Sooners move up after big victory over Ohio State Clemson
From wire dispatches
Oklahoma moved up to No. 2 in The Associated Press college football poll behind Alabama after the Sooners had the most impressive win of week two.
Three of the top six teams from last week defeated other ranked teams Saturday, creating an early shake-up near the top of the AP Top 25. The Sooners jumped three spots after winning, 31-16, at Ohio State.
The previous time the Sooners were this close to being No. 1 was 2011.
The Buckeyes slipped from No. 2 to eighth.
Clemson held its spot at No. 3 after beating Auburn and Southern California moved up two places to sixth following a victory against Stanford. Penn State is No. 5.
The Crimson Tide received 59 first-place votes. Oklahoma has two and Clemson one.
Notre Dame
As Saturday night turned into Sunday morning after Georgia’s 20-19 victory against Notre Dame, Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey took the blame. “It’s awful, absolutely awful ... it came down to execution at the end and I blew it,” said McGlinchey, a 6-foot-8, 315pound left tackle who turned-down the NFL to try to help Notre Dame rebound from a 4-8 season. McGlinchey held himself responsible for missing the block that led to Georgia linebacker Davin Bellamy’s sack of quarterback Brandon Wimbush and linebacker Lorenzo Carter’s fumble recovery that ended Notre Dame’s chance of rallying past the No. 13 Bulldogs.
Clemson’s defense shut down Auburn and left little doubt about how the Tigers would make their latest run at a national title. The third-ranked Tigers had 11 sacks against Auburn and held its opponent to just 117 yards in the 14-6 win. Defensive end Austin Bryant had four sacks. Clemson’s defense will be put to the test Saturday when it goes to No. 14 Louisville.
Missouri
DeMontie Cross was fired as defensive coordinator after a year and two games in the position. The school announced the move Sunday, a day after the Tigers (1-1) lost, 31-13, to South Carolina and a week after they gave up 43 points to Football Championship Subdivision opponent Missouri State. Cross’ firing is effective immediately, and no immediate replacement was named. It comes ahead of a matchup with Purdue on Saturday.
East Carolina
East Carolina’s latest poor defensive performance has the Pirates changing coordinators. Coach Scottie Montgomery says defensive coordinator Kenwick Thompson has been reassigned within the football program and will no longer coach, and defensive line coach Robert Prunty has replaced him immediately. East Carolina has the second-worst total defense in the FBS, allowing 616.5 yards per game. The Pirates gave up 614 yards in a season-opening, 20point loss to reigning FCS champion James Madison.
Elsewhere
The football teams from Florida International and Florida Atlantic remained displaced Sunday, waiting for Hurricane Irma to pass and for officials to determine when they can come home. FIU practiced Sunday in Birmingham, Ala., where it has been since Thursday. FAU remained in Madison, Wis., where the Owls lost to Wisconsin, 31-14, Saturday.