, UTSA was outscored 24-7 in the second half, mustering only 41 total yards and two first downs in the fourth quarter while committing two turnovers. QB Owen McCown completed 25 of 37 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two costly interceptions. TE Patrick Overmyer scored a rushing and a receiving touchdown. RB Robert Henry Jr. had his six-game streak of 140+ rushing yards snapped, being held to 42 yards on 12 attempts. Defensively, UTSA recorded two sacks and allowed 219 yards to Temple in the second half.
Florida Atlantic ::: WIN, at Rice, 27-21 PGWE: 50% -- FAU defeated Rice 27-21 on Saturday in an American matchup. QB Caden Veltkamp led the offense, completing 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, including two to TE Michael Kirch, who recorded 82 receiving yards. WR Easton Messer was another key offensive player, catching 11 passes for 110 yards. They went 8 for 14 on third down with almost 400 total yards. The FAU defense was anchored by linebacker Leon Hart Jr., who tallied 10 tackles, while Dillion Williams and Tyler Stolsky each contributed eight tackles. The defense gave up yards, including 213 on the ground, but was able to do enough to get the win.
Rice ::: Loss, Florida Atlantic, 21-27 PGWE: 51% -- Rice lost to FAU 27-21 in an American Conference matchup. Despite winning the time of possession battle and converting ten of sixteen third downs, Rice’s offense struggled with consistency, and its defense had trouble containing FAU’s passing game. Offensively, RB Quinton Jackson provided a spark with a career-high 128 rushing yards, including a 68-yard touchdown run. QB Chase Jenkins also had a solid performance, throwing for a season-high 137 yards and a touchdown while also adding a two-yard rushing score. Defensively, Andrew Awe contributed ten tackles, while Ty Morris added eight tackles and three tackles for loss.
Army ::: WIN, at UAB, 31-13 PGWE: 98% -- Army defeated UAB 31-13 on Saturday. After leading 10-7 at halftime, Army dominated the second half, outscoring UAB 21-6 and relying on a powerful running game and timely defense. QB Cale Hellums was the offensive star, rushing for three second-half touchdowns. Special teams also contributed, blocking a UAB field goal early in the game. Defensively, they were led by Gavin Shields, who secured a crucial interception in the second half that led to one of Hellums’ scores. The defense contained UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna and limited the Blazers to just 108 yards in the first half.
UAB ::: Loss, Army, 13-31 PGWE: 3% -- UAB fell to Army 31-13 in their American Conference matchup on Saturday. Despite outgaining Army in total offense (362 yards to 295) and through the air (259 passing yards to Army’s 48), the Blazers were plagued by turnovers and missed field goals. After tying the game at 7-7 in the second quarter with a 90-yard drive, UAB was outscored 24-6 in the second half. Offensively, QB Jalen Kitna threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Daisy, while Ryder Burton added a rushing touchdown. Defensively, Calvin Pitcher led the team with 10 tackles, followed by Devin Hightower and Jonathan Allen, who each had nine.
Independents
Notre Dame ::: WIN, Boise State, 28-7 PGWE: 99% -- Notre Dame secured a 28-7 victory over Boise State. It was not pretty, as the game was described as “slopfest” due to a high number of penalties. Notre Dame was penalized 11 times for 112 yards, and the two teams combined for 24 penalties and 224 yards. The defense was much better, holding the Broncos scoreless for the final 35 minutes and forcing four interceptions. DB Leonard Moore returned to the lineup after an injury and had two of them. Offensively, they relied heavily on their run game, with that dynamic duo of Jeremiyah Love (103 yards and a score) and Jadarian Price (83 yards). Price broke off the play of the day on a spectacular 49-yard touchdown run where he broke several tackles. QB CJ Carr completed 15-of-23 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, one to Will Pauling and the other to Malachi Fields. The Irish win their third in a row and move to 3-2 on the season.
Connecticut ::: WIN, Florida International, 51-10 PGWE: 100% -- The Huskies finally recorded a blowout win after close wins and two overtime losses to start the 2025 season. On this day, they took it out on the FIU Panthers, 51-10. QB Joe Fagnano threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing before leaving the game early. UConn secured a 24-point lead by halftime, scoring on five consecutive drives between the second and third quarters. WR Skyler Bell caught two touchdown passes, while Cam Edwards and Oliver Lundberg Coleman each scored rushing touchdowns. Chris Freeman contributed with three field goals from 28, 36, and 43 yards. The defense held FIU to 304 total yards of offense and forced five turnovers. LB Bryun Parham had nine tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. The Huskies made stops on 12 of 15 third-down conversion opportunities. The win is the 100th in the career of head coach Jim Mora.
Mountain West Conference
Colorado State ::: Loss, at San Diego State, 24-45 PGWE: 0% -- Jay Norvell’s seat continues to warm by the week as the Rams put up another lackluster performance. With a 1-4 record and their lone win coming against FCS Northern Colorado by an uninspiring score of 21-17, the frustration and tension continue to rise in Fort Collins. The Aztecs ran for over 280 yards in a dominant 45-24 win, as the Rams were forced to play with urgency throughout the game to keep up with the Aztecs. They continue to struggle mightily on third down, which has made it very difficult for this young defense to flourish, as they are always behind in time of possession. The offense attempted multiple play styles during the game and had some success at times, but could not establish consistency or rhythm to give the Rams a real chance of winning. Colorado State could not find anything deep down the field as they only averaged 6.9 yards per pass, which ranked the lowest in the Mountain West for week six.
San Diego State ::: WIN, Colorado State, 45-24 PGWE: 100% -- San Diego State entered this game allowing only three points in the two prior weeks leading up to this late-night Friday matchup. With a dynamic quarterback room that loves pounding RPOs, the Aztecs have become one of the biggest surprises in the conference this year. They continued to display their versatile halfback room by running for nearly 300 yards on Colorado State. QB Jayden Denegal has improved every week, which is critical in maintaining the consistent success of this team. Even though the defense showed a few lifeless drives, when it mattered most —especially on third and long —the Aztecs stood tall. This game was never really in doubt after the first 20 minutes or so, as SDSU’s run game was just too lethal.
Boise State ::: Loss, at Notre Dame, 7-28 PGWE: 1% -- When you throw four interceptions and combine it with only about 100 rushing yards, it makes it nearly impossible to beat a team such as Notre Dame. The Broncos’ defense looked stout to start the game, but after being put in awful field position all day, it allowed Notre Dame to take control of the game. On 34 carries, the Broncos barely averaged 3 yards per carry, which forced Maddux Madsen to convert multiple third-and-forever against a talented defense. Boise also had 13 penalties, which is highly detrimental, no matter who you are up against. Head coach Spencer Danielson coached a smart and conservative game, but they couldn’t overcome the mistakes.
Wyoming ::: Loss, UNLV, 17-31 PGWE: 5% -- Wyoming hosted UNLV in a snow game, which would be a massive advantage for the Cowboys. Unfortunately, UNLV contained the line of scrimmage very well and prevented Wyoming from gaining any traction. QB Kaden Anderson and the Cowboys played very poorly in the first half, which included a pair of punts blocked and returned for UNLV touchdowns. Being a pass-heavy team is not what Wyoming wants to do, ever, unless it’s in desperation mode. OC Jay Johnson was vocal in press conferences during the week that he tried to break down UNLV’s defense methodically and schematically. After the deficit became too large, he was forced to adjust the game plan, which did not suit them well at all. Overall, it was a disappointing performance in Laramie with a chance to turn the season around.
Air Force ::: Loss, at Navy, 31-34 PGWE: 47% -- This game was not the typical Armed Forces matchup we are all accustomed to seeing. With over 550 combined passing yards and multiple lead changes, this game was quite literally a shootout. Liam Szarka has taken complete control of the helm for the Falcons and has been one of the more dynamic passing threats we have seen with Air Force in quite some time. Every time one team started to take control, the other would respond with a huge chunk of yardage, which created a chaotic Saturday afternoon in Annapolis. The defense has been a problem all season, and it held once again. Navy came up with some huge stops, one on fourth down late in the game, which ultimately cost the Falcons this game.
Nevada ::: Loss, at Fresno State, 17-20 PGWE: 13% -- Nevada’s quarterback situation has been one of the messiest in the country thus far in 2025. Saturday night only added to that confusion as the Wolfpack had practically nothing going for them on offense for about the first 35+ minutes. With some huge defensive stops that allowed Nevada to start some drives at decent field position, the game was in reach midway through the fourth quarter. RB Caleb Ramseur had himself a night and may have earned himself the starting job heading into next week, but the valiant effort was not enough as Fresno State won 20-17.
New Mexico ::: Loss, at San Jose State, 28-35 PGWE: 15% -- The Lobos came surging into the Bay Area with a 3-1 record, but ran into a wall against a man named Walker Eget. Eget did whatever he wanted all night, and New Mexico really had no answer for him. After being forced into a tempo and style of play with which they are not familiar, QB Jack Layne made multiple mistakes, including three interceptions. WR Keagan Johnson made some timely catches and racked up over 140 yards, but it was not enough to keep up with the high-octane offense of San Jose State. After giving up four sacks and also getting out-rushed by almost double the amount of yardage, it makes it very difficult to pull off a conference road win. They will need to put this one behind them and prepare for Boise State in week seven.
UNLV ::: WIN, at Wyoming, 31-17 PGWE: 95% -- The Rebels are off to a scorching hot start as they reach 5-0 for the first time in over two decades. In a challenging snow game in Laramie, the Rebels needed only 100 passing yards from QB Anthony Colandrea to pull off the victory. The offensive scheme fits the formula for winning a bad-weather game, but coming from Las Vegas, they may not be prepared for those conditions in early October. Veteran head coach Dan Mullen didn’t let that happen. With two punts blocked for touchdowns, special teams really took over for the Runnin’ Rebels in this one. Wyoming actually outgained UNLV by over 100 yards, but it was mainly due to catch-up yards in garbage time, as UNLV maintained control for the entire 60 minutes.
Fresno State ::: WIN, Nevada, 20-17 PGWE: 88% -- Fresno State’s defense was the difference maker early in this game as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 20-3 lead at halftime following a pair of receiving touchdowns by WR Josiah Freeman. QB E.J. Warner was playing smart and conservative football until the offense began to stall in the second half. With multiple three-and-outs, which allowed Nevada to get back into the game, the Bulldogs found themselves only up 20-17 mid-way through the final quarter. With a few huge defensive stops led by their leader, LB Jadon Pearson, who was dominant all night, the Bulldogs prevailed.
San Jose State ::: WIN, New Mexico, 35-28 PGWE: 86% -- The Spartans opened the game firing on all cylinders and gained some crucial offensive momentum that they had been searching for. QB Walker Eget was brilliant all game long, throwing just four incompletions. After forcing three interceptions, two by Jalen Bainer, they were in the driver’s seat to pull out their first conference win of the season. New Mexico made a strong push in the fourth quarter after scoring points on two different drives, but ultimately the deficit was too large, as the Spartans chewed up the clock with a solid running game. In his first-ever collegiate start, freshman RB Steve Chavez-Soto ran for 71 yards and two touchdowns in place of the explosive Floyd Chalk IV, who got injured in the previous week. With Chalk likely redshirting, watch out for Chavez-Soto to be a real breakout candidate as we get deeper into conference play.
Conference USA
Western Kentucky ::: WIN, at Delaware, 27-24 PGWE: 72% -- The Hilltoppers beat Delaware 27–24 in a comeback victory to stay unbeaten in CUSA play on the road. After struggling offensively and heading into halftime with a 17–10 deficit, the Hilltoppers’ defense turned the tide of the game in the third quarter by turning the Blue Hens over twice. A 25-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Koron Hayward gave WKU its first lead, and a forced fumble by Dylan Foster was recovered near the goal line, stopping a potential Delaware score. In the final seconds, the defense made a crucial stop on a fourth-and-one play before the Blue Hens missed a game-tying field goal. It’s good that they can find a way to win games even if the offense struggles.
Florida International ::: Loss, at Connecticut, 10-51 PGWE: 1% -- The Panthers had their doors blown off by UConn this week, losing 51-10. There were struggles on both sides of the ball, as the Huskies scored on nine drives, five of which were consecutive between the second and third quarters. FIU quarterback Joe Pesansky threw for 100 yards, while the team’s leading rusher, Kejon Owens, gained 67 yards and scored the Panthers’ only touchdown. The injury-riddled defense gave up 527 total yards, including 355 passing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Joe Fagnano. This one was further hindered by penalties and turnovers, resulting in two fumbles and three interceptions. This is the second loss in a row for Willie Simmons’ squad after an impressive win over FAU in week three.
New Mexico State ::: WIN, Sam Houston, 37-10 PGWE: 100% -- The Aggies beat Sam Houston 37-10 at home to kick off week six. This win improved the Aggies’ home record to 3-0 for the first time since 2007 and marked the program’s seventh 3-2 start to a season since 1975. New Mexico State scored 14 points in a mere 54 seconds in the fourth quarter to help seal their dominant victory. Sam Houston lost two fumbles during the game, including one on the ensuing kickoff after New Mexico State took a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Logan Fife led the Aggies with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver TK King caught six passes for 132 yards in his return to the field. A 71-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Naeten Mitchell put the final touches on the win.
Sam Houston ::: Loss, at New Mexico State, 10-37 PGWE: 1% -- Sam Houston suffered a 37-10 road loss to New Mexico State to kickoff week six on Thursday. The Bearkats have fallen to 0-5 for the second time in three seasons. Their offense ranks among the worst in the FBS, averaging only 268.8 yards per game, while their defense is also struggling, allowing 483.5 yards per game. A turning point in the game came early in the fourth quarter when New Mexico State scored 14 points in just 54 seconds to extend their lead to 27-10. QB Hunter Watson threw for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bearkats also struggled with ball security, losing two fumbles, despite being the only Conference USA team without a fumble lost before this game.
Delaware ::: Loss, Western Kentucky, 24-27 PGWE: 28% -- The Blue Hens fell to WKU 27–24 despite outgaining them by nearly 100 yards, 435-338. They entered halftime with a 17–10 lead after a strong first half, but two critical turnovers in the third quarter gave the Hilltoppers the momentum they needed to rally. A pick-six by WKU’s Koron Hayward and a forced fumble by Dylan Flowers near the goal line flipped the game on its head. The Blue Hens fought back in the fourth quarter, with quarterback Nick Minicucci scoring a touchdown to bring the game within three points. However, a missed 42-yard field goal by kicker Nate Reed as time expired sealed the heartbreaking loss.
Mid-American Conference
Ohio ::: Loss, at Ball State, 14-20 PGWE: 73% -- It was a frustrating day for Ohio, and the frustration started early as they put together two good drives in the first quarter that ended in a missed field goal and a turnover on downs in the red zone. These early missed opportunities proved costly as they allowed Ball State to wake up and settle into the game. The Ohio defense was stingy in the first half and was especially suffocating on the Ball State run game (4.1 yards per carry for the day). Chase Hendricks had another 100+ yard day receiving, but the rest of the offense all had their off day on the same day. QB Parker Navarro was erratic and seemed to be having issues with center Nick Marinaro, as several snaps ended up on the ground. Ohio will head into the bye hoping to get healthy and back on track.
Miami (OH) ::: WIN, at Northern Illinois, 25-14 PGWE: 88% -- Miami was glad to see the return of Dequan Finn as the starting quarterback against NIU. It took him a little while to start making an impact on the game, but once he got into a groove, he and the Redhawk offense kept it clean and methodically controlled the ball, holding possession for 40 minutes. Finn ran for 90 yards and threw for 170, showcasing his dual-threat ability. After some early big plays and NIU jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Redhawk defense allowed nothing for the rest of the game. They kept the Huskies to 4/14 on 3rd downs, continually getting crucial stops to get off the field. Adam Trick remains a disruptive force up front on the defensive line.
Western Michigan ::: WIN, at Massachusetts, 21-3 PGWE: 100% -- The story for the Broncos continues to be the defense as they move to 2-0 in MAC play. The defensive line is generating regular pressure from Dame Tucker and company. The opposition’s run game is being held in check, but LB Saipaia, SS Tate Hallock, and the DB room are keeping everything in front of them, limiting big passing plays while the pass rush does its job. The WMU was less impressive than the previously porous defense for UMass. QB Broc Lowry did well enough, though, to manage the state of the game, going 18/25 with 163 yards and also picking up 90 yards rushing. It appears that the plan is to mitigate mistakes and control the ball, while relying on the defense to stifle the opposition - the plan is working well thus far. Up next, a home game against Ball State.
Central Michigan ::: Loss, at Akron, 22-28 PGWE: 11% -- The Chippewas played a turnover-free game, stuck to the run game, which was solid, and didn’t have a significant penalty discrepancy with Akron, but they made a big misstep right before halftime. After driving 93 yards, their last play was ruled to be intentional grounding (with no timeouts) and required running off of the last few seconds and ending any hopes of a comeback. Trailing in the fourth quarter, they had to increase their passing game, but Akron countered that with a relentless pass rush, making it challenging for Joe Labas to operate. The defense failed to make the big stops when needed. They consistently applied pressure to Akron QB Ben Finley, but only came away with one sack, allowing Akron to maintain control of the time of possession. CMU heads into their bye week at 1-1 in MAC play.
Northern Illinois ::: Loss, Miami (OH), 14-25 PGWE: 13% -- NIU decided to start Brady Davidson over Josh Holst at quarterback, and it appeared to be the right call early on. They scored on their first two drives but then did not do so again for the rest of the game. The defensive strategy against this team is to smother them within 15 yards, as there has not been a significant downfield passing threat. The run game also struggled outside of a 76-yard touchdown run to kick off the game by Lazaro Rogers. Defensively, NIU held firm, as they had been early on, but Miami ended up controlling the ball for almost 40 minutes and eventually pulled ahead in the third quarter. Quinn Urwiler continues to be everywhere on the field for the Husky defense (14 total tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL).
Eastern Michigan ::: Loss, at Buffalo, 30-31 PGWE: 54% -- Once again, the pregame injury report got longer for EMU, but they showed an incredible amount of fight, taking the Bulls to OT. They attempted a 2-point conversion in OT to try to win the game in the first frame, but came up just short. The bright spot was that the offensive line is stabilizing with the same five players, and they were performing in the run game. They chipped away all day long with 3-5 yard gains and maintained ball control to the tune of 37 minutes. RB Dontae McMillan led with 117 yards on 20 carries. QB Noah Kim managed the game well and did not have any turnovers. The EMU defense got hit with some big passing plays by Buffalo, but it’s almost understandable given the injuries in their back seven right now. EMU hosts a struggling NIU team next, also trying to get their first MAC win.
Akron ::: WIN, Central Michigan, 28-22 PGWE: 89% -- Just 1-9 in the last 10 against Central Michigan, and with this season looking like a lost one (again), Akron stepped up and put together a solid 60 minutes in front of their homecoming crowd with the upset over the Chippewas. Despite poor pass blocking, QB Ben Finley hung tough, going 18/29 for 252 yards and three touchdowns. RB Jordan Gant was the star of the offense, picking up 176 yards on 32 carries. The opposing offense isn’t pass-heavy, but despite that, Akron still had five sacks (two sacks by Cyrus Durham). LB Gage Summers’ return from injury was also big as he stabilized the middle. Akron turned this their way mid-game with a touchdown drive, then thwarted a 92-yard drive to zero points. That was followed up with their own 8-play, 84-yard drive to start the second half.
Buffalo ::: WIN, Eastern Michigan, 31-30 PGWE: 47% -- Buffalo moves to 2-0 in the MAC, but just like with Kent State, it was not easy against the Eagles. The Buffalo rushing attack remains blunted, and despite the run defense being an early weak spot for EMU, they were not able to get on track. That’s a concern. However, the lack of a run game has seen an emergence in the Bulls’ passing attack as QB TQ Roberson threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns. The star of the Buffalo offense, WR Victor Snow, had two of those scores and 136 yards. The Bulls’ defense struggled to get EMU off the field as they possessed the ball for 37 minutes during regulation. In the end, EMU attempted to win on the 2-point conversion in overtime, but the Bulls finally secured the stop they needed to survive with a win as they head into their bye.
Ball State ::: WIN, Ohio, 20-14 PGWE: 28% -- Ball State had lost dive straight to Ohio entering their matchup yesterday, and they had to grit it out, but they prevailed with the upset win. Early on, the story was the Ball State defense, which held firm while the offense struggled to get in gear. Nathan Voorhis set the tone early and added 3.5 sacks to his already 8 on the season. Ball State failed to put points on the board with a strong zone into the red zone before the half, and that seemed very regrettable at the time; however, the offense came out much more composed in the third. QB Kiael Kelly demonstrated why he’s the leader of the offense, gaining tough yards on the ground and hitting some clutch passes on some crucial third downs. Trailing 14-12 with under three minutes left, Kelly put together a 70-yard drive culminating with a 43-yard TD to his favorite target, WR Qian Magwood, which proved to be the game-winner.
Kent State ::: Loss, at Oklahoma, 0-44 PGWE: 1% -- Injury news circulated pregame that Dru DeShields would be out and that Devin Kargman would draw the start at quarterback. And it seems precautionary, considering a much more winnable game is ahead for the Golden Flashes next week against UMass. Kent’s annual brutal non-conference schedule finally comes to an end as the Sooners easily dispatched them. They collectively lost 162-24 to Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma, and were rewarded with roughly $4.2 million for taking those beatings. As for this game, the offense did very little of consequence, but it was good to see key transfer RB Jordan Nubin finally see the field this season. The Kent State defense was equally outmatched, but it did tally three sacks on the night.
Massachusetts ::: Loss, Western Michigan, 3-21 PGWE: 1% -- UMass put forth a much stronger effort as their health improves on the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, the injuries are hitting the offense as key playmakers RB Rocko Griffin was out, WR TY Harding was announced ‘out for the season’ pregame, and the target machine, Jacquon Gibson, sustained an injury in-game. On top of the ailments, there is still uncertainty around the quarterback position midway through the season, as Hairston and Rose split snaps and neither grabbed hold of the job. The defense continues to struggle getting in the backfield, but the renewed health in the secondary held up in coverage in this one. MLB Timmy Hinspeter racked up several more tackles as the Broncos kept the ball on the ground a lot. UMass travels to Kent State next for its best chance at a win for the rest of the year.
Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State ::: WIN, Oregon State, 27-23 PGWE: 43% -- App State outlasted Oregon State 27–23 by pairing early explosives with fourth-quarter resolve. JJ Kohl hit Davion Dozier for chunk gains—capped by a 28-yard TD—and powered in a keeper as Rashod Dubinion carried the ground load. Special teams added two long Dominic De Freitas field goals, but the finish belonged to the defense: Colton Phares snagged an end-zone pick, the front stuffed four straight snaps at the 3-yard line with Myles Farmer tripping the runner on fourth down, and Zyeir Gamble sealed it with a last-minute interception. Even after a chaotic safety trimmed the lead, the Mountaineers closed with situational poise.
Troy ::: WIN, South Alabama, 31-24 PGWE: 69% -- Troy reclaimed the Belt with a composed 31–24 (OT) finish, riding QB Tucker Kilcrease’s three-TD night and an offensive line that paved the way for 217 rushing yards and never yielded a sack. Kilcrease’s career-long keeper set the tone, a strike to RaRa Thomas built the halftime edge, and an 11-yard dart to DJ Epps answered South Alabama’s third-quarter push. In overtime, Tae Meadows forced an incompletion on fourth-and-5 to seal it, capping a night where Devin Lafayette racked up 19 tackles and the secondary squeezed USA , limiting them to just 104 passing yards.
Arkansas State ::: WIN, Texas State, 31-30 PGWE: 53% -- Arkansas State stunned Texas State 31–30 with a closing kick from QB Jaylen Raynor, who completed every fourth-quarter throw, tossed two scoring passes, and capped the comeback with a four-yard keeper with seven ticks remaining. WR Corey Rucker (8 catches; 102 yards) kept drives alive underneath while the Red Wolves overcame a tough night against the run, allowing 289 yards, and a 30–24 deficit in the final 90 seconds. The difference came on margins: a Bobcats missed PAT reopened the door, Clune Van Andel nailed the go-ahead extra point, and they executed perfectly in its two-minute drill.
Georgia State ::: Loss, James Madison, 7-14 PGWE: 31% -- Georgia State led 7–0 at the break on TJ Finley’s touchdown toss to Camden Overton-Howard and a defense that slammed the door in the red zone, but the day flipped in the trenches after halftime. James Madison’s ground game took over while the Panthers were stuck one-dimensional (37 rush yards) and piling up penalties (15 for 114). Once the Dukes nudged ahead in the fourth, GSU couldn’t flip field position—its last three possessions never crossed its own 34—and the early cushion evaporated in a respectable 14–7 loss.
South Alabama ::: Loss, at Troy, 24-31 PGWE: 32% -- South Alabama dropped a gut-punch 31–24 in the Battle for the Belt despite owning the ground game and takeaways, before falling in overtime. QB Bishop Davenport powered the rally—ripping a 56-yard keeper to give the Jags a third-quarter lead and later finding Kentrel Bullock for the tying score with 1:54 left. The defense produced two timely takeaways, including an end-zone Nehemiah Chandler pick and a Dominic Wiseman strip that set up a field goal. Costly penalties and one empty possession too many proved to be too much to overcome. After Troy opened overtime with a touchdown, USA’s drive stalled on 4th-and-5. The box score tells the story: 265 rushing yards, +2 turnover margin, yet not quite enough third-down/late-game execution to steal it on the road.
Louisiana-Monroe ::: Loss, at Northwestern, 7-42 PGWE: 1% -- ULM landed first with a 34-yard Armenta-to-Trujillo touchdown, but Northwestern answered and then controlled the rest, handing the Warhawks a 42–7 loss. The offense flashed some explosive plays (Trujillo’s score, Griffin’s 48-yard grab), yet the run game never got traction, managing just 87 yards, and third-down issues (3-for-10) kept drives short. Defensively, ULM struggled to get off the field as the Wildcats racked up 515 yards and went 11-for-17 on third down, turning a 7–7 first quarter into 42 unanswered.
Texas State ::: Loss, at Arkansas State, 30-31 PGWE: 48% -- Texas State did enough between the 20s to win—519 yards, a 289-yard ground surge, and Brad Jackson’s dual-threat fireworks—but miscues in the margins flipped a 31–30 loss at Arkansas State. The Bobcats led 30–24 after Lincoln Pare’s late score, yet a missed extra point and poor clock-management choices gave A-State life. QB Jaylen Raynor then carved a last-minute drive for the tying TD and the deciding PAT. Defensively, the Bobcats front frustrated him for three quarters and got to him in the backfield, but fourth-quarter explosives and penalties (nine of them for 75 yards) and, of course, a missed PAT, proved too much.
Coastal Carolina ::: Loss, at Old Dominion, 7-47 PGWE: 1% -- Coastal fell 47–7 in Norfolk as the night tilted early on turnovers and explosives. The Chanticleers were stuck behind the sticks and went just 7/17 on third down, four sacks allowed, and just 81 rushing yards. QB Tad Hudson’s short game (108 yards) finally produced a fourth-quarter strike to Cameron Wright to avoid the shutout. Old Dominion flipped the script with big shots, including an 80-yard touchdown through the air and a 50-yard QB keeper, and piled up a 619–189 yardage edge, leaving CCU little margin to mount a response.
Old Dominion ::: WIN, Coastal Carolina, 47-7 PGWE: 99% -- Old Dominion smashed Coastal Carolina 47–7 with a complete three-phase performance that ended the suspense by halftime, leading 34-0. QB Colton Joseph diced the secondary (315 and four TDs) and added a 50-yard keeper. Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding finished drives with three scores, and Trequan Jones set the pace on the ground while Ke’Travion Hargrove uncorked an 80-yard catch-and-run. Defensively, the Monarchs strangled every lane—189 yards allowed total—as Jerome Carter piled up 12 tackles and takeaways from Mario Easterly, and Jackson Forrest flipped short fields. It was a wire-to-wire Sun Belt opener that showcased efficiency, explosives, and depth.
James Madison ::: WIN, at Georgia State, 14-7 PGWE: 70% -- James Madison outlasted Georgia State 14–7 by leaning on the run and hammering the finish. After a quiet first half, QB Alonza Barnett III punched in the tying score, and Wayne Knight’s 9-yard burst provided the lead as the Dukes stacked 211 rushing yards and controlled tempo. Defensively, they slowed the ground game, allowing just 37 yards and squeezing field position. Georgia State’s final three possessions each stalled before the 34-yard line. It wasn’t a pretty game, hampered by penalty flags, 26 of them combined, but the formula traveled: win the line, avoid turnovers, and close the fourth quarter with body blows.
Bye Weeks:
LSU, Auburn, Missouri, Ole Miss, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Iowa, Rutgers, USC, Oregon, Arizona State, Utah, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Washington State, East Carolina, Tulane, North Texas, Utah State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, UTEP, Liberty, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Missouri State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Louisiana, Georgia Southern, Southern Miss, Marshall.
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