Cincinnati rallies to stay undefeated
ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Ridder three two touchdown passes and ran for two scores as No. 7 Cincinnati defeated Central Florida 36-33 Saturday to head into the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings unbeaten.
The Bearcats (8-0, 6-0 American) fell behind 14-3 in the first quarter against their toughest opponent yet, but grabbed the lead by halftime.
Dillon Gabriel threw for 243 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the Knights (5-3, 4-3) lost at home for the second time this season.
UCF took a 25-22 lead in the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Marlon Williams.
The interception Gabriel threw was costly for UCF.
Bearcats safety Darrick Forest picked off Gabriel’s pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 20 yards to the Knights’ 16. Four plays later, a 1-yard sneak by Ridder gave UC a 29-25 lead with 13:07 remaining.
Ridder passed for 338 yards and ran for 57.
NO. 1 ALABAMA 63 KENTUCKY 3
DeVonta Smith caught nine passes for 144 yards and set the Southeastern Conference career record with two more touchdowns in the host Crimson Tide’s victory over the short-handed Wildcats (3-5).
Mac Jones passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns and Najee Harris ran for a pair of scores for the Crimson Tide (7-0 SEC), both in less than three quarters.
NO. 3 OHIO STATE 42
NO. 9 INDIANA 35
In Columbus, Ohio, Master Teague ran for a career-high 169 yards and two touchdowns, Justin Fields accounted for three scores and the Buckeyes (4-0) held off a comeback bid by Michael Penix Jr., Ty Fryfogle and the Hoosiers (4-1). Penix was 27 for 51 for a career-high 491 yards and five touchdown passes.
NO. 6 FLORIDA 38 VANDERBILT 17
Kyle Trask passed for 383 yards and three touchdowns and the Gators (6-1 SEC) overcame an early deficit to beat the Commodores (0-7).
NO. 8 BYU 66
NORTH ALABAMA 14
Tyler Allgeier ran for a career-high 141 yards and two touchdowns, and the Cougars (9-0) routed the overmatched Lions (0-4).
NO. 19 NORTHWESTERN 17 NO. 10 WISCONSIN 7
Peyton Ramsey threw two touchdown passes and the Wildcats (5-0) shut down Graham Mertz and the Badgers (2-1) to take control of the Big Ten West.
NO. 11 OREGON 38, UCLA 35
Tyler Shough threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and the host Ducks (3-0) held off the shorthanded Bruins (1-2) to remain undefeated.
NO. 13 GEORGIA 31 MISSISSIPPI STATE 24
In Athens, Ga., JT Daniels made quite a debut between the hedges, throwing for 401 yards and four touchdowns.
NO. 18 OKLAHOMA 41
NO. 14 OKLAHOMA STATE 13
In Norman, Okla., Spencer Rattler passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score to help the Sooners beat the Cowboys to boost their hopes of winning a sixth straight Big 12 championship. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for a careerhigh 141 yards, and Theo Wease caught two touchdown passes for the Sooners (6-2, 5-2 Big 12).
NO. 15 COAST. CAROLINA 34 APPALACHIAN STATE 23
In Conway, S.C., Reese White scored on a 3-yard run with 2:24 to play, and the Chants improved to 8-0 with its first victory over the defending Sun Belt champion Mountaineers (6-2, 4-1).
NO. 17 IOWA STATE 45 KANSAS STATE 0
Brock Purdy passed for 236 yards and three touchdowns, and the host Cyclones (6-2, 6-1 Big 12) beat the Wildcats (4-4, 4-3) for their most lopsided win over the Wildcats in 77 years.
N.C. STATE 15
NO. 21 LIBERTY 14
In Raleigh, N.C., North Carolina State blocked Alex Barbir’s 39-yard field goal attempt with 1:18 left to hand the Flames (8-1) their first of the season. Zonovan Knight ran for two touchdowns to lead the Wolfpack (6-3), including the go-ahead 4yard score with 6:53 left.
NO. 20 USC 33, UTAH 17
In Salt Lake City, Kedon Slovis was 24 of 35 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as the Trojans improved to 3-0. It was the Utes’ first game of the season.
NO. 23 AUBURN 30 TENNESSEE 17
In Auburn, Ala., Smoke Monday returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, and the Tigers (5-2) overcame a 10-0 deficit and the loss of their running back and two offensive tackles.
LSU 27, ARKANSAS 24
TJ Finley found Jaray Jenkins for the go-ahead 13-yard touchdown for the Tigers (3-3). It was the capper to a 10-play, 67-yard drive on which Razorbacks safety Jalen Catalon was flagged for a 15-yard targeting penalty and ejected.