USC avoids upset bid by W. Michigan
Ronald Jones II ran 37 yards for the tiebreaking touchdown with 6: 57 to play, and No. 4 USC rallied from a second- half deficit to come away with a 49- 31 victory against visiting Western Michigan.
Jones rushed for 159 yards and three scores, while freshman Stephen Carr added 69 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Trojans, who scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.
Marvell Tell returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown with 3: 13 to play as USC won its 10th consecutive game despite major trouble from the defending MAC champion Broncos.
Following the Tell touchdown, Jake Olson, who is blind, was the long snapper on the extra point.
Jon Wassink passed for 67 yards, caught a touchdown pass and rushed for another score for Western Michigan in coach Tim Lester’s debut for his alma mater. Even after losing coach P. J. Fleck, quarterback Zach Terrell and star receiver Co- rey Davis, the Broncos’ 15 returning starters came back strong after winning 13 games and reaching the Cotton Bowl during the best season in school history.
Sam Darnold passed for 289 yards and rushed for a score for the Trojans, but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time during USC’s winning streak, which included his record- setting performance in last season’s Rose Bowl. Deontay Burnett caught seven passes for 142 yards.
After Carr’s first touchdown run put the Trojans ahead midway through the fourth, Western Michigan’s Darius Phillips returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a tying touchdown with 7: 54 to play. USC then gained 79 yards on two big plays, with Deontay Burnett making a 42- yard catch before Jones’ third touchdown run.
No. 5 Clemson 56, Kent State 3
Kelly Bryant passed for 236 yards and a touchdown and ran for 77 more yards in his first game as Clemson’s starting quarterback, replacing Deshaun Watson behind center for the defending national champions.
No. 7 Oklahoma 56, UTEP 7
Baker Mayfield passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in one half of action to pace the host Sooners, who rolled up 676 yards of offense in their first game under head coach Lincoln Riley.
Mayfield completed 16 consecutive passes to start the game. Mark Andrews had career highs of seven catches and 134 yards, all in the first half. Jeff Badet, a transfer from Kentucky, added 91 yards on four catches.
Missouri 72, Missouri State 43
Quarterback Drew Lock set school records by throwing for 521 yards and seven touchdowns for the host Tigers, who amassed a record 821 yards against their FCS foe.