CFW Week 3 Results – UCLA and Virginia Tech fire head coaches
A quintet of epic games
made for a classic weekend
Whether you were happy or not about the outcome of these games, you have to admit they were epics.
One was decided by a 55-yard field goal as the time expired. Two required overtime to settle the outcome. One was clinched by a fourth-down touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining. One gave us eight touchdowns and a field goal (59 points) and four ties, all in the first half.
Trailing Georgia Tech 13-0 midway through the second quarter, Clemson fought back and took a 14-13 lead over the Yellow Jackets late in the third quarter. Less than a minute later, Georgia Tech retook the lead at 21-14. With 3:26 remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter, Clemson tied the game at 21-21. Then with no timeouts left and the clock running with 19 seconds left to play, Georgia Tech rushed its field goal team onto the field. Aidan Birr nailed a 55-yarder. The clock was down to 2 seconds when he got the kick off. Georgia Tech upset Clemson, 24-21.This is the same Aidan Birr who kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired to give Georgia Tech a 24-21 win over Florida State last year in Dublin, Ireland.
For the first two and a half quarters, in what was billed as the “Game of the Week,” Georgia trailed Tennessee – other than a very brief 7-7 tie in the first quarter. As the first quarter ended, the Dawgs were down 21-7. Georgia trailed 21-17 at halftime. Then, midway through the third quarter, Georgia took its first lead in the game, 24-21. In the next 11 minutes, the lead would change hands three times. As the third quarter came to an end, Tennessee retook the lead at 28-27. Early in the fourth quarter, Georgia went back up 30-28. Less than two minutes later, Tennessee grabbed a 35-30 lead. With 6:40 remaining, the Vols extended their lead, 38-30. Then with 2:32 on the clock, the Dawgs scored a touchdown and nailed a two-point conversion – 38-38. Tennessee then blew its chance to win the game. With just seven seconds remaining, the Vols lined up to kick a 38-yard game-winning field goal. However, a false start penalty on Tennessee moved the ball back five yards. So, now it was a 43-yard field goal attempt. Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert missed the kick, which forced the game into overtime. In overtime, Tennessee made a 42-yard field goal. It was up to Georgia, and the Dawgs scored a touchdown – Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 (OT).
In Morgantown, it was the 108th edition of the “Backyard Brawl.” Early in the second quarter, West Virginia took a 7-0 lead over Pitt. At halftime, WVU led 7-3. Midway through the third quarter, the Mountaineers extended their lead to 14-3. Two minutes later, Pitt closed the gap to 14-11. Late in the third quarter, the Panthers tied the game at 14-14. In the fourth quarter, Pitt continued its run. The Panthers took their first lead at 17-14. Five and a half minutes later, Pitt extended its lead to 24-14. With 5:03 remaining, WVU kicked a field goal. The Mountaineers trailed, 24-17. As the clock was winding down, West Virginia mounted an 87-yard drive. WVU scored a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining – 24-24. Overtime! In overtime, the Mountaineers scored a touchdown and Pitt failed to score – West Virginia 31, Pitt 24 (OT).
For most of the first half, Notre Dame was having its way against Texas A&M. The game remained close, but the Irish had leads of 7-0, 14-7, 17-7, 17-14, 24-14 and 24-21. However, with 1:11 to go before the break, Texas A&M took its first lead at 28-24. Midway through the third quarter, Notre Dame went back up at 31-28. As the third quarter was coming to an end, the Aggies tied the game at 31-31. Just one minute into the fourth quarter, Notre Dame was back on top at 34-31. Texas A&M came right back and tied things up at 34-34. Then an interesting thing happened. First, the Irish scored a touchdown with 2:53 remaining on the clock. Notre Dame was up 40-34. But on the extra point attempt, the Irish botched the snap. That kept the Notre Dame lead at just six points. Then another interesting thing happened. On the ensuing kickoff, Texas A&M returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. But the touchdown was negated by a holding penalty on the Aggies. No problem – Texas A&M drove down the field to the Notre Dame 10. Then the Aggies were hit with back-to-back penalties. Down to one play left – fourth and goal – Texas A&M connected on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining. Texas A&M beat Notre Dame, 41-40.
The fifth of the five epics took place in Oxford, Mississippi. Ole Miss and Arkansas gave us more than we could ask for in the first half. In the first two quarters, the game was tied four times. In the first two quarters, Ole Miss scored four touchdowns and a field goal – 31 points. Arkansas scored four touchdowns – 28 points. Ole Miss led Arkansas 31-28 at the break. The second half was a complete opposite of the first half. The offenses calmed down and the defenses stepped up. Both teams only scored one touchdown in the second half. Ole Miss added a field goal to their touchdown. In the end, Ole Miss beat Arkansas, 41-35.
Those five games made Saturday a terrific day in college football. Not because of who won or who lost, but because the games were epic. They could not have been more exciting. It was 11 hours of intense drama.
College football Week 3 began Thursday night in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In the only game Thursday night, NC State rallied in the second half to beat Wake Forest 34-24. Trailing the Demon Deacons 24-17 at halftime, the Wolfpack outscored Wake Forest 17-0 in the second half. The Deacons ran out of steam. NC State running back Hollywood Smothers rushed for 164 yards.
College football Week 3 continued Friday night with a slate of five games. The first two games were full of offensive fireworks. Indiana demolished Indiana State, 73-0, and Syracuse powered over Colgate, 66-24.
The Hoosiers racked up 33 first downs and 680 total yards in their win over the Sycamores. Indiana receiver Omar Cooper had 10 receptions for 207 yards and four touchdowns. Syracuse and Colgate combined for 1,044 total yards, with the Orange having 622 of those yards. Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli passed for 417 yards and five touchdowns, while Orange receiver Darrell Gill had six receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
In the third game, Houston beat Colorado, 36-20. The Cougars had a balanced attack of running and passing. The Buffaloes had no running game. The next game was also a Big 12 encounter. Arizona improved to 3-0, edging Kansas State, 23-17. Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi rushed for 189 yards.
The Friday night finale saw UCLA fall to 0-3. The Bruins lost to New Mexico, 35-10. New Mexico running back Damon Bankston rushed for 154 yards and one touchdown.
There were other close games on Saturday. Buffalo scored a touchdown with 1:03 remaining to beat Kent State, 31-28. Delaware kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to put its game with Connecticut in overtime. In the extra time, Delaware beat UConn, 44-41 (OT).
Then there were the other extremes – the 60-plussers: Michigan 63, Central Michigan 3; Rutgers 60, Norfolk State 10; Cincinnati 70, Northwestern State 0; Toledo 60, Morgan State 0, and Mississippi State 63, Alcorn State 0.
From Parton to Parker – Dolly Parton turned down ESPN’s offer to be the guest picker on College GameDay. Former Tennessee basketball player Candace Parker filled in as the picker. Dolly backed out because GameDay is just 9-to-12 and Dolly works 9-to-5.
On a positive note: Iowa State is the only 4-0 team in the country. Vanderbilt is 3-0. California is 3-0. On a negative note: Notre Dame is 0-2 and Clemson is 1-2.
UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster and Virginia Tech fired head coach Brent Pry on Sunday. Both UCLA and Virginia Tech are 0-3. Foster was in his second year with the Bruins. His record was 5-10. Pry was in his fourth year with the Hokies. His record was 16-24.
Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell and Florida’s Billy Napier will be fired by the end of the season.
Following the loss to Texas A&M, Notre Dame fans flocked to social media to trash Irish defensive coordinator Chris Ash. A few postings: “Chris Ash is just awful.” “Chris Ash needs to be fired tomorrow.” “Fire Chris Ash if you care about this program.”
Texas fans booed Arch Manning during the Longhorns’ game with UTEP. Texas won 27-10.
After three weeks of football, the Top 5 in the AP Poll this week are 1.Ohio State (3-0), 2. Penn State (3-0), 3. LSU (3-0), 4. Miami (3-0) and 5. Georgia (3-0). There are no Group of five teams in the Top 25 this week.
The ACC has approved a nine-game conference schedule, commencing in 2026. With the ACC announcement, all four Power Four conferences will be playing nine-game conference schedules next year. The SEC announced its move to nine games a few months ago. The Big 12 and Big Ten have been playing nine-game conference schedules for several years.
Touchdown Tom
September 15, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Week Three Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: Missed field goal – Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 27, Georgia 24). Yes, sadly for Tennessee, a blown 43-yard field goal cost the Vols the game. The same kicker – Max Gilbert – made a 48-yard field six minutes prior to the missed field goal. The two teams combined for 999 total yards. Georgia held a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar passed for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Aguilar also threw two interceptions. Vols receiver Chris Brazzell had six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance in Knoxville: 101,915
RUNNER-UP: The run is over – Miami 49, South Florida 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 30, South Florida 19). Yes, the running of the Bulls has ceased. After knocking off Boise State and Florida, the Bulls ran out of gas against Miami. Miami totally dominated the game – 27 first downs and 576 total yards. The Canes had a 13-minute edge in time of possession. South Florida only had 40 yards rushing. Miami quarterback Carson Beck was 23-for-28, passing for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Beck also threw two interceptions. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 66,591
REST OF THE BEST: Irish are 0-2 – Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Texas A&M 21). Notre Dame, who played in the national championship game last season is off to a 0-2 start. The Irish defense gave up 488 total yards to A&M. Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed was 17-37-1, passing for 360 yards and two touchdowns. A&M receiver Mario Craver had seven receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown. Attendance in South Bend: N/A
Five picks – LSU 20, Florida 10 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Florida 17). Yes, Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway threw five interceptions. Florida had more first downs – 23-10, and more total yards – 366 to 322. The Gators even had a 15-minute edge in time of possession. But the five interceptions kept Florida from winning. How much longer does Billy Napier have? Attendance in Baton Rouge: 102,158
Jackets are 3-0 – Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 21, Clemson 20). As the score indicates, the teams were pretty even in the stats. Tech quarterback Haynes King was 20-28-0, passing for 211 yards. King also rushed for 103 yards. Clemson receiver Bryant Wesco had seven receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown. It was Georgia Tech’s first win over Clemson after nine straight losses. Attendance in Atlanta: 48,059
Vandy ain’t no candy – Vanderbilt 31, South Carolina 7 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 27). South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson, who was ejected for targeting. South Carolina had four turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions. Vanderbilt had an 11-minute edge in time of possession. After scoring a touchdown in the first quarter, the Gamecocks were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. Attendance in Columbia: 79,873
Backup QB comes through – Ole Miss 41, Arkansas 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 28, Arkansas 24). The teams combined for 1,007 total yards. Ole Miss was quarterbacked by backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Quarterback Austin Simmons was sidelined with a foot injury. Chambliss stepped up to the challenge. He was 21-29-0, passing for 353 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green was 22-35-0, passing for 305 yards and one touchdown. Green also rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown. Attendance in Oxford: 65,068
Recovery’s over – Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 31, Wisconsin 10). This doesn’t look like the same Alabama team that lost to Florida State. Either that or Wisconsin is even worse than we thought. Bama quarterback Ty Simpson was 24-29-0, passing for 382 yards and four touchdowns. Tide receiver Ryan Williams had five receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Wisconsin only had 209 total yards. Attendance in Tuscaloosa: 100,077
Mistake-makers – USC 33, Purdue 17 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 30, Purdue 17). The lack of a running game hurt Purdue – only 52 yards rushing. Three interceptions hurt the Boilers too. Aside from that, Purdue played USC on fairly even terms. After three quarters, USC led Purdue 30-10. Attendance in West Lafayette: 58,065
Well, what do you know – West Virginia 31, Pitt 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 24, West Virginia 17). West Virginia played three quarterbacks. Nicco Marchiol started at QB but was replaced by Scotty Fox who was replaced by Jaylen Henderson. Ultimately, Marchiol returned to the game to pull it out for the Mountaineers. Fox threw two interceptions while he was playing. Marchiol was 19-25-0, passing for 192 yards and one touchdown. WVU running back Tye Edwards rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns. WVU defense held Pitt to 47 yards rushing. Attendance in Morgantown: 62,108
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
This was a laugher – Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 48, Houston Christian 0). Nebraska knocked the holy crap out of Houston Christian. The Huskers had 30 first downs to 11 for HC. Nebraska had 554 total yards to 160 for HC. The Huskers played three quarterbacks. Nebraska’s rushing was shared by Kwinten Ives (85 yards) and Emmett Johnson (78 yards). Attendance in Lincoln: 86,292
Tulane was too much – Tulane 34, Duke 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Tulane 24, Duke 20). Tulane jumped out to a 24-3 lead. Little-by-little, Duke worked its way back into the game. The teams were fairly close in the stats. Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff was 15-23-0, passing for 245 yards. Retzlaff rushed for 111 yards, scoring all four of Tulane’s touchdowns. Attendance in New Orleans: 30,000
Arch was booed – Texas 27, UTEP 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 45, UTEP 3). Texas won but the Longhorns didn’t look all that good in winning. Arch Manning completed less than 50% of his passes. He was 11-for-25, passing for 114 yards. He threw an interception. The Texas fans booed him. Texas had a 15-minute edge in time of possession. Attendance in Austin: 102,025
Week 3 Results: 9 winners, 4 fumbles (69.2 percent)
For the Season: 33 winners, 13 fumbles (71.7 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Chattanooga 63, Stetson 0 – Attendance in Chattanooga: 7,144
South Carolina State 55, Bethune-Cookman 41 – Attendance in Orangeburg: 9,026
FIU 38, Florida Atlantic 28 – Attendance in Miami: 17,638
West Florida 42, Shorter 20 – Attendance in Rome: 5,038
Florida A&M 33, Albany State 25 – Attendance in Tallahassee: N/A
Superlatives
Week Three’s Impressive Passers:
Texas Tech’s Behren Morton – 23-35-1 for 442 yards (4TDs); Syracuse’s Steve Angeli – 24-32-0-417 (5TDs); Alabama’s Ty Simpson – 24-2 9-0-382 (4TDs); Charlotte’s Conner Harrell – 26-30-1-382 (3TDs), and Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar – 24-36-2-371 (4TDs).
Also, Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss – 21-29-0 for 353 yards (1TD); Ohio State’s Julian Sayin – 25-32-2-347 (3TDs); UConn’s Joe Fagnano – 28-38-0-346 (2TDs); UAB’s Jalen Kitna – 30-45-1-341 (2TDs); Miami’s Carson Beck – 23-28-2-340 (3TDs), and TCU’s Josh Hoover – 21-27-0-337 (4TDs).
Week Three’s Impressive Rushers:
Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy – 250 yards (3TDs); Arizona’s Ismail Mahdi – 189 yards; Delaware’s Jo Silver – 179 yards (2TDs); FIU’s Kejon Jones – 173 yards (1TD); NC State’s Hollywood Smothers – 164 yards, and Navy’s Blake Horvath – 159 yards (1TD).
Also, Stanford’s Micah Ford – 157 yards (1TD); New Mexico’s Damon Bankston – 154 yards (1TD); Ball State’s Qua Ashley – 154 yards (2TDs); Virginia’s Harrison Waylee – 151 yards (3TDs), and North Carolina’s Demon June – 148 yards (1TD).
Quotes of the Week
“Blacksburg will always hold a special place in our hearts. We leave with wonderful memories and lifelong friendships. We will forever be cheering for the Hokies,” fired Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
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