Tennessee stuns Georgia Tech
No. 25 Tennessee rallied from two 14-point deficits in the second half and stopped a two-point conversion try in the second overtime, stunning Georgia Tech 42-41 despite giving up five rushing touchdowns to TaQuon Marshall and getting thoroughly dominated statistically Monday night.
John Kelly scored the tying touchdown in regulation on an 11-yard run with 1 minute 29 seconds left, then had two scores in overtime. Marshall, in his first college start, matched Kelly’s scores with two of his own, finishing with 249 yards and a school record for rushing scores.
Georgia Tech rushed for 535 yards, finished with 655 yards overall and held the ball for 41:27 during regulation.
Losses for Alabama
Alabama had as much to mourn as to celebrate after a huge opening victory.
Linebackers Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller suffered season-ending injuries in the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s 24-7 win over No. 3 Florida State. Then, about 24 hours after the game, a son of wide receivers coach Mike Locksley was shot and killed in Maryland.
Two other starting linebackers also missed the second half. Rashaan Evans had a groin injury and Anfernee Jennings sprained an ankle. Nick Saban said both are questionable Saturday against Fresno State.
Georgia’s Eason out
Quarterback Jacob Eason will not play for No. 15 Georgia at Notre Dame after spraining his left knee in last week’s opener.
Coach Kirby Smart said Eason will not need surgery and is “week to week.”
Weber returns
Ohio State running back Mike Weber will play against Oklahoma, sharing time with freshman J.K. Dobbins, coach Urban Meyer said.
Weber rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman last season but was hampered by a hamstring injury throughout camp. He sat out as Dobbins ran for 181 yards in 29 carries in Thursday’s opener, a 49-21 win over Indiana.
Florida drama
No. 17 Florida is sticking with quarterback Feleipe Franks after a lackluster performance in the opener.
Coach Jim McElwain made the announcement two days after pulling Franks and replacing him with Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire.
Etc.
East Carolina coach Scottie Montgomery announced that Thomas Sirk will start at quarterback at No. 22 West Virginia. … North Carolina State safety Freddie Phillips Jr. will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn Achilles’ heel. … Virginia cornerback Tim Harris will sit out the rest of the season because of a wrist injury. … Quarterback Shane Buechele bruised his throwing shoulder in Texas’ season-opening loss to Maryland and will be held out of practice part of this week. … Baylor running back JaMycal Hasty is expected to be out at least four weeks because of a sprained knee. … Arkansas cornerback Ryan Pulley will be out for a significant time after injuring his chest against Florida A&M.