College football scores, rankings, highlights: BYU, Michigan, USC among biggest winners in Week 2

No. 9 Baylor and No. 21 BYU capped off a wild Week 2 of college football action on Saturday night with a dramatic game of their own as the Cougars squeaked past the Bears 26-20 in two overtimes. Katoa Lopini scored on a 3-yard rush to put BYU ahead in the second overtime before the Cougars got a game-clinching stand from their defense to cap the fourth-ever meeting between the future Big 12 foes.

BYU had two earlier chances to clinch the game -- one at the end of regulation and another in the first overtime -- but missed field goals extended the game on both occasions. It was ultimately fitting that the Cougars defense got it done in the end as they held Baylor to just 289 total yards for the game.

The late-night win for BYU made for an appropriate conclusion to a day of drama in the sport. The most-stunning upsets came from Sun Belt schools, with Appalachian State beating No. 6 Texas A&M 17-14, Marshall beating No. 8 Notre Dame 26-21 and Georgia Southern stunning Nebraska 45-42. Baylor became the third top-10 school to go down amid the chaos.

Things weren't all bad for the big-name schools, however. No. 10 USC showed up in an impressive win over Stanford, and No. 4 Michigan cruised to a 56-10 win over Hawaii as quarterback J.J. McCarthy made his first career start, completing 11 of 12 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. (Afterward, coach Jim Harbaugh announced McCarthy will start in Week 3 vs. UConn.) In fact, each team in the top five of the AP poll escaped from Saturday unscathed, though No. 1 Alabama certainly had a close call before winning 20-19 against Texas.

College football scores, schedule: Week 2

No. 1 Alabama 20, Texas 19 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 3 Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12 -- Recap
No. 16 Arkansas 44, South Carolina 30 -- Recap
Marshall 26, No. 8 Notre Dame 15 -- Recap
Air Force 41, Colorado 10 -- Recap
No. 5 Clemson 35, Furman 12 -- Recap
Appalachian State 17, No. 6 Texas A&M 14 -- Recap
No. 24 Tennessee 34, No. 17 Pittsburgh 27 --Takeaways, recap
No. 2 Georgia 33, Samford 0 -- Recap
Iowa State 10, Iowa 7 -- Recap
No. 7 Oklahoma 33, Kent State 3 -- Recap
No. 20 Kentucky 26, No. 12 Florida 16 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 10 USC 41, Stanford 28 -- Recap
No. 4 Michigan 56, Hawaii 10  -- Recap
No. 21 BYU 26, No. 9 Baylor 20 -- Recap
Check out the entire Week 2 scoreboard

Check these out ...

Updates
(61)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

OVERTIME

As if Saturday hasn't been crazy enough, now we get overtime in Provo, Utah as a full moon watches over a wonky conclusion to regulation of the Baylor-BYU game. Jacob Oldroyd missed a 35-yarder that would have won it for the Cougars in the final seconds. 

September 11, 2022, 5:51 AM
Sep. 11, 2022, 1:51 am EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

BYU retakes lead

Late 3Q: BYU 20, Baylor 13

The Cougars are back in front after a 22-yard strike from Jaren Hall to Chase Roberts on a trick play. Should be a good fourth quarter in Provo as a crazy Week 2 Saturday winds down.

September 11, 2022, 4:56 AM
Sep. 11, 2022, 12:56 am EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Buckle up

Start 3Q: BYU 10, Baylor 6

Feels like we're in for a fun second half in Provo after Baylor and BYU finally figured things out offensively and each scored TDs on their final possessions of the first half. The Bears averaged just 2.7 yards per play in the first half, but BYU was only at 4.9. The Cougars at least got some mileage out of the pass game, whereas Baylor did not.

September 11, 2022, 4:16 AM
Sep. 11, 2022, 12:16 am EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Defensive struggle

Late 2Q: BYU 3, Baylor 0

Not much doing for either offense in the first half as Baylor and BYU have been trading three-and-outs with an occasional first down mixed in. Baylor has a little something going under four minutes left in the half, though. Points here would be the first since a field goal for the Cougars on the game's opening possession. 

September 11, 2022, 3:37 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 11:37 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Nebraska falls

Final: Georgia Southern 45, Nebraska 42

Georgia Southern just stunned Nebraska by amassing 642 total yards against the Cornhuskers. Nebraska had been 214-0 when scoring 35+ points at home. Not anymore. What a horrendous defeat for Scott Frost, who is now 16-31 in Year 5. Nebraska had a potential game-tying 52-yard FG attempt as regulation ended, but it went wide left. Unreal how poorly things have gone in Lincoln.

September 11, 2022, 3:29 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 11:29 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Auburn survives

Final: Auburn 24, San Jose State 16

It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was pretty ugly. But Auburn beats San Jose State 24-16. The Tigers' defense rose to the challenge in the second half. That's your positive takeaway from an otherwise uninspiring performance. T.J. Finley looked better in the second half than in the first, but it's hard to feel great about that position with Penn State up next.

September 11, 2022, 3:09 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 11:09 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

`Nebraska in peril

End 3Q: Nebraska 35, Georgia Southern 35

Georgia Southern is on Nebraskas's 1-yard line to start the fourth quarter — about to go ahead of the Cornhuskers in Lincoln. Just a horrendous defensive performance from Nebraskas against a GSU program in Year 1 under Clay Helton.

September 11, 2022, 2:25 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 10:25 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys ahead

Start 4Q: Oklahoma State 20, Arizona State 10

Arizona State finally found some offensive life  in the third quarter to make things interesting in Stillwater. The Sun Devils have the football down 10 near midfield to start the fourth quarter. ASU closed with 17-10 before an OSU field goal made it a two-possession game again.

September 11, 2022, 2:19 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 10:19 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

SJSU hanging around

Early 4Q: Auburn 17, San Jose State 13

San Jose hits a 27-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter to draw within 17-13 at Auburn. Gotta hand it to the Auburn student section, which appears impressively lit given the opponent and the circumstances. Tigers going to need to play some ball to close this one out. Just 12 first downs for the Auburn offense tonight. Hard to imagine that Zach Calzada would be much worse than what they've got at QB.

September 11, 2022, 2:14 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 10:14 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Michigan cruising 

Early 2Q: Michigan 28, Hawaii 0

J.J. McCarthy's starting opportunity is going quite well as the Wolverines lead Hawaii 28-0 early in the second quarter. McCarthy is 8 of 9 for 173 yards and two TDs against the woefully overmatched Rainbow Warriors. Remember it was McNamara who started last week and McCarthy this week as part of Jim Harbaugh's master QB plan for the 2022 season.

September 11, 2022, 2:07 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 10:07 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Ole Miss on cruise

End 3Q: Ole Miss 52, Central Arkansas 0

One team decidedly NOT on upset watch this week is Ole Miss, which is obliterating FCS foe Central Arkansas. Most impressive is that the Rebels have limited the Bears to just 114 total yards through three quarters. Both Jaxson Dart and Luke Altmyer have gotten plenty of reps at QB for Ole Miss tonight.

September 11, 2022, 1:45 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:45 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Upset list

Mid 2Q: Idaho 7, Indiana 0

As if there haven't been enough teams on upset watch already during Week 2, we can officially add Indiana to the list. The Hoosiers trail Idaho of the FCS midway through the second quarter. The Vandals played Washington State close last week, and the WSU went and won on the road at Wisconsin today. This one feels like it could stay close throughout.

September 11, 2022, 1:41 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:41 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Oklahoma State's defense

Half: Oklahoma State 17, Arizona State 3

The No. 11 Cowboys have been much better defensively so far against Arizona State than they were against Central Michigan in Week 1. The Sun Devils went 78 yards for a field goal on their first series and did absolutely nothing the rest of the first half. The Cowboys haven't been world beaters offensively, but they're in a good spot at home vs. a Pac-12 foe.

September 11, 2022, 1:33 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:33 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

USC's offense

Half: USC 35, Stanford 14

BREAKING: the USC offense is good. Caleb Williams completed 13 of 15 passes for 244 yards and 4 TDs in the first half as the Trojans accumulated 366 total yards. But here's the ugly truth: the Trojans are fortunate to be ahead 35-14. Stanford piled up 319 yards and if not for three turnovers by the Cardinal, this would be a close game. USC's defense is not good, at least not yet.

September 11, 2022, 1:28 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:28 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Auburn on upset alert

Half: San Jose State 10, Auburn 7

The Tigers trail San Jose State 10-7 at halftime after picking up just six first downs in the first half against their Mountain West foe. The Spartans are a hard team to peg, as they finished 5-7 last season after a 7-1 year in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Still, this is a rough showing so far for Bryan Harsin's offense. Robby Ashford has gotten some PT behind T.J. Finley at QB and both have been intercepted.

September 11, 2022, 1:19 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:19 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Nebraska in a battle

Late 2Q: Nebraska 28, Georgia Southern 28

It probably shouldn't be a surprise at this point, but Nebraska is in a fight with a Georgia Southern program in Year 1 under Clay Helton. The Cornhuskers have been awful defensively, allowing 355 total yards with 1:50 still remaining before half. The Cornhuskers are scoring plenty themselves, but this isn't a performance that inspires confidence for a program that is on its heels.

September 11, 2022, 1:14 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:14 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Breathe, Oklahoma 

Mid 3Q: Oklahoma 17, Kent State 3

After what happened to Texas A&M against Appalachian State, Oklahoma fans are probably still a little tense. But the Sooners have scored 17 unanswered to take a 17-3 lead on Kent State after the Golden Flashes led 3-0 until the final 20 seconds of the first half. Sluggish start, to be sure, but OU seems  to be in command now.

September 11, 2022, 1:08 AM
Sep. 10, 2022, 9:08 pm EDT
 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas Tech shocks Houston

Final: Texas Tech 33, No. 25 Houston 30

Texas Tech used a monster performance from quarterback Donovan Smith to shock Houston a move to 2-0 in the Joey McGuire era. Smith threw for 351 yards, rushed for 28 and had the game-clinching touchdown run in double-overtime against his future Big 12 foe. Houston receiver Nathaniel Dell had 120 yards receiving and running back Brandon Campbell added 80 yards, but the Red Raiders defense showed real signs of life in its first FBS game under Tim Deruyter. The Coogs finished with just 354 yards. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Overtime in Lubbock

End 4Q: No. 25 Houston 20, Texas Tech 20

Texas Tech nailed a 47-yard field goal with seconds remaining to send its battle against future conference-mate Houston to overtime in Lubbock. Quarterback Donovan Smith has been electric with 316 yards passing and 26 yards rushing, including all 48 yards on the drive to tie the game. This is the second game heading to overtime for Houston this season after winning a triple-OT thriller over UTSA last week. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies fall

Final: App State 17, No. 6 Texas A&M 14

The Aggies' return to the top 10 won't last long as Appalachian State upset Texas A&M to pick up its first top 10 victory since shocking Michigan in 2007. Texas A&M was brutal offensively, running just seven plays in App State territory and holding possession for fewer than 20 minutes. Quarterback Haynes King put together the worst passing performance by an Aggies quarterback since 2019. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Washington State upsets Wisconsin

Final: Washington State 17, No. 14 Wisconsin 14

Wisconsin's Clay Cundiff was stripped by Quinn Roff on second-and-11 down three points with 5:14 to go to as the Badgers appeared to be going in for the go-ahead score. Sam Lockett III recovered the fumble, which allowed the Cougars to rip off an 11-play drive to drain the clock and get out of Madison with the upset. It's Washington State's first win over a ranked opponent since 2018, when it topped No. 25 Iowa State 28-26 in the Alamo Bowl

 
Pinned
Link copied

Clemson's offense sputters in win

Final: No. 5 Clemson 35, Furman 12

The Tigers racked up 28 points in the first half, but the second half was a different story. They managed just 70 yards in the second half and didn't convert a single third down in what is a concerning development for a team that has had its ups and downs on offense over the last two seasons. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei finished the day 21 of 27 for 231 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in the win.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Ags on upset alert

4Q: App State 17, No. 6 Texas A&M 14

The Mountaineers took a three-point lead over the Aggies thanks to a 29-yard field goal with 8:05 remaining in regulation from Michael Hughes, who had never made a collegiate field goal. The Aggies have just 151 total yards and have run an embarrassing two offensive plays in App State territory. One week ago, the Mountaineers allowed 63 points against North Carolina. Needless to say, this kind of offensive effort won't get it done. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas Tech shocking UH

Half: Texas Tech 14, No. 25 Houston 3

The unranked Red Raiders have had a field day in the first half against a top 25 squad behind Donovan Smith's 218 yards passing and two scores. Smith has completed passes of 54 and 43 yards for touchdowns to different receivers and has added a tremendously explosive component.  The defense has been perhaps even more impressive, holding Clayton Tune to just 6.4 yards per pass attempt. The win would be a big moment for the Joey McGuire era in Lubbock. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Wisconsin battling with Wazzu

Half: Wisconsin 14, Washington State 7

The Badgers got into the end zone with just 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter after a huge 40-yard pass from Graham Mertz to Keontez Lewis set up a 10-yard score to Clay Cundiff to get some separation from visiting Washington State. Mertz has been solid in the first half with 146 yards passing and two scores as the defense is holding the Cougars to just eight yards on eight carries. Washington State gets the ball back with a chance to tie the game to start the second half. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Clemson's offense back on track

Half: No. 5 Clemson 28, Furman 9

The Tigers' offense was sluggish at best and embarrassing at worst last week in the win over Georgia Tech, but has gotten things straightened out against Furman on Saturday. DJ Uiagalelei has completed 15 of 18 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown during the first 30 minutes of play, and has averaged 11.3 yards per attempt. The ability to stretch the field has been one of the biggest concerns for Clemson fans after a Uiagalelei's sub-par season in 2021. Granted, he's having success against an FCS opponent on Saturday, which doesn't prove an awful lot.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies sputtering at half

Half: No. 6 Texas A&M 7, App State 7

The Aggies looked horrid in the first half for a second straight week as Texas A&M and Appalachian State are knotted up heading into halftime at Kyle Field. Quarterback Haynes King has just 46 yards passing on 10 attempts -- 17 yards of which went to wide receivers -- as the Aggies were outgained 153-104 in the first half. App State quarterback Chase Brice has completions to eight different receivers as the Mountaineers held the ball for more than two-thirds of the first half. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Notre Dame on upset alert

End Q3: Marshall 12, No. 8 Notre Dame 7

The Fighting Irish are on the doorstep at the end of the third, and it's the first time since late in the second quarter that they look somewhat competent. Marshall has 147 rushing yards through 45 minutes, and has had success getting push on a Notre Dame defensive line that was able to have plenty of success against Ohio State last week. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Utah bounces back

Final: No. 13 Utah 73, Southern Utah 13

Utah was stunned by Florida last weekend in The Swamp, and Southern Utah was the subject of the Utes' frustration. Cam Rising threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in an absolute annihilation over the FCS foe. Utah will likely need to run the table to even have a chance at making the College Football Playoff, and that quest got off to a good start on Saturday. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas A&M and Appalachian State tied up

9:12 Q2: No. 6 Texas A&M 14, Appalachian State 7

Texas A&M had trouble getting Appalachian State off the field in the first quarter after the Mountaineers ran 24 plays as opposed to seven by the Aggies. That led to a 7-0 lead by Appalachian State after the first frame. The Aggies got rolling in the second quarter when Devon Achane capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 26-yard run with 11:37 left in the frame. The Mountaineers have been inside Texas A&M territory on each of their first four drives, and Texas A&M's defense is going to have to tighten up if the Aggies want to avoid a close game in the fourth quarter. 

See More