No. 2 Pitt Sweeps No. 12 Stanford 3-0 Behind Olivia Babcock’s 20 Kills

No. 5 SMU overcame a blistering start from Cal to earn a 3-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Moody Coliseum, completing an undefeated opening weekend of ACC play behind a season-best performance from Suli Davis. The Mustangs dropped the opening set before responding to win 19-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 . SMU improved to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in the ACC , while Cal fell to 10-3 and 0-2. Davis powered the comeback with a season-high 26 kills while hitting .308 , and SMU finished at .358 as a team. Cal Takes Control of Opening Set Cal entered the match facing its second top-five opponent of the weekend after playing No. 2 Pitt on Friday, but the Golden Bears showed no signs of being intimidated. Cal grabbed the lead early and never surrendered it in the first set. There were no ties or lead changes , with the Golden Bears building advantages of 8-4 and 19-13 before closing out a 25-19 victory. The offensive numbers were exceptional. Cal hit .538 in the opening frame , outperforming an SMU offense that still managed a .400 hitting percentage. Davis was already producing at a remarkable rate despite the opening-set loss. She recorded 10 kills in the first frame , the most by an individual player in a set during head coach Sam Erger's tenure. The challenge for Cal was maintaining its early efficiency. It could not. SMU Responds With 25-16 Second-Set Win The momentum changed quickly in the second set. SMU found ways to create opportunities for Davis and middle blocker Favor Anyanwu, and the Mustangs raced to a 25-16 victory to even the match at one set apiece. At the same time, Cal's attacking efficiency began falling sharply. After hitting .538 in the first set, the Golden Bears dropped to .214 in the second . That decline continued throughout the remainder of the afternoon. SMU's ability to respond after losing the opening frame prevented Cal from turning its early momentum into control of the match. From that point forward, the Mustangs never dropped another set. Mustangs Hold Off Cal in Third Cal made another push in the third set. SMU created as much as a seven-point advantage, but the Golden Bears refused to let the frame get away. Cal gradually reduced the deficit and eventually pulled within 23-20 late in the set. The Mustangs responded by taking the final two points and closing out a 25-20 victory . Cal's offensive efficiency had now dropped to just .074 , a dramatic difference from its .538 performance in the opening set. With SMU ahead 2-1, the Golden Bears needed another strong start in the fourth to extend the match. For a brief stretch, they got one. SMU Breaks Open Fourth Set Cal stayed with SMU through an 8-8 tie in the fourth set. Then the match changed completely. The Mustangs began forcing mistakes while finding openings offensively, turning the tie into a commanding 21-11 advantage . Cal managed to collect a few additional points, but there was no second comeback. SMU finished the set 25-15 , completing the 3-1 victory. Cal hit only .087 in the fourth , meaning the Golden Bears went from .538 in the first set to below .100 in each of the final two frames. Across the final three sets, SMU held Cal to a combined .132 hitting percentage . Suli Davis Delivers Season-High 26 Kills Davis was the centerpiece of SMU's offensive performance. The sophomore outside hitter finished with 26 kills on a .308 hitting percentage , reaching the 20-kill mark for the fourth time this season. She has recorded at least 15 kills in all but one match this year. Her 26 kills also tied for the second-most by an SMU player in a four-set match during the 25-point rally-scoring era . Davis finished the weekend averaging 6.29 kills and 6.71 points per set across victories over No. 12 Stanford and Cal, performances that earned her ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. SMU Middles Add Efficient Attack Davis produced the biggest numbers, but SMU also received highly efficient production from the middle. Natalia Newsome and Favor Anyanwu combined for 18 kills while hitting .630 , committing only one error on 27 attacks. Setter Hannah Beauford recorded 43 assists and four digs , helping the Mustangs finish with a .358 team hitting percentage. Victoria Harris led SMU defensively with 12 digs and also contributed a team-high two service aces. Anyanwu led the Mustangs with four blocks. Overall, SMU held advantages of 56-41 in kills, 52-41 in assists, 6-2 in aces and 35-27 in digs . Abby Zimmerman Leads Cal Cal's offense never rediscovered its first-set rhythm, but several Golden Bears still produced strong individual numbers. Abby Zimmerman led Cal with 11 kills , while Sawyer Thomsen contributed nine kills on an efficient .562 hitting percentage . Senior libero Sophia Johnson also reached a career milestone , recording her 1,000th career dig during the weekend. The larger issue was the dramatic offensive decline after Cal's opening-set performance. The Golden Bears went from hitting .538 in the first to .214, .074 and .087 over the remaining three sets. SMU Extends Home and ACC Winning Streaks The victory extended two significant SMU streaks. The Mustangs have now won 15 consecutive home matches , setting a program record and tying for the third-longest active home streak nationally. SMU has also won 11 consecutive ACC matches , the longest active conference winning streak in the league. Since joining the ACC in 2024, the Mustangs are 35-7 in conference matches. SMU is also 52-0 under Erger when hitting .300 or better , a streak preserved by Sunday's .358 performance. The Mustangs will now leave Dallas for their first ACC road test, traveling to face Syracuse on Friday, Oct. 2 . Cal returns to Haas Pavilion to host Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Pitt remained unbeaten with its most dominant performance of the season Saturday, overwhelming Bucknell 59-0 at Acrisure Stadium behind a record-setting passing attack and a defense that never allowed the Bison to reach the scoreboard. Quarterback Mason Heintschel completed 29 of 37 passes for 403 yards and six touchdowns , despite playing only a little more than two quarters. Pitt scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, built a 35-0 halftime lead and improved to 4-0 . The performance also made Heintschel the first quarterback in Pitt history to produce two games with at least six touchdown passes in the same season. Pitt Takes Control From Opening Drive There was little suspense once Pitt's offense settled into the afternoon. The Panthers reached the end zone on each of their first five possessions, allowing Heintschel to spread the football throughout a deep group of receivers. He ultimately completed passes to nine different players . Pitt entered the matchup looking to sharpen its passing attack after relying heavily on the running game in its previous victory over Syracuse. The Panthers had rushed for 245 yards in that game but used Bucknell as an opportunity to get Heintschel and his receivers back into rhythm. The result was Pitt's most productive offensive performance of the season. By halftime, the Panthers had built a 35-0 advantage , capped by Heintschel's 48-yard touchdown pass to freshman Demetrice McCray in the final minute of the second quarter. Mason Heintschel Throws Six Touchdowns Heintschel did not begin the afternoon perfectly. The sophomore opened just 3-of-7 passing , but once he found his rhythm, Bucknell could not slow him down. He finished 29-of-37 before leaving after only two series in the second half. His final numbers were remarkable: 403 passing yards and six touchdowns . The six scoring passes fell just one short of the Pitt and ACC record of seven, a mark Heintschel set himself in the Panthers' season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio). That gives him two games with six or more touchdown passes this season, something no other quarterback in Pitt history has accomplished. Heintschel's performance was also an important response after he went without a touchdown pass in Pitt's previous two games. Censere Lee Finds End Zone Three Times Pitt's receiving depth was on full display. Censere Lee caught five passes for 47 yards and three touchdowns , becoming the first Panthers receiver with three touchdown catches in a game since Jared Wayne accomplished the feat against Miami in 2022. Lee's production demonstrated how many options Pitt has available in the passing game. Despite recording fewer than 50 receiving yards, he repeatedly became Heintschel's target near the end zone. McCray provided the explosive plays. The freshman caught three passes for 72 yards , highlighted by the 48-yard touchdown that pushed Pitt's advantage to 35-0 before halftime. The photograph on page 1 of the source captures McCray scoring during the second quarter, while the image on page 12 shows the freshman celebrating one of his touchdown receptions. Pitt Sets Program Record With Eight TD Passes Heintschel was not the only Pitt quarterback to reach the end zone through the air. Backups Holden Geriner and Corey Dailey each threw a touchdown pass after Heintschel left the game. That gave Pitt eight touchdown passes , setting a new program record. The Panthers finished with 766 total yards , another program record according to Pitt's official recap. Tight end Carson Kent also became more involved in the offense, recording six receptions for 57 yards and his first touchdown of the season . The offensive explosion demonstrated considerable balance in Pitt's passing game. Heintschel found nine receivers, Lee scored three times, McCray supplied explosive plays and the backups continued producing after the game had already been decided. Pitt Defense Completes the Shutout While the offense generated the headlines, Pitt's defense was equally dominant. Bucknell did not cross 100 total yards until the fourth quarter and finished without a point. Quarterback Emmett Dowling completed only 10 of 21 passes for 49 yards . The Bison also converted just two of 13 third-down opportunities , repeatedly sending their defense back onto the field against Pitt's high-powered offense. The result was Pitt's first shutout of the season and completed a game in which the Panthers controlled virtually every major phase. Penalties Provide Pitt’s Biggest Concern Despite winning by 59 points, Pitt did leave the afternoon with one obvious area to address. The Panthers were penalized 16 times for 165 yards . The penalty yardage exceeded Bucknell's entire offensive output. Head coach Pat Narduzzi expressed frustration afterward, particularly because similar mistakes could become much more damaging against stronger conference opponents. Pitt also committed the game's only turnover when Cataurus "Blue" Hicks fumbled after making a catch during the third quarter. Neither issue threatened the outcome against Bucknell, but both provide areas for Pitt to clean up as the schedule becomes more demanding. Pitt Improves to 4-0 Before Virginia Tech Test Pitt has now completed an unbeaten September. The Panthers are 4-0 , combining an explosive passing attack with a running game that carried the offense against Syracuse a week earlier. Saturday's 59-0 victory showed what Pitt can produce when Heintschel and the passing game are operating efficiently. The challenge increases immediately. Pitt will travel to Blacksburg to face undefeated Virginia Tech on Friday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN . The Panthers will enter that matchup following their most dominant offensive performance of the season, with Heintschel coming off a 403-yard, six-touchdown afternoon and Pitt's defense coming off a shutout.

Stanford erased a 10-point halftime deficit and rode a career performance from quarterback Davis Warren to a 34-27 comeback victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday night at Stanford Stadium. Warren threw for a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns , directing three consecutive touchdown drives in the second half after the Cardinal entered halftime trailing 20-10. Stanford improved to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the ACC , while Georgia Tech fell to 1-3 and 0-1 in conference play. The victory gave Stanford its first conference win of the season and provided a dramatic response after consecutive lopsided ACC losses. Georgia Tech Builds 20-10 First-Half Lead Georgia Tech controlled much of the opening half, scoring on each of its first four possessions and finding success both through the air and on the ground. Trelain Maddox emerged as a major part of that early production. After Justice Haynes broke loose for a 46-yard run , Maddox caught a nine-yard touchdown pass for the first receiving score of his career. Maddox later added a 20-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, helping the Yellow Jackets establish a 20-10 advantage. Georgia Tech carried that 10-point margin into halftime, putting Stanford in position to need its best offensive stretch of the night. The Cardinal delivered exactly that. Caden High’s 49-Yard Touchdown Pulls Stanford Even Stanford's passing attack began creating explosive plays after halftime. Warren connected with Caden High for a 49-yard touchdown , completing Stanford's comeback from the 20-10 deficit and tying the game at 20-20 during the third quarter. High became Warren's primary big-play target and finished with four catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns . The Cardinal continued attacking a Georgia Tech secondary dealing with injuries and inexperienced players. Stanford repeatedly created favorable matchups downfield, and Warren took advantage. Georgia Tech's defense surrendered 237 yards in the third quarter alone , while its offense managed just 26 during the period. That dramatic swing transformed the game. Warren Converts Fourth-and-11 for Go-Ahead Touchdown Stanford's biggest offensive play came on its next possession. Facing fourth-and-11 , Warren looked toward the end zone and found Nico Brown for a 33-yard touchdown . The score completed Stanford's surge from behind and gave the Cardinal the lead. It was part of an impressive night for Warren in high-pressure situations. The quarterback completed all three of his passes on fourth down and went 5-for-8 on throws traveling at least 15 yards. Stanford's success on those aggressive situations helped compensate for a running game that Georgia Tech largely contained. The Yellow Jackets allowed only 88 rushing yards, but they could not prevent Warren from repeatedly creating explosive plays through the air. Stanford Turns 20-10 Deficit Into 34-20 Lead The Cardinal continued their offensive surge into the fourth quarter. Warren again connected with High, this time on a sweep that produced another touchdown and extended Stanford's advantage to 34-20 . Stanford had entered halftime trailing by 10. After three consecutive second-half touchdown drives, the Cardinal suddenly held a two-touchdown advantage. The turnaround was particularly significant after Georgia Tech had scored on each of its first four possessions. Stanford's defense settled down after the break, while Warren and the offense repeatedly capitalized on opportunities downfield. Georgia Tech Makes Late Push The Yellow Jackets still had time to make the finish uncomfortable for Stanford. Quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with Jaiven Plummer for a fourth-quarter touchdown , trimming Stanford's advantage and making it a one-possession game. Mendoza finished with 268 passing yards and two touchdowns , completing 67 percent of his passes. His final possessions, however, proved costly. A miscommunication resulted in an interception and ended one promising drive. After Georgia Tech's defense produced another stop, Mendoza was called for intentional grounding on the Yellow Jackets' final opportunity, turning a fourth-and-13 situation into fourth-and-45. Stanford held on from there to complete the 34-27 comeback. Davis Warren Delivers Career Night Warren's 396 passing yards established a new career high, while his three touchdown passes powered Stanford's second-half transformation. His performance also continued an encouraging start to the season. Warren entered 2026 with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions across his first 16 career games. Through Stanford's first four games this season, he has thrown five touchdowns without an interception . Stanford coach Tavita Pritchard credited Warren's command of the offense, including his responsibility for protection and run checks. High's 121-yard performance gave Warren an explosive downfield target, while Brown's fourth-down touchdown provided one of the defining plays of the comeback. Penalties Hurt Georgia Tech Georgia Tech's first-half success ultimately gave way to a difficult second half. The Yellow Jackets were penalized 12 times for 105 yards , with several offensive-line penalties wiping out productive plays or creating difficult down-and-distance situations. The third quarter was especially damaging. Georgia Tech surrendered a 17-0 run , allowing Stanford to erase its 20-10 halftime advantage while struggling to sustain drives offensively. Melvin Jordan IV provided a bright spot defensively, leading the Yellow Jackets with six tackles, including four solo stops, and a tackle for loss. But Georgia Tech never fully recovered after Stanford's third-quarter surge. Stanford Earns First ACC Victory For Stanford, the comeback delivered a needed conference result. After dropping its previous two ACC games, the Cardinal earned their first conference victory of the season behind a passing attack that produced explosive plays when the game demanded them. Warren's career-high 396 yards, High's two touchdowns and Brown's fourth-down score turned a 20-10 deficit into a 34-20 advantage before Stanford survived Georgia Tech's late push. The Cardinal will now travel to face Wake Forest next Saturday , while Georgia Tech returns home to host Duke on Oct. 10 .

Wake Forest delivered a statement road victory Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 16 Louisville 30-27 at L&N Stadium behind a huge performance from wide receiver Carlos Hernandez and a defense that protected a three-point lead in the closing minutes. Hernandez caught nine passes for 194 yards and a touchdown , while quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 225 yards and Ty Clark III rushed for 91 yards and two scores. The Demon Deacons improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the ACC , while Louisville fell to 2-2 and 1-1. The victory also gave Wake Forest ranked road wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1975 and 1976. Wake Forest Strikes First in Louisville Wake Forest's defense established the tone by forcing a three-and-out on Louisville's opening possession. Connor Calvert then put the Demon Deacons on the scoreboard with a 39-yard field goal , giving Wake Forest a 3-0 advantage with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter. Louisville answered late in the period when quarterback Lincoln Kienholz scored on a five-yard run to make it 7-3. Wake Forest responded early in the second quarter. Lopez escaped pressure on third-and-15 and connected with Hernandez for a 48-yard gain , extending a drive that ended with Clark scoring from six yards out. The touchdown gave Wake Forest a 10-7 lead. Louisville answered with another Kienholz rushing touchdown to regain the advantage, but the Cardinals' lead lasted only 103 seconds. Carlos Hernandez Breaks Free for 77-Yard Touchdown Wake Forest needed just four plays to respond. Lopez found Hernandez for a 77-yard touchdown reception , immediately putting the Demon Deacons back in front 17-14 with 5:49 remaining in the second quarter. Wake Forest's defense then produced another opportunity when Somad Eaddy recorded the first interception of his career . The Demon Deacons capitalized on the turnover. Clark scored his second six-yard rushing touchdown with 1:19 remaining, stretching the advantage to 24-14 . Louisville responded almost immediately. Kienholz connected with Jaleel Skinner for a 61-yard touchdown just 22 seconds after Clark's score, cutting Wake Forest's halftime lead to 24-21 . Louisville Rallies to Tie the Game The Cardinals erased the remaining deficit in the third quarter. Carson Hilbert converted a 41-yard field goal with 9:37 remaining in the period to tie the score at 24-24. Wake Forest responded with a lengthy drive that ended with Calvert's 35-yard field goal, restoring a 27-24 advantage. Louisville again answered, with Hilbert connecting from 54 yards late in the third quarter to send the teams into the fourth tied at 27. The back-and-forth battle featured five lead changes , with neither team able to create lasting separation. Connor Calvert Gives Wake Forest the Lead Wake Forest opened the fourth quarter with one of its most important drives. The Demon Deacons moved 48 yards over 11 plays and controlled more than six minutes of game clock before Calvert connected on a 32-yard field goal with 6:20 remaining . It was Calvert's third field goal of the afternoon and gave Wake Forest a 30-27 lead . Louisville still had opportunities to respond, but Wake Forest's defense delivered when it mattered most. Wake Forest Defense Protects Three-Point Lead The Cardinals drove deep into Wake Forest territory before defensive lineman Zach Lohavichan recorded a third-down sack , helping force Louisville into a field-goal attempt. Hilbert missed from 42 yards with 2:29 remaining, keeping Wake Forest ahead. Louisville received one final opportunity and lined up for another long attempt in the closing seconds. Wake Forest again came through on special teams, blocking the field goal to preserve the 30-27 upset . The Demon Deacons finished with nine tackles for loss and four sacks . Gabe Kirschke recorded two sacks, while Langston Hardy added two tackles for loss and a sack. Aiden Hall led Wake Forest with 11 tackles, and Eaddy added seven tackles along with his first career interception. Hernandez Delivers Historic 194-Yard Performance Hernandez was Wake Forest's biggest offensive difference-maker. His nine catches for 194 yards included gains of 48 and 77 yards in the second quarter. The performance tied Hernandez for the fifth-most receiving yards in a single game in Wake Forest history . The record table on page 8 places Hernandez's 194 yards alongside James Brim and Fabian Davis for fifth in program history. Hernandez also owns the third-highest mark after recording 197 yards against Delaware in 2025. Through four games this season, Hernandez leads the ACC with 516 receiving yards . Lopez finished 12-of-19 for 225 yards and a touchdown , pushing his season passing total to 1,112 yards. Clark provided the balance on the ground, carrying 21 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns , the first multi-touchdown performance of his career. Demon Deacons Shut Down Louisville Running Game Louisville quarterback Kienholz still produced a strong statistical performance, completing 27 of 36 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores. Wake Forest, however, prevented Louisville from establishing the rushing attack it had relied on earlier in the season. The Cardinals entered the matchup averaging 229 rushing yards per game , but the Demon Deacons held them to only 75 yards on the ground . That defensive effort, combined with Hernandez's explosive receiving performance and Calvert's three field goals, allowed Wake Forest to leave Louisville with one of the program's notable road victories. Wake Forest Earns Another Ranked Road Win The win was Wake Forest's 19th victory over a top-20 opponent and its second road victory over a top-20 team under head coach Jake Dickert. The Demon Deacons also defeated No. 12 Virginia 16-9 on the road in 2025. The historical table on page 10 lists Saturday's 30-27 victory among Wake Forest's highest-ranked road wins, alongside victories over teams including No. 4 Tennessee, No. 12 Virginia and No. 12 Georgia. Wake Forest now returns home to host Stanford next Saturday at Allegacy Financial Stadium.

No. 22 SMU Defeats Missouri State 34-24 Behind Kevin Jennings’ Record-Breaking Night By East Coast Sports Live No. 22 SMU overcame an early double-digit deficit and a pair of first-quarter turnovers to defeat Missouri State 34-24 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, with quarterback Kevin Jennings delivering a record-breaking performance . Jennings completed 33 of 39 passes for a career-high 464 yards and three touchdowns , while adding another score on the ground. He also completed a school-record 21 consecutive passes as the Mustangs improved to 3-1. Missouri State dropped to 1-3. By the end of the night, Jennings had become SMU's career leader in passing yards and completions while also setting the program record for career touchdowns responsible for. Missouri State Turns SMU Mistakes Into 10-0 Lead SMU moved the football early, but costly mistakes allowed Missouri State to build a surprising advantage. Yamir Knight fumbled after a 23-yard gain, giving the Bears possession inside their own 10. Missouri State turned the takeaway into a 35-yard field goal from Yousef Obeid. The trouble continued when Jennings was intercepted by Joel Boamah , who returned the ball 60 yards for a touchdown. The defensive score gave Missouri State a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. SMU finally answered with an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Kendrick Raphael finished it with a one-yard touchdown run , cutting the deficit to 10-7 early in the second quarter. Jennings Gives SMU the Lead Before Halftime Despite the slow start, SMU's passing attack was already producing significant yardage. Jennings entered the closing seconds of the first half with an opportunity to put the Mustangs ahead. He capitalized, finding Theo Melin Ohrstrom for a 19-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining . The score gave SMU its first lead at 14-10 heading into halftime. Jennings already had 291 passing yards at halftime , while Knight had accumulated 125 receiving yards. SMU then carried that momentum into the second half. SMU Extends Lead After Halftime After forcing Missouri State to punt, the Mustangs marched 80 yards in 10 plays on their first offensive possession of the third quarter. Jennings finished the drive himself with a one-yard rushing touchdown , his first rushing score of the season and 11th of his career. SMU's lead grew to 21-10. Missouri State refused to disappear. Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Skyler Locklear connected with Isaiah Myers for a 15-yard touchdown. The Bears converted the ensuing two-point attempt, trimming SMU's advantage to 21-18 with approximately 12 minutes remaining. The Mustangs needed an answer, and Jennings delivered again. Yamir Knight Helps SMU Pull Away After Missouri State pulled within three, Jennings connected with Knight for a 28-yard touchdown , restoring SMU's double-digit advantage. Knight finished with a career-best 11 receptions for 164 yards , giving him his fourth career 100-yard receiving game. SMU's defense then produced another pivotal play. Linebacker Brandon Booker intercepted Henry Belin IV , recording the first interception of his career. On the very next offensive play, Jennings found Ohrstrom for a 23-yard touchdown , pushing SMU ahead 34-18. Missouri State added a late touchdown to make the final score 34-24, but the Mustangs had already done enough to secure their third victory of the season. Kevin Jennings Rewrites SMU Record Book Jennings' performance went far beyond the final score. His 464 passing yards were a career high and the fourth-highest single-game passing total in SMU history. He finished with an 84.6 percent completion rate , the second-highest single-game mark in program history among quarterbacks with at least 20 completions. His streak of 21 consecutive completions established another SMU record and ranked as the second-longest such streak in ACC history. The career records were even more significant. Jennings finished the night with 9,162 career passing yards , surpassing Ben Hicks' previous SMU record of 9,081. His 33 completions moved him to 722 for his career , passing Hicks' former record of 718. Jennings also accounted for four touchdowns against Missouri State, giving him 78 career touchdowns responsible for and breaking Tanner Mordecai's previous program record of 76. SMU Offense Produces 592 Total Yards Jennings had plenty of help from his playmakers. Along with Knight's 164 receiving yards, Jalen Cooper caught eight passes for a career-high 125 yards . Ohrstrom finished with three catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns. Raphael nearly gave SMU another 100-yard performance, rushing 23 times for 98 yards and a touchdown . He also caught four passes for 48 yards, finishing with 146 all-purpose yards. The Mustangs finished with 592 total yards , including 464 through the air and 128 on the ground. SMU also held a 29-14 advantage in first downs and converted eight of 12 third downs. Mustangs Defense Records Seven Sacks SMU's defense complemented the offensive production by creating consistent pressure. The Mustangs recorded season highs with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks . Tavion Atkinson led the pass rush with two sacks, while Booker and Marques White each recorded 1.5. Missouri State converted only four of 16 third-down attempts and finished with 239 total yards. The Mustangs were not flawless. Two early turnovers, two missed field goals and 12 penalties for 106 yards prevented them from putting the game away earlier. Still, after falling behind 10-0, SMU outscored Missouri State 34-14 the rest of the way. SMU Turns Attention Back to ACC Play The victory allowed SMU to rebound from its 41-31 loss at Louisville and finish its final nonconference game with a 3-1 overall record. Now the Mustangs return to conference competition. SMU will remain at Gerald J. Ford Stadium to host Boston College on October 3 at 11 a.m. CT , marking the Mustangs' first ACC home game of the season. Jennings will enter that matchup after one of the most productive games of his SMU career, having rewritten multiple program records while leading the Mustangs out of an early 10-point hole.

Virginia Tech survived brutal weather, a fourth-quarter deficit and a determined Boston College rushing attack to remain undefeated with a 21-14 comeback victory Saturday in Chestnut Hill. Playing through a nor’easter that brought heavy rain and wind gusts reaching approximately 40 mph, the Hokies trailed 14-6 before scoring 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Jeffrey Overton Jr. delivered the decisive play, breaking loose for a 76-yard touchdown run after Virginia Tech had tied the game. The victory improved Virginia Tech to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC , giving first-year head coach James Franklin and the Hokies the program's best start since 2017. Nor’easter Turns First Half Into Defensive Battle Weather shaped the game from the opening possession. Constant rain and swirling winds made downfield passing difficult, and neither team converted a third down until the closing minute of the first half. Both offenses leaned heavily on the running game while struggling to sustain drives. Virginia Tech finally broke the scoreless tie just before halftime. Kicker John Love converted a 45-yard field goal , sending the Hokies into the locker room with a 3-0 advantage. The conditions were visible throughout the source material. The game image on page 2 shows the rain-soaked field, while later accounts describe heavy rain coating camera lenses and wind affecting play. Mason McKenzie Sparks Boston College Virginia Tech appeared ready to create separation early in the second half when Que'Sean Brown returned a punt inside the Boston College 10-yard line. The Eagles' defense prevented a touchdown, however, forcing Virginia Tech to settle for another field goal and a 6-0 advantage. Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie then took over. After briefly leaving the field following a hard hit, McKenzie returned and immediately broke free for a 45-yard run . He followed it with a short touchdown run that gave the Eagles their first lead. Virginia Tech then committed a costly turnover when Marcellous Hawkins fumbled inside Hokies territory. Boston College could not capitalize, as a key sack by Cortez Harris helped force the Eagles to punt. McKenzie struck again early in the fourth quarter. Following a 20-yard completion to Dawson Pough, he scored from two yards out to extend Boston College's lead to 14-6 . Ethan Grunkemeyer Leads Fourth-Quarter Response For the first time this season, Virginia Tech faced a fourth-quarter two-score deficit. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer responded with a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive , completing five of eight passes during the possession. He finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Marlion Jackson , pulling the Hokies within two points. Virginia Tech kept its offense on the field for the conversion. Overton took the ball and successfully ran in the two-point conversion , tying the game at 14-14 with approximately eight minutes remaining. Grunkemeyer finished the afternoon 22-of-35 for 147 yards and one touchdown , managing the passing game despite the difficult conditions. Jeffrey Overton Jr. Breaks Free for 76-Yard Touchdown After Virginia Tech's defense forced another Boston College stop, the Hokies took possession with an opportunity to complete the comeback. They needed only one play. Overton took the handoff and exploded down the right sideline for a 76-yard touchdown , giving Virginia Tech a 21-14 lead late in the fourth quarter. The run transformed a game that Virginia Tech had trailed by eight points only minutes earlier. Boston College went three-and-out on its next possession, and Virginia Tech was able to drain the remaining clock. Overton's performance was particularly valuable given the weather and Virginia Tech's need to rely heavily on its ground game. The primary game recap credits him with 209 rushing yards on 25 carries . McKenzie Carries Boston College Offense McKenzie nearly produced a signature victory of his own. The Boston College quarterback rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns while completing 11 of 23 passes for 111 yards. His ability to create with his legs became especially important because Boston College received little production from its traditional rushing attack during the first half. Bo MacCormack and Evan Dickens combined for only five yards on eight first-half carries, leaving McKenzie as the Eagles' primary source of offensive momentum. His two second-half rushing touchdowns turned a 6-0 deficit into a 14-6 advantage, but Virginia Tech's defense shut down the Eagles after the Hokies completed their comeback. Virginia Tech Overcomes Weather and Adversity The conditions made Saturday's victory unlike Virginia Tech's first three wins. Heavy rain and wind affected both offenses throughout the afternoon. Franklin had even described the expected conditions before kickoff as the "Tsunami Bowl." Virginia Tech had to win without consistent explosive passing plays and overcome a second-half turnover, missed opportunities near the goal line and Boston College's fourth-quarter lead. The Hokies ultimately found the plays they needed. Grunkemeyer delivered the touchdown pass to Jackson. Overton converted the two-point attempt. The defense forced a stop. Then Overton turned one opening into the game's defining 76-yard touchdown . Virginia Tech's 21-14 victory extended its unbeaten start to four games and gave the Hokies their first ACC victory under Franklin. Hokies Return Home at 4-0 Virginia Tech will return to Blacksburg with its best start in nearly a decade. The Hokies have opened a season 4-0 for the first time since 2017 , with Saturday's win demonstrating their ability to respond after falling behind late on the road. Virginia Tech next hosts Pittsburgh on Friday night , while Boston College travels to face No. 22 SMU next Saturday.

Clemson leaned on its defense, special teams and a breakout rushing performance from Gideon Davidson to earn a 24-10 road victory over California on Friday night at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Davidson rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries , including a 75-yard scoring run that put the game away late in the fourth quarter. Bryant Wesco Jr. supplied the game's turning point with a 65-yard punt-return touchdown as Clemson improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in ACC play . Cal dropped to 2-2 and 1-1 in the conference. The Tigers have now won three consecutive games following their season-opening loss to LSU. Cal Strikes First With Defensive Touchdown Neither offense found much early success. Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds was intercepted on a flea-flicker during the Tigers' opening possession, but Clemson immediately answered when cornerback Elliot Washington II intercepted Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele four plays later. Cal eventually produced the first points without its offense reaching the end zone. Kamar Mothudi recovered a Clemson fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead with 5:15 remaining in the opening quarter. Clemson responded early in the second quarter when Nolan Hauser converted a 30-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Davidson Gives Clemson the Lead The Tigers put together their most methodical possession of the first half after forcing another Cal punt. Clemson marched 66 yards on 17 plays , converting twice on fourth down during the drive. Davidson finished the possession with a one-yard touchdown run , putting Clemson ahead 10-7 with 5:37 remaining before halftime. Cal had an opportunity to answer but missed a 51-yard field goal. Clemson carried the 10-7 advantage into halftime after outgaining the Golden Bears 179-94 and possessing the ball for more than 19 minutes. Cal had not scored an offensive point during the first two quarters. Bryant Wesco Jr. Breaks 10-10 Tie Cal finally generated offensive points on its opening possession of the second half. A third-down pass breakup forced the Golden Bears to settle for a 30-yard field goal, tying the game 10-10 . The tie did not last long. After Clemson forced another punt, Wesco fielded a low kick on the run, avoided two defenders and broke toward the Clemson sideline. He raced 65 yards for a touchdown , giving the Tigers a 17-10 lead with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter. It was Clemson's first punt-return touchdown since November 2018 , when Amari Rodgers returned one 58 yards against Boston College during the Tigers' national championship season. The play proved to be the turning point in a game dominated by defense. Clemson Defense Shuts Down Cal Once Clemson regained the lead, its defense made sure Cal never seriously threatened again. The Tigers held the Golden Bears to only three offensive points for the entire game . Cal's lone touchdown came from its defense on Mothudi's first-quarter fumble return. Sagapolutele completed 16 of 29 passes for 119 yards and two interceptions , his lowest passing total through his first 17 career starts. Washington recorded both Clemson interceptions. Jerome Carter III, Corey Myrick and Sammy Brown each finished with eight tackles, while Jeremiah Alexander, London Merritt and Champ Thompson combined to account for two sacks. The Tigers' pressure remained important in the fourth quarter. Thompson and Alexander combined for a sack that helped force a Cal punt, giving Clemson possession deep in its own territory with 5:32 remaining. That set the stage for Davidson's biggest play. Gideon Davidson Seals Win With 75-Yard Touchdown Clemson took over at its own 2-yard line still protecting a seven-point advantage. A few plays later, Davidson found open field. The running back exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run , extending Clemson's advantage to 24-10 with 2:59 remaining and effectively putting the game out of reach. Davidson finished with 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries , providing Clemson with the explosive offensive performance it needed on a night when the passing game struggled. Washington then intercepted Sagapolutele for the second time on Cal's ensuing possession, allowing Clemson to close out the victory. Clemson Wins Despite Passing-Game Struggles Reynolds made his first career road start but experienced an uneven night. The Clemson quarterback completed 13 of 21 passes for 108 yards and added 28 rushing yards. With the passing attack limited, Clemson relied on Davidson's rushing production, Wesco's special-teams touchdown and a defense that repeatedly prevented Cal from finishing drives. The result continued Clemson's turnaround after a difficult start to the season. The Tigers lost their opener to LSU but have since defeated Georgia Southern, North Carolina and Cal for three consecutive victories . The last two have come in ACC play, keeping Clemson unbeaten in the conference. No. 6 Miami Awaits Clemson Clemson now returns home for a significant ACC matchup. The Tigers will host No. 6 Miami on Oct. 3 at Memorial Stadium, giving Clemson an opportunity to build on its 2-0 conference start. Cal will travel to UNLV on the same date. Clemson's offense still has areas to improve after producing only one offensive touchdown through most of Friday's game. But Davidson's explosive fourth-quarter run, Wesco's historic punt return and another strong defensive performance gave the Tigers enough to leave Berkeley with a 24-10 victory.