From the Couch Sports

Weekday MACtion

Akron wins the Wagon Wheel in Overtime Thriller

Akron 42 Kent State 35 OT

There’s just something about a Tuesday night MAC rivalry in mid-November: cold weather, small towns, and the only college football games on TV, these two teams have something to prove. Kent State is one of the nation’s most improved teams from a year ago and for Akron, this is like a Super Bowl. They’re having a decent season, but are ineligible for postseason play. This game and the next are it for the Zips. What a game it was. Blow for blow, punch after punch, these two rivals were matching each other until late in the 3rd quarter when Kent State started pulling away with an 18 point lead in hand. The Zips wouldn’t go down easy. They scored 18 unanswered points to tie it with two minutes left. Regulation had it all. Big plays, passing yards galor, and a QB two-point conversion reception to send the game to overtime. The Flashes scored a touchdown on the first play of overtime but the Zips couldn’t answer back. Kent State grabbed the Wagon Wheel and celebrated at midfield. Despite the loss, Akron QB Ben Finley was the bright spot for the Zips, he threw the ball 59 times, completing 32 passes for 424 yards.

Clemson Upsets #20 Louisville on Friday Night

Clemson 20 #20 Louisville 19

A few weeks ago Louisville controlled their own destiny in the ACC and looked like they could sneak into the CFP. Yeah, that’s over now. They lost to Cal last week and now Clemson. As you can see from the score, it wasn’t a high-scoring exciting affair. Both offenses struggled on third downs going a combined 3/24. Awful. Louisville had two chances in the 4th quarter to take the lead but missed two field goals. They had a rough day on special teams, with a missed extra point as well.

Saturday Slate

#9 Notre Dame Dominates #22 Pitt

#9 Notre Dame 37 #22 Pitt 15

The College GameDay game was kind of a dud. The GameDay atmosphere was exciting to watch, the backdrop was picturesque and Pitt fans were excited to have GameDay on campus for the first time since 2022. Unfortunately, the team didn’t live up to the hype. Pitt had come into the game with a 5-game winning streak and had rallied around their freshman QB Mason Heintschel. The Irish defense dominated from the start. Heintschel looked truly uncomfortable in the pocket for the first time this season. ND scored first when Jeremiyah Love broke an awesome 56-yard run and a few plays later Henintschel threw a pick-six. Pitt looked like they were going to answer back after Irish QB CJ Carr threw an interception that was very nearly taken to the house. Pitt had prime field position but had to settle for a field goal. This was deflating to Pitt and they never really got back in the game. ND’s defense had 4 sacks and didn’t allow Pitt to convert a single 3rd down, they went 0/13. Despite the loss, Pitt is still alive for the ACC title and possibly the CFP while ND is two wins away from back-to-back CFP appearances.

#3 Texas A&M Stays Undefeated, Makes History

#3 Texas A&M 31 South Carolina 30

Look away South Carolina fans, look away. It’s been a brutal season for the Gamecocks but Saturday took the cake. They blew a 30-3 halftime lead as Texas A&M completed their largest comeback in school history. The college football world was blowing up in the first half of this game. No one had seen the Aggies look this bad all season, A&M QB Marcel Reed had three first-half turnovers (2 INT & a strip sack fumble return TD.) It was a truly embarrassing first half for one of the nation’s best teams. Mike Elko and the Aggie coaching staff must’ve really inspired the boys in the halftime locker room because A&M’s offense exploded in the 2nd half. The Aggies put up 365 yards in the second half, scored 28 unanswered points and Marcel Reed looked like a changed man, throwing for 298 yards and 3 TD’s. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s offense was horrible, gaining just 76 yards in the 2nd half. Texas A&M is 10-0 (7-0) in the SEC are probably a CFP lock. South Carolina’s 2025 has been a disaster, they began the year ranked #13, got as high as #11, but are now 3-7, they won just one SEC game this year.

Navy Spoils #24 USF’s Playoff Hopes

Navy 41 #24 USF 38

On Tuesday, USF was announced as the best Group of 5 team in the CFP rankings. Navy had to let the CFB world know USF’s spot up in the Top 12 wouldn’t last long. The Midshipmen punched the Bulls in the mouth early, with a great first quarter. Navy had two HUGE plays, a 76-yard touchdown run and a rare 82-yard pass that set up another TD. They lead 24-9 at the half. USF came out in the second half and balled with a great first drive touchdown and a Byrum Brown 60-yard touchdown that cut the Navy lead to 3 points early in the 4th. Every time USF scored, Navy answered and kept the Bulls just far enough away to close out the game and complete the upset and spoil the Bulls playoff chances. USF Byrum Brown threw for 327 an ran for 136, Navy QB Blake Horvath threw for 147 and ran for 60, his backup Braxton Woodson ran for over 100 and two scores, but the big story was Navy WR Eli Heidenreich became the first Navy WR since 2013 to have back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. He is now Navy’s all-time career receiving yard leader.

#1 Ohio State and #2 Indiana Roll

#1 Ohio State 48 UCLA 10

Remember when UCLA shocked the world and went on a 3-game BIG 10 win streak? Well that cool storyline is long over. They’ve now lost 3 in a row again and were absolutely out-matched without starting QB Nico Iamaleava in The Horseshoe on Saturday. Ohio State’s defense lead the way and their offense was efficient. Ohio State plays Rutgers before their game at Michigan.

#2 Indiana 31 Wisconsin 7

After the near loss at Penn State, Indiana needed a “get-right” game against a bad Wisconsin team. They started slow but dominated in the 2nd half. Fernando Mendoza went 22-24 for 299 yards and 4 TD, his 30 passing TD’s are an Indiana single-season record. Indiana is now 11-0 for the first time in school history.

UConn QB Joe Fagnano Throws First INT in a Win Over Air Force

UConn 26 Air Force 16

Joe Fagnano had one of the best starts to a season since Marcus Mariota in 2013, 25 TD and 0 INT. He had the active streak of most pass attempts without an interception with 385, well on Saturday that streak ended. He rolled out on a play action bootleg, which faked out the camera guy, and delivered a strike to an intended receiver. Air Force defender Jackson Adams jumped up and deflected the pass into the air and the ball was ball was intercepted by Max Mustell. It was an unfortunate way to see an INT streak end. The UConn offense was slowed down a bit, but it was their defense that stole the show. In the 2nd quarter Air Force drove the ball down the field on a 19-play 90-yard drive that took almost 12 minutes off the clock, but the Huskies defense made a goal-line stand forcing a turnover on downs. UConn pulled away in the 2nd half when they scored 17 points. UConn is now 8-3, two wins away from their first ever 10-win season.

#11 Oklahoma Ends #4 Alabama’s Home Winning Streak

#11 Oklahoma 23 #4 Alabama 21

The Sooners ended the nation’s longest active home winning streak with their big win at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama had won 17 consecutive games at home. On paper, the Tide should’ve won this game. Ty Simpson threw for 326, Bama out-gained Oklahoma by almost 200 yards, and they had nine more minutes of time of possession. But it was an opportunistic Sooner defense that secured the win for OU. The Sooners had a pick six, forced a muffed punt, and had a strip sack. late in the game that they turned into the game-clinching field goal. OU also forced a turnover on downs on Alabama’s last drive to secure the upset win and keep their playoff hopes alive. Bama dropped their first SEC game of the year, but they are still alive for the SEC Championship game and the CFP, but they’ll most likely need to win out.

#17 USC Wins a Rain-Soaked Game in the LA Coliseum

#17 USC 26 #21 Iowa 21

Wherever Iowa goes, rain follows. On a rare rainy day in Los Angeles it looked like the Hawkeyes were going to go into LA and leave with a win. Iowa had a great first half, holding USC to just 10 points, they were up by 11 at going into the break. Iowa QB had a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown. USC turned the tables in the 2nd half, scoring 10 points in the 3rd while forcing a punt and an interception. The Men of Troy took their first lead of the game early in the 4th. With USC leading 26-21 the Hawkeyes got the ball on their own 10 with 8 minutes left. Iowa would drive the length of the field and had a chance to get the go-ahead score. On 4th & 6, Gronowski threw a great pass near the sideline to Kaden Wetjen, who looked like he reeled it in. USC safety Kennedy Urlacher, son of NFL legend Brian Urlacher, forced him just out of bounds, Wetjen narrowly missed an opportunity to get his foot in bounds to secure the catch. A heartbreaking way for Iowa to lose another game to a Top 25 team, the 3rd such loss of the season.

#16 Georgia Tech Escapes Chestnut Hill with a Comeback Win

#16 Georgia Tech 36 Boston College 34

Haynes King and the Yellow Jackets narrowly avoided their second straight upset loss with a thrilling second half comeback against the 1-9 Boston College Eagles. Down 28-17 going into the 4th quarter, the Yellow Jackets scored 19 points in the 4th quarter. They won the game with a 23-yard field goal with :11 seconds left. Haynes King was terrific again, willing his team to another close win. This was his third consecutive 300-yard passing game. Him and the Yellow Jacket offense gained 628 total yards. If they beat Pitt next week, they’ll clinch a spot in the ACC title game.

The “We Want Lane” Game

#7 Ole Miss 34 Florida 24

Lane Kiffin is a hot commodity. Florida wants him, Ole Miss wants to keep him, and both teams played like they were trying to sell their programs. Last year, Florida shocked the #9 Rebels to keep them out of the CFB and despite their 3-6 record and lack of a head coach, the Gators nearly pulled off the upset again. Ole Miss took a quick 10-0 lead but the Gators played a solid first half after that and lead 24-20 at the break. On the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, the Gators defense stood strong with a goal line stand, something they did twice in the meeting last year. Unfortunately for the Gators, their offense was dormant in the 2nd half and it was only a matter of time before the Rebels dynamic offense started putting up points. Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy ran for 224 yards and 3 scores, he broke a 59-yards run in the 4th quarter to set up the game-leading TD. On the ensuing possession, Florida was in field goal range but DJ Lagway forced a side-arm throw, it was tipped and intercepted. The next drive, the Gators would stop the Rebels on another goal-line stand to get another chance. Lagway’s first down throw was intended for Jadan Baugh and it appeared an Ole Miss defended arrived way to early, he was flagged for a pass interference. Only for the flag to be picked up, no call. That was pretty much the nail in the coffin for the Gators, they turned it over on downs. Ole Miss would seal the win with a late touchdown as “We Want Lane!” chants from Ole Miss fans echoed throughout Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium.

#5 UGA Dismantles #10 Texas at Home

#5 Georgia 35 #10 Texas 10

In a highly anticipated SEC clash, Georgia used an incredible 4th quarter to beat Texas in their first trip to Athens. This was the third matchup between the Dawgs and the Horns in two seasons, these two met in the SEC title game last year and in Austin, TX, with UGA winning both games. The Longhorns Texas started the scoring with a 3-0 lead, but two Gunner Stockton TD passes gave Georgia a 14-3 halftime lead. Texas flirted with getting back in the game after a 3rd quarter Arch Manning TD. Texas looked to be proving the doubters wrong. Then the Dawgs took control. Georgia went on a 6-minute drive that ended in a Stockton TD pass. Up 21-10, Kirby Smart channeled his inner Sean Payton, reaching deep into the bag of surprises, and executing a stunning onside kick. Georgia recovered and went on another long drive capped off by another Gunner Stockton TD pass. Then a Texas punt, followed by another demoralizing UGA TD drive. Pure domination and ball control after the Longhorn 3rd quarter TD. Georgia’s defense

Conference USA Heavyweight Showdown

Jacksonville State 35 Kennesaw State 26

While the primetime SEC battle was taking place on ABC, another heavyweight battle was taking place on ESPNU. Two smaller schools, but the stakes were just as high with both teams coming into the game with impressive winning streaks, Jax State at 4-games and Kennesaw St. at 7-games. Neither team had lost a conference game either, the winner would control the conference. After the first two drives, the game was tied at 7. Excitement was coming. Kennesaw State missed a 29-yard field goal and threw an interception in the Gamecock end-zone, they missed their opportunity to take control early. Jax State took advantage of another Owl interception to take a 22-10 lead at the half. In the first half, the Owls kept beating themselves by having great offensive drives but miscues kept them from scoring. In the second half, scoring was slow, but picked up in the 4th quarter. Jax State relied heavy on the run game with QB Caden Creel and RB Cam Cook both running for 100 yards, combining for a total of 252 yards and 3 scores. Down 32-13, Kennesaw State made a QB change after Amari Odom threw his third pick. Dexter Williams II replaced him and lead two straight Owl scoring drives. The Owls surged back but were unable to keep the Gamecocks from a late game-clinching FG that put the game out of reach. Kennesaw State out-gained the Gamecocks but miscues and turnovers kept them from a win. This very well could be a Conference USA Championship game preview.

RIVALRY SPOTLIGHT

There were 8 rivalry games played in the FBS in Week 11. Here’s how the games went:

• “WAGON WHEEL TROPHY”: Kent State 42 Akron 35 OT. I broke this down in my recap, but this was a shoot-out. Kent State has now won 6 of 8.
• ND-PITT: #10 Notre Dame 37 #22 Pitt 15. I broke this one down too. ND has now won 5 in a row in the series.
• “GEORGE JEWETT TROPHY”: #18 Michigan 24 Northwestern 22. Game was played at Wrigley Field, it was awesome. NW stormed back late but Michigan kicked a game-winning FG as time expired to win their 9th game in a row in the series, now 14 of 15 over Northwestern.
• “BATTLE FOR THE BOOT”: LSU 23 Arkansas 22. Arkansas loses another close game, are 0-6 in the SEC. LSU has now won 4 in a row and 9 of 10 in the series.
• “THE BATTLE FOR THE LAND GRANT”: Penn State 28 Michigan State 10. Penn St. finally wins their first Big 10 game. They’ve now won 5 of 6 in the series.
• UNC-WAKE FOREST: Wake Forest 28 UNC 12. Wake Forest advances to 7-3 on the season, breaks the Tar Heels 4-game winning streak in the series.
• NEVADA-SJSU: Nevada 55 San Jose State 10. Nevada dominated this lesser known MWC rivalry, breaks the Spartans 2-game winning streak in the series.
• “100 MILES OF HATE”: Western Kentucky 42 MTSU 26. The 75th meeting between the two rivals. WKU has now won 7 in a row and 10 of 11.

WEEKLY LEADERS

PASSING

Marcel Reed, QB Texas A&M—- 439 passing yards against South Carolina

RUSHING

Ahmad Hardy, RB Missouri—- 300 rushing yards against Mississippi State

RECEIVING

Marcel Williams, WR Akron—- 206 yards against Kent State

UNBELIEVABLE STAT OF THE WEEK

I’ve got two this week:

AHMAD HARDY The 300 yards rushing from Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy is the most this season in a single game in the FBS. It is his second time leading the week in rushing, he ran for 250 yards in Week 3.

OJ ARNOLD The Georgia Southern RB was incredible against Coastal Carolina. He rushed for 267 yards and 2 TD, caught 4 passes for 53 yards and 1 TD, and threw a 73-yard pass for a TD. He totaled 393 yards and 4 TD’s and was the 2nd player in Week 12 to have a Passing TD, Rushing TD, and Receiving TD in the same game (Mark Gronowski, Iowa.)