Illinois stuns Penn State in 9 OTs
STATE COLLEGE, PA. — Casey Washington caught a 2-point conversion pass from Brandon Peters to end the first nine-overtime game in NCAA history and lift Illinois over No. 7 Penn State 20-18 Saturday.
The teams were tied at 10 after regulation, exchanged field goals in the first two overtimes, then began to alternate 2-point attempts in the third OT as part of a format tweaked ahead of the 2021 season.
Neither team converted until the eighth overtime, when Isaiah Williams ran one in to put Illinois up 18-16. Penn State’s Noah Cain kept the game alive with a 2-point run of his own.
In the ninth OT, Sean Clifford’s pass to Parker Washington was broken up by linebacker Khalan Tolson. Peters then found Washington near the back of the end zone for the winning completion.
The 2-point conversion shootout started in 2019, the season after LSU and Texas A&M played a seven overtime game that left both teams badly beaten up. The rule was tweaked this season, with the 2-point conversion possessions beginning with the third overtime instead of the fifth.
■No. 2 Cincinnati 27, Navy 20: Arquon Bush intercepted a pass with 25 seconds left to help the Bearcats remain unbeated.
The Bearcats (7-0, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) weren’t at their best, but they never looked like they were in significant danger until the final minute, when Navy scored to make it a one-score game and then recovered an onside kick with 48 seconds left.
The Midshipmen (1-6, 1-4) didn’t do much with that final chance, though. Tai Lavatai’s third-down pass was picked off by Bush near the Cincinnati 45.
The Bearcats were fortunate to lead by three after a mistake-filled first half, but Cincinnati eventually snapped out of its offensive funk. Desmond Ridder threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
■No. 3 Oklahoma 35, Kansas 23: Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes, ran 40-yards for a score on a pivotal fourth down and the Sooners rallied to avoid an enormous upset.
The Sooners (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) trailed by double figures on two occasions — including 10-0 at the half — but outscored the Jayhawks (1-6, 0-4) 35-13 in the second half to win their 16th straight game.
■No. 6 Michigan 33, Northwestern 7: Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins combined for 229 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead the Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten).