Playoff push
Clemson holds off pesky FSU to secure spot in ACC title game
Travis Etienne rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard burst with 3:05 left, and No. 4 Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division with a 31-14 victory over Florida State on Saturday in Clemson, S.C.
The Tigers (9-1, 7-1, No. 4 CFP) and their dominant defense looked to have this one wrapped up when they opened a 17-0 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter. But the Seminoles rallied on Jacques Patrick’s 9-yard scoring run and a double flea-flicker for a 60-yard TD catch by tight end Ryan Izzo.
Florida State (3-6, 3-5) then recovered Kelly Bryant’s fumble on the Clemson 40 with 6:46 to go, putting the Seminoles in position to spoil the Tigers’ playoff hopes. But safety Van Smith intercepted James Blackman’s pass over the middle on the next play, setting up the TD drive that secured the win.
Penn St. 35, Rutgers 6
In State College, Pa., Trace McSorley accounted for 258 total yards and three touchdowns as No. 16 Penn State (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten, No. 14 CFP) beat Rutgers (4-6, 3-4).
McSorley became Penn State’s all-time touchdown leader with 68, breaking Daryll Clark’s record of 65 with one rushing and two passing scores, and the Nittany Lions scored 35 unanswered points after Rutgers took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.
Oklahoma 38, TCU 20
In Norman, Okla., Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes, Rodney Anderson had 290 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, and No. 5 Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 5 CFP) rolled past No. 8 TCU (8-2, 5-2, No. 6 CFP) to take sole possession of first place in the Big 12.
Mayfield strengthened his Heisman Trophy resume by passing for 333 yards and rushing for 50 against a TCU defense that entered the night ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense and total defense.
Wisconsin 38, Iowa 14
In Madison, Wis., receiver Kendric Pryor scored twice, and No. 6 Wisconsin (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten, No. 8 CFP) relied on stifling defense to overcome four turnovers and Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson’s two touchdowns to defeat the Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-4, No. 20 CFP) and clinch a trip to the conference title game as West champions.
Ohio St. 48, Michigan St. 3
In Columbus, Ohio, J.T. Barrett threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, and Mike Weber rushed for 162 yards and pair of scores as No. 11 Ohio State (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten, No. 13 CFP) bounced back from a deflating loss last week to rout No. 13 Michigan State (7-3, 5-2, No. 12 CFP).
Oklahoma St. 49, Iowa St. 42
In Ames, Iowa, Mason Rudolph threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns — including two in the final 5:55 — and No. 12 Oklahoma State (8-2, 5-2 Big 12, No. 15 CFP) rallied to beat No. 24 Iowa State (6-4, 4-3, No. 21 CFP).
Central Fla. 49, UConn 24
In Orlando, Fla., Otis Anderson rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns, McKenzie Milton passed for 311 yards and No. 14 Central Florida (9-0, 6-0 AAC, No. 19 CFP) pulled away from Connecticut (3-7, 2-5).
USC 38, Colorado 24
In Boulder, Colo., Sam Darnold threw for 329 yards and two TD passes and ran for another, Ajene Harris intercepted two passes, including one he returned for a score, and No. 15 Southern California (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12, No. 11 CFP) beat Colorado (5-6, 2-6) to wrap up the conference’s South title.
Ga. Tech 28, Va. Tech 22
In Atlanta, TaQuon Marshall threw two long touchdown passes on just two completions, including an 80-yarder to Ricky Jeune with 6 ½ minutes remaining, and Ajani Kerr swatted away a fourth-down pass in the end zone for Georgia Tech (5-4, 4-3 ACC) to preserve the upset of No. 17 Virginia Tech (7-3, 3-3, No. 17 CFP).
Washington St. 33, Utah 25
In Salt Lake City, Luke Falk threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns as No. 19 Washington State (9-3, 6-2 Pac-12, No. 19 CFP) defeated Utah (5-5, 2-5), leaving the Cougars one victory from winning the conference’s North division.
Michigan 35, Maryland 10
In College Park, Md., Brandon Peters threw two touchdown passes, Chris Evans ran for two scores and No. 21 Michigan (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten, dominated Maryland (4-6, 2-5) in the first half for its third straight win.
West Va. 28, Kansas St. 23
In Manhattan, Kan., Will Grier threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns, Justin Crawford added 113 yards rushing and No. 23 West Virginia (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) overcame early mistakes to hold off Kansas State (5-5, 3-4).