Week 2 of the college football season proved that, despite the effects of an expanded postseason, major upsets in the regular season are still absolutely thrilling. We’re looking at you, Notre Dame.
Starting with Northern Illinois’ first victory against a top-10 team in program history, Week 2 delivered an abundance of firsts and major ranking shakeups, with many quirks in between.
Controversy called, and NIU answered
Not even two controversial calls on the same play of Northern Illinois’ game-winning drive against Notre Dame could derail the upset of the week.
Down by 1 on the Irish’s 20-yard line on third-and-2 with 43 seconds to play, NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton handed the ball to running back Gavin Williams, who appeared to bulldoze his way past the chains. Except the side judge marked Williams’ run short, giving NIU a fourth-and-2 with 36 seconds left on the ND 19.
The clock was running on the failed third-down conversion play. The refs then stopped the clock to measure and re-spot the ball. The clock should’ve restarted on the referee’s ready-for-play signal, but it didn’t, ultimately saving Notre Dame its last timeout it otherwise would’ve had to burn during its last drive.
NIU pulled off its first top-10 upset in program history — the school was 0-14 against top-10 opponents before Saturday — and tarnished the Irish’s shiny start to the season after a Week 1 victory over Texas A&M.
GO DEEPER
Explaining the controversial calls on NIU (which beat Notre Dame despite them)
Huskies coach Thomas Hammock gave the quote of the week during an emotional postgame interview in which he said, through tears, how proud he was of his players: “We don’t need luck.”
This is what it’s all about.
NIU’s @NIUCoachHammock is overcome with emotion after leading his team to the win at Notre Dame! @NIU_Football | @NIUAthletics | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/K7oS9tsrTC
— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 7, 2024
Speaking of firsts …
Anderson University demolished St. Andrews in its college football program’s debut. The new Division II team opened its history with a 51-14 victory after spending the 2023 season in a practice and developmental period.
Anderson is a small, private Christian school located about 30 minutes southeast of Clemson, S.C., with an enrollment of just about 4,200 students. It plays in the South Atlantic Conference.
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Tight end Wesley Beckett opened up the scoring for the Trojans, who took a commanding 42-0 lead by halftime en route to their 1-0 start.
A Day to Remember…
The Trojans are 1-0⚔️#TeamOne | #AUthentic pic.twitter.com/fP4rmgYAnv
— Anderson Trojans Football (@AUTrojansFB) September 7, 2024
Owl for one and one for Owl
Army defeated FAU, 24-7, on Saturday, the first of a string of games against teams with Owl mascots.
The Black Knights secured the W in typical Army fashion: by racking up 405 rushing yards on 58 attempts. Quarterback Bryson Daily completed only 1-of-4 passing attempts, but it was a beautiful 44-yard throw to Casey Reynolds, who jogged into the end zone untouched.
Casual 44 yd ROCKET of a pass for another @ArmyWP_Football TD 🚀 pic.twitter.com/XyivLW9eSd
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 7, 2024
Next up: Army faces the Rice Owls on Sept. 21. After that? The Black Knights play the Temple Owls on Sept. 26.
Hop to it
Washington receiver Giles Jackson finished the Huskies’ win against Eastern Michigan with six receptions for 66 yards, but not before he made a major leap in his career — literally.
All the replays of that Giles Jackson hurdle 😱#B1GFootball x @UW_Football pic.twitter.com/BTslvK0xuo
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 7, 2024
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook also caught some air in the Tigers’ 38-0 shutout of Buffalo. Cook hurdled over a defender, leaped and flipped into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Brady Cook with this week’s Call of the Game!#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/psBtDHHNeE
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 8, 2024
The third-place hopping crown goes to the rabbit that invaded the field during the Duke–Northwestern game Friday. Before Northwestern’s mascot Willie the Wildcat could chase the rabbit off the field, Northwestern fumbled.
This game has really had it all ‼️ pic.twitter.com/F2apAFsWgY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2024
It was the exclamation point on a wild sequence of events that ended with a Duke win in double overtime.
Dale!
Florida International welcomed fans to its newly-renamed stadium with the promise of a unique keepsake: a commemorative pin featuring recording artist Pitbull.
Reminder! First 10K fans to arrive today get a commemorative @Pitbull Stadium pin 👀
Stadium gates open at 5PM 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/0MjDHIXLVo
— FIU Athletics (@FIUAthletics) September 7, 2024
In August, FIU signed a five-year deal to rename its stadium after the 43-year-old singer, songwriter and businessman from Miami. Pitbull is expected to pay the Conference USA school $1.2 million per year over the next five years to have his name on its 20,000-seat home.
¡Esto pa’ toda la gente de Miami!
This is for all of the people of Miami! pic.twitter.com/HyXdSs3k0B
— FIU Athletics (@FIUAthletics) September 7, 2024
The Panthers christened Pitbull Stadium with a 52-16 win over Central Michigan that included four different players rushing for a touchdown.
A pointed celebration
You’ve seen turnover chains and belts and even wooden planks, but Texas opted for a prop fit for a medieval duel to celebrate its ball-hawking versus Michigan. The Longhorns impaled three footballs on a sword to signify the two interceptions and one fumble recovery they secured against Michigan during a dominant 31-12 victory Saturday.
Texas pulled out the turnover sword stuck with 3 deflated footballs for the 3 turnovers today vs Michigan 🏈🗡️🤘 pic.twitter.com/CukvUQRXYU
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2024
Sophomore DB Derek Williams Jr. danced with the sword on the sideline after his first career interception in the third quarter. Senior DB Andrew Mukuba snagged the Longhorns’ first pick of the day in the second quarter off a pass breakup by Malik Muhammad.
PICKED OFF
What a play by the @texasfootball defense 🔒🤘 pic.twitter.com/antIs6U3i5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2024
As a farewell to the reigning national champions, Texas LB David Gbenda attempted to plant a Longhorns flag in the Block M at the center of Michigan’s field. It fell over as Gbenda ran away, but the statement W remains.
Up for grabs
Rahmir Johnson nabbed Nebraska’s lone passing touchdown against Colorado by winning a game of hot potato against Buffaloes ILB LaVonta Bentley. For a split second, it looked like Bentley had picked off Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola, but somehow Johnson ended up with the ball and scampered into the end zone.
Hot Potato Touchdown 😆@Huskerfootball is up B1G heading into the half 👀#B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/t5K0h8b9AL
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 8, 2024
The touchdown and extra point put the Cornhuskers up 28-0, though a third-quarter field goal and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter helped Colorado avoid a shutout. Raiola finished the night with 185 yards on 23-of-30 passing while leading Nebraska to a 28-10 victory.
(Photo: David Banks / USA Today)
