The first game of the season doesn’t make or break a team’s season. But boy, does it feel like there’s a lot at stake in this in-state rivalry game. Miami enters the season with high expectations and a promising transfer quarterback in Cam Ward. The ACC could be up for grabs if Florida State‘s surprising loss to Georgia Tech last week. Florida, meanwhile, may need this game for bowl eligibility at the end of the season. Seriously. The Gators have talent on both sides of the ball, but they also have the toughest schedule in college football.
Notre Dame doesn’t shy away from tough openers, and this is no exception. Saturday night is QB Riley Leonard’s first game in a Notre Dame uniform after transferring to Duke, but he’ll be playing behind a revamped offensive line that lost three starters from 2023. First-year Texas A&M coach Mike Elko brings a defense that has lots of new faces but is still plenty talented. And QB Connor Weigman returns as the Aggies’ starting quarterback with the goal of staying healthy for the whole season.
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Meanwhile, Dylan Raiola’s Nebraska debut is off to a captivating start. The freshman has dropped a few dimes, including this absolute gem to Isaiah Nayor:
Now Penn State’s other star running back is getting in on the action. Nick Singleton just bolted through the West Virginia defense for a 40-yard touchdown.
The Longhorns are getting comfortable in Austin. After a Quinn Ewers TD pass, they’re now up 17-0 on Colorado State.
The Hurricanes worked the ball all the way down to the Florida 5 before settling for a field goal to extend their lead to 10-3.
Penn State-West Virginia restarts
A reminder that it’s 20-6 since it’s been a couple hours.
End of 1Q: Miami 7, Florida 3
The Hurricanes defense holds strong after the turnover and forces a 41-yard field goal by Trey Smack. That’ll do it for the first quarter in Gainesville.
Ohio State has restored order in Columbus and it’s highly touted freshman Jeremiah Smith who finds the end zone for the first time in his career.
Interception Florida!
Florida’s Shemar James comes down with a pick on an errant throw from Miami’s Cam Ward. The Gators will have the ball at the Miami 33-yard line.
Texas is up 7-0 as the first quarter ticks away in Austin, but Quinn Ewers just threw an interception at midfield.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is trailing early against Akron.
Touchdown Miami!
Who else but the crafty veteran Cam McCormick? The ninth-year player catches a crossing route from Cam Ward and takes it in for a 9-yard TD.
The Hurricanes have pieced together the best drive of the game so far and are at the Florida 10 after a boneheaded roughing the passer penalty on third down.
Final: Vanderbilt 34, Virginia Tech 27, OT
Vandy gets the stop on 4th and 11 to end Virginia Tech’s shot in overtime! The Commodores pull off the upset in a thriller!
Noteworthy games in the afternoon window just starting:
Miami-Florida
Nebraska-UTEP
Texas-Colorado State
Ohio State-Akron
Penn State-West Virginia still delayed
Another lightning strike in the area has restarted the 30-minute countdown clock in Morgantown.
Vanderbilt strikes first in OT
Vandy gets the ball first and marches into the end zone. It’s a 34-27 lead.
Virginia Tech will have its shot to match.
Vanderbilt-Virginia Tech headed to OT!
With a chance to win it for Vanderbilt, Brock Taylor MISSES from 43 yards out at the buzzer!
Vanderbilt is gonna have a kick to win this thing. It’ll be about a 43-yarder.
Vanderbilt got the stop on defense and now it’s on the move, with the ball already on the edge of field goal range. 15 seconds left.
