Amber Aniston • September 20, 2026
Gideon Davidson Leads Clemson Past North Carolina 28-20 in Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Clemson spent much of Saturday afternoon trying to erase an early deficit against North Carolina. After a record-setting weather delay interrupted the comeback, the Tigers finally broke through when play resumed.
Gideon Davidson rushed for 105 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown as Clemson rallied from 14 points down to defeat North Carolina 28-20 at Memorial Stadium. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds threw for 215 yards and a touchdown in his first career start, helping Clemson improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play.
The Tigers trailed 20-15 with 6:34 remaining, but scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions before an interception ended North Carolina's final opportunity.
North Carolina Builds a 17-3 Lead
North Carolina controlled the early stages of the game.
The Tar Heels opened with a six-play, 47-yard touchdown drive before Clemson responded with a 49-yard Nolan Hauser field goal.
North Carolina then extended its advantage with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Billy Edwards Jr. to Benjamin Hall. A 33-yard Aeron Burrell field goal in the second quarter pushed the lead to 17-3.
Clemson's offense struggled to generate explosive plays early, but the Tigers finally put together an extended drive before halftime.
Clemson traveled 88 yards in 18 plays, with Davidson contributing 20 rushing yards and Bryant Wesco Jr. adding 26 receiving yards. Hauser finished the possession with a 21-yard field goal as time expired, trimming North Carolina's halftime advantage to 17-6.
Tait Reynolds Helps Clemson Fight Back
Clemson continued cutting into the deficit after halftime.
Following a North Carolina turnover, Hauser connected on his third field goal to make it a one-score game.
Reynolds then delivered the biggest passing play of his first career start.
The freshman connected with Christian Bentancur for a 27-yard touchdown to complete a seven-play, 92-yard drive. Clemson attempted a two-point conversion that could have tied the game, but North Carolina stopped it, leaving the Tar Heels ahead 17-15.
Reynolds finished 20-of-29 for 215 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown to Bentancur was the first touchdown pass of his Clemson career.
Record Weather Delay Changes the Fourth Quarter
North Carolina appeared positioned to regain control in the fourth quarter.
Leading 17-15, the Tar Heels drove inside Clemson's 10-yard line. But with 8:11 remaining, lightning forced both teams off the field.
The interruption lasted two hours and 28 minutes, the longest weather delay in Memorial Stadium history. It was also Clemson's third consecutive game affected by a weather delay.
When play resumed, Clemson's defense immediately produced a crucial stand.
The Tigers prevented North Carolina from reaching the end zone and forced the Tar Heels to settle for a field goal. That made it 20-15, but Clemson remained within one possession.
From there, the game changed quickly.
Gideon Davidson Scores the Go-Ahead Touchdown
Clemson needed only four plays to cover 68 yards on its next possession.
Davidson finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run with 5:01 remaining, giving Clemson its first lead of the afternoon at 21-20. The Tigers again failed on a two-point conversion, leaving the margin at one.
Davidson's performance was critical to Clemson's comeback.
The sophomore finished with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving the Tigers a reliable option on the ground when the offense needed to finish drives.
Clemson's defense then forced North Carolina to turn the ball over on downs.
The Tigers immediately capitalized.
Tyler Brown broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run with one minute remaining, extending Clemson's lead to 28-20 and forcing North Carolina to chase a touchdown and two-point conversion in the closing seconds.
Clemson Defense Seals the Comeback
North Carolina had one final possession, but Clemson's defense ended the threat.
Elliot Washington II intercepted Edwards in the closing seconds, securing the Tigers' 28-20 victory.
Clemson also received a strong defensive performance from safety Corey Myrick, who led the Tigers with 11 tackles.
Defensive end Will Heldt recorded two of Clemson's three sacks, giving him consecutive games with two sacks for the first time in his career.
Edwards finished 13-of-30 for 135 yards with one touchdown and one interception for North Carolina. Hall rushed for 135 yards and also caught a touchdown pass.
Clemson Opens ACC Play With a Win
The comeback provided Clemson with its first ACC victory of the season after an uneven start to 2026.
The Tigers had fallen behind by 14 points, struggled offensively for much of the opening half and then spent more than two hours waiting through a lightning delay with the outcome still uncertain.
Yet the final minutes belonged entirely to Clemson.
The Tigers held North Carolina to a field goal after the delay, Davidson scored the go-ahead touchdown, Brown provided the insurance score and Washington closed the game with an interception.
Clemson will now head west to face California on Friday, Sept. 25, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. North Carolina enters a bye before hosting No. 3 Notre Dame on Oct. 3.
Virginia Tech entered its first major test of the James Franklin era looking for evidence that its strong start could translate against tougher competition. Ethan Grunkemeyer provided plenty of it. Grunkemeyer threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns and added another score on the ground as Virginia Tech defeated Maryland 35-26 on Saturday night in College Park. The Hokies improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2017 while handing the Terrapins their first loss of the season. The victory also ended two significant streaks. Virginia Tech snapped a 15-game losing streak against nonconference Power Four opponents, while Maryland's nation-leading 20-game nonconference winning streak came to an end. Grunkemeyer Delivers Another 300-Yard Performance Grunkemeyer continued his impressive start by completing 31 of 39 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns . It was his second consecutive 300-yard passing performance, making him the first Virginia Tech quarterback to accomplish that since Ryan Willis in 2018. The Penn State transfer also made an impact with his legs. Facing third-and-goal from the Maryland 18, Grunkemeyer escaped the pocket and ran for a touchdown. Combined with his three passing scores, the quarterback accounted for four of Virginia Tech's five touchdowns . His first came through the air on the Hokies' opening possession, when he connected with Luke Reynolds for a 14-yard touchdown . Virginia Tech's offense kept applying pressure from there. Hokies Build a 27-14 Halftime Lead Maryland answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from Iverson Howard, but Virginia Tech responded when Jeffrey Overton Jr. turned a reception into a 49-yard touchdown , extending the Hokies' advantage to 20-7. The Terrapins cut into the lead again when Malik Washington found Chris Durr Jr. for a 12-yard touchdown with 2:11 remaining before halftime. Virginia Tech refused to let Maryland carry that momentum into the locker room. The Hokies responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive , capped by Grunkemeyer's 2-yard scoring pass to Ja'Ricous Hairston. Virginia Tech entered halftime ahead 27-14. The efficiency was striking. Virginia Tech converted eight of nine third downs in the first half and accumulated 302 total yards. Luke Reynolds Emerges as Grunkemeyer's Top Target Reynolds was central to the passing attack throughout the night. The sophomore tight end established a career high with 12 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown . It followed an eight-catch, 108-yard performance against Old Dominion, making Reynolds Virginia Tech's first player since Damon Hazelton in 2018 to record consecutive 100-yard receiving games. His contributions went beyond the opening touchdown. With Maryland attempting to complete a fourth-quarter comeback, Virginia Tech faced a critical fourth down with 2:54 remaining. Grunkemeyer rolled to his right and found Reynolds beyond the first-down marker. The conversion allowed the Hokies to maintain possession, and Maryland never got the football back. Virginia Tech Takes a 35-14 Lead The Hokies continued building their advantage after halftime. Overton scored again, this time on a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. That pushed Virginia Tech's lead to 35-14 entering the fourth. Virginia Tech had scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions , putting Maryland in a three-score hole. The Hokies ultimately finished 10-of-16 on third down and 2-of-2 on fourth down , helping them sustain drives and keep Maryland's offense off the field when it mattered most. Maryland Makes a Fourth-Quarter Push The Terrapins did not disappear quietly. Washington threw fourth-quarter touchdown passes of 2 yards to Dorian Fleming and 13 yards to Durr , giving Maryland 12 unanswered points and putting pressure on Virginia Tech late. Maryland missed a two-point conversion following each touchdown, preventing the Terrapins from pulling within one possession. Washington finished with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns , completing 30 of 43 attempts. Virginia Tech went scoreless in the fourth quarter, but the Hokies were able to protect the lead and close out the game with their offense on the field. Virginia Tech Ends Maryland's 20-Game Streak The result carried significance beyond Virginia Tech's undefeated record. Maryland entered Saturday with the longest active nonconference winning streak in the FBS at 20 consecutive games . Virginia Tech brought that run to an end, with BYU's 16-game streak becoming the longest active mark afterward. For the Hokies, the victory ended their own unwanted streak. Virginia Tech had not defeated a nonconference Power Four opponent since 2017. The program had lost 15 consecutive games in that category before Saturday night's breakthrough. It also provided Franklin with his first major road victory since taking over Virginia Tech. The Hokies opened the season with convincing victories over VMI and Old Dominion, but Maryland presented their first opportunity to show what the new-look team could do against a Power Four opponent. Grunkemeyer responded with his strongest performance yet, Reynolds delivered another 100-yard receiving game, and Virginia Tech produced enough offense early to withstand Maryland's late push. Now 3-0 , Virginia Tech turns its attention toward ACC competition with a road game at Boston College next Saturday. Maryland returns home to host UCLA.
Source 1: No. 16 Texas A&M closed its nonconference volleyball schedule with another victory Tuesday night, sweeping Rice 3-0 at Reed Arena in College Station. The Aggies won 25-22, 25-12, 25-19 , extending their winning streak to three matches and improving to 7-5 heading into SEC play. Rice dropped to 6-6. Kyndal Stowers led Texas A&M with a match-high 17 kills , while Megan Fitch delivered 11 kills and 11 digs for a double-double. Taryn Morris added 10 kills as the Aggies overcame an unfamiliar lineup and steadily took control of the match. Texas A&M Battles Through Tight Opening Set Rice gave the Aggies their biggest challenge of the night in the opening frame. The Owls built a 15-13 lead , but Texas A&M responded with a critical 5-0 run. Freshman Lolufe Adedeji played a major role in the turnaround, producing back-to-back blocks before adding a kill to help the Aggies take control. Rice later fought off two set points before Fitch ended the frame with a kill, securing a 25-22 Texas A&M victory . The competitive opening set came as Texas A&M worked through significant lineup changes. Eliza Sharp and Kaia Castle were unavailable, while Addi Applegate also did not compete. Those absences created opportunities for several younger Aggies, and the group settled into the match after the uneven opening stretch. Aggies Dominate Second Set Texas A&M turned a close match into a commanding one during the second set. The Aggies raced to a 12-3 advantage , converting 10 of their first 12 attacks into kills. They finished the set hitting .457 with only three attacking errors. Texas A&M ultimately took the frame 25-12 . The offensive difference was substantial. The Aggies produced 19 kills compared with five for Rice in the second set, allowing them to take complete control of the match. Fitch was particularly effective from the outside. She finished the night with 11 kills while hitting .474 and collecting 11 digs. Kyndal Stowers Leads Aggies With 17 Kills Stowers remained the centerpiece of Texas A&M's attack. The outside hitter finished with a match-high 17 kills , leading three Aggies who reached double figures. Fitch followed with 11, while Morris recorded 10. Morris provided an especially versatile performance. She hit .304, added nine digs and four blocks , and reached the 100-career-kill milestone during the first set. With Applegate unavailable, Morris also took on an expanded six-rotation role that included additional back-row responsibilities. Setter Kirra Musgrove recorded 46 assists and seven digs , helping distribute the offense across the Aggies' lineup. Lolufe Adedeji Steps Up in Expanded Role One of the most important developments for Texas A&M came from its younger players. Adedeji made the most of her opportunity with a career-high eight kills and four blocks , committing only one attacking error. She hit .438 in just her second collegiate match. Djurdja Stanojevic also stepped into a larger role, making her first career start and contributing four kills and a team-high five blocks . Their production helped Texas A&M maintain its level despite missing regular contributors. The Aggies finished the match hitting .311 , with several underclassmen taking on prominent roles throughout the lineup. Texas A&M Finishes Sweep With 25-19 Win Rice stayed competitive early in the third set. The teams went through six ties and three lead changes before reaching an 11-11 tie . Texas A&M then created the separation it needed with a 6-1 run. Once again, the Aggies held a major offensive advantage. Texas A&M recorded 19 kills to Rice's seven in the final frame before Amaré Hernandez delivered the match-clinching kill for a 25-19 victory. The result completed the straight-set victory and gave Texas A&M its third consecutive win. Freshman libero Gabi Rodriguez also helped anchor the defense with a match-high 14 digs, while Stanojevic's five blocks were the highest total in the match. Texas A&M Turns Attention to SEC Play The Aggies finish their nonconference schedule at 7-5 , with the Rice victory providing another positive result before the start of conference competition. More importantly, Texas A&M demonstrated its depth while working through lineup changes. Stowers continued to produce as the leading attacker, Fitch supplied an efficient double-double, Morris contributed across multiple areas, and Adedeji and Stanojevic delivered when given expanded opportunities. The Aggies now turn their attention to the SEC. No. 16 Texas A&M will host South Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2:30 p.m. CT at Reed Arena in its conference opener. After three consecutive victories to finish nonconference play, the Aggies will enter the SEC portion of their schedule with momentum and a deeper rotation than they had at the beginning of the season.
Duke opened Atlantic Coast Conference play with another convincing performance Saturday, riding a dominant rushing attack and a disruptive defense to a 35-7 victory over Stanford at Wallace Wade Stadium. Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard delivered the centerpiece of the Blue Devils' attack, rushing for 154 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score as a receiver. Duke improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC , while Stanford fell to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The victory gave Duke its fifth consecutive ACC-opening win , the longest such streak in program history. The Blue Devils have also won seven straight games overall. Nate Sheppard Takes Control for Duke After a scoreless first quarter, Sheppard quickly changed the direction of the game. He broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown run with 10:42 remaining in the second quarter, completing a 90-yard Duke scoring drive. The possession also included completions of 22 yards to Jared Richardson and 19 yards to Jaivon Solomon. Duke's defense then created another opportunity by forcing and recovering a Stanford fumble. The Blue Devils capitalized when Jeremiah Hasley's 19-yard catch helped set up Sheppard's 2-yard touchdown reception , giving the running back his second score of the quarter. Stanford finally reached the end zone with 16 seconds remaining before halftime, cutting Duke's advantage to 14-7. Even with the late Cardinal score, Sheppard had already established control on the ground. He finished the opening half with 114 rushing yards , giving him at least 100 rushing yards in the first half of each of Duke's first three games. Duke Pulls Away After Halftime Any momentum Stanford gained before halftime disappeared quickly in the third quarter. Duke opened the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Solomon made a 32-yard reception along the sideline, and Hasley followed with a 26-yard catch before Sheppard powered into the end zone from one yard out. It completed Sheppard's three-touchdown performance. He finished with 23 carries for 154 rushing yards , along with the 2-yard touchdown reception. Through three games, Sheppard has scored eight touchdowns and surpassed 500 rushing yards after rushing for 1,132 yards last season. Duke wasn't finished. After forcing another Stanford punt, the Blue Devils marched 73 yards in 10 plays. Kavon Simmons scored on a 16-yard run with 2:56 remaining in the third quarter, extending Duke's control of the game. Jayvian Tanelus added the final touchdown on a 5-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, the first touchdown of his career. Duke Rushing Attack Produces 268 Yards Sheppard led a Duke offense that finished with 268 rushing yards . Quarterback Walker Eget completed 14 of 24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown, although his interception in the end zone ended Duke's opening possession after the Blue Devils recovered a surprise onside kick. Hasley emerged as Eget's leading target with five receptions for a career-high 88 yards . Solomon contributed two receptions for 51 yards, including the 32-yard play that helped set up Sheppard's third touchdown. The Blue Devils complemented those offensive numbers with a defense that kept Stanford from developing sustained momentum. Duke Defense Shuts Down Stanford Stanford managed only 237 yards of total offense and failed to reach double digits for the second time in its first two ACC games. Duke recorded a season-high four sacks . Tyshon Reed Jr. produced two for the first multi-sack game of his career. Kevin O'Connor also recorded the first two sacks of his career and forced a fumble. O'Connor's performance was also reflected in the additional grading information included in the source. He received an 85.3 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus , the highest listed Duke defensive grade, while recording two tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and the forced fumble. Duke was especially effective late, limiting Stanford to only 61 total yards over the final 18 minutes . Stanford quarterback Davis Warren finished 18-of-32 for 151 yards and connected with Caden High for the Cardinal's only touchdown. Micah Ford led Stanford's ground game with 76 yards on 11 carries. Duke Extends Winning Streak to Seven The victory continued an impressive stretch for the Blue Devils. Duke has now won seven consecutive games , matching its longest winning streak since a seven-game run spanning November 2023 through October 2024. More importantly for conference play, Duke has won five straight ACC openers for the first time in program history. The Blue Devils followed their road victory over Illinois with a much different challenge against Stanford and controlled the game after the scoreless opening quarter. Sheppard once again provided the offensive foundation, while Duke's defense prevented Stanford from mounting a second-half response. Duke will remain at home and host William & Mary on Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m. Stanford returns home to face Georgia Tech. At 3-0 and with another ACC-opening victory secured, Duke's unbeaten start continues with Sheppard emerging as one of the central figures behind it.
Texas remains the No. 1 team in college football, but the Week 3 AP Top 25 rankings feature major movement after a weekend of ranked matchups, upsets and statement victories. The Longhorns stayed at No. 1 after improving to 3-0 with a 30-6 victory over UTSA. Georgia and Notre Dame remain second and third, while Ole Miss made the biggest move near the top, jumping four spots from No. 8 to No. 4 after defeating LSU 32-24. Louisville also surged seven positions to No. 16 following its 41-31 win over SMU. Florida and Mississippi State entered the poll, while Oklahoma dropped out. Complete Week 3 AP Top 25 Rankings Here is the full Week 3 poll from No. 1 through No. 25: Texas — 3-0 Georgia — 3-0 Notre Dame — 3-0 Ole Miss — 3-0 Indiana — 3-0 Miami — 3-0 Ohio State — 2-1 Alabama — 3-0 BYU — 3-0 LSU — 2-1 Texas Tech — 3-0 USC — 4-0 Penn State — 3-0 Tennessee — 3-0 Utah — 3-0 Louisville — 2-1 Iowa — 3-0 Michigan — 3-0 Missouri — 3-0 Oregon — 2-1 Florida — 3-0 SMU — 2-1 Texas A&M — 2-1 Mississippi State — 3-0 Houston — 2-1 Texas Holds the No. 1 Ranking Texas remained exactly where it was a week ago. The Longhorns improved to 3-0 with a 30-6 victory over UTSA and retained the No. 1 ranking. Texas is now 3-0 all-time against UTSA. The schedule gets significantly more difficult next. Texas travels to face No. 14 Tennessee , creating one of Week 4's biggest ranked matchups. Georgia remains No. 2 after beating Arkansas 45-17. The Bulldogs have now started 3-0 for 12 consecutive seasons , the longest such streak by an FBS program during the AP poll era. Notre Dame stays at No. 3 after a 27-10 victory over Michigan State. The Fighting Irish have won 13 consecutive games. Ole Miss Surges From No. 8 to No. 4 Ole Miss delivered one of the weekend's defining performances. The Rebels defeated then-No. 7 LSU 32-24 , sending Ole Miss four positions higher from No. 8 to No. 4 . The victory also gave Ole Miss a notable milestone. This is the first season in program history in which the Rebels have defeated two AP Top 10 opponents within their first three games . Indiana slipped one position to No. 5 despite remaining undefeated. The Hoosiers beat Western Kentucky 38-0 and have posted consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1993. Miami and Ohio State Remain Near the Top Miami dropped one spot to No. 6 despite defeating Wake Forest 33-20. Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 35 consecutive passes across his past two games, establishing an ACC record according to the source. Ohio State moved from No. 6 to No. 7 after a 59-3 victory over Kent State. The game included a major individual milestone, with Jeremiah Smith moving into the lead in career receiving yards at Ohio State. Alabama climbed two positions to No. 8 after beating Florida State 50-36. BYU moved from No. 11 to No. 9, while LSU's loss to Ole Miss sent the Tigers from No. 7 to No. 10 . Louisville Makes One of Week 3's Biggest Jumps Louisville's climb is one of the most significant developments in the new poll. The Cardinals jumped seven positions from No. 23 to No. 16 after defeating SMU 41-31. Louisville has now opened the season with three consecutive games scoring at least 38 points for only the third time in program history. SMU moved in the opposite direction. The Mustangs dropped six positions from No. 16 to No. 22 after the loss. Before this season, SMU had been 4-0 all-time against Louisville. Texas A&M Takes a Major Fall Texas A&M experienced an even larger drop. The Aggies fell 14 positions from No. 9 to No. 23 after losing 31-21 to Kentucky. The defeat snapped Texas A&M's 19-game home winning streak against unranked opponents. The Aggies now face No. 10 LSU on the road. Oregon, meanwhile, moved up one position to No. 20 after responding to its previous loss with an 84-0 victory over Portland State . It was Oregon's largest shutout victory since 1916. Florida and Mississippi State Enter the Rankings Two SEC programs are newcomers to the Week 3 Top 25. Florida enters at No. 21 after defeating Auburn 44-39. The Gators are 3-0 for the first time since 2019. Mississippi State enters at No. 24 following a 41-34 victory over South Carolina. The Bulldogs' 41 points tied the program record for most points scored against South Carolina in the history of the series. Houston rounds out the rankings at No. 25 after falling three positions following a 28-26 loss to Texas Tech. Oklahoma, meanwhile, dropped completely out of the rankings after being No. 24 in Week 2. The Sooners fell out despite beating New Mexico, with the source noting Oklahoma scored its fewest points in a victory in decades. Week 4 Brings More Ranked Showdowns The Week 3 rankings set the stage for another important weekend. No. 1 Texas travels to No. 14 Tennessee , while No. 2 Georgia hosts Oklahoma. No. 4 Ole Miss travels to face newly ranked No. 21 Florida. No. 10 LSU hosts No. 23 Texas A&M, and No. 12 USC welcomes No. 20 Oregon. No. 17 Iowa also travels to No. 18 Michigan. Texas remains the team everyone is chasing, but Week 3 showed just how quickly the poll can change. Ole Miss and Louisville made major climbs, Texas A&M and SMU suffered sharp falls, and Florida and Mississippi State pushed their way into the rankings. With multiple ranked matchups ahead, the Week 3 AP Top 25 may look very different again after the next round of games.
The Week 2 AP Top 25 has a new No. 1 after one of the biggest games of the young 2026 college football season reshaped the national rankings. Texas climbed from No. 4 to No. 1 after completing a second-half comeback to defeat Ohio State 24-23. The loss sent the Buckeyes from the top of the poll all the way to No. 6, while Georgia remained No. 2 and Notre Dame held at No. 3. Oregon suffered an even more dramatic fall. The Ducks dropped from No. 6 to No. 21 following a 39-31 loss to unranked Oklahoma State. Michigan, meanwhile, returned to the rankings at No. 19 after beating Oklahoma 17-10. Complete Week 2 AP Top 25 Rankings The Week 2 poll features significant movement throughout the Top 25, including a new No. 1, five teams moving up at least three positions and Michigan entering after being unranked. Texas — 2-0 Georgia — 2-0 Notre Dame — 2-0 Indiana — 2-0 Miami — 2-0 Ohio State — 1-1 LSU — 2-0 Ole Miss — 2-0 Texas A&M — 2-0 Alabama — 2-0 BYU — 2-0 USC — 3-0 Texas Tech — 2-0 Penn State — 2-0 Tennessee — 2-0 SMU — 2-0 Utah — 2-0 Iowa — 2-0 Michigan — 2-0 Missouri — 2-0 Oregon — 1-1 Houston — 2-0 Louisville — 1-1 Oklahoma — 1-1 Virginia — 2-0 Texas Takes Over No. 1 After Beating Ohio State Texas delivered the result that defined Week 2. The Longhorns entered their matchup against Ohio State ranked No. 4 and left with a 24-23 victory over the nation's No. 1 team . The win moved Texas three positions to the top of the poll. The comeback was especially significant because teams trailing an AP No. 1 opponent by at least 20 points in the fourth quarter had been 0-197 since 2004, according to the source. Texas broke that streak and earned the No. 1 ranking in the process. Georgia remains directly behind Texas at No. 2 after overwhelming Western Kentucky 70-20. Notre Dame stayed No. 3 following a 52-0 shutout of Rice and extended its winning streak to 12 games. Indiana and Miami Move Into the Top Five Indiana moved one position to No. 4 after beating Howard 55-0. The Hoosiers are 2-0 and have now scored at least 50 points in 13 games under Curt Cignetti. Miami made an even bigger move. The Hurricanes climbed two spots from No. 7 to No. 5 following a dominant 77-7 victory over Florida A&M. Miami produced 856 total yards , setting a program record. According to the source, the total was also the second-highest in an ACC game, trailing Florida State's 858-yard performance against Maryland in 1992. Ohio State Tumbles From No. 1 to No. 6 Ohio State experienced the largest change near the top of the rankings. The Buckeyes fell five positions from No. 1 to No. 6 following the one-point loss to Texas. Before the defeat, Ohio State had won 115 consecutive games in which it held a lead of at least 20 points at any stage. That streak ended with Texas' comeback. LSU moved up to No. 7, Ole Miss climbed to No. 8 and Texas A&M advanced to No. 9. Alabama rounds out the Week 2 Top 10 after moving from No. 12. BYU, Tennessee and Utah Continue Climbing Several undefeated teams made notable moves in the middle of the poll. BYU jumped from No. 15 to No. 11 following a 28-17 victory over Arizona. USC moved from No. 14 to No. 12, while Texas Tech remained at No. 13. Penn State climbed two positions to No. 14. Tennessee moved from No. 18 to No. 15 after defeating Georgia Tech 45-24. The Volunteers are 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season. SMU follows at No. 16 after a 56-10 victory over UC Davis. Utah also gained three positions, moving from No. 20 to No. 17 after a 43-10 win over Arkansas. Iowa climbed from No. 21 to No. 18 after beating Iowa State 16-13. Michigan Returns at No. 19 Michigan produced another significant change in the rankings. The Wolverines were unranked entering the week but returned at No. 19 after defeating then-No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10. It was Michigan's first home victory over a ranked opponent while the Wolverines were unranked since 2015. The head-to-head result had consequences for Oklahoma as well. The Sooners plunged 13 positions from No. 11 to No. 24 . Oklahoma scored only 10 points in the loss, its second-lowest scoring total as a ranked team against an unranked opponent since 2010. Oregon Plummets to No. 21 No team still ranked in the poll suffered a larger fall than Oregon. The Ducks entered Week 2 at No. 6 but dropped 15 positions to No. 21 after Oklahoma State handed them a 39-31 loss. The defeat also snapped Oregon's 41-game winning streak against unranked opponents. Missouri sits one spot ahead of Oregon at No. 20 after beating Kansas 38-21. Houston remains No. 22 following a 77-6 victory over Southern. Louisville and Virginia Remain in the Top 25 Louisville moved from No. 24 to No. 23 after responding to its season-opening loss with a 59-13 victory over Villanova. The Cardinals have scored at least 50 points in their home opener in each of the past four seasons. Louisville's next challenge comes against No. 16 SMU. Virginia holds the final position at No. 25 after beating Norfolk State 59-3. The Cavaliers improved to 2-0 and own a plus-82 scoring differential through two games, their best mark through the opening two contests since 1930. Week 2 Reshapes the National Picture The biggest story is clear: Texas has replaced Ohio State at No. 1 . But the movement stretches well beyond the top spot. Miami has reached the Top 5, Michigan has returned to the rankings, Oklahoma has fallen to No. 24 and Oregon has plunged from No. 6 to No. 21. The next round of games could create even more movement. No. 7 LSU is scheduled to visit No. 8 Ole Miss, while No. 16 SMU travels to No. 23 Louisville. After two weeks, the 2026 AP Top 25 already looks considerably different at both the top and bottom of the rankings.
Ohio State remains on top of the AP Top 25, but some of the biggest developments in the latest college football rankings are happening farther down the poll. The Buckeyes hold the No. 1 ranking with 1,684 points and 46 first-place votes , while Georgia moves into the No. 2 position. Notre Dame, Texas and Indiana round out the Top 5. The latest poll also features significant movement near the bottom of the rankings. Louisville rises to No. 24 and Virginia enters at No. 25 , with the source showing both programs making 21-position moves. Complete AP Top 25 Rankings Here is the full AP Top 25 included in the latest poll: Ohio State — 2-1 Georgia — 3-0 Notre Dame — 3-0 Texas — 3-0 Indiana — 3-0 Oregon — 2-1 Miami — 3-0 LSU — 3-0 Ole Miss — 3-0 Texas A&M — 3-0 Oklahoma — 3-0 Alabama — 3-0 Texas Tech — 3-0 USC — 4-0 BYU — 3-0 Penn State — 3-0 SMU — 2-1 Tennessee — 3-0 Washington — 3-0 Utah — 3-0 Iowa — 3-0 Houston — 2-1 Missouri — 3-0 Louisville — 2-1 Virginia — 2-1 Ohio State Remains No. 1 Ohio State continues to command the top position despite carrying a 2-1 record. The Buckeyes received 1,684 points and 46 first-place votes , the largest first-place share in the poll. Ohio State is scheduled to host Illinois on Sept. 26. The No. 1 ranking continues a season that began with the Buckeyes in the same position. Ohio State received 40 first-place votes and 1,672 points in the preseason poll. Ohio State has therefore maintained the top spot even as the order behind the Buckeyes has shifted. Georgia Moves Into No. 2 Georgia is now No. 2 with a 3-0 record and 1,532 points. The Bulldogs opened the season at No. 3 in the preseason poll, when they received 1,513 points. Their latest position puts them directly behind Ohio State entering a Sept. 26 matchup against Oklahoma. Notre Dame follows at No. 3 with four first-place votes. Texas sits at No. 4 with two first-place votes, while Indiana is No. 5 and received eight first-place votes. Indiana began the preseason at No. 6 and has moved into the Top 5. Oregon and Miami Follow the Top Five Oregon, which opened the season at No. 2, is now No. 6 with a 2-1 record. The Ducks received 1,422 points and three first-place votes. Immediately behind them is No. 7 Miami , which remains undefeated at 3-0 and received 1,405 points and one first-place vote. LSU sits at No. 8 , Ole Miss is No. 9 and Texas A&M completes the Top 10. Oklahoma and Alabama occupy the next two positions at Nos. 11 and 12. Texas Tech, USC and BYU Lead the Next Group Texas Tech checks in at No. 13 with a 3-0 record and 900 points. USC follows at No. 14 after starting 4-0, while BYU is No. 15 and Penn State sits at No. 16. SMU occupies the No. 17 position with a 2-1 record, followed by undefeated Tennessee at No. 18. SMU and Tennessee began the season at Nos. 19 and 20, respectively, in the preseason poll. Washington, Utah and Iowa Sit Inside Top 21 Three undefeated teams occupy the next three positions. Washington is No. 19 at 3-0 with 489 points. Utah follows at No. 20 with 381 points, and Iowa sits at No. 21 with 369 points. Houston, which is 2-1, comes in at No. 22, while Missouri is No. 23 at 3-0. That brings the rankings to two of the poll's biggest movers. Louisville Makes Major Jump to No. 24 Louisville is back in the Top 25 at No. 24 . The Cardinals have a 2-1 record and received 163 points in the latest poll. The source lists Louisville with a 21-position jump , making the Cardinals one of the biggest movers in the rankings. Louisville opened the year ranked No. 24 but lost its first game to Ole Miss, 41-38 . The Week 1 poll discussion notes that Louisville was the only ranked team to lose during the opening week and subsequently dropped out of the rankings. The Cardinals have now worked their way back into the Top 25 and are scheduled to face Wake Forest on Sept. 26. Virginia Surges Into Top 25 Virginia completes the rankings at No. 25 . Like Louisville, the Cavaliers are shown making a 21-position move . Virginia is 2-1 and received 89 points. Virginia began the preseason outside the Top 25, receiving only one vote in the preseason balloting. The Cavaliers then entered the Week 1 poll at No. 25 following a 34-8 victory over NC State. Virginia rushed for 258 yards in that game, its highest rushing total in an ACC matchup since 2020. Virginia's next matchup is against Delaware on Sept. 26. Pittsburgh Among Teams Receiving Votes Several recognizable programs remain immediately outside the Top 25. Boise State leads the group receiving votes with 86 , followed by Florida with 83 and Michigan with 69. Arizona received 33 votes, Memphis 23 and South Carolina 19. Pittsburgh received 11 votes , while Navy collected 10. UCLA received seven, Virginia Tech and Illinois each received six, and Vanderbilt was among the programs receiving two votes. Ranked Matchups Could Reshape the Poll The Sept. 26 schedule provides several opportunities for the rankings to change again. No. 2 Georgia is scheduled to host No. 11 Oklahoma , while No. 8 LSU hosts No. 10 Texas A&M . No. 4 Texas travels to face No. 18 Tennessee , creating another Top 20 matchup. No. 6 Oregon visits No. 14 USC , while No. 21 Iowa travels to Michigan. Ohio State remains the team at the top, but the latest poll shows plenty of movement throughout the rankings. Georgia has climbed into the No. 2 position, Miami remains inside the Top 10 at No. 7, and Louisville and Virginia have made significant moves into the final two positions. For now, Ohio State remains No. 1 as the 2026 AP Top 25 continues to shift heading into another week of ranked matchups.
No. 8 Stanford closed the SLO Classic with an impressive offensive performance Sunday, defeating Cal Poly 3-1 at Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo, California. The Cardinal won 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20 , improving to 7-3 while completing nonconference play. Cal Poly fell to 4-6 after keeping each set within five points against the nationally ranked Cardinal. Jordyn Harvey powered Stanford with a career-high 21 kills while hitting .500. Lizzy Andrew added 17 kills on a season-best .667 hitting percentage as Stanford finished the match hitting .414 as a team . Stanford Takes Control Late in Opening Set Cal Poly stayed close throughout the first set, but Stanford made the decisive push down the stretch. The teams battled through a back-and-forth frame before the Cardinal closed on a 6-2 run to earn a 25-22 victory . Stanford followed a similar formula in the second set. The Mustangs remained within striking distance, but the Cardinal again separated late to win 25-22 , giving Stanford a 2-0 advantage in the match. The Cardinal's offensive efficiency became one of the defining differences. Stanford eventually finished with 60 kills on a .414 hitting percentage while also creating pressure from the service line. Cal Poly Responds in Third Set Facing a potential sweep, Cal Poly produced its strongest stretch of the match in the third. The Mustangs used a multi-point run to build an 18-11 advantage and maintained enough separation to take the set 25-21. Cal Poly's offense presented Stanford with a legitimate challenge throughout the afternoon. The Mustangs finished with 64 kills and a .368 hitting percentage , surpassing Stanford's 60 kills. Four Cal Poly players reached double figures. Kendall Beshear recorded 14 kills while hitting .542. Emma Fredrick also finished with 14 kills, and Charlotte Kelly delivered 12 kills without an attacking error while hitting .632 . Kayla Murdoch added 10 kills. But Stanford's efficiency, blocking and serving helped the Cardinal overcome Cal Poly's production. Jordyn Harvey Delivers Career Night Harvey led the way with one of the best offensive performances of her Stanford career. The opposite hitter recorded a career-high 21 kills on .500 hitting , while also contributing six digs, two service aces and two blocks. Andrew provided another highly efficient option for Stanford. The junior middle blocker finished with 17 kills while hitting .667 , her best attacking percentage of the season. She also led the match with four blocks. Together, Harvey and Andrew combined for 38 of Stanford's 60 kills . Julia Blyashov added nine kills and eight digs, while Ipar Kurt contributed eight kills and five digs. Logan Parks Directs Stanford Offense Setter Logan Parks helped turn Stanford's attacking options into one of the Cardinal's most productive offensive performances of the season. Parks recorded 47 assists and 12 digs , giving her a fourth double-double of the season. She also contributed three kills, two blocks and an ace. Stanford's 60 kills and nine service aces were both season highs . The serving advantage was particularly important against a Cal Poly team that produced more kills and digs. Malyssa Cawa recorded a career-high two aces, Koko Kirsch added two more, and Parks, Harvey, Spencer Etzler and Lilly Wagner also contributed from the service line. Cardinal Finish the Job in Fourth Set The fourth set developed into the tightest frame of the match. Stanford and Cal Poly played through nine ties , reaching a 13-13 deadlock before the Cardinal finally created separation. Stanford responded with a 5-0 run and never surrendered control again, eventually closing the set 25-20 to secure the 3-1 victory. Cal Poly had kept every set within five points, but Stanford's ability to produce decisive runs late in sets proved critical. The Cardinal also improved to 12-4 all-time against the Mustangs . Stanford Heads Into ACC Play at 7-3 The victory completed Stanford's nonconference schedule with a 7-3 record and gave the Cardinal momentum entering a challenging start to ACC competition. Stanford will open conference play on the road against No. 5 SMU on Friday , followed by another road matchup against No. 2 Pittsburgh on Sunday . Cal Poly, meanwhile, completed the SLO Classic without a victory and will turn its attention toward Big West competition. The Mustangs host Cal State Bakersfield on Sept. 25 before facing CSUN the following day. For Stanford, the final nonconference match showed the offensive firepower the Cardinal can carry into ACC play. Harvey delivered a career performance, Andrew was exceptionally efficient in the middle, and Parks kept the offense moving as Stanford survived Cal Poly's challenge for a four-set victory.
No. 23 Louisville found its biggest plays when it needed them most Saturday, using an explosive rushing attack and three SMU turnovers to defeat the No. 16 Mustangs 41-31 at L&N Stadium. In a game that featured eight lead changes , Keyjuan Brown delivered the decisive performance. The Louisville running back rushed for a career-high 163 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries , including scoring runs of 58 and 53 yards in the second half. SMU running back Kendrick Raphael answered with a career-best performance of his own, rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns , but Louisville scored the final 13 points and forced a crucial late turnover near the goal line to secure the victory. The Cardinals improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC , while SMU fell to 2-1 and 1-1 in conference play. SMU Takes a Narrow Lead Into Halftime The first half established the back-and-forth nature of the matchup. Neither team was able to create lasting separation, with Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz and SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings directing offenses that repeatedly exchanged momentum. By halftime, the Mustangs had managed to build a 17-14 advantage . SMU had opportunities to build on that lead, but the Mustangs' inability to protect the football would eventually become one of the defining differences. Louisville entered the game without committing a turnover through its first two contests and extended that streak against SMU. The Cardinals finished their third consecutive game without giving the ball away. SMU would not enjoy the same success. Keyjuan Brown Changes the Game With One Run Louisville needed less than a minute after halftime to erase SMU's lead. Keyjuan Brown broke through the Mustangs defense for a 58-yard touchdown , immediately putting Louisville back in front. The run provided a glimpse of what was coming. Louisville had lacked the explosive rushing plays that had been a major part of its offense in previous seasons. Against SMU, that element returned. The Cardinals finished with 265 rushing yards on 37 carries , producing eight runs of at least 12 yards. Keyjuan Brown was at the center of the turnaround. His 163 yards came on only 10 carries, giving him an average of more than 16 yards per attempt. Kendrick Raphael Keeps SMU in Front Louisville's rushing success did not go unanswered. Raphael delivered the best rushing performance of his SMU career, repeatedly breaking through the Cardinals defense and keeping the Mustangs in position to win. He finished with 197 yards and three touchdowns , establishing a new career high in rushing yards while tying his personal best for touchdowns. His biggest score came in the fourth quarter. With SMU trailing 28-24, Raphael scored on a 12-yard touchdown run with 11:33 remaining , putting the Mustangs back in front 31-28 . After eight lead changes, SMU had regained control with less than 12 minutes remaining. It lasted just 91 seconds. Keyjuan Brown Answers With 53-Yard Touchdown Louisville responded immediately. With 10:02 remaining, Keyjuan Brown broke free again, this time racing 53 yards for his second touchdown . The explosive run put Louisville ahead 35-31 , giving the Cardinals a lead they would not surrender. Brown's two touchdown runs accounted for 111 yards by themselves. His performance also came on his birthday, giving Louisville's running back an especially memorable afternoon. Head coach Jeff Brohm praised Brown's physical running and credited the Cardinals' offensive line for helping the rushing attack break through against a ranked opponent. SMU still had time to respond. Instead, Louisville's defense produced another pivotal stop. Louisville Turns Fourth-Down Stops Into Touchdowns SMU accumulated plenty of offense throughout the afternoon, but several promising possessions ended without points. The Mustangs were stopped twice on fourth down . Both times, Louisville responded by driving for touchdowns. Those sequences became increasingly important in a game decided by 10 points. SMU actually finished with more total offense than Louisville. The Mustangs gained 479 yards compared with Louisville's 442 , ran 20 more plays and possessed the ball for nearly four additional minutes. But Louisville consistently turned its opportunities into points while forcing SMU into costly mistakes. Isaac Brown Gives Louisville Breathing Room After Keyjuan Brown's second long touchdown put Louisville ahead 35-31, the Cardinals needed one more score to create separation. Isaac Brown supplied it. The Louisville running back scored on a 27-yard touchdown with 5:32 remaining , extending the Cardinals' advantage to 41-31 . It proved to be the final score of the afternoon. Louisville's two Browns had delivered three major second-half touchdown runs: Keyjuan from 58 and 53 yards and Isaac from 27. SMU still had enough time to make the finish interesting. Jennings drove the Mustangs toward the Louisville goal line looking to cut the deficit to three. Then came the play that effectively ended the game. Louisville Forces Goal-Line Fumble Jennings scrambled toward the end zone from 19 yards out with less than three minutes remaining. He appeared headed for a touchdown. Louisville's defense knocked the football loose just before Jennings crossed the goal line . The ball rolled through the end zone and out of bounds, resulting in a touchback with 2:43 remaining . Instead of pulling within one possession, SMU had committed its third turnover. Louisville took possession and closed out its first victory over the Mustangs. Turnovers Decide a Game SMU Led Statistically The final statistics illustrated why the outcome was especially frustrating for SMU. The Mustangs had more yards, more plays and more possession time. They also had Raphael's 197 rushing yards. But Louisville won the turnover battle 3-0 . Jennings completed 24 of 35 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown , but he threw two interceptions. Both were made by Louisville defensive back Kaleb Beasley . The late fumble gave Louisville its third takeaway. For the Cardinals, the clean performance with the football continued an impressive early-season trend. Louisville has gone three consecutive games without committing a turnover . Lincoln Kienholz Helps Louisville Produce 442 Yards Louisville did not need a huge passing performance because of the production from its running backs. Kienholz completed 14 of 23 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns . He also added a rushing score as Louisville accumulated 442 yards of total offense. The Cardinals' ability to create explosive plays on the ground became the defining offensive difference. Louisville entered the afternoon searching for more big-play production from its rushing attack. It found it against a ranked ACC opponent. Louisville Overcomes 11 Penalties The Cardinals' performance was far from mistake-free. Louisville committed 11 penalties for 110 yards , its highest penalty yardage since being assessed 121 yards against Miami in 2019. Seven of those penalties were classified as personal fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct or unnecessary roughness. The Cardinals managed to overcome those mistakes because they avoided turnovers and produced explosive plays. Louisville also dealt with difficult conditions. The kickoff temperature was 95 degrees , making it the second-hottest home game in Cardinals history. Only the 98-degree kickoff against Murray State in 2011 was hotter. Louisville Records First Victory Over SMU Saturday's result also carried historical significance. Louisville had never defeated SMU before this matchup . The Cardinals earned that first victory with a second-half rushing performance that repeatedly punished the Mustangs. It also gave Louisville its fifth victory over a ranked opponent in four seasons under Brohm . For SMU, the loss was unusual for another reason. Before Saturday, the Mustangs were 16-1 under Rhett Lashlee when gaining at least 475 yards and outgaining their opponent . Their only previous loss under those circumstances came against California in November 2025. Against Louisville, the Mustangs again won the yardage battle but not the game. Louisville and SMU Turn to Next Week SMU will return home to face Missouri State , while Louisville remains home to play Wake Forest . Both teams leave Saturday with plenty to evaluate. SMU proved it could move the football against a ranked opponent, with Raphael producing 197 yards and three scores. But two failed fourth downs and three turnovers erased much of that production. Louisville found the explosive running game it had been missing. Keyjuan Brown needed only 10 carries to produce a career-high 163 yards, and his two long touchdowns helped Louisville answer whenever SMU appeared ready to take control. When the Cardinals needed one final defensive play, they got that too, forcing Jennings' goal-line fumble to close the door. Behind Keyjuan Brown's career day and a 3-0 advantage in turnovers, No. 23 Louisville defeated No. 16 SMU 41-31 for its first victory over the Mustangs in program history.