Pitt stuns Clemson on late kick, 43-42
Washington, Michigan, Auburn, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech also upset
Chris Blewitt made a 48-yard field goal with six seconds left as visiting Pittsburgh stunned No. 2 Clemson, 43-42, spoiling a record-setting Saturday for quarterback Deshaun Watson and complicating the Tigers’ path back to the College Football Playoff.
It was the biggest win for the Panthers (5-4, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) since knocking off No. 2 West Virginia, 13-9, in 2007.
Watson threw for an ACC-record 580 yards and three touchdowns. But his third interception gave Pitt the chance to crawl back from a 42-34 deficit. After Saleem Brightwell’s pick and 70-yard return, James Conner finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run.
The Panthers, who gave up 630 yards, stopped Wayne Gallman short on third and fourth down to take the ball with 58 seconds left. Two passes to Scott Orndoff put Pitt within range, and Blewitt nailed the kick to send the Panthers into a frenzy.
IOWA 14, NO. 3 MICHIGAN 13: Keith Duncan kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired, and the host Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten Conference) stunned the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1), damaging Michigan’s playoff hopes.
The Wolverines appeared to have the game wrapped up on Channing Stribling’s interception of Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard’s pass with 1:54 left. But the Hawkeyes stuffed Michigan, and a face-mask penalty put Iowa at the Wolverines’ 36-yard line with 1:23 to go.
NO. 20 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 26, NO. 4 WASHINGTON 13: Sam Darnold threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans (7-3, 6-2 Pac-12 Conference) upset the host Huskies (9-1, 6-1), ending Washington’s 12-game winning streak and imperiling their playoff dreams.
Darnold lofted a pass over linebacker D.J. Beavers and into the arms of tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe for an 8-yard touchdown strike in the opening moments of the fourth quarter to give USC an 11-point lead that Washington couldn’t overcome.
MISSISSIPPI 29, NO. 8 TEXAS A&M 28: Shea Patterson threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, and Gary Wunderlich made a 39-yard field goal with 37 seconds left to lift the Rebels (5-5, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) past the host Aggies (7-3, 4-3).
GEORGIA 13, NO. 9 AUBURN 7: Rodrigo Blankenship kicked two fourth-quarter field goals, and the host Bulldogs (6-4, 4-4 SEC) shut down the Tigers (7-3, 5-2) in the second half for an upset victory.
The loss ends Auburn’s SEC championship hopes and knocks the Tigers out of consideration for a spot in the College Football Playoff. No. 1 Alabama, a 51-3 winner over Mississippi State, clinched the division with the Tigers’ loss.
NO. 10 PENN STATE 45, INDIANA 31: Saquon Barkley ran for two go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter, helping the Nittany Lions (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) beat the host Hoosiers (5-5, 3-4).
Barkley was held to 20 yards on 20 carries though the first three quarters. But the Big Ten’s top rusher stepped up in the final quarter, and Penn State kept pace with No. 2 Michigan in the East Division with its sixth consecutive victory.
The Nittany Lions sealed the win with a 9-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 29 seconds left.
GEORGIA TECH 30, NO. 14 VIRGINIA TECH 20: Backup quarterback Matthew Jordan rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns to lead the visiting Yellow Jackets (6-4, 3-4 ACC) to an upset of the Hokies (7-3, 5-2).
Jordan, who made his first career start in place of an injured Justin Thomas, helped make the Yellow Jackets bowl-eligible. He repeatedly gashed the Hokies defense, carrying the ball 32 times and scoring on runs of 53 and 3 yards.
NO. 19 NEBRASKA 24, MINNESOTA 17: Tommy Armstrong Jr. led a 91-yard tiebreaking touchdown drive after being helped off the field with an ankle injury in the previous series, and Kieron Williams’ interception with 1:29 left lifted the Cornhuskers (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) over the visiting Golden Gophers (7-3, 4-3).
MICHIGAN STATE 49, RUTGERS 0: Tyler O’Connor threw three touchdown passes in the first half, and the host Spartans (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) ended their seven-game losing streak with a rout of the Scarlet Knights (2-8, 0-7).
NOTRE DAME 44, ARMY WEST POINT 6: DeShone Kizer threw for three touchdowns, C.J. Sanders returned the opening kickoff for a score, and the Fighting Irish (4-6) beat the Black Knights (5-5) in San Antonio.