Stars
Christion Jones, Alabama, became the first Crimson Tide player since at least the 1940s to have two returns for touchdowns and had another score receiving in the top-ranked Tide’s 35-10 win over Virginia Tech.
Vernon Adams, Eastern Washington, had 518 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 18 seconds left, as the Eagles upset No. 25 Oregon State 49-46 on Saturday to become the third FCS team to beat a ranked FBS team.
Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, threw for a career-best 416 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Illini to a 42-34 win over Southern Illinois.
Tommy Rees, Notre Dame, threw a pair of 32-yard touchdown passes to DaVaris Daniels and a 66-yard scoring pass to Troy Niklas in the No. 14 Irish’s 28-6 victory over Temple.
Marcus Mariota, Oregon, threw for 234 yards and a touchdown and ran two more scores in the No. 3 Ducks’ 66-3 rout over Nicholls.
J.W. Walsh, Oklahoma State, threw for 135 yards and ran for another 125 and a touchdown to lead the No. 13 Cowboys to a 21-3 win over Mississippi State.
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin, ran for 144 yards and a score in a 45-0 win over Massachusetts.
James Franklin, Missouri, threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns before resting in the third quarter, helping the Tigers take command after early struggles and whip Murray State 58-14.
Devin Gardner, Michigan, ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in the first half in the No. 17 Wolverines’ 59-9 win over Central Michigan.
Brandon Allen, Arkansas, was 15-of-22 passing for 230 yards and three touchdowns as the Razorbacks opened the Bret Bielema era with a 34-14 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois, threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the Huskies’ 30-27 upset victory over Iowa.
Alex Amidon, Boston College, had 13 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 win over Villanova its first game under coach Steve Addazio.
C.J. Brown, Maryland, celebrated his return from injury with a marvelous performance, throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more scores to lead the Terps over Florida International 43-10.
Dominique Williams, Wagner, had 162 yards rushing and scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter in a 28-21 win over Georgetown.
Numbers
24: Years since Duke’s last shutout before a 45-0 rout of North Carolina Central.
173: Yards of interception returns by Georgia Tech in its 70-0 win over Elon, a school record.
200: Career victories for Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly after the Irish rolled over Temple.
625: Total yards by Eastern Washington in its 49-46 upset victory over No. 25 Oregon State.
Injuries
North Carolina State turned to Brandon Mitchell as its starting quarterback in the season opener against Louisiana Tech only to lose the Arkansas transfer to an early left foot injury.
Mitchell directed the Wolfpack to touchdowns on the first two possessions before he was hurt when he was stopped on a third-and-1 keeper on his third series. Mitchell headed to the locker room and returned to the sideline on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
Head coach Dave Doeren said Mitchell could miss 4 to 6 weeks.
Associated Press
