Buckeyes start strong
With coach Urban Meyer serving a suspension, new starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. had a record-setting day, throwing for five touchdowns as No. 5 Ohio State routed Oregon State, 77-31, in the opener for both teams yesterday in Columbus, Ohio.
After a preseason fraught with drama, 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 on 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 behavior.
Haskins, who took the keys from four-year starter J.T. Barrett, was 22-for-30 for 313 yards. The five touchdowns and yards gained are records for a firsttime Ohio State starter. Ohio State’s Mike Weber rushed 20 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Maryland 34, Texas 29 — The Terrapins emerged from a trying offseason with an emotionally charged upset of the No.23 Longhorns in Landover, Md., providing Matt Canada a satisfying victory in his debut as the Terps’ interim coach.
After blowing a 24-7 lead, Maryland forced three turnovers in the final 6:09 and scored the game’s final 10 points to stun the Longhorns in the opener for the second year in a row.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Maryland has dedicated its season to offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who collapsed on the practice field on May 29 and died two weeks later of heatstroke.
The Terrapins paid tribute to McNair by lining up with 10 players on their first offensive play of the game. Maryland waited for a delay of game to be called, and Texas declined the penalty in a show of sportsmanship.
Freshman Jeshaun Jones ran for a score, threw for one and caught a 65-yard TD pass.
Clemson 48, Furman 7 — In Clemson, S.C., freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and the No. 2 Tigers scored on all five of his drives in a rout of the Paladins.
Georgia 45, Austin Peay 0 — In Athens, Ga., Jake Fromm threw two scoring passes while sharing time with freshman Justin Fields and the No. 3 Bulldogs showed off some new firepower in rolling past the Governors.
Auburn 21, Washington 16 — In Atlanta, Jatarvious Whitlow ran 10 yards for a touchdown with 6:15 remaining, leading the No.9 Tigers to a win over the No.6 Huskies.
Oklahoma 63, Fla. Atlantic 14 — In Norman, Okla., Kyler Murray, taking over for Heisman Trophy-winner Baker Mayfield this season, passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns to lead the No. 7 Sooners over the Owls.
Penn St. 45, Appalachian St. 38 — In State College, Pa., Amani Oruwariye intercepted a Zac Thomas pass in the end zone and the No. 10 Nittany Lions held on to beat the Mountaineers in overtime.
Miles Sanders rushed 19 times for 91 yards with two touchdowns including the go-ahead score in overtime for PSU.
USC 43, UNLV 21 — In Los Angeles, freshman JT Daniels threw for 282 yards with a 43yard touchdown pass to AmonRa St. Brown to lead the No. 15 Trojans over the Rebels.
TCU 55, Southern U. 7 — In Fort Worth, Texas, Shawn Robinson threw touchdowns to three different receivers and ran for two more scores while playing only the first half as the No. 16 Horned Frogs trounced the Jaguars.
West Virginia 40, Tennessee 14 — In Charlotte, N.C., Will Grier got his Heisman Trophy campaign off to an impressive start, throwing for 429 yards and five touchdowns as the No. 17 Mountaineers handled the Volunteers in a game delayed for more than an hour at halftime due to lightning.
Boise St. 56, Troy 20 — In Troy, Ala., Brett Rypien passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns, and Sean Modster had 167 yards receiving, to lead the No. 22 Broncos over the Trojans.
In N.E. action:
Colgate 24, Holy Cross 17 — Grant Breneman threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders opened the season and Patriot League play with a victory over the Crusaders in Hamilton, N.Y. HC’s Domenic Cozier caught a TD pass and ran for another score.