Top Dawgs could drop after victory
Georgia hardly looked like the nation’s best team, struggling to put away Kent State.
The No. 1 Bulldogs ultimately prevailed, holding on for a 39-22 victory Saturday, but their two-week run atop the rankings could be in jeopardy.
Brock Bowers scored two more touchdowns and Georgia survived a sloppy performance and surprisingly gritty effort from the Golden Flashes.
The Bulldogs (4-0) turned it over three times, struggled in the red zone, were burned on a fake punt and gave up several big plays to Kent State (1-3) in what was easily their worst performance of the season.
Was it bad enough to knock Georgia out of the top spot in the rankings? Check back Sunday.
“We don’t care too much about the rankings,” defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse said. “We focus on us. It’s always a ‘we’ thing. We’re always focused on our development as a team, no matter where we are in the rankings.”
Kent State had a chance to make it a one-score game with less than 13 minutes remaining after Marquez Cooper powered in from the 1 to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive. But a two-point conversion failed, leaving the Bulldogs with a 32-22 lead. Georgia then finished off the Golden Flashes, driving 75 yards for Kendall Milton’s 1-yard plunge on fourthand-goal with 5 ½ minutes to go.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart insisted that he wasn’t all that displeased with his team’s performance. He pointed out that the Bulldogs never had to punt, blocked a punt for a safety and finished with a 529-281 edge in total yards.
But Georgia has plenty to clean up. “The fake punt is like a turnover,” Smart said. “When you have four turnovers, you’re gonna have a game like that.”
Abanikanda scores 4 TDs to lead Pitt:
Tailback Israel Abanikanda rushed for four touchdowns and quarterback Kedon Slovis was solid in his return from injury as No. 24 Pittsburgh beat Rhode Island 45-24 on Saturday.
The Panthers (3-1) have been searching for a top-tier running game since Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall both rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2018. Pitt relied on Kenny Pickett and the passing game since, including the program’s first ACC championship last season. But with Pickett in the NFL and Slovis sidelined last week, the Panthers have leaned on the ground game and Abanikanda has emerged in a big way.
“I’m not surprised because I know what I’m capable of,” Abanikanda said.
The Panthers rushed for 272 yards and scored at least 30 points for the ninth time in 11 games, and Slovis had plenty of help on the ground from Abanikanda, who had 19 carries for 177 yards.
Clifford shines for Penn State: James Franklin took a few moments to look over the stats after his team’s latest win.
Franklin’s No. 14 Nittany Lions beat Central Michigan in nearly every column on Saturday, but after Penn State’s 33-14 win, Franklin wasn’t satisfied.
“In terms of the critical areas, I wouldn’t say it felt like this, but we won all of them,” Franklin said.
Sean Clifford completed 22 of 34 passes for 217 yards and accounted for four touchdowns for the Nittany Lions, who forced four turnovers to keep the game out of reach.
The Chippewas were still able to drive the ball on the ground and in the air, racking up 363 yards.
Bridges’ OT fumble recovery seals Auburn’s win: Cayden Bridges recovered a fumble in the end zone to give Auburn a 17-14 overtime victory over Missouri in an SEC opener on Saturday.
Missouri (2-2) running back Nathaniel Peat dropped the football before a potential game-winning touchdown, and Bridges landed on it to seal the victory for Auburn (3-1).
“I think everybody in that locker room is exhausted, in a good way,” Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said. “I told our players I’m proud of them. They did what they needed to do to win the football game.”
Auburn kicker Anders Carlson got a second chance and hit a 39-yard field goal to give the hosts the lead in overtime. Missouri jumped offsides on Carlson’s first try, from 44 yards out, which was missed.
Kansas remains undefeated: Jalon Daniels accounted for five touchdowns to lead unbeaten Kansas past Duke 35-27 on Saturday afternoon.
Daniels’ 3-yard run gave the Jayhawks a 34-20 lead with 4:42 remaining.
It is the first time since 2009 the Jayhawks have started 4-0. They also completed their first undefeated nonconference schedule since 2013.
“It feels amazing to be 4-0,” Daniels said. “To see the amount of excitement in the locker room and in the stadium, we love it.”
Daniels went 19-of-23 passing for 324 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He led the team in rushing with 83 yards and a score.