Oklahoma outlasts Texas in four- overtime thriller
DALLAS — Spencer Rattler threw a 25- yard scoring pass to Drake Stoops in the fourth overtime, and Oklahoma survived a late rally from No. 22 Texas in regulation for a 53- 45 victory Saturday as a most unusual version of the Red River rivalry ended with familiar dose of drama.
Rattler’s successful completion on the required 2- point conversion didn’t matter when Sam Ehlinger’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Tre Brown to end just the second Big 12 game to go four OTs.
Because of the pandemic, the crowd was limited to 24,000 in the 93,000- seat Cotton Bowl, with the surrounding Texas state fair shut down for the first time since World War II. On the field, it was the first time since 1999 neither team was in the Top 20.
Ehlinger threw two touchdown passes in the final 3: 28 of regulation after what appeared to be a game- sealing interception by Woodi Washington in the end zone with the Sooners leading 31- 17 with five minutes remaining.
After tossing a 2- yard score to Keaontay Ingram with 14 seconds left in regulation, Ehlinger opened overtime with his third rushing TD, from 3 yards.
Rattler answered with a an 11- yard touchdown pass to Austin Stogner, then plunged over from the half- yard line on fourth down after his initial scoring run was overturned over review to start the second OT.
Ehlinger’s career- best fourth touchdown run forced the third overtime, but the Longhorns ( 2- 2, 1- 2 Big 12) couldn’t avoid a second straight loss.
NO. 3 GEORGIA 44. NO. 14 TENNESSEE 21
ATHENS, Ga. — Stetson Bennett threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and Georgia bounced back from Tennessee’s goal- line stand on the final play of the first half, dominating the final 30 minutes.
The Bulldogs ( 3- 0) knocked off a ranked Southeastern Conference team for the second week in a row, shaking off a a 21- 17 deficit to completely wipe out the Volunteers over the final two quarters.
NO. 21 TEXAS A& M 41, NO. 4 FLORIDA 38
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Isaiah Spiller ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns and Texas A& M beat Florida on Seth Small’s 26- yard field goal as time expired.
Spiller helped get the Aggies ( 2- 1, 2- 1 Southeastern Conference) get into position for Small’s decisive kick, giving Jimbo Fisher his first win over a top- five team since taking over as Texas A& M coach.
NO. 8 NORTH CAROLINA 56, NO. 19 VIRGINIA TECH 45
CHAPEL HILL, N. C. — Michael Carter ran for a career- high 214 yards and two touchdowns — including a 62- yarder midway through the fourth quarter — for North Carolina.
The Tar Heels ( 3- 0, 3- 0 Atlantic Coast Conference) leaned on a dominating running game. Javonte Williams also ran for a career- best 169 yards and two scores, with both backs finding gaping lanes and weaving through defenders to keep the chains moving on the way to 399 yards on the ground.
NO. 13 AUBURN 30, ARKANSAS 28
AUBURN, Ala. — Anders Carlson made the most of his second chance, hitting a 39- yard field goal with 7 seconds left to lift Auburn.
The Tigers ( 2- 1, 2- 1 Southeastern Conference) narrowly avoided a second straight loss, with drama and uncertainty continuing right up to that winning kick.
NO. 15 BYU 27, UTSA 20
PROVO, Utah — Zach Wilson threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns and Tyler Allgeier rushed 116 yards and another score to lead BYU.
The Cougars ( 4- 0) equaled their best start since 2014 while rolling up 472 yards.
MISSOURI 45, NO. 17 LSU 41
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Connor Bazelak threw for 406 yards and four touchdowns, and Missouri’s maligned defense stopped LSU four times at the 1- yard line in the final minute in a shootout moved from Baton Rouge because of Hurricane Delta.
Larry Rountree added 119 yards rushing and Tyler Badie scored touchdowns on the ground and through the air for Mizzou ( 1- 2. 1- 2 Southeastern Conference). The Tigers gave new coach Eli Drinkwitz his first win in thrilling fashion at Faurot Field.
NO. 24 IOWA STATE 31, TEXAS TECH 15
AMES, Iowa — Brock Purdy passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns, Breece Hall ran for 135 yards and two scores for Iowa State.
The Cyclones ( 3- 1, 3- 0 Big 12) opened conference play with three straight wins for the first time since 2002 and only the second time since 1950.