Week 1.5 (some teams like Hawai'i have already played two games) is almost done with just three games left on the docket over the next two days. Iowa State, Nebraska, and Akron all had their opening day games canceled because of some nasty weather rolling through the Heartland.
Still the rain couldn't stop the Ohio State Buckeyes, it could only hope to contain them. But, even the Buckeyes domination over Oregon State wasn't the highest scoring on Saturday. They were the only team to drop more than 70 on a Power 5 team. Oklahoma had the next highest against an FBS school with a 63-14 romp over Lane Kiffin's FAU Owls. Here are the top five scoring outputs from Week 1.
5.) Memphis over Mercer 66-14
The Tigers (1-0) picked up where they left off last season, scoring in droves. In 2017, Memphis dropped 40 or more in nine of their 13 contests and 66 or more in three of those. So when FCS Mercer (0-1) rolled up from Macon, Georgia, you knew points were coming.
Brady White went 22-28 for 358 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Tigers led 56-0 going into halftime. Next up is Navy (0-1), who allowed an alarming 59 to Hawai'i's seemingly rejuvenated offense.
4.Toledo over VMI 66-3
Toledo (1-0) scored in bunches last year as well en route to its first MAC Title since 2004 with six performances over 40. That made their 0 in the bowl game against Appalachian State so surprising. They last dropped 66 against rival Bowling Green in a 66-37 route last year. But as bad as BG has been, they are no VMI (0-1)
The Keydets were in for a long day when fullback Cody Thompson started the scoring by catching the punt he blocked and taking it three yards for a touchdown. He'd later catch another score to wrap up the first half at 42-3. The running brigade combined for 213 yards and five touchdowns.
The Rockets will take a week off to prepare the Glass Bowl to host a nationally ranked program in the Miami Hurricanes.
3.) Nevada over Portland St 72-19
This was a bit of a surprise that things ended up this way in Reno.The Wolfpack (1-0) struggled to a 3-9 season last year, that included a loss to Idaho State and two games in which they scored 42 and lost. So on Friday, when it was 9-9 after the first quarter, Nevada fans were no doubt holding their breaths.
Then they dropped 21 in the second quarter and another 28 in the third quarter to build a very comfortable 58-19 lead going into the fourth. Ty Gangi threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, while the Nevada backs scampered for four touchdowns and 216 yards. They draw Vanderbilt (1-0) next.
This was clearly a message to the committee that even without Urban Meyer, they can still win in a big way. Last year the Buckeyes (1-0) scored 48 or more in seven contests, but their highest was a 62-14 effort over Maryland.
If anyone was wondering if Dwayne Haskins was ready for his chance to shine as "the guy," those questions were answered with a 313 yard, five touchdown performance. Of course, it helps when Mike Weber is running for 186 yards and three touchdowns of his own. Terry McLaurin showed off some impressive moves in the open field on his 75-yard touchdown. He finished with two scores and 121 yards on just four catches.
Special shout out to Artavis Pierce of Oregon State (0-1), who dropped 168 yards for two touchdowns, including an 80-yard run against the Buckeyes defense.
Ohio State will open up Big Ten play next with Rutgers (1-0) coming to Columbus on Saturday.
1.) Fresno St over Idaho 79-13
Fresno State (1-0) was not known for scoring big last year, but did drop 66 on Incarnate Word in the 2017 opener and 41 against Nevada. To get to 79 they would need help from their defense and special teams and they certainly got it.
Offensively, it was all ground and pound with 239 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, three of those belonging to Jordan Mims. The reason they could focus on the run so much is because of the big lead the defense set up after a sluggish 16-6 first quarter.
After Mims' second touchdown, Idaho (0-1) went to respond, but the Bulldogs blocked the field goal attempt and Jaron Bryant scooped and scored for a 74-yard touchdown. Anthoula Kelly followed with a 39-yard pick six and the Vandals final attempt for points in the first half was once again blocked and Bryant ran it back 71 yards for a 44-6 lead.
Fresno State heads east to take on Minnesota (1-0) on Saturday.
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