Amber Aniston • March 23, 2025
Kent State Survives Stanford Comeback, Advances to NIT Quarterfinals with 77-75 Win
Sullinger’s Career Night Leads Golden Flashes to Historic Victory
Kent State pulled off a thrilling 77-75 road win over Stanford on Sunday night in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), advancing to the quarterfinals behind a career performance from junior guard Jalen Sullinger. The win not only secured Kent State’s first NIT quarterfinal berth since 2011 but also marked its first victory over a Power Conference opponent since 2018.
The Golden Flashes (24-11) held off a late Stanford rally to earn the two-point victory and will now face Loyola Chicago in the quarterfinals. The loss ended Stanford’s season at 21-14, capping its most successful campaign since 2014-15.
Kent State Controls First Half with Hot Start
Kent State came out firing early, opening the game with a 17-12 run through the first eight minutes. Sullinger and VonCameron Davis led the charge as the Golden Flashes pushed their lead to double digits. Their early energy and shot-making caught the Cardinal off guard, and Kent State capitalized on defensive lapses to build a 28-16 advantage with eight minutes to go in the half.
Stanford answered with an 11-0 run of its own, led by Jaylen Blakes, who sparked the offense with seven quick points. The Cardinal briefly pulled within one, but Kent State countered with another 12-0 burst to reclaim a commanding lead. The Golden Flashes entered halftime up 43-34, thanks to balanced scoring, rebounding, and defensive hustle.
Stanford Responds, But Kent State Holds On
Stanford came out of the locker room with renewed focus. A 12-2 run early in the second half, led by Maxime Raynaud and Chisom Okpara, gave the Cardinal a 46-45 lead just five minutes into the half. However, Kent State again showed composure, using a 7-0 spurt to stretch the margin to double digits again at 67-56 with just over six minutes to play.
Stanford fought to the final buzzer, cutting the deficit to one possession twice in the final minute. But Kent State’s defense and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win. The Golden Flashes hit seven free throws in the second half and made enough stops to keep the Cardinal from completing the comeback.
Sullinger Shines in Career Performance
Jalen Sullinger delivered the game of his life, pouring in a career-high 34 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three-point range and a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. He also added eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a complete performance that propelled Kent State to victory.
Delrecco Gillespie recorded his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Davis chipped in 12 points despite struggling from the field, while Jamal Sumlin and Cli’Ron Hornbeak provided timely baskets and key defensive stops.
Stanford’s Standouts Come Up Just Short
Jaylen Blakes led Stanford in scoring with a career-high 23 points and dished out five assists without committing a turnover in his final collegiate game. Maxime Raynaud tallied his NCAA-leading 25th double-double of the season with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. He moved up to seventh on Stanford’s all-time scoring list and finished the season with 707 points, the fourth-most in program history.
Chisom Okpara added 13 points and five rebounds, while Oziyah Sellers had 11 points and six boards. The Cardinal made eight three-pointers on the night, breaking the school’s single-season record with 294.
What This Win Means for Kent State
Kent State’s victory marked its first over a Power Conference opponent since defeating Oregon State in 2018 and its first over an ACC opponent since 2004. It’s also the Flashes’ first NIT quarterfinal appearance in over a decade.
With momentum on their side, the Golden Flashes will now travel to face Loyola Chicago in the next round. The matchup will be another road test, but if Sullinger and company continue their high-level play, Kent State has a strong chance to keep its postseason run alive.
Final Thoughts
Kent State’s 77-75 victory over Stanford was a showcase of resilience, preparation, and clutch performance. Sullinger’s historic night and the Flashes’ ability to respond to every Stanford run underscore a team that’s locked in and hungry for more.
Though Stanford's season ends in heartbreak, the progress under head coach Kyle Smith is evident, with the Cardinal achieving 21 wins and a competitive postseason showing. For Kent State, the dream of a deep NIT run is still alive—and after Sunday night, the rest of the bracket is officially on notice.
Wofford needed five sets and a late comeback to escape Boiling Springs with a victory Tuesday night. The Terriers rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Gardner-Webb 3-2 , winning 21-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 at Paul Porter Arena. Wofford improved to 7-5 , while Gardner-Webb dropped to 9-5. Chloe Smith led Wofford with a match-high 19 kills and 11 digs , recording her fifth double-double of the season. The Terriers also received 16 kills from Bradley Brown and a career-high 13 from Taylor Mendez as their offense produced 69 kills in the five-set battle. Gardner-Webb Takes the Opening Set The Runnin' Bulldogs overcame an early deficit to strike first. Gardner-Webb held a 7-5 advantage before Wofford answered with an 8-2 run to move ahead 13-9. The Runnin' Bulldogs responded, eventually pulling even at 18-18. Gardner-Webb then controlled the closing stretch, using a late run to secure a 25-21 opening-set victory . Wofford answered immediately in the second. With the Terriers trailing 9-8, they scored six consecutive points to build a 13-9 advantage. Gardner-Webb eventually cut the margin to 17-15, but Wofford prevented the comeback and pulled away. The Terriers won 25-19 , evening the match at one set apiece. Gardner-Webb Regains the Lead Momentum shifted again in the third set. Gardner-Webb took an 8-5 advantage before using an 8-1 run to stretch its lead to 12-6. Blocks from Milla Lugo and Samia Sayd helped fuel the Runnin' Bulldogs' surge. Gardner-Webb eventually built a 19-11 advantage, but Wofford refused to let the set get away easily. The Terriers fought back to within one point at 21-20 before Gardner-Webb stopped the rally. Kills from Sayd and Kiera Vazquez helped the Runnin' Bulldogs close out a 25-22 victory and take a 2-1 lead in the match. That left Wofford needing to win two consecutive sets on the road. Wofford Forces a Fifth Set The Terriers responded with their strongest start of the night. Wofford scored the first four points of the fourth set and soon expanded its advantage to 9-3 . The Terriers maintained control and carried a 15-9 lead into the media timeout. Gardner-Webb again made things interesting, trimming the deficit to 21-19. This time, Wofford had the answer. The Terriers scored three straight points to reach set point at 24-19 before eventually completing a 25-22 victory . The match was headed to a decisive fifth set. Terriers Take Control With Key Fifth-Set Run Gardner-Webb initially appeared ready to reclaim momentum in the fifth. The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped ahead 4-2 , and Wofford remained behind 6-5 a few points later. Then came the run that decided the match. Wofford scored five consecutive points , turning the one-point deficit into a 10-6 advantage. Gardner-Webb managed to cut the lead to two multiple times, but the Terriers never surrendered control. Wofford closed the fifth set 15-11 , completing the 3-2 comeback and earning its first five-set victory of the season . Chloe Smith Leads Balanced Wofford Attack Smith delivered Wofford's biggest offensive performance. Her 19 kills were a match high , and she added 11 digs for her fifth double-double of 2026. Brown supplied another 16 kills, while Mendez's career-high 13 kills gave the Terriers a third major attacking option. Charlotte Bell also reached double figures with 10 kills while hitting .350. Taylor Pecht directed the offense with 31 assists and 11 digs , earning her fourth double-double of the season. Maddy Frazier added 22 assists. Wofford ultimately finished with 69 kills and a .197 hitting percentage , compared with Gardner-Webb's 51 kills and .147 percentage. Laney Klika Records 35 Digs Wofford's defense also produced one of the most notable individual performances of the match. Laney Klika finished with a season-high 35 digs , giving her consecutive matches with at least 30. Her 35 digs were also the fifth-most in a single match in Wofford program history . Ella Coleman contributed 22 digs, marking the first time since 2024 that two Wofford players recorded at least 20 digs in the same match. Bell led the Terriers at the net with five blocks. As a team, Wofford accumulated 97 digs , its highest total since the 2025 SoCon Championship. The Terriers also recorded seven service aces. Gardner-Webb Gets 11 Kills From Samia Sayd Gardner-Webb had several contributors during the five-set battle. Samia Sayd led the Runnin' Bulldogs with 11 kills , while Peyton Slone added 10 and Caroline Franklin finished with nine kills and two service aces. Olivia Lefebvre recorded 21 assists, and Aleina Manaois contributed 20. Ella Moss anchored Gardner-Webb's defense with 20 digs , leading four Runnin' Bulldogs who reached double figures. Lugo led the team at the net with five blocks, including two solo blocks and three assisted blocks. Gardner-Webb actually held a 9-8 advantage in total blocks, but Wofford's edge in kills and digs helped the Terriers survive the five-set contest. Wofford Completes the Comeback The Terriers faced elimination after Gardner-Webb took a 2-1 advantage, but they responded when the match reached its most important moments. Wofford controlled the beginning of the fourth set, held off Gardner-Webb's late push and then overcame an early deficit in the fifth. The decisive 5-0 run gave the Terriers enough separation to finish the comeback. Wofford now turns its attention to Southern Conference play , with the Terriers scheduled to travel to Chattanooga for matches on Sept. 25-26. Gardner-Webb will also begin conference competition, hosting Winthrop on Saturday at Paul Porter Arena.
Alabama A&M used a balanced offensive attack and a strong response after dropping the third set to defeat Tennessee State 3-1 Tuesday night in Huntsville. The Bulldogs won 25-19, 25-15, 26-28, 25-17 , improving to 7-7 on the season. Tennessee State fell to 0-11 despite extending the match with its best offensive set of the night in the third. Rayishon Jackman led Alabama A&M with 15 kills while hitting .324 , while Amya Jennings added 14 kills and Gerren Tomlin finished with 13. The Bulldogs totaled 57 kills and hit .213 as a team. Alabama A&M Takes Opening Set 25-19 Tennessee State started aggressively, responding to Alabama A&M's opening point with four straight to take a 4-1 lead. The Bulldogs gradually erased the deficit, and the teams were tied at 9-9 before Alabama A&M began creating separation. A 6-3 stretch forced Tennessee State to call timeout, but the Tigers were unable to regain control. Alabama A&M maintained its advantage through the remainder of the set and secured a 25-19 victory to take the early match lead. The Bulldogs then produced an even stronger performance in the second. Bulldogs Dominate Second Set Alabama A&M's offense found another level in the second frame while its defense made life increasingly difficult for Tennessee State. The Bulldogs hit .296 in the set and limited the Tigers to nine kills. Tennessee State also committed 12 attacking errors as Alabama A&M pulled away for a convincing 25-15 victory . Alabama A&M entered the break with a 2-0 advantage and appeared positioned to complete a sweep. Tennessee State, however, responded with its strongest stretch of the match. Tennessee State Forces Fourth Set With 28-26 Win The Tigers dramatically improved their offensive execution in the third set. Tennessee State produced 17 kills on 33 attacks with only five errors , finishing the frame with a .364 hitting percentage. Neither team could create much separation. The third set featured eight ties and two lead changes , eventually moving beyond the normal 25-point finish. Tennessee State finally broke through for a 28-26 victory , cutting Alabama A&M's match lead to 2-1. The extended set gave the Tigers an opportunity to force a deciding fifth frame, but Alabama A&M responded immediately. Alabama A&M Finishes Match in Fourth Tennessee State again started quickly in the fourth. After Alabama A&M scored the first point, the Tigers answered with five consecutive points to take an early advantage. The Bulldogs remained composed, worked their way back into the set and eventually regained control. Alabama A&M then pulled away for a 25-17 victory , ending Tennessee State's comeback attempt and securing the match in four sets. The Bulldogs recorded 16 kills and hit .231 in the fourth set , providing the offensive response they needed after dropping the previous frame. Jackman Leads Balanced Alabama A&M Attack Jackman was at the center of Alabama A&M's offensive success. She finished with 15 kills and a .324 hitting percentage , while also recording 10 digs. Jennings followed closely with 14 kills while hitting .300 , and Tomlin contributed 13 kills. Having three players reach double-digit kills helped the Bulldogs maintain offensive pressure throughout the four-set match. Briana Smith directed the offense with 31 assists , while Kelani Talakai led the Bulldogs defensively with 28 digs . As a team, Alabama A&M finished with 57 kills, 51 assists, 73 digs and eight service aces while hitting .213. Tennessee State Gets Production From Jakubik and Jackson Tennessee State had several individual performances to build on despite the loss. Wiktoria Jakubik led the Tigers with 10 kills and was active defensively at the net, finishing with two solo blocks and three block assists. Sydney Robinson added eight kills on 15 swings while hitting .267. Freshman setter Triniti Jackson delivered one of Tennessee State's most efficient performances. She recorded seven kills on 12 attempts with only one error, giving her a team-best .500 hitting percentage . Jackson also distributed 28 assists , collected six digs and contributed three total blocks. Jordan Imperial led Tennessee State with 12 digs and recorded both of the Tigers' service aces. Julia Culpepper Returns From Knee Injury Tuesday also marked an important return for Tennessee State. Julia Culpepper made her first start of the 2026 season after returning from a knee injury. She immediately contributed seven kills and 10 digs while playing all four sets. Culpepper was one of three Tennessee State players to finish with double-digit digs, joining Imperial and Jakubik. At the net, Gabrielle Washington contributed two solo blocks and five block assists, while Jakubik finished with five total blocks. Bulldogs Improve to 7-7 The final team numbers reflected Alabama A&M's offensive advantage. The Bulldogs recorded 57 kills compared with Tennessee State's 41 and finished with a .213 hitting percentage. The Tigers hit .107. Tennessee State's third-set response prevented a sweep, but Alabama A&M answered when the pressure increased in the fourth. Jackman, Jennings and Tomlin gave the Bulldogs three consistent attacking options, while Smith managed the offense and Talakai anchored the back row. The victory moves Alabama A&M to 7-7 overall . The Bulldogs will next travel to face Bethune-Cookman on Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m.
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.