Week 1 of the college football season is in full swing with an action-packed Saturday slate of games.
Currently, No. 9 Oklahoma is playing host to UTEP on FOX, while No. 11 Oregon is battling reigning national champion No. 3 Georgia in Atlanta and No. 23 Cincinnati is on the road to take on No. 19 Arkansas.
Elsewhere, Haynes King and No. 6-ranked Texas A&M Aggies are waiting out a lightning delay to continue their matchup against Sam Houston State.
Earlier, No. 8 Michigan dominated Colorado State in front of more than 100,000 fans at Michigan Stadium.
Later, No. 18 Wisconsin hosts Illinois State on FS1 (7 p.m. ET), followed by a showdown between the Marcus Freeman-led No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and his alma mater, No. 2 Ohio State (7:30 p.m. ET).
[Click here for highlights from Thursday and Friday’s games]
Here are the top plays from Saturday’s Week 1 slate.
No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 3 Georgia
Still to come!
Gabriel with the moves!
Making his first start for the Sooners, quarterback Dillon Gabriel wasted no time bringing the fans to their feet. The former UCF QB kept the ball, made a beautiful cut, and them scampered 12 yards into the end zone, giving Oklahoma an early 7-0 lead.
No. 23 Cincinnati at No. 19 Arkansas
Still to come!
Sam Houston State at No. 6 Texas A&M
Going deep
King and the Aggies got on the board early as the sophomore signal-caller threw a perfect 66-yard strike to Yulkeith Brown, putting Texas A&M on top, 7-0.
Bombs away
Later, King found Ainias Smith over the middle for a monster 63-yard score ahead of the break.
No. 8 Michigan 51, Colorado State 7
Off to the races!
Cade McNamara and the Wolverines struck first as the senior QB connected with Roman Wilson on a screen pass and the speedy wideout turned on the jets, taking it 61 yards for the score.
Bell is back!
Michigan star receiver Ronnie Bell was back in action Saturday after missing out on the 2020-21 season after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1 last year. Bell, who decided to return to Ann Arbor for a fifth year, led the team with 48 receptions for 758 yards in 2019.
Never give up on the play
Blake Corum bounced a run to the outside and took it in for the 7-yard score, giving Michigan an early 20-0 cushion. Then, Michigan added to its lead, thanks to DB DJ Turner‘s 45-yard fumble recovery-turned-TD.
The Wolverines went on to score three more times to seal the deal, 51-7.
First Kinnick Wave
The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ first Kinnick Wave of the season was a big one. The iconic Wave, which occurs at the end of the first quarter of every home game, is when the entire stadium turns and waves to those inside the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which directly overlooks Kinnick Stadium.
Jackrabbits arrive
After Iowa’s Spencer Petras was picked off near midfield, South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski made the most of the turnover by moving his team downfield. The drive resulted in a game-tying field goal.
Taking charge
The Hawkeyes’ defense came up big in the third quarter as preseason All-American lineback Jack Campbell forced a safety, giving Iowa a 5-3 lead.
Iowa takes a 5-3 lead over South Dakota State after Jack Campbell tackles the ball carrier in the end zone for a safety
Preseason All-American Jack Campbell tackles Isaiah Davis in the end zone for a safety.
Double trouble
The Hawkeyes picked up their second safety of the game to take a 7-3 lead over the Jackrabbits late in the fourth quarter. In the end, it was just enough to pull off the win, and things ended there.
Iowa gets its second safety of the game and takes a 7-3 lead
The Hawkeyes record their second safety to extend the lead over South Dakota State, 7-3.
Style points
Maryland‘s first TD of the day was a must-see moment. Terrapins RB Roman Hemby took off for 33 yards and ran through Buffalo‘s defense — stiff arm included — on his way to the end zone.
Tailback TD!
Buffalo returned the favor in the second quarter, as Al-Jay Henderson sped up the sideline for a Bulls score.
Too fast
Hemby left the Buffalo defense in the dust on his way to the end zone for the second time Saturday, this time for a whopping 70-yard score. The Terps went on to dominate the ground game and seal the win, 31-10.
BEST OF THE REST:
Make way!
After Bowling Green got on the board first with a blocked punt-turned-TD, UCLA was able to knot things up in the first quarter, 7-7, courtesy of QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson‘s 68-yard run on third down.
Denied
East Carolina‘s defense made a huge statement by shutting down No. 13 NC State on fourth-and-goal.
Stay tuned for updates.
COMING UP:
Rice at No. 14 USC (6 p.m. ET)
Illinois State at No. 18 Wisconsin (7 p.m. ET, FS1)
No. 7 Utah at Florida (7 p.m. ET)
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State (7:30 p.m. ET)
Utah State at No. 1 Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET)
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