Big 12 teams nearly sweep Week 3 action
As we inch closer to full on conference scheduling, the Big 12 conference as a whole rebounded from a tough intra-conference Week 2, recording wins in all but one non-conference game in the last weekend without a majority of conference games. The crown jewel came with the Sun Devils holding off Kansas in their Big 12 opener in London; here’s a look at how the rest of the conference fared.
No. 13 Texas Tech 28 | No. 22 Houston 26 (Friday)
In an early-season marquee matchup, the surprising Cougars jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead to put the defending conference champions on the ropes, before the Red Raiders rode the two-headed rushing attack of Cameron Dickey (65 yards, 1 TD) and J’Koby Williams (62 yards, 1 TD) to victory. Conner Weigman was excellent in the loss, throwing the 282 yards and 3 TDs, but the Texas Tech defense made a key red zone stop in the 3rd quarter to hold Houston to a field goal, forcing the Cougars to attempt a narrowly unsuccessful 2PT conversion for the tie with less than a minute to play.
No. 11 BYU 41 | Colorado State 23
After overtaking Texas Tech as the class of the Big 12 in the eyes of AP voters, BYU used a 176 yard and 3 TD performance from LJ Martin to put this game away early. Colorado State made it interesting with a 16 point 4th quarter, but there was never any doubt that the Cougars would remain undefeated after their first three weeks.
No. 17 Utah 33 | Utah State 0
Not to be outdone by their metropolitan area rivals, Utah avoided all pretense by pitching a shutout behind 253 passing yards and 2 TDs from Devin Dampier, as well as rushing touchdowns from Daniel Brady and Byrd Ficklin. Early results for both teams are making the Holy War on November 7th must-see TV.
West Virginia 38 | No. 25 Virginia 27 (Duke’s Mayo Classic)
The first meeting between the two schools since 2002, the Battle for Country Roads traded salvos through most of the first three quarters, before Michael Hawkings Jr. took matters into his own hands to pull ahead with a passing TD to DJ Epps late in the 3rd quarter, adding a rushing TD late in the 4th to put the game out of reach. Neither quarterback was particularly effective through the air, but 100 yard rushing performances from Hawking and Cam Cook proved to be the difference for the Mountaineers.
Kansas State 31 | Tulane 20
Avery Johnson was the star of the show once again for Kansas State, throwing for 227 yards and rushing for 152 yards and 2 TDs to single-handedly take down the Green Wave. Kadin Semonza recorded 2 total TDs for Tulane, with a peculiar -27 rushing yards on 10 carries to go with his rushing TD.
Iowa State 55 | Bowling Green 7
Sophomore Aiden Flora had his career breakout game, rushing for 194 yards and 3 total TDs in the final non-conference game of the season for the Cyclones. Iowa State recorded two total touchdowns on special teams, with Cameron Pettaway’s 100 yard kickoff return starting the barrage late in the 1st quarter.
Cincinnati 35 | Miami (OH) 31
The RedHawks looked to pull off the surprise win in the Battle for the Victory Bell, leading 28-7 at halftime. Cole Tabb scored 2 of his 3 total touchdowns in the second half, including a 53 yard run for the win with 1:29 left in regulation. David McComb threw for an impressive 334 yards in the loss, but JC French’s 309 yards and 2 TDs kept the. Bearcats on the right side of the scoreboard.
Baylor 36 | Louisiana Tech 19
Nate Bennett impressed once again standing in for DJ Lagway (out since Week 1 with a high-ankle sprain), completing 21 of 24 passes for 253 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown as the Bears rolled to victory over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Tech made things interesting with two 4th quarter touchdowns, but failed 2PT conversions never let them get closer than 10 points with 5 minutes to play.
UCF 44 | Georgia State 30
Cameran Brown put a scare into the Knights defense, throwing for 282 yards and 2 TDs, but interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second half stagnated the Panthers offense, allowing UCF to convert for 10 points off those turnovers. Duke Watson led the charge for the Knights with 177 rushing yards and 2 TDs, while quarterback Keyone Jenkins recorded 3 total TDs to avoid the late scare.
Oklahoma State 55 | Murray State 0
Drew Mestemaker threw for 5 TDs and 324 yards, while the Cowboys rushing attack tallied 301 yards as Oklahoma State easily carved up the Murray State Racers. 178 of Mestemaker’s 324 yard went to Justin Bowick, establishing a good rapport with the senior wide receiver going in to conference play.
Northwestern 41 | Colorado 7
The only non-conference loss for the Big 12 came in ugly fashion as the only score for the Buffaloes came on a 50 yard touchdown pass from Julian Lewis to Joseph Williams. Northwestern’s defense forced 4 turnovers, scoring 17 points on the ensuing drives to ensure the rout was on.
TCU 31 | Arkansas State 7
The Horned Frogs got off to a sluggish start, but 3 touchdown passes from Jaden Craig helped TCU pull away from the Red Wolves in the second half. Ed Small was Craig’s favorite target, hauling in 7 catches for 164 yards and 1 touchdowns.
Arizona 42 | Northern Illinois 17
The Wildcats found themselves on the ropes early after the Huskies took a 10-0 first quarter lead, but the next 42 points came from the home side, coasting to the win. Noah Fifita scored 5 total touchdowns and threw for 325 yards, breaking the program record for career passing yards in the process.
Week 4 at a glance
All times Arizona Time
Sam Houston at No. 13 Texas Tech | 9:00am | TNT
Colorado at Baylor | 9:00am | ESPN2
No. 17 Utah at Iowa State | 12:30pm | FOX
TCU at UCF | 12:30pm | FS1
No. 22 Houston at Georgia Southern | 1:00pm | ESPNU
Kansas State at Cincinnati | 4:00pm | ESPN2
Oklahoma State at West Virginia | 4:00pm | FS1
Arizona at Washington State | 4:30pm | CBS
Byes: Arizona State, BYU, Kansas
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