Week 3 of college football featured plenty of action, including a thrilling Georgia-Kentucky matchup, a top-25 Missouri matchup, and a surprise Memphis win over Florida State. Here’s a recap of how it all went down:
No. 1 Georgia outlasts Kentucky
No. 1 Georgia narrowly edged out unranked Kentucky in a defensive battle for a 13-12 win. Kentucky led 9-6 after three quarters, but Georgia took the lead early in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Branson Robinson. The Wildcats caught up with their fourth field goal of the game but were unable to score a touchdown. Georgia had a late opportunity and recovered a fumble that led to a crucial first down, sealing the win and securing the undefeated season.
No. 16 LSU catches up and beats South Carolina
No. 16 LSU beat South Carolina 36-33, avoiding overtime because the Gamecocks missed a field goal to tie the game as time expired.
After the first quarter, LSU’s chances of winning seemed minimal. Trailing by 17 points, battling a strengthened Gamecocks fan base and a constant rooster crowing, the Tigers were on the defensive.
Although LSU trailed only 24-16 at halftime, it couldn’t stop South Carolina on the ground. The Tigers allowed 153 rushing yards in the first half, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers scoring a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Both offenses turned up the pressure in the second half. The Tigers scored two straight touchdowns on their second and third possessions after halftime, while the Gamecocks scored nine straight points to start the fourth quarter. South Carolina led 33-29 with 10 minutes left.
With six minutes left, the Gamecocks nearly won the game. At the South Carolina 13-yard line, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw an interception pass to Nick Emmanwori in the end zone and ran it back for a touchdown. However, the pick-six was called back for unnecessary roughness.
South Carolina gets a pick-6 recall because of a personal foul on the LSU QB after the int. Right or wrong decision? pic.twitter.com/DMBtJB2ceV
— Heaven! (@HeavensFX) 14 September 2024
Nussmeier made up for the mistake on the next drive, leading the Tigers to an eight-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that gave LSU the lead again in the final minute.
After Sellers injured his right ankle early in the game, backup Robby Ashford tried to lead the Gamecocks to victory by driving the offense to LSU’s 32-yard line with 4 seconds left. However, kicker Alex Herrera could not send the game into overtime as he missed the tying 49-yard field goal by inches.
South Carolina for the tie…. Just missed 😱
LSU defeats South Carolina in thrilling game
pic.twitter.com/zTKxkSpzTA— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) 14 September 2024
No. 6 Missouri defeats No. 24 Boston College
After a rocky start, No. 6 Missouri held on against No. 24 Boston College 27-21.
The Eagles took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter after a broken play on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos.
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The Tigers scored 24 straight points to take a 27-14 lead with less than six minutes left in the game. However, the Eagles took advantage of another Tigers broken defense play and cut the lead to just six points with less than four minutes left in the game. But the Tigers’ comeback was unsuccessful as they played down the clock until the end of the game.
Luther Burden III was once again the X-factor for Mizzou, scoring 117 yards and a touchdown on just six pass catches, including 74 yards after the catch.
.@lutherburden3 is UNSTOPPABLE pic.twitter.com/A1FkfHLN7X
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) 14 September 2024
Boston College’s running game didn’t get going against the Tigers after entering the game averaging 284.5 rushing yards per game. Bill O’Brien’s team averaged 1.9 yards per carry.
Tigers running back Nate Noel, on the other hand, rushed for 121 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Missouri veteran quarterback Brady Cook had another solid day, completing 21 of his 30 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. He also scored another touchdown on the ground.
The Tigers improved their record to 3-0 and travel to Nashville next week to face Vanderbilt. Boston College suffered its first loss of the season – the same week the Eagles were ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2018. O’Brien’s team will look to bounce back next week at home against Michigan State.
Memphis surprises State of Florida
Memphis shocked Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium with a 20-12 win. The team started strong, forcing a fumble on just the second play of the game. The Tigers took advantage early, kicking a field goal in the first quarter and finishing it with an interception, keeping the Seminoles scoreless. In the second quarter, quarterback Seth Henigan combined with running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. to score a touchdown, extending Memphis’ lead. Florida State finally scored points with a field goal, but Memphis answered with another and went into halftime up 13-3, with 158 total yards compared to Florida State’s 67.
Memphis came back strong in the third quarter when Henigan found tight end Anthony Landphere for another touchdown. Florida State finally answered with the first touchdown of the game by running back Roydell Williams. Florida State then intercepted a ball. A field goal in the fourth quarter cut the deficit and the Seminoles defense held Memphis scoreless for the rest of the game. It wasn’t enough to sustain the comeback, however, as the preseason top-10 Seminoles fell to 0-3.
Toledo shocks Mississippi State
Toledo defeated Mississippi State 41-17 thanks to its offensive performance from start to finish, giving up over 450 total yards of offense.
It was the MAC’s first win against an SEC opponent since 2015.
The masterpiece began during the Rockets’ first offensive drive. After the Bulldogs had a three-point lead to start the game, Toledo went on a 12-play, 70-yard run and kept their cool.
By halftime, the Rockets had completely broken the game open. Toledo scored on three consecutive attacks, Mississippi State scored only one field goal and led 28-3. Shortly before halftime, he intercepted a ball.
The Rockets didn’t let up in the second half either, and the defense increased the pressure even more. The group forced two more turnovers, which gave the offense several short fields, leading to 10 points.
Although the Bulldogs showed signs of life with two touchdowns late in the third and fourth quarters, Toledo’s cruise control was already in overdrive. Quarterback Tucker Gleason’s 285 passing yards and three touchdowns added to his already electrifying 2024 season. He entered the contest with the sixth-most passing touchdowns in the FBS.
Toledo is 3-0 for the first time since 2017.
