So you missed some of the action this week? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a recap for each game this week, starting with the Monday matchups and working our way through Wednesday.
AUBURN vs. TEXAS
The season opener saw a fantastic matchup that needed overtime for victory to be decided. Texas began that overtime period with a short drive before putting up a field goal to make it 30-27. Then it was Auburn’s turn, and a beautiful throw from quarterback Griffin Jelkic – who looked impeccable, going 25 of 36 for 292 yards and a touchdown – to receiver Bubba Davis set up an easy touchdown run for halfback Robert Davis. Kudos to Texas quarterback Walker Mills though for putting his team in position. Texas was down in the fourth and Mills led Texas to a 14-3 fourth quarter to force OT.
Final Score: Auburn 33, Texas 30
USC vs. ALABAMA
Much like the early Monday game, USC and Alabama didn’t disappoint. A battle between two similar quarterbacks in USC sophomore Kingston Fox and Alabama freshman Balion Siege. Statistically, Kingston Fox outperformed Siege with more passing yards (255 – 153) and total touchdowns (4 – 3), but the efficiency of the Alabama offense coupled with Fox’s interception would not be denied. Halfback Joe Pantoja recorded another 100 rushing yard performance, his first on the season, and thus proved the difference.
Final Score: USC 31, Alabama 36
OREGON vs. Clemson
This was one of the higher scoring games of the week, and it’s crazy how it went down. A tightly contested first half got blown wide open in the third quarter by the Clemson Tigers, who put up 24 unanswered. Oregon did their best to rally on the arm of quarterback Devonta Cribbs who threw for 498 yards with five touchdowns but also two interceptions. Those turnovers coupled with Oregon’s inability to generate their own hurt. Clemson corner Harper Allen turned one of those into a pick six on a night where freshman quarterback Will Slay ran for three touchdowns.
Final Score: Oregon 45, Clemson 58
OHIO STATE VS. NOTRE DAME
This game was closer than it appears on paper. Notre Dame led by three going into the fourth quarter. And then the fourth quarter happened. Ohio State took their first lead of the night, going up 17-13 on the legs of halfback Frost Carlson. Notre Dame quarterback Leo Asiata threw two interceptions, and both of them came in the fourth quarter. Can’t do that late, especially since it led to Ohio State scoring 14 more points to end with a 31-13 lead.
Final Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 13
MIAMI vs. MICHIGAN
Unlike the Ohio State-Notre Dame game from the previous night, this one stayed a defensive battle the whole way. Miami jumped out to an early lead and never let go. A pair of field goals before halftime on a bitterly cold night and then a touchdown in the third by way of quarterback Jose Bueno on the ground. Michigan’s offensive struggles led many to believe the first shutout in CFSL history was imminent. Then, in the closing minutes of the fourth, Michigan QB Dewey Ainge connected with freshman receiver Trey Greer up the seam for a 67 yard touchdown.
Final Score: Miami 13, Michigan 7
FLORIDA VS. NEBRASKA
In the week one finale, where many anticipated the CFSL debut of Florida quarterback Mathias St. John were quickly disappointed. Two interceptions early on saw Florida fall behind fast. They managed to hold the Cornhuskers to a couple of field goals early, but the might of quarterback James Kovach could not be denied, nor could the explosiveness of halfback Dowdy Dowell. Florida corner Dakota Wolf tried to keep things close with a pair of kick-sixes, but it wasn’t enough. Kovach finished with 447 passing yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions, while Dowell turned 21 carries into 163 yards and a score. Nebraska receivers Blaze Gunner and Bill Volk each had over 100 yards receiving and at least one score, with Gunner turning in a kick-six of his own. In the end, Florida had one offensive touchdown, in a game that wasn’t close.
Final Score: Florida 21, Nebraska 65
