Several key matchups took place across college football on Saturday, September 19, featuring ranked teams asserting their dominance as the season progresses.
In Piscataway, New Jersey, No. 12 Southern California edged Rutgers 42-35 in a Big Ten opener for both squads. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, while running back King Miller added 102 rushing yards and a score. The Trojans maintained the lead throughout, building a 35-21 advantage late in the third quarter. Rutgers rallied to close the gap but could not overcome USC’s early strides, dropping to 0-3.
No. 2 Georgia continued its strong start with a 45-17 road victory against Arkansas in Fayetteville. Running back Chauncey Bowens scored three rushing touchdowns and the Bulldogs stifled Arkansas’s ground game, holding the Razorbacks to just 17 yards on the ground. Quarterback Gunner Stockton efficiently completed 10 of 13 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, also contributing significant rushing yards including a 62-yard run that set up a score. Georgia improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC.
In Bloomington, Indiana, No. 4 Indiana overwhelmed Western Kentucky 38-0. Quarterback Josh Hoover threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while Lee Beebe Jr. added two rushing touchdowns. Indiana’s win extended the Football Bowl Subdivision’s longest active winning streak to 19 games, as well as maintaining the nation’s longest active home winning streak at 18 games. The Hoosiers overcame a slow first half to take control in the second.
No. 10 Alabama rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Florida State 50-36 in Tuscaloosa. Keelon Russell threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, also rushing for a score. The Crimson Tide struggled early on, particularly in establishing their running game, but gained momentum as the second half progressed, putting pressure on the Seminoles’ defense. Florida State fell to 1-2.
Other notable results included No. 11 BYU defeating Colorado State 41-23 behind LJ Martin’s 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and No. 14 Penn State cruising to a 55-13 win over Buffalo, with quarterback Rocco Becht securing his FBS-leading 29th win. Additionally, No. 23 Louisville overcame No. 16 SMU 41-31 on the strength of Keyjuan Brown’s career-high 163 rushing yards and two long touchdown runs.
A dramatic late comeback occurred in Nashville, where Vanderbilt rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to stun N.C. State 35-31. Defensive end Miles Capers forced a crucial fumble on N.C. State’s final offensive play, which freshman quarterback Jared Curtis and the Commodores converted for the decisive win. N.C. State had attempted to run out the clock but was unable to secure victory, falling to 1-2. Vanderbilt improved to 3-0, marking its largest comeback win since 2012.
On the West Coast, No. 22 California defeated Wagner 49-7, powered by Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s career-high 413 passing yards and three touchdowns. In other games, No. 18 Iowa relied on three running backs who each surpassed 100 rushing yards in a 55-0 blowout of Northern Iowa.
These weekend results highlight the uneven competition typical of early-season college football, with higher-ranked teams generally asserting dominance while a few upsets and close finishes underline the season’s unpredictability. Most teams are now focusing on conference play as they continue pursuing postseason eligibility.