Week 0 – Saturday, August 23
The first games of the season in Week 0 already showed how unpredictable college football can be.
In Dublin, Ireland, Iowa State upset No. 17 Kansas State 24–21 in a rivalry game. The Cyclones’ defense and key passes made the difference against the higher-ranked Wildcats.
Kansas beat Fresno State 31–7 at home, looking sharp on offense from start to finish. Western Kentucky’s fast attack worked well in a 41–24 win over Sam Houston.
The late game in Honolulu was the most exciting, with Hawaii edging Stanford 23–20. The Rainbow Warriors’ defense held strong in the final minutes. Out in Las Vegas, UNLV topped Idaho State 38–31 in a high-scoring battle.
Week 0 gave fans a mix of upsets, blowouts, and close finishes all in one day.
Week 1 – The First Full Weekend
The first full weekend of games gave fans even more storylines. Some ranked teams lost, new stars stepped up, and a few programs showed they might be better than expected.
The biggest shock came in Tallahassee, where Florida State beat No. 8 Alabama 31–17. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos talked big before the game and backed it up. He hit several deep throws and also ran for 78 yards and a touchdown. The Seminoles’ defense played tough, and the win felt like a statement that FSU is back.
In Tampa, South Florida rolled No. 25 Boise State 34–7. Quarterback Byrum Brown threw for over 200 yards and scored twice on the ground. Wide receiver Chas Nimrod added nearly 100 receiving yards, while the Bulls’ defense forced turnovers and controlled the game.
Nebraska beat Cincinnati 20–17 on the road. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola was sharp, completing 33 of 42 passes for two touchdowns. Running back Emmett Johnson ran for over 100 yards, giving the Cornhuskers the balance they needed to win a close game.
Colorado lost 27–20 to Georgia Tech. The Buffaloes had no answer for Haynes King, who ran for more than 150 yards, while their offense stalled late in the game.
Minnesota used its run game to beat Buffalo 23–10. Running back Darius Taylor rushed for over 140 yards and a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey added nearly 300 passing yards in his debut.
Week 1 proved again why college football is so fun with huge wins, early disappointments, and breakout players all in just a few days.
Top 5 Players of the Opening Weeks
- Tommy Castellanos, Quarterback, Florida State. Led the upset over Alabama with strong passing and rushing.
- Byrum Brown, Quarterback, South Florida. Threw for 200 plus yards and scored twice on the ground.
- Miller Moss, Quarterback, Louisville. Accurate throwing two touchdowns on the road.
- Nick Singleton, Running Back, Penn St., gave balance with 100-plus rushing yards.
- Darius Taylor, Running Back, Minnesota. Carried the Gophers with over 140 yards rushing.
