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The Week 1 school soccer slate was loaded with top-tier matchups to formally kick off the season whereas ushering followers again into stadiums and onto message boards.
Some video games lived as much as the hype — No. 5 Notre Dame went toe-to-toe with No. 2 Ohio State for 3 quarters and 10 minutes in a 21-10 loss — and a few didn’t (see: something associated to the Oregon-Georgia field rating).
Alabama and Bryce Younger as soon as once more seemed unstoppable, whereas Utah fell within the Swamp. In high-profile teaching debuts, USC put up large numbers in Recreation 1 of the Lincoln Riley period, whereas Brian Kelly’s LSU squad misplaced a recreation not like some other to Florida State.
Sure, school soccer is again, and with it comes ESPN’s weekly Energy Rankings. Here is the primary spherical of this season’s rankings.
Possibly Georgia can win a nationwide title with Stetson Bennett as its quarterback. Simply kidding. Bennett, a former walk-on, proved that final season, when he led the Bulldogs to their first nationwide title in 41 years. Now, in his third yr in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system, Bennett is rising as top-of-the-line quarterbacks within the SEC, if not the whole FBS. He accomplished 25 of 31 passes for a career-high 368 yards with two touchdowns in a 49-3 win in opposition to Oregon. He additionally ran for an additional rating. His mobility has at all times been underappreciated, and he is proving that his accuracy and arm power aren’t unhealthy, both — Mark Schlabach
Up subsequent: vs. Samford (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, SEC Community/ESPN App)
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Stetson Bennett rushes for a landing and throws for 2, main Georgia to the large 49-3 win over Oregon.
The one uncommon factor to return out of the Crimson Tide’s lopsided win over Utah State was quarterback Bryce Young‘s sudden affinity for operating the soccer. Positive, Younger threw 5 first-half touchdowns to kick off his Heisman Trophy protection. That was anticipated after final season. However his 100 yards dashing — greater than doubling his earlier profession excessive — weren’t. — Alex Scarborough
Up subsequent: at Texas (Saturday, midday ET, Fox)
The Buckeyes earned a press release win in opposition to the Irish, however their offense, which was No. 1 within the nation final yr, fell properly beneath the preseason hype. They struggled to discover a rhythm for many of the recreation, and it did not assist that their main huge receiver, record-setter Jaxon Smith-Njigba, took a tough hit within the first quarter that finally sidelined him for good within the second half. Quarterback C.J. Stroud confirmed why he is top-of-the-line within the nation, although, as he used his pace to get away from strain and preserve sufficient performs alive to safe a 21-10 win. — Heather Dinich
Up subsequent: vs. Arkansas State (Saturday, midday ET, Large Ten Community)
There may not be a extra excellent season opener for a head coach than when your crew wins simply however experiences some glitches so that you can yell about on Sunday. Brent Venables’ debut as OU coach went precisely like that — his Sooners cruised 45-13 over UTEP, with Dillon Gabriel throwing for 223 yards, Eric Gray dashing for 102 and the protection recording six sacks (2.5 from Reggie Grimes). However the Sooners additionally fell asleep for a lot of the second quarter, permitting the Miners to remain shut approaching halftime. Nonetheless, if you common 8.1 yards per play and your opponent averages 3.8, it was a superb day on the workplace. — Invoice Connelly
Up subsequent: vs. Kent State (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
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Dillon Gabriel tosses two landing passes to Brayden Willis within the first half.
The Wolverines are in the course of a quarterback battle, with final season’s starter, Cade McNamara, and J.J. McCarthy vying for the beginning spot. McNamara began the primary recreation of the season and had an uninspiring efficiency, finishing 9 of 18 passes for 136 yards and one landing in Michigan’s 51-7 win over Colorado State. McCarthy performed within the second half and accomplished 4 of 4 passes for 30 yards, but additionally ran for 50 yards on three makes an attempt and scored a landing on the bottom. The offense put up over 40 factors, nevertheless it wasn’t a stellar efficiency. The protection, alternatively, held Colorado State in test the whole recreation and was capable of create strain with seven sacks within the recreation. — Tom VanHaaren
Up subsequent: vs. Hawai’i (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Large Ten Community)
The Irish’s protection turned in a exceptional efficiency, however within the fourth quarter, when it mattered essentially the most, Notre Dame was unable to make the stops on a 14-play, 95-yard landing drive that ate 7:06 off the clock. The Irish must get extra out of their operating recreation transferring ahead to provide first-year beginning quarterback Tyler Buchner extra choices. To come back into the Shoe, although, and maintain a 10-7 halftime lead in opposition to a attainable playoff crew, is proof the 21-10 loss wasn’t for a scarcity of preparation underneath first-year coach Marcus Freeman. — Dinich
Up subsequent: vs. Marshall (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Aggies opened a season of huge expectations with a 31-0 shutout of Sam Houston, their first in an opener since 1993. It wasn’t at all times fairly and included an almost three-hour rain delay, however the largest story was the offensive output underneath Haynes King, who was making simply his third begin after being misplaced for the season final yr after two begins. King had 364 passing yards, the second most in a season opener in Texas A&M historical past, together with two TD passes of greater than 60 yards (one in all which was Yulkeith Brown‘s first profession reception of 66 yards) — the primary time an Aggies QB has completed that since Ryan Tannehill in 2011. The protection is loaded. If the A&M offense can stay explosive, the season outlook appears a lot brighter. — Dave Wilson
Up subsequent: vs. Appalachian State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App)
Blake Shapen acquired his work finished, then went to the bench. The brand new Baylor beginning quarterback was 17-for-20 for 214 yards and two scores and threw his final move late within the first half because the Bears cruised to a 69-10 win over Albany. Monaray Baldwin gained 130 yards and scored twice in simply six mixed rushes and receptions, and the Bears had the Nice Danes overwhelmed from the beginning. The actual challenges begin quickly sufficient, however Dave Aranda’s squad made quick work of its tuneup alternative. — Connelly
Up subsequent: at BYU (Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
New head coach Lincoln Riley could not have drawn it up any higher if he tried. After a protracted offseason that included a roster overhaul of over 40 new gamers, USC took to the sphere and scored essentially the most factors it had in a recreation since 2008, selecting off Rice‘s quarterbacks not as soon as, not twice, not 3 times, however 4 occasions, together with three pick-sixes. The 66-14 last will look good on the brand-new résumé despite the fact that Rice is probably going the best matchup the Trojans will face this season. Nonetheless, the truth that Riley and Caleb Williams appeared to choose up proper the place they left off on offense whereas the protection, which nonetheless has many questions, was capable of step up in such a vogue bodes properly for USC. It additionally seemingly raises expectations for the Trojans much more. — Paolo Uggetti
Up subsequent: at Stanford (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
Coach Sam Pittman’s exceptional rebuild proved final yr was no fluke, and the Razorbacks now count on to beat top-25 opponents. They withstood each Cincinnati punch and put the sport away, getting the ball again with 5:49 left and operating out the clock. KJ Jefferson‘s regular steering produced 4 touchdowns (23 yards and three TDs passing and three TDs, 62 and one other rating dashing), and Arkansas handed the Bearcats their first regular-season loss since 2019. — Wilson
Up subsequent: vs. South Carolina (Saturday, midday ET, ESPN/ESPN app)
With quarterback Anthony Richardson behind middle, immediately it feels as if the Gators have an opportunity to exceed exterior expectations – particularly after a 29-26 win over Utah. Richardson had three touchdowns and 274 complete yards, whereas his offensive line performed a dominant recreation up entrance. Although the protection struggled to include Utah quarterback Cam Rising and their terrific tight ends, Amari Burney made the play that wanted to occur with an interception ultimately zone to seal the victory. — Adelson
Up subsequent: vs. Kentucky (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
For those who had been on the lookout for convincing proof that Clemson absolutely left its offensive woes in 2021, Week 1 didn’t present it. The Tigers pulled away late for a 41-10 victory over Georgia Tech — thanks partly to 1 rating arrange by a blocked punt and one other led by blue-chip freshman QB Cade Klubnik — however beginning QB D.J. Uiagalelei nonetheless went via lengthy stretches of ugly play, the receivers nonetheless struggled to get separation downfield and the O-line didn’t create a lot room for the bottom recreation in opposition to a Yellow Jackets’ protection that, on paper, is among the simpler checks Clemson ought to count on in 2022. The excellent news is the Tigers’ defensive entrance appears nearly as good as marketed, and so long as Ok.J. Henry, Bennett Carter and Co. proceed their dominance, Clemson will likely be in each recreation. — Hale
Up subsequent: vs. Furman (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Community/ESPN App)
The beginning of the Mario Cristobal period could not have gone significantly better. Miami crushed Bethune-Cookman 70-13, dashing for six touchdowns and forcing three turnovers. It was, after all, a recreation Miami was presupposed to win simply, however the result’s nonetheless encouraging. Miami offensive coordinator Josh Gattis mentioned he desires to run extra successfully than the Canes had been capable of in 2021, and Henry Parrish Jr. (108 yards, three TDs) and Thaddius Franklin Jr. (78 yards, two TDs) each moved the ball with ease, regardless of three of Miami’s anticipated producers — Jaylan Knighton, Don Chaney Jr. and TreVonte’ Citizen — all sitting out with accidents Saturday. — David M. Hale
Up subsequent: vs. Southern Miss (Saturday, midday ET, ACC Community/ESPN App)
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Miami DB Gilbert Frierson comes up with a 32-yard pick-six and celebrates by doing Antonio Brown’s dance.
There wasn’t a lot that went incorrect for Wisconsin in its opener in opposition to Illinois State. Quarterback Graham Mertz accomplished 14 of 16 passes for 219 yards and one landing and was capable of sit out many of the fourth quarter within the Badgers’ 38-0 win. Operating again Braelon Allen picked up the place he left off final season and ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns within the win. The protection was capable of maintain Illinois State scoreless and underneath 250 complete yards of offense. — VanHaaren
Up subsequent: vs. Washington State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
Junior quarterback Payton Thorne‘s 4 landing passes to 4 totally different receivers helped lead Michigan State to a 35-13 victory over in-state rival Western Michigan on Friday. It tied a profession excessive for Thorne and marked the fourth time he has thrown 4 TDs in a recreation. The Spartans pulled away from the Broncos late partly because of sophomore operating again Jalen Berger‘s 120 dashing yards. A 1-yard landing run from Berger, a Wisconsin switch, capped a 91-yard scoring drive within the fourth quarter. Led by 4 sacks from senior linebacker Jacoby Windmon, a switch from UNLV, Michigan State’s protection recorded seven sacks. — Blake Baumgartner
Up subsequent: vs. Akron (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, Large Ten Community)
The Utes performed the kind of recreation they wished to in opposition to Florida however need to be lamenting the missed alternatives after a 29-26 loss. Utah dominated the Gators up entrance on the offensive line, dashing for 230 yards on the bottom, however failed to attain any factors on a number of journeys contained in the Florida 6-yard line. Two different journeys contained in the Florida 25-yard line resulted in discipline targets. Then with an opportunity to tie or win, Cam Rising threw an interception ultimately zone — an unlikely end contemplating how properly he performed within the recreation (216 yards passing, 91 yards dashing). — Andrea Adelson
Up subsequent: vs. Southern Utah (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Community)
The enjoyable, aggressive Oklahoma State offense is again. Towards Central Michigan on Thursday night time, Spencer Sanders grew to become the second participant in Large 12 historical past (the opposite one: Patrick Mahomes) to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns and rush for 2 scores in a single half. He began the second half with a 45-yard bomb, too, because the Cowboys opened up a 51-15 lead. CMU scored a ton of garbage-time factors to make this a 58-44 last, however the Pokes put this one away early. — Connelly
Up subsequent: vs. Arizona State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App)
The renewal of the Yard Brawl after an 11-year hiatus definitely lived as much as the billing, although Pitt didn’t make it simple in entrance of the house crowd in a 38-31 victory over West Virginia. Nonetheless, the Panthers discovered a technique to rating two touchdowns within the last 3:41 of the sport to drag out the win. Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis performed inconsistently however led a 92-yard game-tying drive. M.J. Devonshire scored the winner on a 56-yard pick-six on the next West Virginia collection. Slovis completed with 308 yards passing within the win, however there’s lots for Pitt to wash up headed into Week 2. — Adelson
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
After a sluggish begin, Kentucky pulled away within the second half for a 37-13 season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday night time. The Wildcats had been enjoying with out star operating again Chris Rodriguez Jr. and completed with simply 50 dashing yards. However quarterback Will Levis handed for 303 yards and three touchdowns, and the Wildcats scored one landing on particular groups (a Barion Brown 100-yard kickoff return) and arrange one other landing because of Keidron Smith‘s fumble return to the Miami 8-yard line. — Low
Up subsequent: at Florida (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
The Wolfpack one way or the other discovered a technique to beat East Carolina 21-20, nevertheless it was the kind of efficiency that ought to decelerate the hype prepare surrounding this system. They struggled at occasions throughout the board — particularly within the floor recreation — failing to attain 4 occasions from the purpose line on a collection that might have put the sport away. As an alternative, East Carolina hung round and almost gained. A missed further level and one other missed discipline purpose on the finish of regulation value the Pirates the upset. NC State has been on the opposite facet of all these video games, so coach Dave Doeren is rarely going to take a win without any consideration. However he additionally is aware of that his veteran crew didn’t play as much as its full potential in Week 1. — Adelson
Up subsequent: vs. Charleston Southern (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3)
With a lot give attention to the Ole Miss quarterback battle, it was the operating recreation that stole the present Saturday within the Rebels’ season-opening 28-10 victory over Troy at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Zach Evans, a switch from TCU, rushed for 130 yards on 20 carries, and freshman Quinshon Judkins rushed for 87 yards on 14 carries. Between them, they averaged 6.4 yards per carry, as Ole Miss led 28-3 within the early minutes of the third quarter however did not do a lot else on offense the remainder of the way in which. Coach Lane Kiffin mentioned the followers most likely acquired bored within the second half and added, “I might too with our offense.” Jaxson Dart, a switch from USC, began at quarterback. The plan is to begin Luke Altmyer subsequent week in opposition to Central Arkansas. — Low
Up subsequent: vs. Central Arkansas (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, SEC Community+/ESPN+)
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Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels get three dashing touchdowns and a turnover-happy protection as they take down Troy.
No sluggish begin right here. Earlier than the primary quarter had even concluded, BYU had its opener in opposition to South Florida all sewn up, and went on to attain the sport’s first 38 factors earlier than halftime. QB Jaren Hall had a giant, environment friendly recreation — finishing 25 of 32 passes for 261 yards — however there was no stopping the dashing recreation within the 50-21 win. The Cougars mixed for 314 yards on 37 carries with three scores to set the tone with a number of big-time opponents coming within the weeks forward. — Kyle Bonagura
Up subsequent: vs. Baylor (Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
Quinn Ewers‘ Longhorns debut began with an interception on his second move try, however he and his crew settled down properly of their pre-Alabama tuneup. Texas scored touchdowns on offense, protection and particular groups, as each No. 5s — operating again Bijan Robinson and cornerback D’Shawn Jamison — had large performances in a 52-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Ewers (225 move yards) executed a principally protected plan, permitting teammates resembling Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Whittington and Robinson to do many of the work. Sophomore finish Barryn Sorrell sparked a protection that stored ULM out of the top zone. — Rittenberg
Up subsequent: vs. Alabama (Saturday, midday ET, Fox)
Taking part in what was ostensibly a street recreation in New Orleans in opposition to LSU, the Seminoles hung robust, notably quarterback Jordan Travis, who evaded the Tigers’ pass-rush and took various photographs on the way in which to a formidable 260 yards and two touchdowns via the air. And the protection and particular groups made it an all-around efficiency, producing 4 sacks, blocking a pair of kicks and recovering two fumbles within the 24-23 win. Whereas it may need been a bit too shut for consolation ultimately, coach Mike Norvell will take a 1-point win and a 2-0 begin to the season. — Scarborough
Up subsequent: at Louisville (Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App)
Few groups play as quick or rating as quick as Tennessee, and the Vols had been true to type Thursday night time of their season-opening 59-10 rout of Ball State. Lower than a minute into the sport, Tennessee was up 7-0 and had Neyland Stadium rocking. Hendon Hooker had two landing passes and two landing runs within the first half, because the Vols raced out to a 38-0 halftime lead. Going again to the 2021 season, Tennessee has scored 45 or extra factors in 4 consecutive video games, the primary time that has occurred since 1993. Tennessee gave up 343 yards on protection however pressured three turnovers and held Ball State to 5-of-16 on third and fourth down. — Low
Up subsequent: at Pitt (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App)
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