Oklahoma St. stops Iowa St.
Spencer Sanders waited a long time for this moment.
Oklahoma State’s sophomore quarterback passed for 235 yards and ran for 71 and a touchdown in his return from injury, and the sixth- ranked Cowboys defeated No. 17 Iowa State 24- 21 on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.
Sanders suffered a right hand injury late last season and missed most of the action in the final three games. This season, he injured his right ankle in the season opener against Tulsa and hadn’t played since.
His return had its rough spots — he threw two interceptions. But he made enough plays — including a 34- yard touchdown pass to Jelani Woods — to get his team through.
“I was really frustrated with myself for getting hurt, so I’m really happy that I’m back,” he said. “A little frustrated with myself with the two turnovers today, but I’m going to let it go.”
Sanders said he was careful but aggressive as a runner. He had 15 carries, taking some of Iowa State’s focus away from star running back Chuba Hubbard.
Hubbard ran for 139 yards and a touchdown for Oklahoma State ( 4- 0, 3- 0 Big 12).
Breece Hall, who was second nationally in yards rushing per game, ran for a career- high 185 yards for Iowa State ( 3- 2, 3- 1).
Clemson 47, Syracuse 21
Trevor Lawrence threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, Travis Etienne ran for three scores and No. 1 Clemson ( 6- 0, 5- 0) won its 27th straight Atlantic Coast Conference game, beating Syracuse ( 1- 5, 1- 4) at home.
Syracuse was down just 27- 21 late in the third quarter. But Andrew Booth Jr.’ s fumble recovery and touchdown run after Rex Culpepper was sacked late in the third quarter turned the game in Clemson’s favor for good.
Alabama 48, Tennessee 17
Mac Jones threw for 387 yards and ran for a touchdown, and Najee Harris ran for three more scores to help No. 2 Alabama ( 5- 0) rout host Tennessee ( 2- 3) for its 14th straight win in the rivalry.
Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle rolled his right ankle as he was tackled on the opening kickoff. He was taken by cart to the locker room, and coach Nick Saban said at halftime that Waddle will be out the rest of the year and that the junior likely will need surgery.
North Carolina 48, N. C. State 21
Javonte Williams ran for 160 yards and three scores and No. 14 North Carolina beat No. 23 North Carolina State in Chapel Hill.
Michael Carter ran for 106 yards and a score of his own for the Tar Heels ( 4- 1, 4- 1 ACC), who used a run- through- and- overtacklers ground game that helped them take control in the third quarter. UNC ran for 326 yards and finished with 578 overall, bouncing back from an upset loss at Florida State to beat the Wolfpack ( 4- 2, 4- 2).
Sam Howell threw for 252 yards and a TD for the Tar Heels.
Wake Forest 23, Va. Tech 16
Walk- on freshman safety Nick Anderson had three interceptions, Christian Beal- Smith ran for 129 yards and Nick Sciba kicked three field goals to help Wake Forest ( 3- 2, 2- 2 ACC) upset No. 19 Virginia Tech ( 3- 2, 3- 2) at home.
Beal- Smith set the tone for the Demon Deacons with a 58- yard run on the game’s first series.
Kansas State 55, Kansas 14
Phillip Brooks returned a pair of punts for touchdowns, No. 20 Kansas State took advantage of an embarrassing day of special teams by its biggest rival and the Wildcats rolled to the home win,
Will Howard threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns while Justin Gardner returned an interception 25 yards for another score for the Wildcats ( 4- 1, 4- 0 Big 12).
The Jayhawks ( 0- 5, 0- 4) lost for a series- record 12th straight time.
Army first to get bowl bid
Army accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl, becoming the first team in the country to gain a spot in the postseason.
West Point announced the bid after the Black Knights beat Mercer to improve to 6- 1.
Army is slated to face a Pac- 12 Conference foe in the Shreveport, Louisiana bowl game. The date of the game will be announced later.