Week 4 of college football brought plenty of excitement, from dramatic comebacks to dominant blowouts. Michigan's thrilling last-minute win over USC headlined a day full of surprises, while teams like James Madison and Clemson made big statements. Here's a look at the top action from today’s games.
Michigan stuns USC late
Michigan edged USC 27-24 in a thrilling Big Ten opener on Saturday, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 37 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
The Wolverines led 20-17 going into the fourth quarter but found themselves trailing after USC quarterback Miller Moss connected with Ja’Kobi Lane for a 24-yard touchdown pass, giving the Trojans a 24-20 lead with 8:19 remaining.
Michigan’s offense, which had been largely quiet in the second half, came to life when running back Kalel Mullings broke free for a 63-yard rush to set up a first down at the USC 17-yard line with two minutes left. The Wolverines then capitalized as Mullings punched it in from the 1-yard line on fourth-and-goal to put Michigan back in front.
USC, playing its first Big Ten game, had one final drive to try and steal a win in Ann Arbor. After converting a key third-down pass to Woody Marks, the Trojans drove into Michigan territory but fell just short of field goal range. Moss completed a pass on fourth down, but the receiver was tackled one yard short of the marker, sealing the win for Michigan.
Mullings led the Wolverines with 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including his 53-yard first quarter score that put Michigan on the board early. Michigan’s defense also came through, as Will Johnson's 42-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter helped Michigan extend its lead.
For USC, Moss finished with 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Michigan’s late surge.
110,000 going crazy! 🔊
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball)
The Wolverines will host Minnesota next week, while USC looks to bounce back at home against Wisconsin.
Over 110,000 fans packed Michigan Stadium to witness the Wolverines’ dramatic win.
Tennessee tops Oklahoma in SEC opener
No. 6 Tennessee defeated No. 15 Oklahoma 25-15 on Saturday, securing a victory in the Sooners' SEC debut and extending the Volunteers' undefeated start to the season.
Tennessee took control early, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava connecting on a 66-yard touchdown pass to Dont’e Thornton Jr. late in the first quarter, giving the Volunteers a 10-3 lead. Iamaleava finished the game with 194 passing yards and a touchdown as the Volunteers’ offense put up 345 total yards despite multiple offensive line injuries.
The Vols' defense kept Oklahoma in check for much of the game, including a safety in the second quarter after a false start backed the Sooners deep into their own territory. Tennessee then took advantage of a Sooners fumble, as running back Dylan Sampson capped off an eight-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run just before halftime to extend the lead to 19-3.
Oklahoma's offense struggled to gain momentum, particularly after a second quarter quarterback change, with Michael Hawkins replacing Jackson Arnold. Hawkins led the Sooners on a brief fourth quarter surge, throwing a touchdown pass to Jovantae Barnes and engineering another scoring drive, but it was too little too late. The Vols’ defense held strong, forcing Oklahoma into three turnovers and limiting the Sooners to just 36 rushing yards.
Max Gilbert's late 32-yard field goal sealed the win for Tennessee, handing Oklahoma its first SEC loss.
Tennessee will enjoy a BYE next week before taking on Arkansas Oct. 5, while Oklahoma looks to rebound in its SEC schedule vs. Auburn.
Utah avoids Oklahoma State's fourth quarter comeback
A defensive struggle for most of the contest, No. 12 Utah withstood No. 14 Oklahoma State’s fourth quarter comeback to win on the road 22-19.
The contest carried the traits of slugfest early. On Utah’s first two offensive possessions, they turned it over on downs and threw an interception that led to an OSU field goal. The Utes bounced back on the next two go-arounds, though, scoring 10 points, but fumbled and threw another interception on the last two possessions before halftime.
A top-20 team nationally in points per game (42.6) through the first three contests, the Cowboys’ offense was in purgatory for most of the contest. Unable to find a rhythm, OSU punted eight times throughout the game to help give Utah a short field multiple times.
The Cowboys tried to make a fourth quarter comeback, executing back-to-back scoring drives topped off by a two-point conversion to cut Utah’s lead down to three with less than two minutes remaining.
OSU’s unexpected burst of energy died out on the following possession, as the defense couldn’t get enough stops to get the offense the ball back once more.
By the end of the contest, the two teams combined for 12 punts, six turnovers and two missed field goal attempts. The Utes hope to move to 5-0 next week against Arizona, which would be the first time for the program since 2015.
Missouri escapes Vanderbilt in double overtime
No. 7 Missouri squeezed out a double overtime win against Vanderbilt in Columbia, MO, 30-27.
Vanderbilt jumped on the board first with a 65-yard touchdown pass by Diego Pavia early in the first quarter. Mizzou responded the next drive, as Brady Cook connected with Luther Burden for a 20-yard touchdown.
Each team played the field position game for the next three quarters, both capitalizing once in the endzone.
Vanderbilt's defense harassed Tigers quarterback Brady Cook all game, giving him little time to get the ball downfield in the pocket. Vanderbilt had just enough explosive plays to get in field goal range for kicker Brock Taylor, who drilled a 57-yarder to close out the first half — a program record.
Mizzou had a difficult time containing Commodores' quarterback Diego Pavia, as he scrambled for 84 yards on the Tigers defense. A scoreless fourth quarter sent the Tigers to overtime with Vanderbilt, tied 20-20.
The Commodores opened OT with a four-play touchdown drive. But the Tigers countered even quicker, as Cook connected with Burden for seven again on the first play of Missouri's OT possession.
Luther Burden wide open easy money
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness)
Vanderbilt made a huge stop to hold Mizzou to another field goal in the second overtime. Earlier in regulation, Mizzou kicker Blake Craig missed a 23-yarder, and unfortunately for the Commodores, Taylor matched Craig, hooking a 31-yard field goal attempt in 2OT to lose the game.
VANDERBILT MISSES THE GAME-TYING FIELD GOAL…
— College Football Report (@CFBRep)
(7) MISSOURI ESCAPES IN 2OT
It was a back-and-forth showdown between the SEC foes, as Missouri (4-0), for the second straight week, sneaks by to stay undefeated on the year. Vanderbilt, who opened the season 2-0, falls to 2-2, with a loss to Georgia State in Week 3 and now a brutal finish against the Tigers in Week 4.
James Madison shocks North Carolina at home
Over 1,200 yards of total offense and 120 points. James Madison rolled into Chapel Hill and shocked the Tar Heels 70-50 in one of the most chaotic games you will ever watch.
This game had a little bit of everything. The Dukes scored the first touchdown of the game on a blocked punt, before North Carolina responded with two touchdowns of its own, taking an early 14-11 lead in the first quarter. This would be the Tar Heels last lead of the game.
SPECIAL. TEAMS.
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball)
JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett III was unstoppable to start the game, tallying three touchdowns through the air and two on the ground in the first 30 minutes. The Dukes capped off the first half with a 33-yard pick-six from Terrence Spence, his first of two on the day.
The Tar Heels trailed 53-21 at the break as the Dukes set a program record for most points scored in one half. North Carolina could not take care of the football, recording three total turnovers before the break.
UNC found a little bit of life in the third quarter, putting together a touchdown drive and responding quickly with a blocked punt for a score of its own. But the Tar Heels dug themselves too deep of a hole in the first half, still trailing 60-38 after 14 unanswered points. ;
Scoop n Score on the blocked punt.
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball)
Barnett finished with 388 yards in the air and five touchdowns and also tallied 99 yards on the ground, adding two more touchdowns. All five of Barnett's passing touchdowns were to different receivers, as he broke the program record for most touchdowns in one game by a JMU quarterback (7).
UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns, and star running back Omarion Hampton rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns. North Carolina out-gained the Dukes 616-611 yards, and if it weren't for crucial turnovers, the Tar Heels would've been firmly in this game.
James Madison handed UNC (3-1) its first loss of the season, and the Dukes improved to 3-0. The Tar Heels will look to bounce back in a rivalry game against Duke next week.
Clemson rolls over a floundering NC State squad
No. 21 Clemson dominated NC State in the first ACC game of the season for both programs. The Tigers got out to a 28-0 lead behind three passing touchdowns from quarterback Cade Klubnik. By halftime, Clemson led 45-7.
Clemson handled business in all facets of the game, forcing two fumbles, a missed field goal and returning an interception for a touchdown. By the time the clock struck triple zeros, Clemson finished atop the scoreboard 59-28.
Since only putting up three points against Georgia in Week 1, Clemson’s offense has come to life with today’s 59-point performance following a 66-point outing in Week 2. Meanwhile, NC State’s defense has allowed 50-plus points against a ranked opponent for the second time in as many games this season.
Things won’t get any easier for the Wolfpack either; No. 23 Northern Illinois — which has a ranked win over Notre Dame this season — comes to town next week.
Ohio State showcases playmakers in win versus Marshall
No. 3 Ohio State took over at Ohio Stadium, defeating Marshall, 49-14, to extend its early-season undefeated streak.
Marshall struck first with an opening drive capped by a 1-yard rushing touchdown from running back Ethan Payne. However, Ohio State wasted no time responding, as quarterback Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka on a 68-yard bomb, tying the game within the first quarter.
The Buckeyes came out the gates firing in the second quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points and showcasing their powerful run game. Marshall managed to find some late-half momentum with a touchdown pass to Elijah Metcalf, trimming the deficit to 24-14.
Ohio State kept up the pressure in the second half, with TreVeyon Henderson leading the charge on a 40-yard touchdown run. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith joined the scoring frenzy, taking it all the way home for a 53-yard touchdown and closing out the third, 42-14.
The Buckeyes put up another touchdown in the fourth by Quinshon Judkins and kept Marshall from scoring.
The Thundering Heard couldn’t keep up with the Buckeyes' offense, powered by the duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who showed off their strong run game. The duo totaled 20 carries, 249 yards and four touchdowns.
Will Howard remains a force to be reckoned with for Ohio State, racking up 275 yards and scoring two touchdowns in today's game.
Now 3-0, Ohio State turns its attention to a road game against Michigan State. The Spartans have had a clean slate so far, but they’ll first have to take on Boston College, who slipped from the top 25 after a tough loss to Missouri in Week 3.
Marshall, meanwhile, will look to bounce back next week when they host Western Michigan. A home crowd might be just the edge they need to rebound after this tough defeat.
Buffalo stuns Northern Illinois
Buffalo knocked off No. 23 Northern Illinois 23-20 in overtime. Buffalo kicker Upton Bellenfant won the game with his game-winning field goal.
After Buffalo went on a 17-3 second-half run take a 20-17 lead with 3:28 to play, Northern Illinois forced overtime with a 27-yard field goal.
However, the Huskies couldn’t repeat their special teams success in overtime; Buffalo’s Marquis Cooper blocked NIU’s field goal attempt after the Huskies got the ball first. From there, all the Bulls needed to do was line up the ball to kick the game-winning field goal.
Monmouth lands FCS-over-FBS upset
Monmouth won its first-ever game over an FBS opponent, defeating FIU in Pitbull Stadium 45-42. The game came down to the wire. FIU’s Keyone Jenkins “Gave it Everything” in true Pitbull fashion, catching a short crosser and taking it 20 yards to the goal line, but Monmouth’s Deuce Lee “Shut It Down”, stripping Jenkins of the football inches away from the end zone. Monmouth secured the win by running out the clock from there.
In the win, Monmouth had four touchdowns on the ground, paced by Sone Ntoh’s three endzone trips. Quarterback Derek Robertson — who entered the game as the leading passer in the FCS — wasn’t “Messin’ Around,” finishing with 361 yards and two touchdowns while completing 69 percent of his passes to 10 different receivers.
FBS teams continue to go “Timber” as Monmouth becomes the fifth FCS team to land an FCS-over-FBS upset this year.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!!?
— Monmouth Football (@MUHawksFB)
Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo nails 64-yard field goal
MADDUX TRUJILLO FROM 64 YARDS OFF THE IRON 😱
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)
Down 21-14 with five seconds left before halftime and at an opponent’s 46-yard line, Temple head coach Stan Drayton had a decision to make against Utah State.
Most coaches would send out the punting unit or try a last-second heave with the team being outside optimal field goal range. Even with the cloudy forecast and wind, no college kicker has made a 60-yard kick or longer this season. The longest college football field goal was 69 yards in 1976.
Drayton went with the uncommon option, though, sending out kicker Maddux Trujillo to attempt a 64-yard field goal.
And it paid off.
The redshirt senior’s kick teetered to the right of the goalpost while in the air before it bounced off the bottom of the iron and went in.
Cutting Utah State’s lead to four points, Trujillo’s kick was the longest field goal converted at Lincoln Financial Field and in a DI football game since 2008, according to ESPN.
