Mountaineers nearly pull off another stunner

No. 10 Nittany Lions survive Appalachian State’s onslaught on anniversary of Michigan upset

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Amani Oruwariye intercepted Zac Thomas’ pass in the end zone and No. 10 Penn State held on to beat Appalachian State 45-38 in overtime Saturday, exactly 11 years after the Mountaineers stunned Michigan in one of the biggest upsets in college football.

Miles Sanders ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in overtime for the Nittany Lions in the opener for both teams. But Penn State let a 31-17 lead evaporate when Appalachian State scored on three straight possessions over 5:53 in the fourth quarter.

Penn State’s Trace McSorley, who completed 21 of 36 passes for 230 yards and ran for two scores, led a tying drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to KJ Hamler with 42 seconds left.

Thomas, who returned from injury to lead his team’s comeback, completed 25 of 38 passes for 270 yards, threw for two touchdowns and ran for another for Appalachian State.

NO. 5 OHIO STATE 77, OREGON STATE 31

At Columbus, Ohio, with coach Urban Meyer serving a suspension, new starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. had a record-setting day, throwing five touchdown passes to help Ohio State rout Oregon State in the opener for both teams.

The Buckeyes shook off Meyer’s first absence from the Ohio State sideline in six years, scoring on five on the first six possessions and overcoming some defensive sloppiness.

Meyer will be allowed to return to practice Monday, although his suspension by the university will last for two more games. He was sanctioned after an investigation showed he mismanaged former assistant Zach Smith, who was accused of domestic violence and other bad behaviour.

Haskins was 22 for 30 for 313 yards. The five touchdowns and yards gained are records for a first-time Ohio State starter. Mike Weber rushed 20 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

NO. 12 NOTRE DAME 24, NO. 14 MICHIGAN 17

At South Bend, Ind., Brandon Wimbush connected on a long touchdown pass to help Notre Dame jump out to a big first-half lead, Te’von Coney and the defence made it stand with a late takeaway, and the Fighting Irish beat Michigan as the rivalry returned after a three-year hiatus.

Chris Finke hauled in a deep throw from Wimbush that went through a defender’s hands in traffic for a 43-yard score to put Notre Dame up 14-0 midway through the first half.

Jafar Armstrong’s second touchdown, a four-yard run with 3:55 left in the second quarter made it 21-3. Ambry Thomas gave the Wolverines a much-needed jolt with a 99-yard touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, but otherwise the Michigan debut of quarterback Shea Patterson was mostly disappointing.

NO. 1 ALABAMA 51, LOUISVILLE 14

At Orlando, Fla., College Football Playoff hero Tua Tagovailoa threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third in his first college start, helping the top-ranked and defending national champion Crimson Tide open the season with the rout of the Cardinals.

Essentially ending the debate — at least for now — about whether he or Jalen Hurts should be the Crimson Tide’s No. 1 quarterback, Tagovailoa scored on a nineyard run while also completing 12 of 16 passes for 227 yards without an interception.

Jerry Jeudy had TD receptions of 11 and 25 yards and Josh Jacobs scored on an 18-yard run and 77-yard kickoff return for Alabama.

NO. 2 CLEMSON 48, FURMAN 7

At Clemson, S.C., Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and the Tigers scored on all five of his drives in the season-opening rout.

Lawrence was going 9 for 15 for 137 yards and no interceptions, and senior starter Kelly Bryant was 10 for 16 for 127 yards and a touchdown and ran five times for 44 yards and another score.

NO. 3 GEORGIA 45, AUSTIN PEAY 0

At Athens, Ga., Jake Fromm threw two scoring passes while sharing time with Justin Fields and the Bulldogs showed off some new firepower.

Georgia flashed big-play potential, including a 59-yard touchdown pass from Fromm to Mecole Hardman and a 72-yard scoring run by Demetris Robertson.

NO. 7 OKLAHOMA 63, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 14

At Norman, Okla., Kyler Murray, taking over for Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns to lead Oklahoma.

Murray connected on 9 of 11 passes in just under one half. He also ran for 23 yards on four carries.