Epic stop at 1 lifts unbeaten Coastal Carolina past BYU

Mateo Sudipo stopped BYU’s Dax Milne at the 1-yard line as time expired, and No. 14 Coastal Carolina beat the eighth-ranked Cougars, 22-17, in a short-notice showdown of 9-0 teams Saturday in Conway, S.C.

The Cougars (9-1, No. 13 CFP) were a mid-week fill-in, traveling more than 2,200 miles to the South Carolina coast and eagerly stepping in after No. 25 Liberty had to back out of the game Thursday because of COVID-19 concerns.

It sure looked like an uphill climb for Coastal (10-0, No. 18 CFP), the Sun Belt East champs, as BYU entered with one of the game’s most dynamic passers in Zach Wilson and the fourthhighest scoring offense in the country at more than 47 points a game.

The Cougars were looking to boost their resume for the College Football Playoff selection committee in hopes of playing in a major bowl game.

But the Chanticleers controlled the clock with three long touchdown drives and made plays when it counted — none bigger than when the freshman safety Sudipo corralled Milne a few steps from the end zone. It will go down as a 17-yard completion, but the Cougars needed 18 on their final play.

That sealed Coastal Carolina’s biggest victory in the program’s four FBS seasons.

“It was the best feelings I’d ever felt,” Coastal Carolina linebacker Jeffrey Gunter said.

Alabama 55, LSU 17

In Baton Rouge, La., Mac Jones passed for 385 yards and four touchdowns for the top-ranked Crimson Tide (9-0, 9-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP).

Najee Harris rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, juking, shedding and even leaping over Tigers (3-5, 3-5) defenders along the way.

Texas A&M 31, Auburn 20

In Auburn, Ala., Kellen Mond threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score and the No. 5 Aggies (7-1 SEC) scored 17 points in the fourth quarter in a comeback victory over the Tigers (5-4).

Florida 31, Tennessee 19

In Knoxville, Tenn., Kyle Trask threw for 433 yards and four touchdowns and the No. 6 Gators (8-1, No. 6 CFP) beat the Vols (2-6) to wrap up a spot in the SEC championship.

Indiana 14, Wisconsin 6

In Madison, Wis., Jack Tuttle threw two touchdown passes in his first career start and the No. 10 Hoosiers’ (6-1, CFP No. 12) defense made a stand in the final minute to hold off the No. 18 Badgers (2-2, No. 16 CFP).

Oklahoma 27, Baylor 14

In Norman, Okla., Spencer Rattler threw two touchdown passes, and the No. 13 Sooners (7-2, 6-2 Big 12, No. 11 CFP) earned a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game against Iowa State.

Rice 20, Marshall 0

In Huntington, W.Va., Safety Naeem Smith returned one of five interceptions for a touchdown and the three-TD underdog Owls (2-2 C-USA) shocked the No. 15 Thundering Herd (7-1, 4-1, No. 21 CFP) for their first loss.

Tulsa 19, Navy 6

In Annapolis, Md., the No. 22 Golden Hurricane (6-1, 6-0, No. 24 CFP) clinched a spot in the AAC title game, using a strong defensive effort.