Phoenix, AZ- The Sun Devils have no answer for the Fresno State Bulldogs who handed them their first shutout 29-0 at home in 35 years.
Arizona St was thrown off with a first series interception that gave to momentum to Fresno St and they never looked back from there.
Quarterback Trenton Bourguet started the game and only completed 6/8 pass for 47 yards before leaving the game with an injury after two series.
Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
“This is football and it’s a risk every time you put on a helmet, the mood on the team is next man up,” said ASU DB Jordan Clark, “We are going to keep playing ball and give a spark.”
This became the theme of the game falling quarterbacks, Drew Pyne took over in third series and gets strip sacked and threw two interceptions with 52 yards. Next up was Jacob Conover who showed some sparks and few first downs. He also threw 2 more interceptions for 89 yards on the night.
Fresno St defensive back Carlton Johnson transfer from Southern Utah led his team with three interceptions, just having a knack for the football in the air.
Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
Mikey Keene had a solid performance throwing for 32/49 with 281 yards and two touchdowns finding his favorite target Erik Brooks 11 times for 104 yards. He was sacked 6 times in game which was a surprise Fresno line had some let down on a few plays.
Dee Ford was a bright light in a tough injury high game leading his defense with 8 tackles making room for Ro Torrence to get two sacks tied with Prince Dorbah who sacked Keene too.
The defense pressure and okay play forced Fresno St to settle for field goals on 5 of their scoring plays.
Arizona State will have to find a way to stay healthy this season on both sides of the ball. Now dropping two loses in a row and hosting a red-hot USC team next week is going to be an uphill battle.
Photo by Troy Flowers / fi360 News
Kenny Dillingham has his hands full looking at the rest of the Sun Devils season as a new coach.
“I didn’t sign up for easy so here it is,” said coach Dillingham, “I’m get that fixed, we have to have a more direct plan…”
Fresno St will host Kent State with the opportunity to move to 4-0 with a victory.
Colorado's Michael Harrison (87) shrugs his shoulders after scouring touchdown in second overtime of Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Boulder, CO- The late-night game watched by over 16 million viewers live on ESPN and a sold-out crowd at Folsom ended up in a double overtime 43-35 win for Colorado.
Despite being out played on both sides of the ball for most of the game, Colorado still came back from a 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
The first two drives for both teams ended poorly for their offenses. The Rams first drive ended with a third and out after two penalties, resulting in -17 yards in total offense. Colorado didn’t fare much better with -1 yard in total offense and an interception from Shadeur Sanders, his first interception this season.
Colorado State’s Tory Horton (14) makes a completion in the first overtime of Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Colorado State’s next drive went for 10 plays and 54 yards and three first downs. First, Colorado State kicked a field goal, however, a penalty by Colorado gave their drive life with a first and 15.
Two plays later defensive back Shilo Sanders intercepted redshirt freshman Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi’s pass for an 80-yard pick six. An extra point put Colorado up 7-0.
The Rams next drive ended in three plays thanks to a 46-yard pass deep to the left. A thirty yard pass off a backwards pass to Tory Horton who threw it to Dallin Holker for the Rams touchdown.
The Rams then secured their lead after a 10-yard pass to Travis Hunter, who caught the pass and ran into a group of Rams and fumbled the ball. The Rams turned the fumble into a score and returned it back for a touchdown.
The Rams were now up by 14-7.
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (2) goes to stiff arm Colorado State’s Jack Howell (17) in the second overtime of Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
With two drives ending with turnovers, the team marched down for their first offensive touchdown to tie the game, ending in a 24-yard strike off a post route from Shadeur Sanders to Xavier Weaver.
The Rams scored the next touchdown off a 15-yard pass from Brayden to Louis Brown IV, who caught it off a post between two Colorado defenders.
The Rams were now up 21-14.
In the first half the Rams outplayed Colorado in almost every category. The Rams had 168 more total yards, more passing and rushing yards, a higher average per completion yards, 21 more total offensive plays and twice as much possession time.
“Played like Garbage in the first half,” coach Sander said in the post-game press conference. “Tried to get it together in the second half.”
However, the Rams had 11 penalties in the first half to Colorado’s four, resulting in 133 in lost yards.
Colorado’s Dylan Edwards (3) rushes for a first down in the second overtime of Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
The Buffs also lost their star cornerback and receiver Travis Hunter to an unknown injury; he was sent to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The Buffs first drive followed the same rhythm as their last couple with another three and out. And another Rams drive took them to Colorado territory, down to Colorado’s 14. Again, another turnover stopped the Rams drive — this time a fumble — and gave Colorado the ball.
This led to another Colorado punt.
But a blocked Rams field goal gave Colorado life again.
After a couple of first downs, the Colorado offense was finally in CSU territory again, the first time since their touchdown drive in the first quarter. Unfortunately for the Buffs, the drive ended in a blocked field goal by the Rams.
Penalties plagued the Rams on their next drive, leading to a first & 21. Another interception, this time by defensive back Craig Silmon, gave the Buffaloes great field position on CSU’s 45.
This was the Ram’s third Turnover, and the second to lead to points. This time the Buffs scored three on a 20-yard field goal, scoring only 10 points off three Rams turnover.
The Rams then extended their lead to 28-17 on their next drive, a seven play 76-yard drive that took 2:56 off the time clock.
Colorado followed it up with a 41-yard field goal by kicker Alejandro Mata, 28-20.
After the field goal, CSU punted with 2:06 left in the match.
With 98 yards to go, Colorado drove down the field, using only 1:30 on the clock. Sanders went through all his reads until he found tight end Michael Harrison wide open in the corner, who ran it in for a 45-yard touchdown, tying the game 28-28.
“All I was thinking was Brady mode. If he could do it, I can do it,” Shadeur Sanders said after the game. “We just alike.”
Coach Prime prior to Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
A two-point conversion tied everything, placing the game into overtime.
In over-time the excitement didn’t end. Colorado won the coin toss and selected to start on offense. They scored after four plays thanks to a second touchdown from Sanders to Harrison.
Colorado State replied with a touchdown pass in four plays.
Another touchdown from Sanders to Harrison on a post led to Colorado scoring six again in sudden death. This time the team chose to go for two, to force Colorado State to also go for two.
And it paid off as Sanders fought off pressure from two CSU lineman and found a receiver alone at the back of the end zone.
CSU’s next drive came down to one play. After a couple of penalties and incompletions, they were faced with 4 & goal from the 23rd. And it ended with an interception from defensive back Trevor Woods, giving Colorado the win, 43-35.
Colorado’s Michael Harrison (87) makes a touchdown reception of 18 yards in second overtime of Colorado State at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 16, 2023. Colorado won in double overtime 43 to 35. (Photo by Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
Before the game, there was a full media day in Boulder with ESPN’s “College GameDay” and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” both in town Saturday for the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
The interstate rivalry showdown began in 1893; there have been 91 total meetings and the last one occurred in 2019. Colorado now leads the showdown 68-22-2, and currently sits at a five-game win streak.
EUGENE, OR – After narrowly avoiding an upset last week against Texas Tech, the Oregon Ducks returned to Autzen Stadium Saturday where they handedly defeated the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 55-10 in their final non-conference game of the season.
The Ducks wasted no time tuning up both sides of the ball Saturday, forcing a quick three-and-out on Hawaii’s opening drive that consisted of three incomplete passes and needing only two plays on offense for Bo Nix to connect with his adopted brother Tez Johnson on a 49-yard touchdown less than one minute into play.
Oregon scored 34 straight points in the first half before Hawaii finally put together a scoring drive. Capitalizing on two personal foul penalties by Ducks, Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schagner was able to move the Rainbow Warriors into field goal range where Matthew Shipley would cap the drive with a 29-yard field goal.
QB Bo Nix cheers on his team. (Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News)
Bo Nix posted another impressive outing, finishing 21 of 27 with 247 yards and 3 TDs. Troy Franklin, Tez Johnson, and Traeshon Holden all had 4 receptions. Franklin led the group in receiving yards with 83, while Johnson and Holden both had 2 touchdown receptions. The Ducks also continued to showcase their running back depth. Bucky Irving, Noah Whittington, and Jordan James rushed for a combined 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Late in the fourth quarter backup quarterback Ty Thompson found Traeshon Holden on a slant route that he was able to break for a 60-yard score. Thompson, who finished 4 of 6 with 85 yards and a touchdown, has looked poised this season. Clearly benefiting from the additional game reps Thompson explained that “Being comfortable on the field comes with reps, and I’m getting more reps… I feel like I’m the same player, just kind of maturing in my game”.
On their final possession, Hawaii was able to score their only touchdown of the game. Brayden Schagner led the Rainbow Warriors 75 yards on a ten-play drive, where he ultimately found wide receiver Alex Perry for a 1-yard touchdown pass which brought the game to its final score of 55-10.
Both of Hawaii’s scoring drives came on series that were heavily impacted by penalties against Oregon, something head coach Dan Lanning will need to clean up. After the game, Lanning expressed his frustration stating that he was “extremely disappointed with the penalties and how they hurt us… going into half with a ton of momentum and three penalties end up leading to a score there at the end of the first half… [and] penalties again in the last series that led to another score”.
The Ducks will host head coach Deion Sanders and his currently 18th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes next Saturday, September 23rd, at 12:30 PM PST in their first conference game of the year.
T.J. Harden breaks loose for a touchdown. (Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News)
Pasadena, CA – Even before their game against North Carolina Central, the Bruins found their quarterback.
Dante Moore played for a good chunk of the first half, and he had much more poise than your typical true Freshman quarterback. On just the second play of the game, Kam Brown’s catch along the sideline from a floater turned into a 62 yard jet. The rest was history.
“It is great to have a team win,” Moore said. “I got told about it in a dream last night and to make this actually happen was a dream that came to reality. To have the protections and to have the backfield that we have is truly incredible.”
UCLA Kam Brown #0 starts off the scoring feast. (Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News)
Moore was the only quarterback who threw for more than four attempts. With Moore’s 8 for 12 performance and two touchdowns, expect to see his number under center for the foreseeable future.
“I thought Dante did a great job,” Kelly said. “He fit the ball very well into very tight spaces.”
A game like this should give some great sense of what Chip Kelly has to work with. As Utah comes next on their schedule, everything lies on what the offense can do to start on the right foot.
“We used this game to correct our technique. We are noticing a sign of maturity,” Kelly said. “It was really followed this week through all of our practice. We have continued to train each week and have gotten better. They are continuing to grow. It was important to me to play so many guys and be able to see so many faces go out on the field. League play starts next week and with so many teams ranked in the conference, we have a battle.”
UCLA coach Chip Kelly cheers on fellow Bruins. (Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News)
Coach Kelly has to be thrilled about the rest of his offensive weapons. Carson Steele, T.J. Harden, and Colin Schlee combined for four touchdowns on the ground with over 210 yards rushing.Anthony Adkins led all rushers with just under 100 yards As a team they ran for over 400 yards. While the Eagles front was weak, the Bruins took command of every opportunity.
“We have a big physical back in Anthony,” Kelly said. “He played fullback in the Army, but he has a little bit of side to side movement and his techniques are developing. Anthony is really starting to push, but Carsona and T.J can do plenty to give Anthony a lot of support.”
It is also the perfect time for the Bruins to find themselves as eight of the 12 teams in the Pac-12 entered this weekend ranked, including UCLA. The game against Utah does start a stretch of three straight games against ranked opponents, which could determine in what direction the conference season will go for everyone.
Davius Richard back to pass for NC Central Eagles. (Photo by Jevone Moore / fi3660 News)
“A win is a win. We got the team win and I am always happy when we win,” Moore said. “There are a lot of things that bring a lot of positivity with me. When it comes to me, personal stats I do not worry about. I want to control the huddle and let my team know I got my trust in them. I know I can do better but it’s great to learn in each game.”
Seattle, WA – In what feels like a microcosm of the entire 2023 season, the Seattle Storm came up just short in the season finale to the Los Angeles Sparks. Similar to most of their defeats in a year that sees them secure a lottery pick, Seattle put up a strong fight in this game but couldn’t do enough to put distance between themselves and their opponent, and Los Angeles used that to power a fourth quarter comeback. Though both teams were already eliminated from the WNBA playoffs days before tipping this game off, the Sparks and Storm put on a physical, fast contest in front of a strong Sunday crowd at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Jewell Loyd came out of the gates hot, scoring 15 of her 17 points as Seattle responded to the Los Angeles quick four-point start with a big run of their own, powered largely by the Gold Mamba. The Storm’s secondary scoring threat, Ezi Magbegor, chipped in on both ends of the court as her six points in the first quarter were second best on the team and her two blocks only helped as Seattle poured on for a 30-point effort in the first ten-minutes of the game. The shooting success continued in the second quarter for the Storm, as Kia Nurse (who has been finding her shoot down the stretch of this season) led Seattle with a quarter-high 12 points to help them carry a nine-point lead into the half. The Storm largely used Nurse’s output to buoy themselves, as they couldn’t do much outside of her shooting ability, and that forecast some struggles to come later in the game.
““That wasn’t a goal of mine at all coming into the season. Even hearing people talking about it, it wasn’t a goal of mine. It just kind of happened, actually. I think it’s pretty cool knowing that I missed what – two games? – and I was still able to do it, so that’s pretty cool,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm shooting guard, on breaking the WNBA single season scoring record.
While the third quarter itself could’ve been better, as the Sparks outscored the Storm for a second straight frame, it’s that fourth final quarter where Seattle struggled once again. Issues that were budding from the first half became prevalent in the second, as turnovers (eight of them in the third turned into ten more points for Los Angeles) quickly made the second half frustrating for the Storm. The inability to protect the basketball and struggles in the paint set the stage for what was a frustrating fourth quarter. Seattle only scored eleven points on a poor shooting percentage, and they failed to score the tying basket with just ticks left on the clock. Ezi Magbegor had a free drive to the basket as time expired, but her pull up jumper hit the front of the rim to top off the fourth quarter comeback for Los Angeles and put a sour ending on what had generally been a strong day for the Storm.
“Turnovers. I think we had eight or nine in the third, and timely ones in the fourth. Our offense stalled out, we got decent but not great looks and then just defensively, they were just putting pressure at the rim on us… They just kicked up their physicality and we weren’t very sharp offensively,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on what went wrong for her team.
Following the tough loss to the Sparks, Seattle has wrapped up the 2023 season with highs and lows, but ultimately ending in a lottery pick. Since the Chicago Sky clinched a playoff berth, the Storm now have the fourth best odds at the top pick in the upcoming draft, but already have a positive look at the offseason considering the signing of Jewell Loyd to that two-year extension. Exit interviews are tomorrow, and then it’s into the offseason for Seattle. With Loyd locked up and a solid core in place, the Storm have free agency and the draft to add a point guard, a proven star next to Jewell, and some physicality inside. With the team’s training facility opening early next year and the league’s top scorer on the roster, Seattle has a few obvious pro’s when it comes to attracting free agents.
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: USC Trojans running back Austin Jones (6) punches the ball in for a touchdown during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and the USC Trojans on September 09, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Los Angeles, Ca - USC and Stanford faced off for the last time as PAC-12 conference opponents. Caleb Williams threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns while running for another touchdown in the first half of a 56-10 rout of Stanford on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones added rushing touchdowns. Williams has 897 yards passing and 12 touchdowns in eight quarters of football.
“All three sides of the ball just surged and got the momentum and kept,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “It’s fun to see the team really playing there at a high level together for a sustained period.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC Trojans running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown run during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and the USC Trojans on September 09, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Williams gives USC a 7-0 lead on its opening drive when he runs it for a 21-yard touchdown. It looked like Williams was going to step out of bounds at the 5-yard line but he muscled his way into the end zone for the score.
On Stanford’s ensuing drive, Max Williams comes up with the interception and almost scores. USC running back MarShawn Lloyd scores from five yards out to give USC a 14-0 lead with 9:05 left in the first quarter.
USC extended the lead 21-0 at the end for the first quarter on Austin Jones’ 1-yard touchdown run.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC Trojans running back Austin Jones (6) runs the ball for a gain during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and the USC Trojans on September 09, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
Freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch continues to dazzle as he took the ensuing punt return 75 yards for the score. USC took a 28-0 lead in the second quarter.
Dorian Singer scored a 19-yard touchdown and Brenden Rice hauled in a 75-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 35-0 lead in the second quarter. Stanford got on the board with a 38-yard field goal.
USC took a 49-3 lead in the second quarter when Williams hit Brenden Rice in stride for a 75-yard touchdown.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) catches the ball for a touchdown during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and the USC Trojans on September 09, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
“Just go catch the ball. Don’t fall, and you’re going to score,” Williams told Rice before the play. “We practiced it all week and I saw him in a look that we kind of liked.”
USC’s backup quarterback played the entire second half and finished 11-for-15 with 112 yards passing while scoring a rushing touchdown. USC gets a bye next weekend but will be back in action Sept. 23 when they go on the road to take on Arizona State.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and the USC Trojans on September 09, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)
San Diego, CA – UCLA comes out strong behind freshman Dante Moore (#3) who hit Josiah Norwood (#14) on 81-yard touchdown pass. San Diego State losses at home 35-10 to UCLA.
Today was Moore 1st career start as a true freshman for UCLA. Moore threw for 3 touchdowns, for 290 yards completing 63% of his passes.
“You can see his athleticism,” said Bruins head coach Chip Kelly, “We have three great quarterbacks who can play for us.
Photo by Rashad Griffin / fi360 News
The running game was a great part of today victory lead by T.J. Harden who rushed for 91 yards and touchdown on 9 carries. Backfield teammate Carson Steele started the game scoring a touchdown too with 84 rushing yards on 12 carries.
San Diego State kept themselves in the game only trailing 21-10 behind quarterback Jalen Mayden who threw for 196 yards, with at touchdown and 3 costly interceptions. He kept sliding out sacks and keeping plays alive for the Aztecs.
His top two targets on the night were Mekhi Shaw who caught 5 balls for 54 yards and a touchdown, along with Mark Redman who caught 5 balls for 32 yards.
Photo by Rashad Griffin / fi360 News
The running game for San Diego only managed 63 yards which was a credit to UCLA defense. They kept flying around on the field.
Defense back Alex Johnson (#36) had two interceptions on Mayden that allowed few more possessions for the Bruins.
“It was a dream come true today,” said Johnson, “Whatever the offense does we tend to match it.”
Even when the Bruins turned to ball over in their own redzone the defense was able to come on the field and stone San Diego St. On 4th Goal the defense came up with a pop off the receiver pads to only be picked off Daruis Muosou (#53) in the endzone.
Photo by Rashad Griffin / fi360 News
“I was really pleased with them (defense), I like how they responded to the turnovers,” said Kelly “Competitors respond.”
After the Bruins grabbed last touchdown pass by Moore to Carsen Ryan for 6-yards, in came Collin Schlee at quarterback in the final quarter to get some work.
Schlee ran some RPO’s showing off his vision with two carries for 35 yards breaking away for a first down high step out of defender reach.
Photo by Rashad Griffin / fi360 News
The Bruins will go back home and prepare to host NCCU next Saturday at the Rose Bowl at 2pm. San Diego State will travel to Oregon St to play at 12:30pm on FS1 prime time.
Colorado's Tar'Varish Dawson (6) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 9, 2023. Colorado won 36 to 14. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
Boulder, CO- Despite a rocky start from the #22 Colorado offense, the defense kept the Nebraska Cornhuskers out of the end zone for the first half and forced four turnovers overall to help spring the team to their first home win of the season, 36-14.
Entering the game, all eyes were on Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes after upsetting TCU last week. The team was voted into the top 25 of all NCAA teams this week, and this game was sold-out with the largest crowd at Folsom Field in 15 years with 53, 241.
Colorado’s Tar’Varish Dawson (6) runs after making a second quarter reception against Nebraska at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 9, 2023. Colorado won 36 to 14. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
Nebraska’s first drive ended with a fumble after driving down to Colorado’s 31. Colorado was unable to take advantage of the turnover and opted to punt after the drive was plagued by penalties. Both teams had four straight drives that ended in punts or missed field goals.
The first score for Colorado was with under five minutes left in the half with a field goal by Jace Feely, thanks to a Nebraska fumble that placed Colorado on the 22-yard line.
Nebraska’s head coach Matt Rhule argues a call with officials in the second quarter against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 9, 2023. Colorado won 36 to 14. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
An interception on the next drive by Nebraska placed Colorado on the 30. Colorado took full advantage with a touchdown on 1st down. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders stood in the pocket, went through his reads, and tossed it to Tar’Varish Dawson on an out corner on the right side of the end-zone behind a sea of red.
Colorado ended the half with one more field goal, and a 13-0 lead. Despite the lead, Sanders was not happy with the offense’s performance in the first half.
“It was bad today,” he said. “It was a lot of mental errors. A lot of missed reads, missed throws. We just must be able to start faster, be able to just lock in quicker.”
Coach Prime takes in the field prior to Nebraska at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 9, 2023. Colorado won 36 to 14. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
The momentum shifted as Nebraska found success early in the second half on their first drive after quarterback Jeff Sims ran untouched for 57 yards, carrying the momentum after stopping Colorado.
However, the momentum swung back as Colorado completed a 10-play drive ending with Sanders second touchdown pass, this time to Xavier Weaver for 12-yards.
Nebraska’s Alex Bullock (84) tumbles after diving to try to make the completion in the third quarter against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday September 9, 2023. Colorado won 36 to 14. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
The third quarter ended with one more Colorado field goal, and a 23-7 score.
The fourth quarter an 8-yard run touchdown by Dawson off a reverse. Despite being ahead by 22 points, Colorado went for it and missed the opportunity since the passed ball from Sanders hit the ground before in front of a receiver.
Colorado scored one more touchdown before the game ended, and so did Nebraska in the last two-minutes for the final score to end the game 36-14.
Colorado will be at Folsom again next week to host state rival Colorado State University.
There are so many more questions that have come about this UCLA program before their season opening kickoff against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers are certainly no joke, facing off against three time Sun Belt Player of the Year Grayson McCall under center, and a resurgent offense that suddenly came about since the 2020 season.
The main question was how the quarterback position would be handled to start the season. Ethan Garbers won the starting job during training camp, but Bruins head coach Chip Kelly mentioned he would be rotated with freshman Dante Moore. Garbers’s lone start against Alabama State last season was rather impressive, and the amount of experience should have been enough to at the very least earn Kelly’s trust, right?
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Garbers struggled at first to get things going, but back to back passes to close out the drive ended with a Bruins touchdown quickly. Ball State transfer Carson Steele also took some healthy reps at running back that also propelled the Bruins offense. Suddenly, things got extremely quiet. Garbers gambled and forced a bad pass in the endzone that ended up intercepted. Garbers then struggles on the next drive, then handing the duties off to Moore. Moore’s first drive: a 39 yard pass to Michael Strudivant that eventually led to a Bruins touchdown.
Garbers’s third quarter performance was just like how he powered through the second: collapsing under pressure and making bad plays. Another pick in the endzone kept around Coastal Carolina as they could handle. A missed field goal gave Moore another chance at quarterback to start the fourth. His response: going deep to the end zone for Michael Strudivant to put UCLA up eight.
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
“The one thing we talk about is how we responded in the third quarter,” Kelly said. “Sometimes as a coach things aren’t pretty, but there’s a reason why there is film to review. It’s a blessing to win games like this because there are a lot of things to correct. There were a lot of self-inflicted wounds. All in all, assessing a game like this is a lot easier when you are 1-0 compared to 0-1, because we could have some different conversations.
But even with two passes that could get just about anyone’s attention, it certainly won’t be enough for Moore to earn the starting role anytime soon. His next drive had a strong start, but a forced pass with the pocket collapsing earned Coastal Carolina their third interception, their second also in the endzone. Fortunately UCLA’s defense came through with a pick of their own, earning the right to kick a field goal to expand the lead to 14.
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
This game turned into less about discussing the win and more about where does the UCLA offense go from here. Everything just about went right for the UCLA defense forcing four sacks, stopping Coastal Carolina on third down when they needed most, and picking up three turnovers. San Diego State is next on their schedule. With the way both quarterbacks played, it will certainly take two more games to see where Chip Kelly’s mind is to see what he does when Pac-12 play begins on the road against Utah.
“It wasn’t pretty. But sometimes as a coach you have to review what happened to make your team better. We have a lot to work on in this young season.”
EUGENE, OR – The No. 15 Oregon Ducks started the 2023 season at home with a landslide 81-7 victory over the Portland State Vikings. Oregon’s 81 points Saturday was a new record for the Ducks in the modern era, and the most points ever scored at Autzen Stadium.
Heisman buzz has been brewing for Bo Nix ever since he announced that he would be returning for another season, and his hopeful campaign got off to an impressive start Saturday as he led the Ducks to touchdowns in all 8 of his offensive series. In his opening drive, Nix drove the Ducks 66 yards year, and found Troy Franklin for a 13-yard touchdown. Nix completed 23/27 passes on the day, finishing with 287 passing yards and 3.
Bo Nix on the scramble. Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
When asked about Bo Nix’s performance after the game, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said “Ultimately, I thought he did a great job taking care of the ball. We weren’t able to connect on a few of our deep shots like we have in the past, so I think we’ve got to get in a rhythm there. Overall, he ran the offense well. He got to a third down early in the game and was able to convert.”
Portland State looked sharp on their second possession of the game, answering Oregon’s initial 8 points with a quick 7 of their own. Quarterback Dante Chachere moved the ball effortlessly on the ground and through the air on the drive, capping it with a 9-yard touchdown to Chance Miller.
The Ducks were expected to beat Portland State, heading into the game as 48.5-point favorites, but their blowout victory not only showcased their potential for the season, but gave the Ducks a chance to give experience to their younger players.
Lanning holds everyone in his program to extremely high standards, and believes in the next man up approach, so playing time for athletes lower on the depth chart is a huge win for the Ducks. “What I did see today and in the fall is a group that wants to compete. They understood that if they step on the field, they’re viewed no differently than a starter.” Said Lanning.
Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
Possibly the most impressive performance came from sophomore quarterback and former 5-star recruit, Ty Thompson. Thompson struggled when given opportunities in his first two seasons at Oregon, but looked sharp Saturday, completing 7/8 passes for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. With Nix leaving Oregon after this season, Thompson will likely compete for the starting quarterback position next season.
The Ducks are figuring out who will be the number two receiver this season, and Sophomore WR Gary Bryant Jr. immediately stood out as a favorite. Bryant Jr. only had 2 receptions last season but logged 7 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns today.
With the game out of hand, Oregon’s young running backs were also able to shine. Sophomore Jordan James rushed for 86 yards and 3 touchdowns, and freshman running backs Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar both took 8 carries for over 50 yards and a touchdown.
Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News
The Ducks will travel to Lubbock, Texas next week to face the Texas Tech Raiders.
