Week 3 of college football delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, from stunning blowouts to nail-biting comebacks. Whether you were cheering for a top-ranked team or an underdog, this week had a little something for everyone. Here’s the rundown of the most thrilling moments and biggest surprises from the weekend’s games.
Battle of the Wildcats: Kansas State Pounces on Arizona
Friday night kicked things off with a much-anticipated matchup between two ranked teams, both fittingly named the Wildcats, as No. 20 Arizona took on No. 14 Kansas State. This game, hyped as the "Battle of the Wildcats," turned into a one-sided affair quickly. Kansas State unleashed a balanced attack that left Arizona in the dust, scoring 31 unanswered points to cruise to a dominant 31-7 victory.
Kansas State's quarterback, Avery Johnson, was the star of the show, showcasing his dual-threat ability. He rushed for 110 yards and passed for two touchdowns, orchestrating a bruising ground game that racked up 237 rushing yards. The game's most electrifying moment came in the second quarter when Dylan Edwards took a punt return 71 yards to the house, a play that would put Kansas State in control for good. With this performance, Kansas State has solidified itself as the team to beat in the Big 12.
Top-Ranked Georgia Survives Scare in Lexington
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs might still be undefeated, but they certainly didn’t make it look easy against Kentucky. In a defensive slugfest, Georgia narrowly escaped with a 13-12 victory on the road. The game was far from pretty; yards and points were a rare commodity, and both offenses struggled mightily.
Georgia was held to just 262 total yards, with only 102 yards on the ground, a shocking stat line for a team usually dominant in the trenches. But when it mattered most, Georgia found a way to win. Branson Robinson punched in a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish. The defense held firm, limiting Kentucky to four field goals and proving once again that defense wins championships… or at least, it helps you survive a near-upset.
Boston College Pushes No. 6 Missouri to the Limit
It was a tale of two halves in Missouri as the No. 6 Tigers took on No. 24 Boston College. Boston College jumped out to a surprising 14-3 lead behind two touchdown passes from Thomas Castellanos, and for a moment, it looked like an upset was brewing. However, Missouri came roaring back, scoring 21 unanswered points to secure a 27-21 victory.
Quarterback Brady Cook was pivotal in the comeback, throwing for one touchdown and running for another. Meanwhile, Nate Noel led the ground attack with 121 rushing yards, and kicker Blake Craig was perfect on the day, hitting four field goals. The Tigers showed resilience, and while they avoided the upset, it’s clear they’ll need to tighten things up as the season progresses.
Notre Dame’s Resounding Bounce-Back
After an embarrassing home loss to Northern Illinois last week, the No. 18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish took out all their frustrations on their rival Purdue, demolishing them 66-7. This was a statement game if there ever was one, and boy, did the Irish deliver!
Notre Dame’s ground game was unstoppable, racking up 362 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Riley Leonard was particularly lethal, rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns, while Jeremiah Love added a career-high 109 yards at an incredible 10.9 yards per carry. The Irish silenced their critics with this blowout win, showing they are not to be taken lightly moving forward.
Game of the Week
LSU’s Epic Comeback Leaves South Carolina Heartbroken
For sheer drama, it was hard to beat the showdown between LSU and South Carolina. With ESPN’s College Gameday on-site, South Carolina seemed poised for a signature win, racing out to a 17-0 lead. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was on fire early, including a breathtaking 75-yard touchdown run, the longest by a QB in South Carolina’s history. But fate had other plans.
Sellers was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury before halftime, and in stepped Arkansas transfer Raheim Sanders, who played admirably, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard sprint that put the Gamecocks back on top late in the fourth quarter.
However, LSU refused to go away. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, leading a final touchdown drive in the last two minutes. The game-winning score came on a 2-yard run by Josh Williams with just 1:12 left, capping off a 36-33 comeback victory that left South Carolina fans stunned and heartbroken. LSU showed grit and determination, but for South Carolina, this was a bitter pill to swallow.
Top 10 Teams Dominate Across the Board
Elsewhere, the rest of the Top 10 teams flexed their muscles in Week 3, putting on dominating performances that left little doubt about their playoff aspirations. No. 2 Texas, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Ole Miss, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 9 Oregon, and No. 10 Miami all steamrolled their opponents by a combined score of 320-37. It’s clear that the top teams are in mid-season form, and there’s a lot more chaos and excitement ahead in the coming weeks!
Closing Thoughts
Week 3 of college football had everything: blowouts, nail-biters, heroic comebacks, and heartbreaks. If this week is any indication, we’re in for one of the most thrilling college football seasons in recent memory. Stay tuned for more wild action, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @js_ace_football for more updates, analysis, and insights. Until next time, keep those tailgates hot and your Saturdays wide open! You can email me info@acefootballanalytics.com for guest appearances, podcasts and premium ghost-writing services.
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