Recap Rundown: Week Two

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'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, which is currently being updated/prepped for week two.

Another note: The “PGWE” stands for “post-game win expectancy” number. This is an averaged percentage of win probability between the two primary sources of information, CollegeFootballData.com and ESPN (via BillC).

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

Southeastern Conference

Alabama ::: WIN, Louisiana-Monroe, 73-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Tide absolutely demolished the Warhawks of ULM in week two. Any frustration they had pent up from the loss in week one at Florida State was put into this performance. QB Ty Simpson completed all 17 pass attempts for 226 yards and three touchdowns as the Alabama offense scored on all 11 possessions -- 10 touchdowns and one field goal. Backup QBs Keelon Russell and Austin Mack each threw a pair of touchdowns as well. Germie Bernard led the receivers with three receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns. The defense held ULM to a measly 148 total yards of offense. This was about as dominant a performance as it gets.

Auburn ::: WIN, Ball State, 42-3 PGWE: 99% -- The Tigers did not suffer a 'hangover' from the big first week win over Baylor, by handling Ball State with ease. In the 42-3 win, QB Jackson Arnold was really good, throwing for 251 yards, three touchdowns with an 86% completion rate. RB Jeremiah Cobb filled in for Damari Alston, who missed the game with injury, by running for 121 yards and two scores. The defense held a porous Ball State offense to just 68 yards of total offense, including -3 rushing yards. This is the lowest output against an Auburn team since 1985. LB Xavier Atkins was the star with five tackles, four for loss, and two sacks.

Georgia ::: WIN, Austin Peay, 28-6 PGWE: 99% -- The Dawgs beat Austin Peay in week two, but many fans are concerned at the margin of victory being just 22 points. In the 28-6 win, there was a lengthy weather delay (lightning) and some fundamental questions about how the Georgia offense played. They ran the ball effectively, and QB Gunner Stockton was efficient, but they really lacked the punch to get them over the top. The blame could be attributed to the weather delay, or it could be that the Dawgs didn't want to show anything as they prepare for SEC play. Either way, a win is a win, and they now look forward to taking on Tennessee in Knoxville in week three.

Florida ::: Loss, South Florida, 16-18 PGWE: 52% -- The Gators are officially on notice as the USF Bulls enter the Swamp and push them around, handing them their first loss of '25. Nico Gramatica kicked a walk-off field goal as time expired to complete the upset. Things unraveled on that final drive, including two penalties that prolonged the drive and added yards for the Bulls. They ended up with 11 flags for over 100 yards in penalties. This was not the one they were expected to lose. That's the problem. They have nothing but challenging games left on this slate, and now, Billy Napier must rally the troops and get this turned quickly. It can be done, but it will be an uphill battle.

LSU ::: WIN, Louisiana Tech, 23-7 PGWE: 97% -- The Tigers were given a little more than they expected from the visiting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in week two. QB Garrett Nussmeier was okay overall, throwing for 237 yards, but had an interception and took multiple sacks. The running game was held in check, aside from two long running plays. The Tigers lost a couple of key offensive linemen in the game, and that may have played a part. Blake Baker's defense had to rule the day (and they did), allowing just 154 yards of total offense and just 3/13 on third down conversion attempts. Regardless of how ugly it was, the Tigers move to 2-0 on the season and will get a Florida team coming to town, coming off an upset loss at home in week two.

Missouri ::: WIN, Kansas, 42-31 PGWE: 94% -- The "Border War" is back, and Mizzou reigns supreme after beating Kansas in CoMo, 42-31. This all came after falling behind 21-6 and extending their home winning streak to 12 games. The Tigers racked up nearly 600 yards of total offense and had their way with the Jayhawks all day. QB Beau Pribula was great, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns. RB Ahmad Hardy had an early long touchdown run, but it was backup Jamal Roberts who ended up as the most productive back, going for 143 yards and a game-clinching 63-yard touchdown scamper. The defense did its part, holding KU to just 31 rushing yards. The Tigers appear for real.

Ole Miss ::: WIN, at Kentucky, 30-23 PGWE: 89% -- The Rebels opened up SEC play with revenge on their minds from last year's defeat at the hands of Kentucky at home. They got the job done after another dogfight with Mark Stoops' club, 30-23. They fell behind early with QB Austin Simmons throwing two ill-advised passes to set up the Wildcats to take a 10-0 lead. It wasn't until late in the 3rd quarter that Ole Miss was able to even things up at 20. The defense stepped up while the offense took time to get rolling. That included a massive forced turnover on downs as the Wildcats were driving to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Austin Simmons was banged up late in the game and was forced to leave, but it is not expected to be serious.

Arkansas ::: WIN, Arkansas State, 56-14 PGWE: 100% -- The Razorbacks cruised to 2-0 with another easy win in week two against Arkansas State. They jumped out to a big lead, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter alone. QB Taylen Green put up 420 total yards and five touchdowns in a huge performance. He threw a touchdown to four different receivers as the offense put up a ridiculous 630 yards of total offense, of which, 321 were on the ground. They did give up a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the game, one of their only blemishes on the day. The defense was strong, racking up four sacks and two red-zone turnovers.

Texas A&M ::: WIN, Utah State, 44-22 PGWE: 93% -- The Aggies took care of the other Aggies (Utah State), 44-22 in week two. That result doesn't look all that impressive, considering the level of the opponent, but it was a solid win. QB Marcel Reed was cruising right along, accumulating four touchdowns (three passing; one rushing) before he left in the third quarter with an injury. That injury does not appear to be serious. The top receiver combo of Mario Craver and KC Concepcion combined for 11 catches for 187 yards and three touchdowns. The run defense tightened up after giving up over 200 to UTSA in week one, they held Utah State to 78. DE Cashius Howell was the star on defense. At one point, he recorded a sack on three consecutive plays.

Kentucky ::: Loss, Ole Miss, 23-30 PGWE: 11% -- The Wildcats forced two early turnovers to take a 10-0 lead over Ole Miss in week two and held that lead until late in the third quarter as they attempted to hand the Rebels a loss in back-to-back seasons. However, when the Rebels caught up, they didn't relent and held on 30-23. RB Seth McGowan was the offensive star, running for 88 tough yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats. The passing game struggled most of the game, and QB Zach Calzada eventually was injured and forced to leave. After the game, Mark Stoops said that regardless of the severity of the injury, he will want to get a look at some others running the offense, including Cutter Boley.

South Carolina ::: WIN, South Carolina State, 38-10 PGWE: 84% -- The Gamecocks took care of South Carolina State, 38-10 in week two. The game was delayed two and a half hours dur to lighting, which may help explain away a sluggish offensive start to the game. Vicari Swain returned two more touchdowns, a week after a huge return against Virginia Tech in week one. They added a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery from Jaron Willis. The lone offensive highlight was a 35-yard strike from LaNorris Sellers to Vandrevius Jacobs, but they managed only 253 total yards of offense against an FCS foe. South Carolina State scored in the fourth quarter after an 11-play touchdown drive against the Gamecocks' second-teamers on defense.

Tennessee ::: WIN, East Tennessee State, 72-17 PGWE: 99% -- The Volunteers scored 48 points in the first half alone en route to an absolute blasting of FCS East Tennessee State. They put up 717 yards of total offense and did not relent, throwing for 458 of them. They set new marks for points (72) and first downs (41) in this week two blowout. They were able to get three different quarterbacks in the game and each was able to lead scoring drives. WR Chris Brazzell II was the top receiver with 125 yards and two scores. The defense did their thing as well, holding the Buccaneers to just 216 total yards. They were able to stay healthy and primed for their big week three matchup with Georgia on tap.

Mississippi State ::: WIN, Arizona State, 24-20 PGWE: 87% -- In what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the week, the Bulldogs scored a late touchdown to propel them to a win over #12 Arizona State. They jumped out to an early 17-0 lead, but allowed the Sun Devils back in the game, allowing 20 unanswered points to fall behind 20-17 with just 1:38 left in the game. QB Blake Shapen rose to the occasion, leading a 77-yard drive, capped by a 58-yard touchdown strike on a broken coverage play with just 30 seconds left. Shapen finished with 279 passing yards and three touchdown passes, while Brenen Thompson emerged as the leading receiver with six catches for 133 yards and two scores, including that game-winner. The Bulldogs defense held Arizona State to just 82 passing yards and confused QB Sam Leavitt, picking him off twice. They did struggle a bit more against the run with two runners going over 100 yards. Head Coach Jeff Lebby gets his first signature win at the helm in Starkville.

Vanderbilt ::: WIN, at Virginia Tech, 44-20 PGWE: 99% -- Clark Lea and the Commodores make their first statement of the 2025 season by soundly beating Virginia Tech on the road, 44-20. They were actually losing this game by ten points at the half and then cruised to a 34-0 second half to shock the Hokies to an 0-2 start. This is the fourth consecutive season that the 'Dores have started 2-0 under Lea and the largest margin of victory after trailing by 10+ points in more than 80 years. The second half was a total dominance on both sides of the ball. They began controlling the line of scrimmage in both cases and wound up holding the Hokies to just 20 yards in the second half. They scored touchdowns on their first five drives of the second half. Just an incredible turn of events from one half to the next.

Texas ::: WIN, San Jose State, 38-7 PGWE: 99% -- Arch Manning was all the way back now that he had a little time and space to operate. San Jose State wasn't as relentless as the Buckeyes were the week before. He threw four touchdown passes and one more rushing, finishing 19/30 for 295 yards and on interception. He found a new favorite target WR Parker Livingstone four times for 128 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Cal transfer TE Jack Endries hauled in the other two Manning touchdown tosses. All of those were accomplished in the first half. The Longhorns' defense was strong as well. Despite the easy win, there were periods of sloppy play and too many penalties.

Oklahoma ::: WIN, Michigan, 24-13 PGWE: 92% -- The Sooners get their signature win over the Wolverines in week two in front of a raucous crowd in Norman. QB John Mateer continued his hot start, this time against a top defense, going to 345 total yards and three total touchdowns. He found top target Deion Burks seven times for 101 yards and a touchdown. The Sooners had a comfortable 14-0 halftime lead, but Michigan RB Justice Haynes got loose for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half to cut the lead in half. The Sooner defense bent but didn't break, allowing two field goals in the third quarter. The offense executed a beautiful 16-play drive that took up over eight minutes in the final quarter to seal the signature win for Brent Venables.

Big Ten Conference

Ohio State ::: WIN, Georgetown, 70-0 PGWE: 99% -- As fully expected, the Buckeyes had little trouble in week two against FCS Grambling State, winning 70-0. This was the ninth win in program history by at least 70 points. They managed this by scoring on eight of their first nine possessions and were led by QB Julian Sayin's 18/19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns. He hit on his first 16 passes, which set a new team record, surpassing Will Howard's 13 set just last year. WR Jeremiah Smith caught an 87-yard touchdown and finished with five grabs for 119 yards and two scores. The defense did their part, holding the Tigers to just 166 yards of total offense and added a defensive score on a 23-yard fumble return.

Wisconsin ::: WIN, Middle Tennessee, 42-10 PGWE: 98% -- The Badgers faithful expected a rout of Middle Tennessee in week two and while the Badgers wound up winning handily, it wasn't all that easy. The Blue Raiders are coming off a loss to an FCS team in week one, actually held a 3-0 lead after the first quarter and were down just 14-10 at the half. The second half was a different story as the Badgers figured it out and won the second stanza 28-0. QB Danny O'Neil drew the start for an injured Billy Edwards Jr. and was impressive, going 23-for-27 for 283 yards and three scores. Missouri State transfer TE Lance Mason caught seven passes for 102 yards and one of those scores. The MTSU passing game was relatively successful, racking up 197 yards on 20/31 passing, but the Badgers completely shut down the running game, holding them to just 33 yards on 28 attempts.

Penn State ::: WIN, Florida International, 34-0 PGWE: 99% -- Drew Allar was surprisingly mediocre in the week two 34-0 win over FIU in State College. He managed a 19/33 passing line with 200 yards and two touchdowns. The dynamic running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen each surpassed the 3,000 career rushing yards mark in this game. Allen ran for a career-high 144 yards, which included his longest run, a 67-yard touchdown scamper. The score was just 10-0 at halftime and it sparked some concern from the huge crowd. However, that was quickly spelled with a dominant second half. The Lions had just one penalty called against them in the game. They get one more tune-up next week against Villanova.

Michigan ::: Loss, at Oklahoma, 13-24 PGWE: 8% -- The Wolverines were outmatched in their trip to Norman, Oklahoma, losing 24-13 in the hostile SEC environment. After mustering no points in the first half, they scored a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half, courtesy of RB Justice Haynes, to cut the Sooner lead to 14-7. QB Bryce Underwood had his 'baptism by fire' moment in this one, struggling to find much room to do anything and eventually succumbing to the pressure. It was a good learning experience for the youngster, who finished just 9/24 for 142 yards in the game. Michigan had a chance to get even but had to settle for two field goals on decent third-quarter drives. They were eventually run down by a methodical 16-play drive that took eight precious minutes off the clock to seal it for the Sooners.

Northwestern ::: WIN, Western Illinois, 42-7 PGWE: 99% -- The Wildcats secured a win in week two against an inferior team, but the victory came at a significant cost. During the 42-7 win over the Leathernecks, they lost RB Cam Porter for the rest of the season due to a right leg injury. He had accumulated 91 rushing yards before the injury. QB Preston Stone looked the part after tossing four interceptions in the week one loss to Tulane, tossing three touchdowns for 245 yards on 21/29 passing in this one. The fun won't last long as they open Big Ten play next week, hosting none other than the Ducks of Oregon.

Indiana ::: WIN, Kennesaw State, 56-9 PGWE: 99% -- The Hoosiers did not relent on Kennesaw State in week two, demolishing the Owls 56-9 in Bloomington. QB Fernando Mendoza led the way, going 18/25 for 245 yards and four touchdowns. He did not make any mistakes. The running backs had their way as well, accumulating over 300 yards with many chipping in. Lee Beebe Jr. led with 90 yards. WR Omar Cooper Jr. provided a big play, going 75 yards on an end-around. The Hoosiers figured out their red zone woes from the week before, going a perfect 7-of-7 scoring touchdowns in this one. Mendoza's little brother, Alberto, entered the game and threw a touchdown pass of his own in the route.

Nebraska ::: WIN, Akron, 68-0 PGWE: 98% -- The week two whooping of Akron was led by Dylan Raiola's career-high 364 yards passing and four touchdowns on 24/31 passing before exiting in the third quarter. He hit on 20 straight passes after connecting on his first nine in this game, continuing from the last 11 completions in the week one win over Cincinnati. That is a new Nebraska record, besting the previous mark set in 1974. RB Emmett Johnson also had a career day with 140 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries. The Cornhuskers amassed 728 (!) yards of offense, which was the eighth-highest mark in program history. The defense notched its first shutout since 2009, holding the Zips to just 175 total yards and stopping them on 13/14 third downs.

Minnesota ::: WIN, Northwestern State, 66-0 PGWE: 100% -- The Gophers move to 2-0 with an easy 66-0 win over Northwestern State, but it came at a cost. Once again, star RB Darius Taylor exited the game early with an injury. We await word on the severity. The Gophers picked off the first play from scrimmage and took it to the house for a quick touchdown. After a pair of rushing scores, the defense added another touchdown, this time on a fumble recovery...and the route was on. They scored 35 points in the first quarter and eight different players found the end zone in the first half alone. All of this is great, but it must be noted that the NW State is one of the worst FCS programs running today.

Iowa ::: Loss, at Iowa State, 13-16 PGWE: 20% -- The Hawkeyes battled once again in the annual CyHawk game, but fell three poitns short against their rival Iowa State. This is the second straight loss and this is not a trend that will sit well with Hawkeye faithful. Kicker Kyle Konrardy nailed a field goal with just 1:52 left to give the Cyclones the lead for good. The Iowa offense struggled as QB Mark Gronowski finished just 13/24 for 83 years and an interception. They did put together two long sustained scoring drives, but couldn't muster anything more and came up short. They had the ball with a chance to tie it up, but allowed two sacks and turned it over on downs to seal their fate.

Michigan State ::: WIN, Boston College, 42-40 PGWE: 16% -- The Red Bandana game this year was a wild one! The Spartans edged it out in double overtime with both QB's playing great the entire game. Michigan State showed a lot of grit and heart in this win, this team has shown a lot of potential as this season continues.

Maryland ::: WIN, Northern Illinois, 20-9 PGWE: 63% -- Malik Washington still is working through some growing pains but overall, the true freshman QB looks like a very promising prospect for the Terps. This Maryland receiving group has turned out to be a lot deeper than expected, Washington has no shortage of weapons in his arsenal.

Purdue ::: WIN, Southern Illinois, 34-17 PGWE: 96% -- Purdue looked a little bit lackluster following their strong week 1 performance, but a win is a win. Mockabee seems to be forming into real bellcow back in the conference and is definitely the focal point of the offense.

Rutgers ::: WIN, Miami (OH), 45-17 PGWE: 79% -- Athan Kaliakmanis had an extremely efficient day with 4 touchdown passes to cap it off. Antwan Raymond has really started to break through as the lead back in this 3 headed monster committee.

Illinois ::: WIN, at Duke, 45-19 PGWE: 82% -- The Fighting Illini had a very strong overall performance against a tough Duke team. Illinois held Duke to only 80 rushing yards and had some timely turnovers that ultimately let them pull away in the 4th Quarter.

Washington ::: WIN, UC Davis, 70-10 PGWE: 100% -- Washington's Offense was incredible all night featuring Jonah Coleman, the star runningback with 5 touchdowns! Demond Williams continues to improve every game and Washington is becoming more of a legit threat in the Big Ten each week.

USC ::: WIN, Georgia Southern, 59-20 PGWE: 97% -- USC welcomed former Head Coach Clay Helton back at the Coliseum with 750 total yards of offense. Although the Trojans have played inferior opponents, it is safe to say Lincoln Riley's offense with QB Jayden Maiava is firing on all cylinders. Now entering conference play it will be intriguing how lethal this team can be.

Oregon ::: WIN, Oklahoma State, 69-3 PGWE: 100% -- Oregon came out of the gate strong with two 50+ yard touchdowns in the first 4 offensive plays of the game. Dante Moore only had to play 2.5 quarters in this one as the ducks piled in two 3rd quarter pick sixes which led to an impressive 66 point victory.

UCLA ::: Loss, at UNLV, 23-30 PGWE: 23% -- UCLA started the game very slow and stagnant. As the game went on and especially in the second half, the bruins found their stride but it was too little too late as the Running Rebels held them off in a 30-23 victory. The WR injuries are clearly detrimental to the team right now, they will need to get these guys back soon with a daunting schedule coming up.

Big 12 Conference

TCU ::: , , - PGWE: -- TCU was on a BYE last week and is hosting Abilene Christian this weekend before hosting another in state rival in SMU on 9/20.

Baylor ::: WIN, at SMU, 48-45 PGWE: 36% -- Baylor won a 2OT thriller at SMU 48-45 behind QB Sawyer Roberton's 440 yards and 4 TD. RB Bryson Washington added 115 yards and 2 TD on 31 carries. Multiple Baylor Bears players had 100 offensive snaps, and a few more over 90, so this game vs. Samford will be a much needed time for rotation. I expect the Bears to get their backups some work on Saturday. K Connor Hawkins emerged as Aranda's kicker of choice and went 2/2 and 6/6 XP in the process. It's his job till he loses it. We should find out who their QB2 is on Saturday vs Samford.

Oklahoma State ::: Loss, at Oregon, 3-69 PGWE: 0% -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys suffered their worst loss under HC Mike Gundy in a 69-3 defeat at Oregon. OSU was down 41-3 at halftime, this thing was never in doubt. Freshman QB Zane Flores was 7-19 for 67 yards and 2 INT. RB Kaleb Hick was the lone bright spot with 63 yards on 14 carries. OSU heads into a BYE before hosting Tulsa next Friday on ESPN, and there is no reason to assume the Cowboys will win that game. They look the part of one of the worst teams in the Big 12 especially after the loss of Hauss Hejny.

Kansas State ::: Loss, Army, 21-24 PGWE: 60% -- Just when you think Kansas State's disaster start can't get worse it does. The Wildcats only ran 45 plays in their 24-21 loss vs. Army while their defense was on the field a remarkable 82 times. QB Avery Johnson has yet to take the leap to stardom that many expected as he had 172 yds and a TD on 15/25 passing and the Wildcats rushing attack continues to not impress (18 carries 74 yards) with Dylan Edwards out with an injury. KSU heads to Arizona for the Wildcat Bowl in a non conference affair for the Big 12 programs. A friday night kick means one less day of recovery for a banged up KSU squad.

West Virginia ::: Loss, at Ohio, 10-17 PGWE: 19% -- WVU lost at Ohio 17-10 in the worst possible fashion. The Mountaineers lost RB Jahiem White and WR Jaden Bray for the season. RB room is in an awful spot with Clay Ash leading the way, and Ash is just not a RB1 at the P4 level. WR Cam Vaughn feels like the only real weapon for QB Nicco Marchiol going forward. WVU was limited to 178 yds passing & 72 yards rushing in Athens. Good news? LB Jimmori Robinson is likely going to be ruled eligible and could play vs. Pittsburgh this weekend. And that game is a big one for WVU fans, because it might be the last chance to take something positive from Rich Rod's first season back in Morgantown.

Iowa State ::: WIN, Iowa, 16-13 PGWE: 80% -- Iowa St. continues their hot start with a 16-13 win over Iowa after Kyle Konrady kicked a 54 yd FG with 1:52 remaining in the game. This was ISU's first CyHawk win in Ames since 2011. The Cyclones famous 3-3-5 D held Iowa to 214 total yards. Iowa St. now heads to Arkansas State for a random road game and the Cyclones will look to try to put some more points on the board after only scoring 40 points combined vs KSU. and Iowa. Expect to see ISU try to establish the run vs the Red Wolves as Arkansas put up 321 rushing yards on them last week. ISU's lack depth at the RB spot right now so Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III should put up solid numbers.

Texas Tech ::: WIN, Kent State, 62-14 PGWE: 99% -- Texas Tech QB Behren Morton eased injury concerns with a 258yd 3TD performance vs. Kent State in a 62-14 win this past Saturday. Texas Tech rotated a ton of guys in vs. likely the worst D1 team in the country. 70 players recorded snaps for the Red Raiders on offense and defense, even while they have quite a few guys out with injury. Safe to assume Morton and co. are ready to rock and roll at home vs. Oregon State this coming Saturday.

Kansas ::: Loss, at Missouri, 31-42 PGWE: 6% -- The Kansas Jayhawks fall to 2-1 after a 42-31 L vs the Missouri Tigers in the 1st Border War game in over 10 yrs. KU started out hot w/ a 21-6 lead in the 1Q, but Mizzou controlled the rest of the game & out gained KU 595 to 251. KU's offense showed up in the points column with 31, but had an alarmingly bad rush game especially considering the early lead -- 28 rush yds on 19 carries. QB Jalon Daniels was solid again, but he wasn't special. 18/30 223yd 2TD/1INT. KU enters their BYE week with their head up high after looking dynamic in their 2 wins & putting up a fight at Mizzou. WVU comes to Lawrence in 2 weeks.

BYU ::: WIN, Stanford, 27-3 PGWE: 98% -- BYU's defense shut down the Stanford Cardinal in a 27-3 win in Provo. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier remained conservative with 17/27 175yd while his counterpart Ben Gulbranson threw 2 picks to the Cougars defense. Star Cougars RB LJ Martin had 110 yards rushing on 18 carries and WR Chase Roberts had 84 yards on 5 receptions. Not much going on here as BYU dominated the game and ran clock as the Cardinal did not look up for it -- 35min time of possession for BYU. More experience for Bear Bachmeier and another win for the Cougars as they head into a BYE before going across the country to face East Carolina on the road in 2 weeks.

Cincinnati ::: WIN, Bowling Green, 34-20 PGWE: 98% -- Cincinnati Bearcats were looking for a dominant home W after losing a nailbiter vs Nebraska but only beat BG 34-20. After making Nebraska's offense look pedestrian it was a shock to see Drew Pyne throw for 274yds & a TD on 29/36. BG never really threatened to win, though, as Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby threw for 333yds & 3 TD. UC was unable to establish a running game vs BG but had Joe Royer/Jeff Caldwell w/ 100+ yds receiving. UC had only given up 3 points before DT Dontay Corleone went down w/ an injury. UC was also without its CB2 Logan Wilson. Another tune up game this wk vs. NW St. before a BYE the week after.

UCF ::: WIN, North Carolina A&T, 68-7 PGWE: 99% -- UCF defeats NC A&T 68-7 and the Knights had this one from the opening kick as Jaden Nixon returned it 96 yards for a touchdown. UCF lead at halftime 40-0 in Tayven Jackson's first start in Orlando. Jackson was 12/21 with 189 yards -- not necessarily taking the job from Cam Fancher while he is hurt. The rushing game was a different story as UCF put up 356 yards and 7 TD. 262 yards and 4TD of that came from Jaden Nixon (250+ all purpose yards!) and backup QB Jacurri Brown. RB1 Myles Montgomery enjoyed a brisk day with 8 carries and 35 yards in a blowout win. UCF enters a BYE and hosts UNC next weekend.

Houston ::: WIN, at Rice, 35-9 PGWE: 92% -- Houston Cougars RB Dean Connors broke out with 132 yards and 2 TD after backup J'Marion Burnette was ruled out with a hand injury. Star TE Tanner Koziol showed out again despite slight injury concerns with 52 yards on 6 receptions. Koziol is very clearly Conner Weigman's favorite target on the Houston roster. Houston remarkably blew out the Rice Owls 35-9 despite having a smaller success rate (28% vs 37%) in the game. Houston had a massive shift on the OL with LG Jason Brooks Jr. out -- RG Wykoff moved to LG and C McKenzie Agnello moved to RG. Brooks could be back for Friday's game vs. Colorado.

Arizona ::: WIN, Weber State, 48-3 PGWE: 100% -- If the Arizona Wildcats want to be a surprise B12 team this season it'll be behind QB Noah Fifita's arm so it was refreshing to see him throw for 373 yds & 5 TD vs Weber St. in a 48-3 win. Arizona had 13 players who had plays amount to 10+ yds. CB Jay'Vion Cole made a play for more PT with an INT and a 91.1 PFF grade. Arizona has a big test at home vs. KSU & could be without RB1A Kedrick Reescano & DE Tre Smith, both got banged up this past week. Expect a true RB committee approach regardless, as Coach Brennan has been spreading the love there with Ismail Mahdi, Quincy Craig, & Wesley Yarbrough all getting carries.

Arizona State ::: Loss, at Mississippi State, 20-24 PGWE: 13% -- ASU lost a heartbreaker in Starkville 24-20. After finally taking the lead late in the 4th quarter the Sun Devils gave up a 58 yard TD pass from Blake Shapen with 30 seconds left to fall down 24-20. QB Sam Leavitt had probably the worst game of his ASU career with a 10/22 82yd 1TD/2INT performance in a pretty wild environment in Starkville. ASU has a target on their back this year after a playoff appearance last year, so this experience could just be a learning moment. The silver lining is the rushing game was very strong -- Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh combined for 215 yards and a TD on 41 carries. Star WR Jordyn Tyson had 68 yds and a TD as well.

Utah ::: WIN, Cal Poly, 63-9 PGWE: 99% -- QB Devon Dampier continues the hot start to his Utah Utes career with a 17/23 192yd 3 TD performance in the air and only 25 yards on the ground. Dampier was likely being protected in this one as the Utes took down Cal Poly 63-9. The other Utes combined for 250 yards and 5TD on the ground. Dampier threw a TD to a RB (Parker), TE (Bentley) and a WR (Davis) as Utah was in complete control. Utah heads to Wyoming for a road game this weekend and with a strong performance there could look like the #1 team in the B12 heading into conference play.

Colorado ::: WIN, Delaware, 31-7 PGWE: 96% -- Colorado had a backup QB with a coming out party and it wasn't Julian Lewis, the name you've heard all spring and summer. QB Ryan Staub bet on himself and stayed at CU instead of transferring out to play and now after one great performance vs. Delaware St. he was named the starter by Coach Prime for week 3. No RB Dallan Hayden, no WR Omarion Miller and no problem for Ryan Staub who threw for 157 yards and 2 TD on 7/10 passing. It's TBD on how involved Salter and Lewis will be.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Florida State ::: WIN, East Texas A&M, 77-3 PGWE: 100% -- Florida State delivered one of the most dominant performances in program history, dismantling East Texas A&M 77–3. The Seminoles scored touchdowns on 10 straight drives, tallying 729 total yards and tying the school record with 11 touchdowns. Tommy Castellanos orchestrated the aerial assault with precision and explosiveness, while Duce Robinson’s career day and Gavin Sawchuk’s multi-score output highlighted FSU’s offensive firepower. The defense was equally imposing, suffocating the Lions’ offense from the opening whistle. Head coach Mike Norvell emphasized the team’s depth and unity—especially given the emotional context surrounding freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard’s hospitalization. With no new injury concerns and momentum rolling into their bye week, Florida State appears firmly on a confident trajectory for the season.

Louisville ::: WIN, James Madison, 28-14 PGWE: 82% -- In a gritty, defensive battle, Louisville pulled out a 28–14 win over James Madison, thanks to a massive fourth-quarter rally. JMU led heading into the final period, but Louisville’s defense seized control—Clev Lubin’s strip-six and the team’s six sacks tilted the momentum. On offense, Isaac Brown’s explosive 78-yard touchdown run and Miller Moss’s well-timed passing, including a long strike to Chris Bell and two critical two-point conversions, proved decisive. Despite the victory, injury concerns loom large, especially with Stanquan Clark likely sidelined for multiple weeks, and offensive injuries mounting. Louisville now heads into its bye week needing to regroup and address discipline, penalties, and depth as they eye continued success.

Clemson ::: WIN, Troy, 27-16 PGWE: 93% -- Clemson rallied from a discouraging 16-0 first-half deficit to secure a 27-16 win over Troy. Adam Randall powered the ground attack, piling up 112 yards and a touchdown to spark the run game. Cade Klubnik found a rhythm in the second half, connecting twice with Bryant Wesco Jr. to flip the script. Clemson’s defense tightened up, generating key turnovers that halted Troy’s momentum. Despite the comeback, the Tigers struggled early—underscoring lingering issues in pass protection and offensive execution—as well as the impact of missing key players like Antonio Williams, Khalil Barnes, and Tristan Leigh. The win was gritty, but it leaves plenty of room for improvement ahead of ACC play.

Miami (FL) ::: WIN, Bethune–Cookman, 45-3 PGWE: 99% -- Miami dominated from start to finish, rolling past Bethune-Cookman 45–3 at Hard Rock Stadium. The offense was efficient and polished: Carson Beck threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns without an incompletion across 15 straight attempts to open the game, breaking a longstanding school record. CJ Daniels and Malachi Toney were reliable in the passing game, while Mark Fletcher Jr. added spark with two rushing touchdowns. The defense, led by Mesidor and Bane, created multiple plays in the backfield and forced early turnovers. The team’s depth was also evident as Miami’s discipline and execution remained sharp throughout. The win offered smooth momentum and confidence-building as the Hurricanes prepare for their next challenge against USF, who are riding high after upsetting Florida.

North Carolina State ::: WIN, Virginia, 35-31 PGWE: 80% -- NC State rallied from an early 10-point deficit to edge Virginia 35–31, thanks to a dominant third quarter and timely execution. CJ Bailey’s dual-threat performance—both through the air and on the ground—matched Hollywood Smothers’ breakout effort, who recorded 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The return of Noah Rogers was a spark, as he hauled in a touchdown that added momentum to the win. The defense held firm in the final quarter, forcing a critical turnover and sealing NC State’s second straight FBS win to start the season.

Virginia Tech ::: Loss, Vanderbilt, 20-44 PGWE: 1% -- Virginia Tech surged ahead at halftime with a 20–10 lead, powered by Kyron Drones’ dynamic play and early defensive stops. However, the second half unraveled dramatically—Virginia Tech was thoroughly outplayed and outcoached, getting outscored 34–0 and limited to just 21 second-half yards. A devastating second-half collapse featured no first downs, a broken offensive line with Johnny Garrett’s injury, and a defense unable to contain Vanderbilt’s dominant rushing attack. The 44–20 loss ends the Hokies’ home-opener streak and leaves Head Coach Brent Pry facing pressure as the team searches for answers.

Duke ::: Loss, Illinois, 19-45 PGWE: 18% -- Duke’s offense looked lively early but self-inflicted wounds snowballed in a crushing 45–19 loss to Illinois at home. The Blue Devils committed five turnovers, including a muffed punt and a costly jersey number mix-up on special teams—each exploited by Illinois to seize control in the second half. Despite the miscues, Darian Mensah threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns, while Andrel Anthony provided a spectacular scoring grab before the break. Illinois surged late behind Luke Altmyer’s 296 passing yards and three touchdowns, plus an opportunistic defense, outscoring Duke 31–6 in the second half. The result underscores a need for clean execution from Duke as they head into ACC play.

North Carolina ::: WIN, at Charlotte, 20-3 PGWE: 98% -- North Carolina bounced back from their Week 1 loss with a 20–3 victory over Charlotte, earning Bill Belichick his first collegiate win. The Tar Heels struck early—with Gio Lopez connecting on a 51-yard touchdown to Chris Culliver, followed by a 12-yard rushing score by Davion Gause. The defense was dominant, neutralizing the 49ers’ ground game and registering a turnover late to keep Charlotte off the board. Despite inconsistent offense and Culliver’s midgame departure, UNC played with improved discipline and energy, offering a much-needed lift as they prepare to face Richmond next week.

Syracuse ::: WIN, Connecticut, 27-20 PGWE: 43% -- In a wild opener, Syracuse edged UConn 27–20 in overtime, rallying from a late deficit behind a stellar performance from quarterback Steve Angeli and a clutch touchdown from Justus Ross-Simmons. The defense sealed the win with a high-pressure stop by Antoine Deslauriers. Yet, head coach Fran Brown refused to let complacency creep in—he immediately had his team run sprints on the field, emphasizing that discipline and effort are non-negotiable, regardless of the result. The win was a reminder that culture and standards remain top priorities for the program.

Georgia Tech ::: WIN, Gardner–Webb, 59-12 PGWE: 99% -- Georgia Tech calmly dominated Gardner-Webb with a 59–12 win, thriving without injured starter Haynes King. Backup QB Aaron Philo managed the game masterfully, completing 21/28 passes for 373 yards, while Georgia Tech amassed a massive 680 total yards—the third-most in program history. The ground game churned with Hosley and Haynes combining for over 190 rushing yards and four TDs, while the defense registered heavy pressure, producing six sacks and critical turnovers. A blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by Harvey punctuated the second quarter. Though slowed by a brief weather delay, Georgia Tech’s depth, explosive playmakers, and clean execution positioned them as a confident 2–0 heading into ACC play.

Pittsburgh ::: WIN, Central Michigan, 45-17 PGWE: 99% -- Pittsburgh improved to 2–0 with a convincing 45–17 win over Central Michigan, asserting dominance from the opening possession. Eli Holstein, fully healthy, orchestrated the offense masterfully—throwing four touchdown passes, with Raphael Williams Jr. delivering two long scoring grabs. Desmond Reid added spark all over the field, amassing 179 all-purpose yards. Pitt’s defense set the tone early, with Rasheem Biles leading in tackles and a front that routinely disrupted CMU’s rhythm. Despite missing key contributors like Battle, Overman, and starting CB Lynum, the Panthers showcased roster depth and cohesion. With no fresh injury concerns emerging, Pittsburgh heads into its Week 3 showdown against West Virginia on a confident note.

Boston College ::: Loss, at Michigan State, 40-42 PGWE: 84% -- In a wild double-overtime battle, Boston College fell just short, losing 42–40 to Michigan State in East Lansing. QB Dylan Lonergan shined, throwing four touchdown passes, including beautiful throws to Jaedn Skeete and Reed Harris, and giving BC the early edge. Yet, unforced defensive errors and penalties repeatedly stalled their efforts. The Eagles had opportunities to clinch it—most notably a failed two-point conversion in the second OT—but the Spartans capitalized, answering with a touchdown and a successful two-point throw to Omari Kelly. The loss stings, but the offensive production was a bright spot, even as injuries to key defenders like Owen Stoudmire and Amari Jackson may impact the team’s approach moving forward.

Virginia ::: Loss, at North Carolina State, 31-35 PGWE: 20% -- Virginia’s offense came alive on the road in Raleigh, piling up 514 total yards and 31 points—delivering its most potent showing under Coach Tony Elliott since 2022. J’Mari Taylor spearheaded the ground attack with three touchdowns, while Chandler Morris kept drives alive with efficiency and mobility. Cam Ross again provided explosive all-purpose production, threatening explosive plays in space. Despite dominating through three quarters and holding a lead late, Virginia faltered defensively and turned the ball over in the end zone inside the final two minutes. The missed opportunity to secure a road win highlighted both growth and lingering gaps on defense—notably in the absence of linebacker Kam Robinson—but still offers plenty of optimism for a balanced and potent offense moving forward.

Wake Forest ::: WIN, Western Carolina, 42-10 PGWE: 99% -- Despite enduring multiple weather delays—including a nearly four-hour combined slowdown—Wake Forest dominated Western Carolina 42–10 behind a ferocious ground attack. Led by the return of Demond Claiborne with 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns, the offense found rhythm, while Chris Barnes emerged as a dynamic receiving threat. Quarterback Robby Ashford flashed big-play potential—highlighted by a 64-yard pass—but also exhibited ball-security issues. The defense remained formidable, again holding their opponent under 250 total yards. No new injuries surfaced, giving Wake Forest confidence as they turn their attention to a short-week showdown with NC State.

California ::: WIN, Texas Southern, 35-3 PGWE: 100% -- Cal pulled away to a solid 35–3 victory over Texas Southern, led by Kendrick Raphael’s career-high rushing effort and an efficient performance from freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The Golden Bears struggled somewhat early but tightened up in the second half. The defense stood out, shutting out the Tigers for three quarters and holding them without a touchdown—a first since 2021. The only downside: linebacker Cade Uluave’s targeting ejection, which will sideline him for the first half of next week's clash with Minnesota. All told, Cal improved to 2–0 and showcased a balanced, disciplined effort from offense and defense alike.

Stanford ::: Loss, at BYU, 3-27 PGWE: 2% -- BYU handed Stanford a lopsided 27–3 defeat on the road, with their defense doing the heavy lifting—forcing three turnovers, sacking the QB three times, and even recording a safety. BYU also controlled the ground game, highlighted by LJ Martin’s 110 rushing yards, and kicker Will Ferrin was a reliable performer, going 4-for-4 in field goals. Stanford’s offense was outpaced and outmatched, generating just one field goal and failing to sustain momentum or conversion drives. The result puts pressure on interim Head Coach Frank Reich to address efficiency and spark urgency as Stanford heads into ACC play.

SMU ::: Loss, Baylor, 45-48 PGWE: 64% -- SMU suffered a tough 48–45 double-overtime loss to Baylor, letting a late lead slip away in the fourth quarter. Kevin Jennings passed for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while T.J. Harden added 115 rushing yards and three scores to put the Mustangs in position to close it out. Romello Brinson stepped up with 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Jordan Hudson’s absence. But costly mistakes—including a red-zone interception, missed special-teams opportunities, and a defense that couldn’t protect a two-score cushion—allowed Baylor to storm back. The collapse underscored both the offensive firepower and the defensive inconsistency SMU must address moving forward.

Pac-12 Conference

Washington State ::: WIN, San Diego State, 36-13 PGWE: 98% -- Jaxon Potter had himself a big day with 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was behind an Offensive line that was consistent all game long which helped Wazzu not let SDSU back into the game. Washington State looked like polar opposite teams from week 1 to week 2, so we will have to find out what the true version of the Cougars truly is.

Oregon State ::: Loss, Fresno State, 27-36 PGWE: 80% -- Oregon State had some really promising drives complimented by solid offensive line play. Unfortunately special teams was a disater all game and most likely was the culprit of why they lost their second straight home game. The beavers better tighten it up quick as they have two road games against Texas Tech and Oregon in the next 2 weeks.

The American Conference

South Florida ::: WIN, at Florida, 18-16 PGWE: 48% -- Another week, another extremely impressive win for USF over a ranked opponent. This was a program defining-type moment for Alex Golesh and the Bulls as they went up to The Swamp and pulled the upset as a double digit underdog. QB Byrum Brown was once again the star on offense with 263 through the air and 66 on the ground. A huge 66-yard recpetion by WR Keshaun Singleton was the lone TD for USF. The defense was outstanding all night and will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Mac Harris, Jhalyn Shuler, and James Chenault had stellar performances.

Memphis ::: WIN, at Georgia State, 38-16 PGWE: 91% -- Memphis once again did what it was expected to do and dominated a lesser opponent, especially on the ground. RBs Sutton Smith and Makari Bodiford carried the load for the RB room with 26 carries, 116 yards, and 3 TDs between them. QB Brendon Lewis added 68 and a score on the ground along with just under 200 passing yards. The defense had Georgia State under pressure all game with 4 sacks and 10 TFLs. Demarco Ward also added pick-6 in what was a dominating second half performacne by the defense.

Tulsa ::: Loss, at New Mexico State, 14-21 PGWE: 34% -- Tulsa lost a tough one in week 2, with NM State scoring a go-ahead TD late in the 4th quarter to beat the Golden Hurricane. Neither team was able to do much in the first half. Tulsa QB Kirk Francis struggled before leaving the game with a concussion late in the 2nd quarter. Backup QB Bayler Hayes added a spark to the offense along with RB Dominic Richardson and they were able to go up 14-13 in the 4th. Tulsa outgained NM State overall and on the ground, but an extra turnover and a worse 3rd down efficiency ultimately cost them. J'Dan Burnett and Devin Robinson were impactful on defense with a sack and 4.5 TFLs between the two.

Temple ::: WIN, Howard, 55-7 PGWE: 100% -- It was yet another impressive offensive perfomance for Temple as they thrashed Howard all game long. Temple jumped out to an early lead, up 21-0 after the first quarter and really didn't let up all game. QB Evan Simon only attempted 10 passes in the game, but 3 of them were for TDs. On the ground RBs Jay Ducker, Hunter Smith, and Terrez Worthy all had scores and each were over 50 yards rushing as well. The defense kept Howard in check with a lot of guys getting playing time, and Cam'Ron Stewart leading the way with 2 sacks and 3 TFLs.

Navy ::: WIN, UAB, 38-24 PGWE: 99% -- Navy did what Navy does best and ran the football all over UAB in their first conference matchup of the season. RB Alex Tecza was unstoppable with 111 on the ground, averaging 7.4 ypc, and scoring a touchdown. Hesiman hopeful QB Blake Horvath was equally impressive running for 72 yards and 2 scores. He even added a passing touchdown to WR Luke Hutchison and was 6/8 with 168 in the air. The defense came up with some needed turnovers with picks by MarcAnthony Parker and Phillip Hamilton. Landon Robinson was his normal elite self and accounted for 10 tackles and a TFL.

East Carolina ::: WIN, Campbell, 56-3 PGWE: 99% -- It was a dominating week 2 performance for ECU as QB Katin Houser led the offense outbust against Campbell. Houser went 25/35 with 314 yards and 2 touchdowns before ceding time to backups Mike Wright Jr. and Chaston Ditta. The run game was quite successful as well as 8 different guys had carries adding up to 172 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, the Pirates held Campbell to just 151 total yards and only 4 rushing yards. A big key was shutting down drives as Campbell was just 2-14 on third down. They will need to clean up the 10 penalties. Look for this team to continue to grow as the season moves along.

Tulane ::: WIN, at South Alabama, 33-31 PGWE: 61% -- Tulane was in a dogfight in week 2 against a South Alabama. QB Jake Retzlaff had 125 and a TD in the air and 64 and a TD on the ground. He continues to be a dual threat option for Tulane especially this week with starting RB Maurice Turner out with an ankle injury. RBs Zubari Mobley and Javin Gordon filled in nicely as well each running for over 80 yards. The aerial attack will need to continue to progress, but WR Bryce Bohanon was able to reel in 5 catches for 62 yards. On defense, Tulane struggled against the run allowing 190 yards, 2 TDs, and 4.6 ypc. LB Dickson Agu had 11 total tackles and S Jack Tchienchou had 8 total tackles.

North Texas ::: WIN, at Western Michigan, 33-30 PGWE: 77% -- North Texas came up with a clutch OT win in a thriller against Western Michigan. After a slow start by both teams with no one scoring in the first quarter, the offenses went back and forth until a walk-off North Texas TD in OT. On offense, RB Makenzie McGill II was the star with 102 yards on the ground and the game-winning touchdown. QB Drew Mestemaker threw for 224 and 2 TDs and added 24 yards on the ground. He spread the ball around as 9 different players had a reception. On defense LBs Shane Whitter and Trey Fields were everywhere as they combined for 23 tackles on the day. They allowed just 87 passing yards.

Charlotte ::: Loss, North Carolina, 3-20 PGWE: 2% -- Another rough offensive showing for Charlotte as they were only able to muster 3 points against a reeling UNC team. QB Conner Harrell was 17/29 for just 140 yards and ended up splitting some time with backup Grayson Loftis who pushed the ball down the field more, but threw 2 interceptions. The run game was absent as they managed just 38 yards from 4 different backs on 21 carries. No sacks or turnovers from the defense and while they did hold UNC to just 155 yards passing, it wasn't enough with the lack of offensive firepower. This team will have to figure out creative ways to score points.

UTSA ::: Loss, Texas State, 36-43 PGWE: 41% -- What a game this was as UTSA took on Texas State in their home opener at the Alamodome. QB Owen McCown was better than in week 1 with 219 yards in the air and 2 TDS, but didn't connect on 20 of his 43 attempts. The star of the game was RB Robert Henry Jr. who leads the country in rushing yards. He went for 159 yards and 2 TDs while avergaing an astounding 9.4 yards per carry. The rushing attack overall was great all game, but wasn't enough to get UTSA over the hump. They struggled defensively to deal with a fairly balanced Texas State attack. Shad Banks Jr. had a an interception and led the team with 9 total tackles.

Florida Atlantic ::: WIN, Florida A&M, 56-14 PGWE: 99% -- FAU handled business this week after a tough loss against Maryland in week 1. QB Caden Veltkamp showed exactly what this offense can be when it is clicking throwing for 309 yards and 5 TDs. 10 different players caught a pass in this game as FAU was able to play a ton of guys to get them experience. RB Gemari Sands led the ground game with 83 yards on 10 attempts. Defensively they allowed just 70 total yards on the ground and had 2 sacks and 4 TFLs. They did give up some yards through the air, but overall it was a promising performance that they hope can carry over to future weeks.

Rice ::: Loss, Houston, 9-35 PGWE: 8% -- Rice was a suprise in week 1 pulling off an upset win, but they could not muster the same magic in week 2. They were in it throughout the day with the score being 14-3 going into the 4th quarter. The team, however, managed just 205 yards of total offense and was a rough 4 for 15 on 3rd down attempts. The run game managed 154 yards, but at just 3.3 ypc it was not going to be enough against a Hosuton team that really took over the game in the fourth. LB Ty Morris was everywhere on Saturday recording 15 tackles, a sack, and a TFL. They struggled to stop the Houston run game and couldnt overcome the lack of offense.

Army ::: WIN, at Kansas State, 24-21 PGWE: 40% -- A tale of two weeks for Army as they got upset in week 1, but pulled off an upset of their own in week 2 agaisnt Kansas State. QB Cale Hellums stepped in for the injured Dewayne Coleman and carried a heavy load with 41 carries and accounted for 124 yards and 2 TDs. RB Noah Short added 61 yards on 10 carries as these two were basically the entire Army offense. On defense, S Collin Matteson was a star with an interception, 5 tackles, and 3 pass deflections on the day. K-State was just 2 for 9 on 3rd down attempts and managed just 246 total yards on the day against a hungry Army defense.

UAB ::: Loss, at Navy, 24-38 PGWE: 1% -- UAB put up a fight in their first conference game of the year as they hit the road to take on Navy. UAB matched Navy for the most part in the first half putting up 24 points, before being shutout in the second half of the game. QB Jalen Kitna threw for 304 yards and 2 TDs, but did have 2 costly interceptions. WRs Corri Milliner and Iverson Hooks gave Navy all they could handle on the outside as they combined for 10 catches, 172 yards, and 2 TDs. RB Solomon Beebe was also dangerous with 6 catches and 77 yards out of the backfield. UAB turned the ball over 3 times (2 picks, 1 fumble) and could not stop the Navy run game.

Independents

Connecticut ::: Loss, at Syracuse, 20-27 PGWE: 57% -- The Huskies blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead to fall to Syracuse in week two. It's a tough one to swallow, as they had played well enough to win most of the game. They had no answer for WR Justus Ross-Simmons late, who caught a 53-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to just five in that fateful fourth quarter. He then saw the touchdown in OT, which put the game away. Huskies WR Skyler Bell did all he could to match that, grabbing 11 passes for 105 yards -- including an acrobatic one-handed grab on fourth down as UConn drove down to tie the game back up to force OT. They were unable to punch it in on their overtime possession, which ended a roller-coaster game.

Mountain West Conference

Colorado State ::: WIN, Northern Colorado, 21-17 PGWE: 96% -- The Rams needed a rally to defeat FCS Northern Colorado in week two, escaping with a 21-17 win. The post-game win expectancy numbers say this was not as close as the final score indicates, but it's an eye-opener regardless. The Rams trailed for most of the game until QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi scored late to take the lead. He struggled, passing for only 131 yards. They were losing 10-0 at halftime. The offense found something on the first drive to get in the end zone, but were matched by the Bears and found themselves down 17-7. They were 34.5-point favorites and finally found a way to pull this one out, avoiding a complete collapse after a spirited effort in week one at Washington.

San Diego State ::: Loss, at Washington State, 13-36 PGWE: 2% -- SDSU struggled all game to find some offensive identity. Denegal looked uncomfortable most of the game and was constantly playing two steps behind it felt like. The Aztecs want to pound the rock so when unable to do so, it may be too much pressure for Denegal to handle.

Boise State ::: WIN, Eastern Washington, 51-14 PGWE: 100% -- Boise responded after a devastating loss to USF week 1, with a big offensive performance in against EWU. The Broncos had over 300 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns paired with great play from Maddux Madsen.

Wyoming ::: WIN, Northern Iowa, 31-7 PGWE: 99% -- Following the missed field goal to open the game, the cowboys really took control of the game and did not let go until the final whistle. With conference play starting soon, it was important to gain some rhythm within this offense that was non existent a week ago at Akron. QB Kaden Anderson was also banged up after a big hit but seems to be okay to play for week 3.

Utah State ::: Loss, at Texas A&M, 22-44 PGWE: 7% -- With a battle of the Aggies in College Station, Utah State had their hands full with a very strong and talented A and M team. Utah State had moments of success containing Marcel Reed but overall the talent gap was just too much. With better news, WR Brady Boyd had a great game and could emerge into a real threat for the aggies of Logan, UT.

Nevada ::: WIN, Sacramento State, 20-17 PGWE: 53% -- After running the ball for over 250 yards including 100+ from QB Chuba Purdy, the WolfPack found themselves in a tight one versus Sac State. Purdy had 2 costly INT's that allowed Sac State to stay in the game but the defense held its own when it mattered most. Although the score was not too promising, their is a lot to love about this Nevada team as they enter conference play in a few weeks.

Hawaii ::: WIN, Sam Houston, 37-20 PGWE: 91% -- Hawaii played an impressive game versus Sam Houston with a decisive home victory. The Rainbow Warriors had a handful of quality players get banged up in the game so it will be critical to get these guys back for conference play. The health of Micah Alejado is impairitve for the success of this program. He is an absolute gamechanger who allows this team to have probably the most dynamic offense in the entire Mountain West.

New Mexico ::: WIN, Idaho State, 32-22 PGWE: 87% -- The Lobo's found themselves playing in front of one of the largest home crowds they have seen in a few years now with over 18,000 in attendance. RB Scottre Humphrey had a monster day on the ground as he led the offense to a comfortable victory. With the new OC as well as losing star QB Devon Dampier to Utah, the lobo's still need time to adjust into the new system. Hopefully those growing pains wear off soon as they have an intriguing matchup with UCLA on Friday night.

UNLV ::: WIN, UCLA, 30-23 PGWE: 77% -- After an unexpected dogfight with FCS opponent Idaho State in week 1, Dan Mullen and the Runnin' Rebels have improved each week at a healthy rate. UNLV's front seven looked very strong against a P4 team in UCLA. UNLV's run game will really be the driving force of how lethal this team can be. With Boise taking a hit week 1, the Mountain West is wide open for the taking and UNLV should be right near the top by the end of the season.

Fresno State ::: WIN, at Oregon State, 36-27 PGWE: 20% -- Fresno State completed a huge road win in Corvallis over the weekend. Although they might not have outplayed the Beavers and fortunately some special teams plays went in the Bulldogs favor, Fresno State took care of business when it mattered most. Warner played fairly lackluster but the run game kept them in it and let them control some key TOP in the second half.

San Jose State ::: Loss, at Texas, 7-38 PGWE: 1% -- San Jose State had a tough task in front of them having to play at Texas. The defense looked great for the first few drives but eventually the firepower of Texas broke through with 28 points in about 7 minutes of gametime. SJST had very promising moments considering the talent gap along with the treacherous environment.

Conference USA

Western Kentucky ::: Loss, at Toledo, 21-45 PGWE: 0% -- The Hilltoppers' loss to Toledo in week two revealed a major defensive flaw, as the Rockets faced very little resistance in the run game, racking up over 300 rushing yards. This one appeared doomed from the start after an early WKU fumble. The Rockets wasted no time getting in the end zone, and then returned an interception return for a touchdown, making it 14-0. The Hilltoppers did get it to 14-7, but then surrendered 31 unanswered points en route to a blowout loss to the MAC frontrunner. The offense was limited to just 59 yards on the ground, forcing a one-dimensional attack through the air, and that's not going to work against the better defensive teams. QB Maverick McIvor did all he could, but finished with a pedestrian 235 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Louisiana Tech ::: Loss, at LSU, 7-23 PGWE: 3% -- This Bulldogs' defense is for real. They limited the mighty LSU Tigers to just two touchdowns, forced three field goals, and got in the backfield for eight TFLs and three sacks. OLB Mekhi Mason led the way with 11 tackles and a sack. They did just force one turnover, but it was a statement made by this unit. Unfortunately, the offense struggled (as expected) against a tough Tigers defense, managing just one sustained scoring drive late in the game. They managed just 154 yards of total offense in this one, but this 16-point loss is considered a sign of good things to come from this team in 2025.

Florida International ::: Loss, at Penn State, 0-34 PGWE: 1% -- There wasn't a more difficult challenge presented in week two than what the Panthers had to deal with, heading to State College to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. As much as a shutout loss can feel 'okay' this might have been it. The Panthers' defense battled all game long against a much superior roster and came out feeling good about the effort. That defense held the mighty Lions to just ten first-half points and got stops on two fourth-down attempts. Amazingly, FIU won the time of possession battle by over seven minutes in this game. Eventually, the No. 2 team in the nation pulled away, but this was something to build off of for Willie Simmons' squad.

Middle Tennessee ::: Loss, at Wisconsin, 10-42 PGWE: 2% -- The Blue Raiders, fresh off their disappointing loss in week one to FCS Austin Peay, put up a decent fight in quite a different matchup with Wisconsin in Madison. They actually held a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and were trailing by just four points at the half, 14-10. Eventually the Badgers found their groove and pulled away, outscoring MTSU 28-0 in the second half. QB Nicholas Vattiato finished 21/31 for 197 yards, one touchdown and an interception. A solid performance against a fearsome defensive unit. The Raiders got nothing on the ground -- held to just 33 yards on 28 carries. The defense was led by Muaaz Byard, who racked up nine tackles. It wasn't embarrassing, and that's a step forward.

UTEP ::: WIN, UT Martin, 42-17 PGWE: 99% -- As expected, the Miners get their first win of 2025 with a 41-17 win over UT-Martin. After a bit of a slow start, the offense found it's groove and finished with 472 yards of total offense, led by QB Malachi Nelson and his 278 yards, one touchdown and no picks. RB Hahsaun Wilson showed up and came up with a big 94-yard touchdown run in this one. His running mate, Ashten Emory scored three times, twice on catches. Both WR Kenny Odom and Toric Goins Jr. made it over 100 yards receiving. The defense was led by LB Micah Davey, who racked up 14 tackles. There was a 43-minute lightning delay in the game.

Liberty ::: Loss, at Jacksonville State, 24-34 PGWE: 39% -- The Flames dropped their week two game against Jacksonville State in the CUSA opener, 34-24. They could not stop the Gamecocks' run game, allowing Cam Cook to rack up 195 yards and two scores on 29 touches. That type of success on the ground, along with two turnovers that led to 14 points, is tough to overcome. Liberty's offense was also held in check most of the game, but did hit on two explosive touchdown plays -- a 52-yard touchdown run and a 62-yard touchdown pass. This is not the start that was expected, and now the road to the CUSA Championship Game is that much more difficult.

New Mexico State ::: WIN, Tulsa, 21-14 PGWE: 66% -- The Aggies overcame a slow start to grab a comeback win against Tulsa in week two at home. They managed just three first-half points, but came back in the second half and executed on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that led to a late touchdown to put this one away with just over three minutes remaining. Then the defense sealed it with a late interception. QB Logan Fife was 27/44 for 248 yards and two scores, leading the way in that last drive, which culminated in finding WR Gavin Harris for the score. The defense came up with two critical fourth-quarter turnovers. Don't look now, but this Aggies squad is 2-0 for the first time since 2014.

Sam Houston ::: Loss, at Hawaii, 20-37 PGWE: 9% -- The Bearkats fall to 0-3 on the young 2025 season with a loss to Hawaii on the island. It was a 41-yard interception return for a score in the second quarter, which broke the game open. That offense could only muster 220 yards of total offense. Mettauer drew the start and was injured late in the game. He had just 91 passing yards and the costly interception at that time. Locke came in and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to RB Elijah Green late in the game. The Bearkats got a defensive touchdown of their own in this one. They do get a bye in week three to lick their wounds and try to turn the tide on this tough start to 2025.

Jacksonville State ::: WIN, Liberty, 34-24 PGWE: 61% -- The Gamecocks showed up in the CUSA opener against the odds-on favorite to win the league, Liberty. Charles Kelly's squad ran the ball all over the Flames, with Cam Cook leading the offense with 195 yards and two scores. They outgained their opponent 534 to 390 yards and took advantage of opportunistic turnovers, cashing in for 14 first-half points to put Liberty behind the 8-ball early. QB Gavin Wimsatt was just what they needed, a game-manager, throwing just 12 passes and adding 78 rushing yards and a score. Most importantly, no turnovers. This is an impressive first win in the Charles Kelly era, and the Gamecocks are now in the driver's seat early in the CUSA season.

Kennesaw State ::: Loss, at Indiana, 9-56 PGWE: 1% -- The Owls followed up a spirited effort in week one against Wake Forest with a bit of a dud against a mad Indiana team in week two. The defense, which looked solid against the Deacons a week ago, was shredded by the Hoosiers to the tune of 596 yards. Things got worse in the second half. The offense was anemic, and starting QB Dexter Williams II was on a short leash. He played just two drives, missing on two passes, before Amari Odom replaced him. No word on if the job is officially changing hands, but Odom showed flashes, ultimately putting up a less-than-impressive stat line. The Owls will regroup and look forward to taking on FCS Merrimack in week three.

Missouri State ::: WIN, at Marshall, 21-20 PGWE: 92% -- How about those Bears! The newest FBS level squad gets their first win at this level, on the road at Marshall in week two. They did so with a spirited comeback after trailing 20-7 midway through the third quarter. QB Jacob Clark led a 9-play, 80-yard drive with an 8-yard strike to TE Jeron Askren with just 2:12 to go in the game. That gave them the one-point advantage, and the defense took over, dropping the Herd for a loss on the insuing possession to seal the win. Clark was the star, throwing for 359 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were over 50-yard strikes. This was the first meeting ever between the two schools and now the Bears look forward to hosting #17 SMU next week in Springfield with a notch in the win column.

Delaware ::: Loss, at Colorado, 7-31 PGWE: 4% -- The Blue Hens fell to Coach Prime and the Buffaloes in Boulder in week two, 31-7. The defense was keeping the Colorado offense on its heels and trying to find answers early on as the game sat at just 10-7 late in the first half. It was third-stringer Ryan Staub who entered the game and provided the spark that catapulted the Buffs to pull away. Delaware QB Nick Minicucci looked good, tossing 312 yards' worth of passes with a touchdown and one costly interception. They managed over 400 yards but only found the end zone one time. As coach Ryan Carty said after the game, they need to learn from the experience and not "let it beat them twice."

Mid-American Conference

Toledo ::: WIN, Western Kentucky, 45-21 PGWE: 100% -- After being bottled up in W1, Chip Trayanum exploded on the ground with 163 yards on just 14 attempts for Toledo in their comfortable win over WKU. WKU added a couple TD's late vs the Toledo 2's on Defense but this was a route entering the 4th quarter with a scoreline of 45-7. The defense allowed almost nothing on the ground and held up well on 3rd downs. They limited WKU's big play ability as they connected on only one pass beyond 20 yards. It was not all roses thoguh for Toledo as starting QB Tucker Gleason suffered an injury in the 1st half and did not return. This will be a critical situation to monitor going forward.

Ohio ::: WIN, West Virginia, 17-10 PGWE: 81% -- While most of the rest of the conference struggled in W2, Ohio stood tall with a small upset of P4 West Virginia. The most surprising part of the upset was that they did it with the strength of their defense, not their offense. The offense was nearly flawless in W1 vs Rutgers and it was the defense or lack their of that cost them a shot at that upset. The defense got right in a big way vs. West Virginia though. They bottled up the run and had 23 pressures on 33 dropbacks for the WVU QB Marchiol. WVU went 2-14 on 3rd and 4th down plays. Navarro had a few uncharacteristic turnovers, but he will be fine and managed the game well overall.

Miami (OH) ::: Loss, at Rutgers, 17-45 PGWE: 21% -- Miami held tough vs. Wisconsin in the previous week so it was a bit of letdown to get thumped by Rutgers (45-17). In fairness to Miami, it was a 24-17 game early on in the 3rd but the remainder of the game was one-sided. Thus far, Dequan Finn has not been able to recapture the magic he displayed playing for Toledo a couple seasons ago. Penalties and lack of 3rd down stops plagued the Redhawks. Rutgers held the ball for nearly 40 minutes of the game. The small positives were that the ground game was solid but they only had 22 rushing attempts having to turn to the pass with such a large defecit in front of them.

Western Michigan ::: Loss, North Texas, 30-33 PGWE: 23% -- WMU felt a little disrespected as they entered week two as sizable underdogs vs. visiting North Texas. They struggled to establish their identity in W1 vs Michigan State, but were much better about getting their gameplan in motion vs. UNT. They stayed committed to the run and ate up a lot of possession time for large parts of the game. Unfortunately, UNT found some big plays in the 2nd half to force OT and then did just a bit more in OT to take the win on the road. Overall, there were large improvements week over week for WMU. The pressure on defense was strong again but missed tackles were there undoing as small plays turned to bigger ones.

Central Michigan ::: Loss, at Pittsburgh, 17-45 PGWE: 1% -- CMU's upset was unexpected in W1, but they could not follow up that magic vs. Pitt. They were run-heavy vs. SJST because they had the lead for most of the game. Unfortunately vs. Pitt, they were playing from behind all game and had to abandon the run, because it was ineffective and because they needed big plays to try and get back in the game, however it does not seem like they have big play passing ability. Pitt QB Holstein was only pressured 8 times on 31 dropbacks and the Pitt receivers racked up 175 yards after the catch on several of their explosive plays. The comfortability in rotating 3 separate QBs is interesting and something to monitor.

Northern Illinois ::: Loss, at Maryland, 9-20 PGWE: 37% -- NIU opened up week 2 in the MAC with a Friday night tilt at Maryland. NIU were able to turn it into a bit of a rockfight as they have had a knack of doing on the road vs. P4 teams. Their defense stifled the Maryland rushing attack which was very good to see. They blew just a couple coverages that resulted in big plays for Maryland, but aside from that, the defense held up well. Holst and the offense struggled, and outside of a big gainer for Telly Johnson (74 yd. TD), there were very few explosive plays. The WR can't seem to get any seperation as Holst took a couple coverage sacks. They hed into their bye week and have a trip to Mississippi St in W4.

Eastern Michigan ::: Loss, LIU, 23-28 PGWE: 5% -- EMU had the worst showing in the MAC this weekend. They lost to lowly FCS Long Island as heavy favorites to win going in. The injuries mounted up on the pregame availability report, but even with that factor, EMU should have handled this game. EMU did not take many penalties, they did not turn the ball over - two common factors for an upset. So what went wrong? The defense simply could not get off the field as was the case vs. Texas State. They allowed LIU to rack up 479 yards both through the air and on the ground. They allowed LIU to go 11/17 on high pressure 3rd downs as well. It's really hard to tell where EMU's season goes from here.

Akron ::: Loss, at Nebraska, 0-68 PGWE: 2% -- Akron did not head to Lincoln expecting to come away with a Win but they did hope to keep it respectable and at least get on the scoreboard after being shutout by Wyoming last week in their home opener. Neither happened as they were thoroughly dominated in all 3 phases. The injury report nearly doubled in size from last week when it dropped before pregame. Some key players could not go and it was a bad sign for a team so lacking in depth. Ben Finley seems to have lost all the late season form he had last year. This is the type of loss where an AD may begin to question the direction of this team under Joe Moorhead.

Bowling Green ::: Loss, at Cincinnati, 20-34 PGWE: 2% -- The 34-20 final was a bit flattering as Bowling Green entered the 4Q vs. Cincinnati down by 21. There were some bright spots as Drew Pyne showed some accuracy and chemistry with his receiving corps after not throwing much at all last week. Most of the passing game was quick hits within 10 yards. BG actually out-possessed Cincy as well, 37 mins to 23 mins, but this was mostly because when Cincy had the ball, they were hitting on explosive plays pretty often; Cincy QB Sorsby connected on 7 passes of 10+ with an aDoT of 12.4 yards (Pyne's was 4.1 yards). BG Defense did hold up ok in stopping the run again so that was a bright spot.

Buffalo ::: WIN, Saint Francis (PA), 45-6 PGWE: 98% -- After the tough fought loss to Minnesota last week, Buffalo had a get right game vs. St. Francis. It was a very Buffalo victory in that they established the run heavily and (63 Att. / 370 yards!) and were stingy on defense allowing St. Francis a paltry 126 total yards, having a near perfect outing. There was obviously a lot of good moments as 6 different players had 30+ yards of rushing and Victor Snow hauled in another TD. There were a couple concerns: Al-Jay Henderson was held to only 4.1 yards per carry, just missing the 100 yard mark on 24 atts. Buffalo also threw 2 INTs and were 11/22 on passes - concerning considering the opponent and game situation.

Ball State ::: Loss, at Auburn, 3-42 PGWE: 1% -- Ball State managed to find the scoreboard and avoid being shut out in consecutive weeks but aside from that FG they posted, they were completely dominated by Auburn. Auburn won handily at the LOS with 6 sacks and 14 TFLs on defense and 6.3 YPA rushing. Kiael Kelly struggled mightily with the pressure and his legs did not bail him out. Ball's defense hung tough and had an impressive 5 sacks but they struggled to stop the run and were worn down by the third where Auburn's piled it on a bit more. They'll have a fairer test next week with FCS New Hampshire coming to Muncie.

Kent State ::: Loss, at Texas Tech, 14-62 PGWE: 1% -- Kent State had another notorious paycheck game vs. Texas Tech and it went about how everyone figured it would go. The injuries are starting to mount up for Kent State and their depth was already limited to begin with. The most interesting takeaway from this game was that it seems there is a QB battle brewing. Dru DeShields took over for Montes in the 2nd half and was able to engineer a couple 4th Quarter TD drives. He was facing the 2s/3s of TTech at that point but Kent State will gladly take any glimmers of optimism. They will look to get healthy as they open up conference play vs. Buffalo next.

Massachusetts ::: Loss, Bryant, 26-27 PGWE: 75% -- EMU's loss to LIU this weekend was shocking but this UMass FCS upset vs. Bryant felt somewhat predictable. The secondary for UMass has been wrought with injuries early on this season and it showed as Bryant was able to hit on several passing plays. The Bryant QB (Myer) attempted 18! passes of 20+ yards. He connected on 5 of them for a total of 160 yards (318 yards through the air overall). In addition to the defensive complications, the offense sputtered a bit from their decent performance vs. Temple. 3 QBs saw action which is alarming (Grant Jordan ended with the most snaps). Rocko Griffin was bottled up on the ground as well.

Sun Belt Conference

Appalachian State ::: WIN, Lindenwood, 20-13 PGWE: 93% -- Appalachian State did just enough to escape with a 20–13 victory over FCS opponent Lindenwood. The Mountaineers struck early—AJ Swann connected on two touchdown passes in the first quarter, including a stunning 72-yard strike to Dalton Stroman, and Rashod Dubinion ripped off big gains on the ground. Despite generating 503 total yards of offense, four turnovers—including three fumbles and an interception—nearly let the game slip away. Lindenwood pulled within seven late in the fourth quarter and even recovered an onside kick, but App State's defense held firm, and Elijah McCantos’s interception on a deep fourth-down attempt sealed the win. While the victory improves the Mountaineers to 2–0, they’ll need to clean up their ball security as they prepare for tougher conference opponents.

Troy ::: Loss, at Clemson, 16-27 PGWE: 7% -- Troy jumped out to a strong 16–0 first-half lead at Clemson, sparked by Tray Taylor’s explosive 44-yard touchdown reception from Goose Crowder. However, the Tigers roared back in the second half—Clemson forced three turnovers, including two key defensive plays, and scored 24 unanswered points to secure a 27–16 victory. Crowder’s three interceptions proved costly, offsetting his early success through the air. While Troy looked composed and confident early, the absence of offensive ball security proved the difference in what became a tough road defeat.

Arkansas State ::: Loss, at Arkansas, 14-56 PGWE: 0% -- Arkansas State fell hard at Arkansas, 56–14, in their first-ever matchup against the Razorbacks. The game slipped away early after Chauncy Cobb's 98-yard kick return put the Red Wolves on the board. While Jaylen Raynor continued to lead offensively, tossing a touchdown and rushing for modest gains, two critical interceptions and limited offensive output couldn’t match Arkansas’s 630 yards of total dominance. The blowout was firmed by Arkansas’s relentless tempo and depth, leaving A-State with injuries to key components like QB Raynor’s protection and the confirmed season-ending loss of running back Ja’Quez Cross. As they prepare for Sun Belt action, A-State must regroup—addressing injury gaps and sharpening efficiency will be crucial.

Georgia State ::: Loss, Memphis, 16-38 PGWE: 9% -- Georgia State fell to Memphis 38–16, with a strong first half quickly unraveling after multiple errors and injuries. T.J. Finley opened strong, starting 10-of-10 before exiting with a shoulder injury, and Cameran Brown responded with a touchdown run and pass to keep the Panthers competitive early. Defensive end Sir Mells provided a spark with a safety, but his subsequent ankle injury disrupted the defense’s continuity. Memphis took control in the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points as Georgia State’s running game never developed and execution slipped. With limited depth showing under pressure, the Panthers now face a crucial rebuild ahead of their home game against Murray State, especially with concerns surrounding both quarterback health and the defensive front.

Louisiana ::: WIN, McNeese, 34-10 PGWE: 100% -- The Cajuns managed a 34-10 week two win over FCS McNeese State. The running game was working as they rumbled for 315 yards on the ground. RB Bill Davis led the way with 132 of those yards and two touchdowns. Zylan Perry added 94 yards on 14 carries. QB Daniel Beale got the start for the injured (for the season) Walker Howard, and did what he needed to do, throwing for 86 yards and a touchdown in a game manager role. They bullied their way through this one, but the aerial attack is something that will need to materialize as we move along in 2025.

South Alabama ::: Loss, Tulane, 31-33 PGWE: 39% -- South Alabama rallied from a 16-point third-quarter deficit, cutting the gap to two with less than a minute remaining after Bishop Davenport connected with Devin Voisin for a clutch touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed, and Tulane edged out a 33–31 win. Early firepower—featuring Davenport’s arm and Voisin’s receptions—kept pace, and Kentrel Bullock’s rugged running extended drives. Mississippi State forced its way back into the game with better second-half execution and exploited discipline issues, especially in the passing game. Despite their efforts, the Jaguars couldn’t complete the comeback. With no new injuries reported, health isn’t an issue—but focus must now shift to consistency and finishing drives as they regroup for their next matchup with Auburn.

Louisiana-Monroe ::: Loss, at Alabama, 0-73 PGWE: 0% -- UL–Monroe was thoroughly overmatched in Tuscaloosa, falling 73–0, with Alabama carving up the Warhawks on all fronts. The Tide scored on each of its 11 possessions—including 10 touchdowns and a field goal—and amassed 583 total yards. ULM, by contrast, produced just 148 total yards, with the offense unable to sustain drives or protect the football. Backup quarterback Ty Simpson became the first Alabama QB in 30 years to complete 100% of his passes (17-for-17), while the defense yielded few opportunities to ULM’s struggling offense. With no fresh injuries reported, the Warhawks now face a critical need for regrouping, addressing execution issues, and preparing to adjust before returning to Sun Belt play.

Georgia Southern ::: Loss, at USC, 20-59 PGWE: 3% -- Georgia Southern suffered a heavy 59–20 road loss at USC, but displayed flashes of offensive potential. J.C. French IV connected twice with Camden Brown for touchdowns, and J. Samuel added explosive energy on the ground. Still, the Trojans erased all resistance with a dominant performance—racking up 755 total yards and pacing the game with explosive plays. Georgia Southern’s defense struggled to contain USC's tempo, and the Eagles’ offense couldn't maintain sustained drives. With a clean injury report (no new absences), the team’s primary focus now shifts to improving execution and consistency before heading back to Sun Belt play.

Texas State ::: WIN, at UTSA, 43-36 PGWE: 59% -- In a high-octane 43–36 overtime victory, Texas State outlasted UTSA in a back-and-forth clash featuring six lead changes. Brad Jackson and Beau Sparks connected for explosive plays, notably Sparks’ 65-yard touchdown on the fourth-quarter opener. Robert Henry dominated on the ground, chewing up major chunks with his big-play ability. While Texas State seized momentum late, UTSA responded with grit, narrowing the gap and making it a tense finish. Ultimately, the Bobcats’ resilience and opportunistic offense carried them to the win, improving their start to 2–0, while no injuries compounded the victory.

Coastal Carolina ::: WIN, Charleston Southern, 13-0 PGWE: 100% -- Coastal Carolina relied on a stout defense and a productive ground game to claim a 13–0 victory over Charleston Southern. The Chanticleers ran relentlessly—Dominic Knicely’s explosive run and balanced carries from Simpkins and John accounted for 245 rushing yards. After MJ Morris struggled early, Tad Hudson stepped in and capped a long 83-yard drive with the lone touchdown. Kicker Kian Afrookhteh provided the rest of the scoring with two field goals.

Old Dominion ::: WIN, North Carolina Central, 54-6 PGWE: 100% -- Old Dominion delivered a statement win over N.C. Central, cruising to a 54–6 victory behind sheer dominance on both sides of the ball. Colton Joseph was efficient and versatile, while Trequan Jones provided a burst of highlight-reel explosiveness, capped by a 93-yard TD that set a new program benchmark. The defense was stifling, creating turnovers and keeping the opponent in check. Despite the lopsided outcome, two concerning developments emerged: the loss of veteran lineman Zach Barlev and the unexplained absence of standout linebacker Jason Henderson. Though ODU stands at 1–1, the team will need to manage these key absences as they look ahead to Sun Belt play.

Southern Miss ::: WIN, Jackson State, 38-20 PGWE: 99% -- Southern Miss broke a long slide with a 38–20 win over Jackson State, sparked by a special teams play and solid offensive efficiency. Ahmere Foster’s blocked punt, returned by Zach Ruffin for an early touchdown, shifted momentum instantly. Braylon Braxton delivered three touchdown passes, while Jeffery Pittman’s explosive run and solid rushing depth kept the offense balanced. The defense forced turnovers—bagging an interception return by MaLik Caswell and multiple sacks—to maintain control. Though Jackson State threatened midgame, Southern Miss’s pressure and opportunism proved too much. With no injury concerns, the Eagles will look to build on this balanced, confident showing moving forward.

Marshall ::: Loss, Missouri State, 20-21 PGWE: 8% -- Marshall opened home play with a close 21–20 loss to Missouri State, dropping a late lead and ceding the contest in the final minutes. Zion Turner delivered a balanced effort—he passed for 83 yards, and rushed for 60 along with a touchdown. On defense, Kerion Martin and Jamaal Whyce were relentless, combining for 21 tackles and pressuring the quarterback consistently. Despite leading 20–14 midway through the fourth quarter, Marshall couldn’t convert their final drive, and a late Missouri State TD sealed the upset. With no injuries reported, the primary focus now shifts to addressing execution in clutch moments and red-zone effectiveness as Marshall prepares for their next matchup.

James Madison ::: Loss, at Louisville, 14-28 PGWE: 18% -- James Madison showed grit but fell 28–14 to Louisville, with its two-quarterback system hampering offensive rhythm throughout the night. Alonza Barnett III flashed mobility and tossed a touchdown, while Matthew Sluka contributed 83 rushing yards and a score, yet alternating between the two left neither fully settled. Landon Ellis added consistency as a target, but turnovers and stalled drives offset the Dukes’ advantage in time of possession (37 minutes to Louisville’s 22). Despite holding their own statistically, JMU couldn’t generate sustained momentum, and Louisville capitalized on mistakes to secure the win. On the plus side, the Dukes emerged without new injuries, but finding clarity at quarterback looms as a pressing priority heading into Sun Belt play.

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