Michigan pulls away from Florida
ARLINGTON, Texas — Quinn Nordin became the first Michigan kicker to make two 50-yard field goals in the same game, one of them in a quick go-ahead spurt after halftime, and the 11th-ranked Wolverines won 33-17 Saturday to hand 17th-ranked Florida its first season-opening loss in nearly three decades.
The Gators had won 27 consecutive season openers, the nation’s longest such streak, since a home loss to Mississippi in 1989.
“It’s gonna hurt, and if it doesn’t, then something is wrong,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “We have a lot more to play. I like this team, I like the guys on this team. I think we have a chance to grow and I believe we will.”
Michigan trailed 17-13 at halftime before scoring three times in the first 6 minutes of the second half.
After Karan Higdon’s 3-yard TD run capped a half-opening 75-yard, 10-yard drive, Ambry Thomas forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. That set up a 30-yard field goal by Quinn, who then made a 50-yarder after Michigan recovered another fumble.
“This win was a good start for the season for us, build our confidence, allow us to see what we’re capable of,” sophomore linebacker Devin Bush said.
Nordin made four field goals, including a 55-yarder in the first half. He missed two attempts wide right in the fourth quarter, one of those from 52 yards.
The nation’s No. 1 kicker in the 2016 recruiting class, Nordin had initially committed to Penn State but signed with the Wolverines after a home visit that included a sleepover by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Florida’s only touchdowns came when Duke Dawson and CJ Henderson returned interceptions for touchdowns. Those came on consecutive throws by Michigan starting quarterback Wilton Speight in the second quarter.
“I thought Wilton did a good job getting calmed down,” Harbaugh said. “Showed a lot of resilience, our team today, and I’m very proud of that.”
› No. 4 Southern Cal. 49, Western Michigan 31
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ronald Jones II ran 37 yards for the tiebreaking touchdown with 6:57 to play, and Southern California rallied from a second-half deficit.
Jones rushed for 159 yards and three scores, while freshman Stephen Carr added 69 yards rushing and two TDs in an auspicious debut for the Trojans, who scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.
Marvell Tell returned an interception 37 yards for a TD with 3:13 to play as USC won its 10th consecutive game despite major trouble from the defending MAC champion Broncos on a brutal 99-degree day at the Coliseum.
› No. 5 Clemson 56, Kent State 3
CLEMSON, S.C. — Kelly Bryant passed for 236 yards and a touchdown and ran for 77 more yards in his first game as Clemson’s starting quarterback.
Bryant has the hefty responsibility of replacing Deshaun Watson behind center for the defending national champions. The junior, who had thrown just
22 passes in his career for Clemson in mop up duty, showed he could both run and pass.
Bryant had a perfectly placed 61-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain on his second drive. He mirrored Watson’s running ability, taking off for a 47-yard run after all his receivers were covered.
› No. 6 Penn State 52, Akron 0
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Saquon Barkley had 226 total yards and two touchdowns to lead Penn State.
Trace McSorley was 18 for 25 passing for 280 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score.
Tight end Mike Gesicki added six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns for Penn State.
› No. 7 Oklahoma 56, UTEP 7
NORMAN, Okla. — Baker Mayfield passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in one half of action to help Oklahoma rout UTEP.
Mayfield completed 16 straight passes to start the game. He didn’t miss until just under four minutes remained in the second quarter and completed 19 of 20 overall.
The Sooners rolled up 676 yards of offense in their first game under head coach Lincoln Riley. The 33-year-old was promoted from offensive coordinator after Bob Stoops stepped down in June.
› No. 12 Auburn 41, Georgia Southern 7
AUBURN, Ala.— Jarrett Stidham threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in his debut for Auburn in a victory over Georgia Southern.
The Tigers used a smothering defense to overcome three turnovers -- including a fumble returned for a touchdown -- plus an injury to tailback Kerryon Johnson and the absence of top runner Kamryn Pettway. Pettway, wide receiver Kyle Davis and backup quarterback Sean White were held out for undisclosed reasons.
The news got worse when Johnson pulled up short on what appeared destined to be his second long touchdown of the first half. He left with an apparent right hamstring injury and didn’t return after gaining 136 yards with a 60-yard touchdown scamper.
Stidham scored on a 14-yard run and passed for 19-yard touchdowns to Ryan Davis and Will Hastings in the opener for both teams.
› No. 18 Miami 41, Bethune-Cookman 13
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Malik Rosier passed for 217 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as Miami’s full-time starting quarterback, Mark Walton ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
Rosier completed 17-of-28 passes, and Miami which scored on five of its first six possessions. He spread the ball to nine receivers and went 12 for 14 in one stretch in his first start since Oct. 31, 2015. Braxton Berrios, Lawrence Cager and Darrell Langham had touchdown catches for Miami.
› No. 19 South Florida 31, Stony Brook 17
TAMPA, Fla. — Quinton Flowers threw for 186 yards and a pair of second-half touchdowns to help South Florida shrug off a slow start in a victory over Stony Brook.
Tyre McCants’ 65-yard TD reception put USF (2-0) ahead for good with 11:23 remaining. Mazzi Wilkins’ interception set up a late TD that ended any hopes for Stony Brook (0-1) to rally for an upset.
› Maryland 51,
No. 23 Texas 41
AUSTIN, Texas — Tyrrell Pigrome threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score before leaving with an injury and Maryland beat Texas, spoiling Longhorns coach Tom Herman’s debut.
Pigrome had to be helped off late in the third quarter after twisting his knee, but freshman Kasim Hill came in and led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in the opener for both teams.