San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Walker, Michigan State rally to top Michigan
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Kenneth Walker earned the right to stump for Heisman Trophy votes and humbly refused, shaking off questions about the coveted award as if they were linebackers trying to tackle him.
Walker ran for 197 yards and five touchdowns, helping No. 8 Michigan State top No. 6 Michigan 37-33 for a thrilling comeback win on Saturday.
“I don’t feel like it was a Heisman moment,” said Walker, who started the day leading the nation in rushing and finished it with 1,194 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. “But it was just a great team win.”
The Wake Forest transfer had a lot to do with it.
The Spartans (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) trailed by nine at halftime and 30-14 with 6:47 left in the third quarter before rallying as Walker boosted his chances of being selected college football’s most outstanding player.
Walker’s fifth touchdown — a 23-yard run — lifted the Spartans to a 37-33 lead with 5:08 remaining. He had 8.6 yards a carry, an average that spiked thanks to his 58-yard touchdown that helped the Spartans pull into a 30-all tie early in the fourth quarter.
“This was a huge stage, the whole world was watching, and you got a chance to see what type of player he is,” coach Mel Tucker said. “Any recognition he’s getting for Heisman consideration is well deserved.”
The Wolverines (7-1, 4-1) forced a final punt and had the ball at their 33 with 1:15 and no timeouts left.
After a roughing-the-passer penalty gave them the ball at midfield, Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley sealed the victory by picking off a floating pass from Cade McNamara.
“This one stings,” McNamara said. “We have to respond. Our backs are against the wall now.”
McNamara threw for 383 yards and two touchdowns, but his interception was costly, as was freshman quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s lost fumble on an attempted handoff in the fourth quarter.
“That exchange didn’t go smoothly,” said Harbaugh, who said McNamara was “working through something,” when he the freshman replaced him.
The rivals were on the same field with 7-0 or better records for the first time, matching up as top-10 teams for the first time since 1964.
Michigan State’s win puts the program in contention for the Big Ten conference championship and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“We’re in the hunt,” Tucker said.
Michigan’s loss leaves Jim Harbaugh with a 3-4 record against Michigan State as a coach, putting even more pressure on him to earn his first win against No. 5 Ohio State.
NO. 1 GEORGIA 34, FLORIDA 7
In Jacksonville, Fla., the Bulldogs’ top-ranked defense dominated the Gators, scoring three touchdowns off turnovers in a 12-play sequence that turned “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” into another lopsided affair.
Georgia (8-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) won its 12th consecutive game since getting steamrolled in Jacksonville a year ago. The Bulldogs’ injuryriddled defense allowed 571 yards in that one, the most in coach Kirby Smart’s six seasons.
Georgia vowed to not let it happen again and responded with another demoralizing effort that might be their most impressive all season.
Florida (4-4, 2-4) managed no points, 11 first downs and 214 yards through three quarters and looked like its decades-old, NCAA-record scoring streak might be in jeopardy down the stretch. But the Gators finally got on the scoreboard with 2:49 remaining, extending the streak to 418 games. They have scored in every outing since getting shut out by Auburn in 1988.
NO. 2 CINCINNATI 31, TULANE 12
Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown pass to tight end Josh Whyle, and the Bearcats won in New Orleans to remain undefeated.
Jerome Ford rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown — his 14th this season — for Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 American Athletic Conference). The Bearcats briefly trailed in the second quarter and led by just two points at halftime.
NO. 7 OREGON 52, COLORADO 29
In Eugene, Ore., Anthony Brown was 25-of-31 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, and Byron Caldwell had seven carries for 127 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12), who jumped out to a 31-14 halftime lead and cruised.
WISCONSIN 27, NO. 9 IOWA 7
Graham Mertz scored on two quarterback sneaks and threw a touchdown pass to help the Badgers beat the Hawkeyes in Madison, Wis., for their fourth consecutive victory.
Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) forced three turnovers, had six sacks and limited Iowa to 24 yards rushing on 30 carries. The Badgers maintained control of their destiny in the Big Ten West Division race and regained possession of the Heartland Trophy that goes to the winner of the annual matchup.
Iowa (6-2, 3-2) has been outscored 51-14 in its last two games after being ranked second in the nation just a couple of weeks ago. This was the Hawkeyes’ first game since a 24-7 home loss to Purdue on Oct. 16.
NO. 13 WAKE FOREST 45, DUKE 7
In Winston-Salem, N.C., the Demon Deacons (8-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and led 45-0 before giving up a late touchdown. Sam Hartman was 24-of-37 for 402 yards and three touchdowns for Wake Forest.
MIAMI 38, NO, 17 PITTSBURGH 34
Miami freshman Tyler Van Dyke outdueled Kenny Pickett, throwing for 426 yards and three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ victory over the Panthers.
Van Dyke completed 31 of 41 passes to help Miami (4-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat a ranked opponent for the second straight week.
Pickett bolstered his Heisman résumé by throwing for a school-record 519 yards and four touchdowns, but he also threw his second and third interceptions of the season, both of which led to huge momentum shifts.
Pitt (6-2, 3-1) remains in control of its destiny in the ACC Coastal Division but any remote shot at crashing the College Football Playoff is long gone.