College Football Upsets and Head-Scratchers
Week 1 of the 2021 college football season had some upsets and some real head-scratchers.
And, it had some good storylines also.
College football upsets and head-scratchers
#18 Iowa 34 – #17 Indiana 6:
The Hawkeyes defense forced three interceptions from Hoosier QB Michael Penix, two of which were returned for touchdowns by Iowa DB Riley Moss. Iowa also held Indiana to just 77 yards rushing.
Presbyterian College 84 – St. Andrews 43:
P.C. QB Ren Hefley set an FCS record after throwing 10 touchdown passes. He was 38 of 50 for 538 yards.
The new coach at P.C. is Kevin Kelley, formerly of Pulaski Academy in Arkansas. He coached the Bruins to nine state championships and amassed a record of 216-29-1.
Kelley has never punted and attempts an onside kick if within three touchdowns.
Upsets
Va. Tech 17 – #10 North Carolina 10:
Tar Heel QB Sam Howell threw three INTs and fumbled twice, but recovered. North Carolina had zero rushing touchdowns.
UCLA 38 – #16 LSU 27:
The Tigers could not find any success in the rushing attack against the Bruins, as they were held to just 49 yards rushing. LSU was just 5 of 15 on 3rd downs conversions.
LSU QB Max Johnson passed for 330 yards and three TDs and threw one INT. WR Kayshon Boutte caught nine passes for 148 yards and 3 TDs. He averaged 7 yards per pass.
UCLA was 7 of 13 on third-down conversions. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson passed for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns, and one INT. He averaged 16 yards per pass.
RB Zach Charbonnet rushed for 117 yards and 1 TD on 11 carries.
TE Greg Dulcich caught three passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Head-Scratchers
#19 Penn State 16 – #12 Wisconsin 10:
The Nittany Lions defense was the story in this game. They sacked Badger QB Graham Mertz twice, recorded two INTs, recovered a Mertz fumble, and made six tackles for loss. Wisconson made 29 first downs and possessed the ball for 42:51. Penn State committed zero turnovers.
Montana 13 – #20 Washington 7:
Huskies QB Dylan Morris threw three INTs and was sacked three times as FCS-member Montana upset #20 Washington. The Grizzlies held Washington to just 53 yards rushing.
#2 Oklahoma 40 – Tulane 35:
Both teams were about even on the stat sheet. The difference? Tulane QB Michael Pratt lost three fumbles. And, he was stopped short of a first down on the final drive that preserved the narrow victory for the Sooners.
Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler was 30 of 39 passing for 304 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two INTs.
#5 Georgia 10 – #3 Clemson 3:
A “Top 5” matchup? Umm, not so much. Neither quarterback ( Georgia’s J.T. Daniels and Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei ) threw a touchdown pass but each threw an INT.
Clemson gained just two yards rushing.
The Georgia defense played lights out, sacking Uiagalelei seven times and recording eight tackles for loss. UGA’s Chris Smith returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown.
Georgia was the only ranked team on Clemson’s schedule coming into the game.
Will we have more upsets and head-scratchers next week?
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