No. 1 Oregon continues unbeaten start to season with win over Michigan

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks maintained their unbeaten streak with a decisive 38-17 victory over the defending national champions, Michigan, in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel played a pivotal role in the win, throwing for a touchdown and adding another on the ground.

This triumph pushed Oregon’s record to 9-0 for the season, marking only the third time in the program’s history they have achieved such an impressive start. In their inaugural season in the Big Ten, the Ducks have already triumphed over the conference’s traditional powerhouses, including Ohio State and a struggling Michigan, solidifying their position atop the AP poll.

Gabriel’s performance further cemented his status as a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in college football. He completed 22 of 34 passes for 294 yards and rushed for an additional 23 yards. “I think everybody in the nation needs to recognize what kind of quarterback we’ve got,” said Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. “He’s a really special player.”

Despite star receiver Tez Johnson going down with an injury in the first quarter, the Ducks’ offense continued to shine. Traeshon Holden stepped up, recording six catches for 149 yards, while running back Jordan James had an impressive outing with 117 yards on 23 carries.

Following this setback, Michigan’s record dropped to 5-4, with a 3-3 standing in Big Ten play, highlighting a challenging season for the Wolverines.

No. 3 Penn State Suffers First Loss

In another significant matchup, No. 3 Penn State fell to No. 4 Ohio State, losing its unbeaten record with a close 20-13 defeat. The Buckeyes’ robust defense secured a crucial road victory against a top-5 team for the first time since 2006.

Penn State had two crucial opportunities to score from inside the five-yard line but came away empty-handed, including a missed chance in the final minutes of the game. “We did some things that were good enough to win, other things we did not,” lamented Penn State coach James Franklin. “You can’t have the ball inside the 5-yard line twice and come out with no points.”

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had a mixed performance, passing for 182 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw a pick-6 on his opening throw and fumbled at the goal line, which could have been costly for the Buckeyes.

Despite the loss, Penn State remains optimistic about its playoff chances, as it has no remaining games against ranked opponents. Ohio State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten, keeping its playoff hopes alive and remaining in contention for the Big Ten Championship Game.

No. 2 Georgia Bests Florida

The No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs bounced back from a halftime deficit to defeat Florida 34-20 in a neutral-site game in Jacksonville. Quarterback Carson Beck, despite throwing three interceptions, finished the game with 309 yards and two touchdown passes.

Trailing 13-6 at halftime, Georgia exploded for 28 points in the second half after Florida’s freshman quarterback, DJ Lagway, was injured. Backup Aidan Warner struggled, completing only 7 of 22 passes for 66 yards.

Beck’s interception issues have raised concerns, as he now has 11 picks in the last five games. “We’ve got a really good quarterback,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart. “He just has a couple of times where he threw the ball over the middle late. You can’t turn the ball over and be a good football team.”

South Carolina Shocks Texas A&M

In a surprising outcome, unranked South Carolina stunned No. 10 Texas A&M with a resounding 44-20 victory, scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half. This loss drops Texas A&M to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the SEC, while South Carolina improves to 5-3 and moves closer to bowl eligibility.

With this victory, Georgia temporarily takes the top spot in the SEC standings, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of college football this season.