Horned Frogs outlast Kansas
Max Duggan almost single-handedly carried TCU to wins in its first four games. Against Kansas, another threat emerged for the Horned Frogs, and that should concern defensive coordinators across the Big 12.
Duggan passed for three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 24-yarder to Quentin Johnston with 1:36 left to cap a wild second half, and No. 17 TCU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) beat 19th-ranked Kansas (5-1, 2-1) 38-31 on Saturday in Lawrence.
The Horned Frogs are out to their best start since 2017 after winning the matchup of surprise unbeatens.
Duggan found Johnston 14 times for 206 yards, the most by a TCU receiver since 2016. Johnston entered Saturday with 12 catches for 114 yards and no touchdowns over four games.
“We had a plan from the end of the last game until now and that was to play fast,” Johnston said. “As receivers, we’ve got to get the ball and get as many yards up the field. I wouldn’t say that was the best of our ability, but we did enough to win.’’
Duggan finished 23-for-33 for 308 yards.
Alabama 24, Texas A&M 20
Jalen Milroe threw for three touchdowns in his first start and the No. 1 Crimson Tide made a final goal-line stand to escape the victory in a battle of backup quarterbacks.
Playing without injured Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, the Crimson Tide (60, 3-0 SEC) needed two late stops from Will Anderson Jr. and the defense. They got them, just barely, to survive four turnovers and two missed field goals.
Haynes King, subbing for injured starter Max Johnson, drove the Aggies (3-2, 1-2) 69 yards in the final 1:50 with big passes to Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad III. Jordan Battle appeared to end the threat with an interception in the end zone, but Brian Branch was flagged for pass interference.
That set up one final shot from the 2 with three seconds left, but King’s pass to Stewart fell incomplete.
South Carolina 24, Kentucky 14
Spencer Rattler overcame two early turnovers and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass in the third quarter as visiting Gamecocks (4-2, 1-2 SEC) scored 17 unanswered points to upset the No. 13 Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) for their third consecutive victory.
UCLA 42, Utah 32
Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s knocked another item off his revenge list by leading the
No. 18 Bruins (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) to a home-field victory over the No. 11 Utes (4-2, 2-1).
The fifth-year senior said during the week leading up to the game that he had something to prove against the Utes, who had handily won five straight in the series by an average of 27 points.
Thompson-Robinson made sure that streak ended, passing for 299 yards and four touchdowns while also running for a score to lead the Bruins to their first 6-0 start since 2005, The fifth-year senior also became UCLA’s career leader in passing touchdowns.
“I definitely wanted this one. We all know the history between UCLA and Utah, the point differential has been crazy,” said ThompsonRobinson, who completed 18 of 23 passes. “So we knew the beast at hand coming in here, and I think my boys went to work.”
Georgia 42, Auburn 10
Stetson Bennett scrambled 64 yards for a touchdown, Daijun Edwards scored three times on the ground and the No. 2 Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 SEC) ran over the visiting Tigers (3-3, 1-2).
Oklahoma State 41, Texas Tech 31
Spencer Sanders ran for two touchdowns and passed for another and the No. 7 Cowboys (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) defeated the visiting Red Raiders (3-3, 1-2).