No. 2 Clemson 28-Texas A&M 26What a finish in this one. The Clemson (2-0) defense was absolutely smothering holding Texas A&M (1-1) to just three points in the first half, but the Aggies were able to crack the Tigers in the fourth quarter to make it interesting.
Perhaps the biggest play did not involve a score as Texas A&M was driving with just over two minutes left in the game. Kellen Mond connected with Quartney Davis when K'Von Wallace came from behind and stripped Davis. The officials ruled that the ball went out of bounds in the endzone to force a touchback. Replay was unable to confirm or deny the ruling, so the call stood.
The Aggies got the ball back with 1:08 left and took just 22 seconds to score on what should have been an interception, but the ball was tipped up to Kendrick Rogers for the touchdown. Mond was not so lucky on the 2-point conversion as he was picked off in the endzone and the Tigers held on to win.
Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence each through a touchdown, while Bryant added another with his legs to lead the way for Clemson. Dabo Swinney is now 5-4 all-time against Jimbo Fisher.
Next up for Clemson is a return home to take on the option attack of Georgia Southern (2-0).
The Willie Taggart era is not going according to plan as the Seminoles (1-1) might have won the game against Samford (1-1), but the Bulldogs made it a lot tougher than it should've been.
Those arriving late the game might have been surprised to find that it took Samford just one play to go 54 yards and score to take an early 6-0 lead after a missed 2-point conversion. Imagine their shock when the Bulldogs drove 75 yards in seven plays to take a 13-0 lead. By the time the first half came to the close, the FCS squad had Florida State fans with their mouths hanging open, as they led 23-21.
There was no change until midway through the fourth quarter. Ricky Aguayo had a chance to give the Seminoles the lead, but he missed his second field goal of the game. Samford would make a field goal to carry a 26-21 lead with 7:58 remaining.
Deondre Francois hung in there and brought the Seminoles down the field for an 11 play, 82-yard dive for the go ahead touchdown. Francois had three touchdowns passing and another on the ground to keep Florida State from embarrassment. The only touchdown he didn't account for came on the next drive when Devlin Hodges threw his fourth pick and Levonta Taylor returned it 63 yards to seal he win.
The Seminoles return to ACC play after dropping the opener to Virginia Tech. They'll face a Syracuse (2-0) team that has put up 117 points in their first two games, albeit against Western Michigan and Wagner.
Virginia (1-1) had a chance to rally in the fourth quarter, but Indiana (2-0) stopped a final throw from the Hoosiers 27 to keep the Cavaliers on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
The Cavaliers defense tossed a shutout in the second half, but Virginia couldn't capitalize. Six of the teams second half drives ended in punts, while the Hoosiers also missed a field goal and threw an interception.
Bryce Perkins had 106 yards and two touchdowns in the air while running for another 123 yards. Stevie Scott torched the Cavaliers for 204 yards rushing and a score to lead Indiana.
Virginia welcomes the Ohio Bobcats (1-0) next. Ohio had an extra week to prepare for the contest with an early bye this week.
The Wildcats (1-1) scored seven in the first quarter, the Blue Devils got all 21 in the second, and the defense or lack of offense took over in the second half. Daniel Jones threw three touchdowns to lead the way for Duke.
The Blue Devils head to Waco, Texas, for a showdown with Baylor (2-0).
The Yellow Jackets (1-1) and Bulls (2-0) brought the fireworks very early in the game as they scurried to a 17-14 first quarter finish.
The Yellow Jackets turned a first drive interception into a field goal. Terrence Horne took the ensuing kickoff back 98 yards. TaQuon Marshall scampered 45 yards for a score to put GT up 10-7. Horne took that ensuing kickoff back 97 yards. Marshall responded with an 81-yard touchdown run.
The two teams traded blows throughout the game, but the Yellow Jackets committed two turnovers in their final three drives while South Florida put together three straight touchdown drives to finish off Tech.
ACC play begins next week for Georgia Tech as they head to a Pitt (1-1) team that was obliterated this week.
The Nittany Lions (2-0) may have seemed vulnerable after their near overtime loss to Appalachian St, but that couldn't have been further from the truth.
Pitt (1-1) and Penn State traded touchdowns early on, but Pat Narduzzi elected to go for two and the Panthers missed to make it 7-6. From there Penn State scored 44 unanswered including a questionable 34-yard touchdown pass with the game well out of hand.
Pitt welcomes Georgia Tech (1-1) next.
Last week the Tigers (0-2) lost 52-0, this week they faced a turnover chain-wearing bunch that was looking to take out some anger after losing to LSU.
The Hurricanes (1-1) defense forced four turnovers and allowed just 78 yards. The offensive backups got plenty of action in this one.
Miami could be headed into a trap next week as they head to the 419 to take a Toledo Rockets (1-0) team that has an extra week to prepare after their bye week in Week 2.
It's amazing how well William & Mary (1-1) can hang in with teams despite only being two people (my wife loves that joke!). In all seriousness, it appeared as though there was only two people by the the time the Hokies (2-0) coasted to a 38-7 lead at the half. Virginia Tech's backs ran for 305 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Hokies better beware next week as the Tar Heels have told a tale of plundering Pirates (1-1) from ECU.
Perhaps one of my favorite games of the week. The Pirates (1-1) were stunned by FCS foe NCAT last week and North Carolina (0-2) kept it close with Cal, so it looked good for UNC. But recently the Pirates have had the Tar Heels' number and fans even took a billboard out in 2014 after their 70-41 blitzing.
So why was anyone surprised when ECU extended their win streak to three over UNC and held the Tar Heels scoreless in the second half. The UNC offense mustered just one offensive touchdown.
To make matters worse, the Tar Heels face the longest winning streak in the FBS as UCF (2-0) comes to Chapel Hill next week.
Towson (1-1) hung around in the first quarter, but Wake Forest (2-0) outscored the Tigers 37-6 from that point to cruise to victory. Cade Carney led the way with 130 yards on the ground a score for the Demon Deacons.
They'll open ACC play next week against Boston College (2-0).
Boston College 62-Holy Cross 14
34-0 a the half is usually good enough to win, but Boston College (2-0) added another 28 points in the second half to avoid going full Western Kentucky. A.J. Dillon had just six carries, but scored on three of them while amassing 149 yards.
Up next is Wake Forest (2-0).
NCST 41-Georgia St 7
The Wolfpack (2-0) were surely thinking not again when the Panthers (1-1) trailed just 10-7 after the first quarter. NCST had struggled to put away James Madison last week, but had no issues this week, outscoring Georgia St 31-0 in the final three quarters.
Ryan Finley led the way with 370 yards and two scores through the air.
The Wolfpack draw a tough task in Will Grier and the high flying West Virginia (2-0) offense next week at Carter-Finley.
Eric Dungey continued to be a touchdown scoring machine as he threw for five more this week to lead Syracuse (2-0) to another high scoring output. The Orange defense also made sure to pick off all three quarterbacks that Wagner (1-1) had attempt a pass.
Syracuse looks to continue making it a long year for Willie Taggart and FSU (1-1).
I once watched Eastern Michigan beat Indiana St (1-1) 52-0 to open their home season. So forgive me if I'm not impressed by the 31-7 win by Louisville (1-1).
To make matters worse, the Cardinals and Sycamores were tied at seven going into the half. Louisville outgained Indiana St 363-211, so offense lovers need not watch the highlight film.
Hopefully things look better when Western Kentucky (0-2) comes to town. The Hilltoppers may still be trying to figure out how they gave up 31 unanswered points to Maine.
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