No. 13 Stanford batters San Diego State
Wisconsin pounds Western Kentucky with long runs
STANFORD, Calif. — JJ Arcega-Whiteside caught three TD passes from K.J. Costello to overcome a slow night by Heisman Trophy runner-up Bryce Love as No. 13 Stanford opened the season with a 31-10 victory over San Diego State on Friday.
Love was held to 29 yards on 18 carries as the Aztecs focused their defense on stopping the man who led all Power 5 backs with 2,118 yards rushing last season.
After a slow start in the opener for both teams, the Cardinal made San Diego State pay for that decision. Costello connected with Arcega-Whiteside on a 38-yard score in the second quarter and then on plays from 19 and 80 yards in the third quarter as the Aztecs defensive backs struggled to contend with Stanford’s big receiver. Arcega-Whiteside finished with six catches for 226 yards.
Costello added a 19-yard TD pass to Colby Parkinson in the fourth quarter to break open what had been a close game for more than a half. Costello finished 21 for 31 for 332 yards and four TDs.
No. 4 WISCONSIN 34, WESTERN KENTUCKY 3:
In Madison, Wis., Jonathan Taylor had two long touchdown runs, Alex Hornibrook threw for 257 yards and two scores and Wisconsin beat Western Kentucky to open the season.
A young defense working in seven new starters forced two turnovers inside Wisconsin’s 5. A.J. Taylor paced the short-handed receiving corps with five catches for 85 yards, while Garrett Groshek turned a screen pass into a 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 31-point lead.
The Badgers finished with a flurry, scoring on five of six drives after punting on three of their first four possessions. Jonathan Taylor finished with 145 yards on 18 carries.
Drew Eckels was 15 of 26 for 167 yards in his first career start for the Hilltoppers.
No. 11 MICH. STATE 38, UTAH STATE 31:
In East Lansing, Mich., Connor Heyward scored his second touchdown with 2 minutes left to put Michigan State ahead and the Spartans held on to beat Utah State in the opener for both teams.
The Spartans trailed until the second quarter, built a 13-point lead late in the third and fell behind late in the opener for both teams.
Darwin Thompson put the Aggies ahead with a 1-yard run, his second go-ahead score of the game, with 5:05 remaining. Their defense couldn’t make one more stop, though.
Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke was 23 of 33 for 287 yards with two TDs, an interception and a fumble.
NEVADA 72, PORTLAND STATE 19:
In Reno, Nev., Ty Gangi threw three touchdown passes to McLane Mannix and Nevada cruised past FCS-member Portland State in a season opener for both teams.
Nevada had five 40-plusyard touchdowns. Daniel Brown returned an interception 42 yards, Mannix scored from 47 and 58 yards out, Jaxson Kincaide added a 73-yard grab and Romeo Doubs went 80 yards on a punt return.
COLORADO 45, COLO. STATE 13:
In Denver, Steve Montez threw for 338 yards and four scores as the Buffs (1-0) beat the Rams (0-2).
MISSOURI S&T 31, ENMU 14:
In Rolla, Mo., on Thursday, Tyler Swart threw for 293 yards and four TD to lead Missouri S&T past the Greyhounds in the opener for both teams.
ENMU gained only 269 yards.