San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Wilson, No. 4 Ohio State blow past No. 19 Purdue
COLUMBUS, OHIO — A week after missing CFP No. 4 Ohio State’s victory against Nebraska, wide receiver Garrett Wilson returned with a vengeance against No. 19 Purdue.
The junior wide receiver caught 10 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns, and added a 51-yard rushing score in the 59-31 victory against the Boilermakers on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
C.J. Stroud was 31-of-38 passing for 361 yards and five touchdowns for the Buckeyes (9-1, 7-0 Big Ten), who remain atop the Big Ten East Division with No. 7 Michigan State looming next week in Columbus and No. 6 Michigan in two weeks in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Ohio State has been wobbly at times the past two weeks and was understandably wary of Purdue, which already upset two top-five teams this season.
But the Buckeyes romped early, capitalizing on two Boilermakers turnovers, the second of which was a fumbled kickoff recovered on the Purdue 14.
The 12-yard catch by Wilson two plays later gave the Buckeyes two touchdowns in 14 seconds.
Chris Olave had nine receptions for 85 yards a touchdown, the 33rd of his career and one away from the school record. Miyan Williams rushed for 117 yards and Henderson had 98.
The Ohio State defense wasn’t outstanding, but Stroud and Co.
painted over it.
Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell was 40 of 52 for 390 yards and four touchdowns for the Boilermakers (6-4, 4-3), who were coming off an upset over the previously undefeated Spartans. Star receiver David Bell had 11 catches for 103 yards, but didn’t
have a touchdown reception.
NO. 2 ALABAMA 59 NEW MEXICO ST. 3
In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Bryce Young passed for 270 yards and five touchdowns, including three to Jameson Williams, and Alabama routed New Mexico State.
Young completed 21 of 23 passes in just over a half and the Crimson Tide (9-1) produced the expected
romp after a slow start. Alabama even trailed briefly before rattling off seven touchdowns in 20 minutes for a 49-3 halftime lead over the Aggies (1-9).
Young became the first Alabama quarterback to complete his first 13 passes in a game, playing only one drive into the second half when he lost a fumble in New Mexico State territory.
NO. 5 CINCINNATI 45
SOUTH FLORIDA 28 (FRIDAY)
Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes to break the program career record and ran for a score for the Bearcats (10-0, 6-0 American Athletic).
Cincinnati also did it in 2009, when they got off to a 12-0 start.
Ridder broke the school record with this 79th touchdown pass, a 21-yard strike to Josh Whyle early in the third that made it 31-7.
Gino Guidugli, now Cincinnati’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, had 78 scoring passes from 2001-04.
NO. 6 MICHIGAN 21 PENN STATE 17
In State College, Pa., Cade McNamara threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to tight end Erick All with 3:29 left and the Wolverines rallied past the Nittany Lions to stay in the Big Ten championship race.
McNamara completed 19 of 29 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns to boost the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1).
Hassan Haskins ran for 156 yards on 31 carries, and Roman Wilson caught a pair of touchdown passes for the Wolverines.
Sean Clifford withstood seven sacks for Penn State (6-4, 3-4), completing 23 of 43 for 205 yards and a touchdown.
MISSISSIPPI ST. 43 NO. 17 AUBURN 34
In Auburn, Ala., Will Rogers threw for 415 yards and six touchdowns to help the Bulldogs beat the Tigers
Auburn (6-4, 3-3 SEC) scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and led 28-3 midway through the second quarter. But Mississippi State (6-4, 4-3) rallied, scoring 40 straight points behind
Rogers’ arm.
Rogers completed 44 of 54 passes, connecting with 10 Bulldogs. Jaden Walley had seven catches for 87 yards, and Jakai Polk finished with 61 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions.
Auburn’s offense got off to a strong start behind Bo Nix. He finished with 377 yards passing and two touchdowns.
But, as the defense struggled to slow Mississippi State’s passing attack after halftime, the Tigers were held to 158 yards and six points in the second half.
NO. 18 WISCONSIN 35 NORTHWESTERN 7
In Madison, Wis., Braelon Allen ran for 173 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Badgers to their sixth consecutive victory.
Graham Mertz threw two touchdown passes for Wisconsin (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten) and Badgers had four interceptions.
Northwestern’s Andrew Marty threw three interceptions for the second straight week.
Northwestern (3-7, 1-6) was lost four in a row.
NO. 24 UTAH 38, ARIZONA 29
In Tucson, Ariz., Cameron Rising threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns, T.J. Pledger ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and the Utes (7-3, 6-1) maintained their lead in the Pac-12 South.
The Wildcats (1-9, 1-6) led for part of the first half and kept the game tight all afternoon.