Ohio State secures Big Ten East
COLUMBUS, Ohio — J.K. Dobbins rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns and No. 2 Ohio State locked up the Big Ten East title Saturday, surviving its first real test of the season with a 2817 victory over No. 9 Penn State.
The Buckeyes held on after Penn State (92, 72) took advantage of two secondhalf turnovers to climb back into the game in the third quarter after going down 210. This was a far different scenario for Ohio State, which blew out its first 10 opponents.
The Buckeyes (100, 80 Big Ten) were clinging to a 2117 lead early in the fourth quarter when Justin Fields threw a 28yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave to create some breathing room.
NO. 5 ALABAMA 6, WESTERN CAROLINA 3
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Mac Jones passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns in little more than a half and Alabama began life without Tua Tagovailoa with a romp over Western Carolina.
With Tagovailoa watching much of the game from a cart behind the bench, the Crimson Tide (101) treated its injured quarterback to a onesided show against the Catamounts (39).
NO. 11 MINNESOTA 38, NORTHWESTERN 22
EVANSTON, Ill. — Tanner Morgan led Minnesota to scores on its first three possessions and finished with four touchdown passes, and the Gophers bounced back from their first loss of the season.
The Gophers (101, 71 Big Ten, No. 10 CFP), who lost at Iowa last week, strengthened their grip on first place in the West Division.
NO. 15 NOTRE DAME 40, BOSTON COLLEGE 7
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Ian Book threw three touchdown passes and Notre Dame corralled Boston College star running back AJ Dillon.
The fourth straight victory by the Fighting Irish (92, No. 15 CFP) completed their second straight unbeaten season (70) at Notre Dame Stadium, where they have won 18 straight.
NO. 16 AUBURN 52, SAMFORD 0
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn held Samford to 114 yards and forced four turnovers, JaTarvious Whitlow scored twice and the Tigers (83) tuned up for the Iron Bowl against Alabama with a raindrenched rout.
NO. 19 IOWA 19, ILLINOIS 10
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nate Stanley threw for 308 yards and Keith Duncan kicked four field goals to set a Big Tenseason mark in Iowa’s victory over Illinois.
The Hawkeyes (83, 53 Big Ten) also forced three turnovers against the team that came into the game leading the nation in turnover margin.
NO. 22 OKLAHOMA STATE 20, WEST VIRGINIA 12
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Dru Brown threw two touchdown passes in his first start, Chuba Hubbard surpassed 100 yards rushing for the ninth consecutive game and Oklahoma State beat West Virginia.
NO. 23 APPALACHIAN STATE 35, TEXAS STATE 13
BOONE, N.C. — Darrynton Evans ran for 154 yards and three secondhalf touchdowns for Appalachian State.
Zac Thomas threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns for the Mountaineers (101, 61 Sun Belt).