Week 3 AP Top 25 Rankings: Texas Holds No. 1 as Ole Miss Surges to No. 4

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. 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.

No. 5 Miami looked ready to cruise Friday night before Wake Forest turned a comfortable Hurricanes lead into a fourth-quarter test. Darian Mensah completed his first 24 passes and set multiple ACC records as Miami built a 24-point advantage, but it was the Hurricanes' defense that ultimately secured a 33-20 victory at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem. Miami improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in ACC play , while Wake Forest fell to 2-1 and 0-1 in the conference before a sold-out crowd of 32,147. Mensah Starts With Record-Setting Accuracy Mensah was nearly flawless for most of the first three quarters. The Miami quarterback completed his first 24 attempts , breaking the ACC single-game record of 18 consecutive completions to begin a game. His streak reached 35 consecutive completions dating back to Miami's victory over Florida A&M , surpassing the previous ACC multi-game record of 30 set by North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky in 2016. Mensah ultimately finished 30-of-34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns . His first touchdown came on Miami's opening possession, when he found Joshua Moore for a nine-yard score. Wake Forest answered immediately. Gio Lopez directed an 11-play, 75-yard drive and connected with Kamrean Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. Miami Builds a 24-7 Halftime Lead The Hurricanes regained control in the second quarter. Mensah found Elija Lofton for a 21-yard touchdown , putting Miami back in front 14-7. Mark Fletcher Jr. later finished another Hurricanes drive with a rushing touchdown, extending the advantage to 21-7. Miami added a field goal before halftime to take a 24-7 lead into the locker room. The Hurricanes had outgained Wake Forest 303-88 during the first half. The lead grew again in the third. Mensah connected with Malachi Toney for a short touchdown , giving Miami a commanding 31-7 advantage with 8:56 remaining in the quarter . At that point, the Hurricanes appeared headed toward another comfortable victory. Wake Forest had other plans. Gio Lopez Leads Wake Forest Comeback Lopez began attacking Miami's secondary and quickly brought the Demon Deacons back into the game. He found Jack Foley for a 23-yard touchdown , reducing Miami's advantage to 31-13. After Wake Forest's defense forced a three-and-out, Lopez struck again. This time, he connected with Carlos Hernandez for a 17-yard touchdown , making it 31-20 with 14:56 remaining. Lopez finished 29-of-46 for 312 yards and three touchdowns , spreading the football among 11 receivers. Foley delivered a career performance with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown , while Hernandez recorded 10 receptions for 69 yards and a score . Miami's 24-point lead had suddenly been reduced to 11. Hurricanes Offense Stalls Late The same Miami offense that had moved the ball efficiently for most of the night suddenly stopped producing. Over its final six drives, Miami managed only 26 total yards . The Hurricanes failed to record a first down on the first five of those possessions, resulting in four punts and a blocked field goal. Mensah's final numbers remained impressive, but the fourth quarter became a test for Miami's defense rather than its quarterback. Wake Forest repeatedly received opportunities to make the game even closer. The Hurricanes stopped every one of them. Miami Defense Takes Over the Fourth Quarter Wake Forest's first full possession after pulling within 31-20 ended with Miami's pass rush creating points. Pressure on Lopez in his own end zone resulted in a holding penalty and a safety , increasing Miami's advantage to 33-20. The Demon Deacons came back again and drove to the Miami 13-yard line. On fourth down, Hurricanes pressure forced Lopez into an inaccurate pass in the end zone. Another Wake Forest possession reached Miami territory, but freshman JJ Dunnigan pressured Lopez into another off-target fourth-down throw with 5:24 remaining. Wake Forest received one final opportunity. This time, Ethan O'Connor intercepted Lopez with 2:24 left , effectively sealing the victory. Miami's defense ended Wake Forest's final four full possessions with a safety, two turnovers on downs and an interception. Malachi Toney Leads Miami Receivers Toney remained Mensah's primary target, finishing with 12 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown . Through three games, the sophomore had accounted for 444 of Miami's 1,074 receiving yards, along with five of the Hurricanes' 14 receiving touchdowns. Fletcher contributed 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries . Miami's ground game was limited later in the contest, but the Hurricanes' early offensive production provided enough separation for the defense to protect. Penalties Hurt Wake Forest's Comeback Wake Forest's rally was also complicated by its own mistakes. The Demon Deacons were penalized 13 times for 137 yards , including two penalties that erased significant fourth-quarter punt returns. Those mistakes cost Wake Forest valuable field position at a time when Miami's offense had stopped moving the football. Still, the Demon Deacons remained within striking distance until the Hurricanes' defense repeatedly stopped them on fourth down. Miami also limited Wake Forest's rushing attack to 22 yards after accounting for sack yardage , forcing Lopez to carry most of the offensive burden through the air. Mensah Adds Another Remarkable Early-Season Mark Mensah's ACC completion records were not his only notable achievement. Through three games, he had completed 71 of 79 passes for 873 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions , an 89.9% completion rate. According to the source, Mensah became the only FBS or NFL quarterback over the previous 30 years to produce three consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes and an 80% completion percentage . Friday's performance was different from Miami's first two wins, however. Instead of relying on its offense to overwhelm an opponent from start to finish, the Hurricanes needed their defense to close the game. Mario Cristobal Earns 100th Career Victory The result also delivered a coaching milestone. Miami's victory was Mario Cristobal's 100th career win as a head coach . He earned 27 victories at FIU and 35 at Oregon before reaching 38 wins with Miami. The Hurricanes remained undefeated through three games, but Wake Forest provided their closest challenge of the season. Miami led 31-7 before its offense stalled. Lopez and the Demon Deacons responded with two touchdowns, cutting the margin to 11 and putting pressure on the Hurricanes deep into the fourth quarter.  That was when Miami's defense answered. A safety, two fourth-down stops and O'Connor's late interception prevented Wake Forest from scoring again. Mensah supplied the records, but Miami's defense supplied the finish as the No. 5 Hurricanes held off Wake Forest 33-20 to improve to 3-0.

Pitt leaned on its ground game and capitalized on Syracuse mistakes Thursday night, defeating the Orange 27-13 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Panthers rushed for 245 yards , with freshman Damon Ferguson Jr. leading the way with 102, as Pitt improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play . La'Vell Wright added 81 rushing yards, while Ferguson, Wright and quarterback Mason Heintschel each scored on the ground. Syracuse fell to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the ACC . Syracuse entered halftime trailing only 17-10, but Pitt quickly restored a two-touchdown advantage in the third quarter. Two fourth-quarter interceptions thrown by Steve Angeli then helped shut down the Orange's remaining comeback hopes. Pitt Establishes Its Running Game Early The Panthers entered the matchup averaging only 3.6 yards per carry, but their rushing attack looked considerably different against Syracuse. Pitt opened the scoring with a nine-play, 63-yard drive. Justin Cook broke loose for a 23-yard run on third-and-3, helping move the Panthers into Syracuse territory. The Orange defense initially forced three straight incompletions, but a personal foul extended the possession. Heintschel then connected with Wright and Censere Lee before Wright scored from two yards out , putting Pitt ahead 7-0 late in the first quarter. It was an early example of a recurring problem for Syracuse: defensive stops being undone by penalties. Syracuse Penalties Help Pitt Build 14-0 Lead The Orange appeared to have forced a three-and-out on Pitt's next scoring possession. Instead, two penalties changed the drive. A pass interference call gave Pitt a first down at the Syracuse 49. Head coach Fran Brown was then penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after protesting the call, moving the Panthers another 15 yards downfield. Two plays later, Ferguson broke free for a 32-yard touchdown , extending Pitt's lead to 14-0. The source accounts differ slightly on Syracuse's final penalty total, reporting either nine penalties for 90 yards or 10 for 94. But both accounts make the broader impact clear: penalties repeatedly hurt the Orange in important situations. Syracuse Misses Early Scoring Opportunity Syracuse responded with its deepest drive of the game to that point. Angeli found David Clement for 12 yards before a roughing-the-passer penalty moved the Orange across midfield. He then connected with Umari Hatcher for 34 yards , setting Syracuse up at the Pitt 14. The drive stalled. Tripp Woody attempted a 29-yard field goal, but his kick missed left, leaving Syracuse scoreless. Pitt answered with another scoring possession. Heintschel completed a 25-yard pass to Carson Kent, Wright ran for 15 yards and the quarterback added an 18-yard scramble. Syracuse eventually stopped the drive, but Antonio Chadha connected from 42 yards to increase Pitt's advantage to 17-0. Ahmad Miller Gets Syracuse Back Into the Game With the Orange in danger of falling out of the game before halftime, the offense finally found the end zone. Syracuse marched 65 yards on 10 plays . Hatcher opened the possession with a 28-yard run. Miller followed with gains of seven and five yards before Angeli connected with Hatcher for another 24 yards. After a fourth-down pass interference penalty kept the possession alive, Miller scored on a two-yard run , cutting Pitt's lead to 17-7. Miller was Syracuse's most productive runner, finishing with 78 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.6 yards per carry . The photograph on page 5 of the uploaded source shows Miller being lifted into the air by offensive lineman Trevion Mack as Syracuse celebrated the touchdown. Davien Kerr Helps Syracuse Cut Lead to Seven Syracuse's defense provided another opportunity just before halftime. Davien Kerr intercepted Heintschel with 52 seconds remaining and returned the ball four yards. Angeli quickly moved Syracuse into Pitt territory, finding Darius Johnson for 13 yards and Justus Ross-Simmons for 25. The Orange could not reach the end zone, but Shay Barker made a 42-yard field goal as time expired . After trailing 17-0, Syracuse entered halftime down only 17-10 . The Orange had given themselves a chance. Pitt needed less than two minutes after halftime to take that chance away. Panthers Run Through Syracuse After Halftime After Syracuse went three-and-out to begin the third quarter, Pitt returned to the ground. Ferguson ran for 18 yards , then broke loose for another 33 yards to reach the Syracuse 25. Wright immediately followed with a 16-yard run. Three consecutive rushing plays had moved Pitt from its own 24 to the Syracuse 9. Heintschel finished the drive himself, scoring on a nine-yard quarterback keeper . Pitt covered 76 yards in only four plays and 1:59, restoring a 24-10 advantage . The drive summarized the biggest difference in the game. Syracuse knew Pitt wanted to run, but the Panthers continued creating explosive gains anyway. Damon Ferguson Jr. Reaches 100 Yards Ferguson finished with 102 rushing yards , providing Pitt with its first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Wright added 81 yards as part of a Panthers offense that accumulated 245 rushing yards overall . Heintschel struggled more as a passer, completing 10 of 23 attempts for 123 yards with an interception. But his mobility mattered. Along with his third-quarter touchdown, Heintschel later converted a third-and-9 with a 10-yard run during Pitt's final possession, helping the Panthers drain the remaining time. Syracuse Drives Stall in Second Half The Orange had opportunities to answer Pitt's third-quarter touchdown. Syracuse put together an 11-play possession that reached the Pitt 28. Miller contributed 32 rushing yards on the drive, including a 20-yard gain on third-and-2 . But an eight-yard sack and a delay-of-game penalty pushed Syracuse backward, eventually forcing a punt. The Orange defense answered by forcing another Pitt punt. That gave Syracuse another chance entering the fourth quarter. This time, turnovers ended the threat. Steve Angeli Throws Back-to-Back Interceptions Syracuse reached the Pitt 40 after an 11-yard Miller run. On the next snap, Raion Strader intercepted Angeli at the Pitt 30. The Orange defense forced another punt, quickly giving the offense another opportunity. Three plays later, Pitt took the ball away again. Braylan Lovelace intercepted Angeli's deep pass intended for Daunte Bacheyie, giving the Panthers possession at the Syracuse 41. The two interceptions came on consecutive Syracuse possessions and effectively ended the Orange's comeback attempt. Angeli was then replaced by Amari Odom . Syracuse's official recap credited Angeli with 161 passing yards on 13-of-25 passing , while Odom completed all eight of his attempts. Pitt Turns Second Interception Into Points Pitt converted the second takeaway into the points that effectively secured the victory. Wright picked up a first down on third-and-3 and followed with a 12-yard run. Syracuse's defense eventually stopped the Panthers at the 15, but Chadha connected on a 34-yard field goal to make it 27-10 with 8:16 remaining. Odom then gave Syracuse one final productive drive. The backup quarterback directed the Orange 71 yards on 11 plays , including a 22-yard completion to Darius Johnson. Syracuse reached the Pitt 12 before settling for Barker's 30-yard field goal, producing the final 27-13 score. Pitt Stays Perfect at 3-0 Pitt finished with 368 total yards , with nearly two-thirds of that production coming on the ground. Syracuse actually finished close behind with 347 total yards , including 142 rushing, but the Orange could not consistently turn that production into points. The Panthers instead made better use of their opportunities. They scored three rushing touchdowns, converted Syracuse penalties into extended possessions and took the football away twice in the fourth quarter. The win also came in Pat Narduzzi's school-record 144th game as Pitt's head coach , moving him past Jock Sutherland for the most games coached in program history. Syracuse Enters Bye Week at 1-2 Syracuse now has time to regroup. The Orange enter a bye week before returning on Oct. 3 at UConn , with kickoff scheduled for noon. Pitt remains home and will face Bucknell on Sept. 26 for homecoming. Thursday night's outcome ultimately came down to Pitt's ability to control the ground game and Syracuse's inability to capitalize when the game remained within reach. The Orange recovered from a 17-point deficit to enter halftime down seven, but Pitt immediately answered with a 76-yard touchdown drive. When Syracuse tried to rally again in the fourth, consecutive interceptions ended the threat. Behind Ferguson's 102 rushing yards and a 245-yard team rushing performance, Pitt defeated Syracuse 27-13 to remain undefeated at 3-0 .

No. 1 Nebraska turned defense into complete control Wednesday night, sweeping No. 20 Creighton 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-19) before a record crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers improved to 8-0 and extended their winning streak against their in-state rival to 25 consecutive matches . Nebraska held Creighton to a -.033 hitting percentage and only 17 kills , overcoming its own season-low .202 attack percentage with one of its strongest defensive performances of the year. Andi Jackson led Nebraska with nine kills on .571 hitting and six blocks, while Kenna Cogill delivered eight kills without an attack error after stepping into the lineup for an unavailable Manaia Ogbechie. Nebraska Takes Immediate Control Nebraska wasted little time establishing the direction of the match. The Huskers used a 6-1 run to build a 14-7 advantage midway through the opening set and continued pulling away from there. Seven Nebraska players had already recorded at least one kill by the time the Huskers reached an 11-6 advantage. The statistical difference was significant. Nebraska hit .444 with 15 kills in the opening frame while holding Creighton to -.065 with six kills and eight attack errors . The Huskers also posted an 85.7% sideout rate compared with Creighton's 45.8%. Virginia Adriano supplied the final kill to finish a dominant 25-13 victory . Creighton Challenges Nebraska in Second The Bluejays produced a much stronger response in the second set. Creighton briefly took its first lead of the night during a three-point run, and the teams eventually reached a 9-9 tie . Nebraska's attack, which had been so effective in the opener, suddenly struggled. The Huskers were hitting in negative territory during part of the set and accumulated eight attack errors before the media timeout. Their serving and defense kept the match from turning. Olivia Mauch provided an important push from the service line, and Nebraska finally created separation. After the competitive opening portion of the frame, the Huskers closed the set on a decisive 13-3 run . Harper Murray finished the set with a kill, giving Nebraska a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 match lead. Nebraska Defense Overwhelms Creighton The Huskers did not produce their most efficient offensive match of the season, but they never needed to. Nebraska held Creighton to 17 kills for the entire match . The Huskers finished with 41 themselves while out-digging the Bluejays 47-21 . Creighton's -.033 hitting percentage was particularly notable. According to the source, it was the first time the Bluejays had finished a match with a negative hitting percentage since their 2002 meeting with Nebraska. Both teams recorded nine blocks, but Nebraska consistently converted its defensive work into scoring opportunities. That advantage was enough to compensate for the Huskers' season-high 21 attack errors. Kenna Cogill Delivers in Surprise Opportunity  Nebraska had to make an unexpected lineup adjustment before the match. Ogbechie, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, missed the contest because of illness. Cogill stepped into the lineup and took full advantage of the opportunity. Cogill finished with eight kills on 11 swings without an error , producing a match-best .727 hitting percentage . She also added two blocks. Jackson gave Nebraska another highly efficient performance in the middle, recording a match-high nine kills on .571 hitting with six blocks , including one solo. Together, Jackson and Cogill accounted for 17 kills, matching Creighton's entire team total. Bergen Reilly Records Another Double-Double Setter Bergen Reilly helped Nebraska maintain its balance despite the offensive errors. Reilly finished with 33 assists, 11 digs and three blocks , recording her second consecutive double-double. Mauch and Teraya Sigler also collected 11 digs apiece. Nebraska's back-row production became especially important as the Huskers prevented Creighton from finding sustained offensive momentum. Huskers Pull Away in Third Creighton remained competitive early in the third and produced a four-point run that briefly put Nebraska under pressure. Jackson ended that stretch with a kill before Murray followed with an ace, pushing Nebraska back ahead 8-7 . Creighton tied the score at 8-8. Nebraska then took over. A 5-1 run put the Huskers ahead for good, and another four-point surge stretched the advantage to 17-11 . Mauch was at the service line during the second run, while Murray and Adriano contributed kills. The Bluejays managed to cut the deficit to three on multiple occasions but never completely closed the gap. Cogill eventually converted match point on a quick set from Reilly, giving Nebraska a 25-19 third-set victory and completing the sweep. Record Crowd Watches I-80 Rivalry The matchup also produced a milestone away from the box score. A sellout crowd of 15,405 filled Pinnacle Bank Arena, establishing a Nebraska program record for the largest indoor home crowd. The arena image on page 31 of the source captures the scale of the night, with the Nebraska team lined up on the court in front of packed stands at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska also remained perfect at the venue, improving to 3-0 all-time at Pinnacle Bank Arena . Nebraska Extends Rivalry Dominance Wednesday's victory represented another chapter in Nebraska's control of the series. The Huskers have now defeated Creighton 25 consecutive times , while the sweep was Nebraska's seventh of the season. Creighton fell to 5-5 after entering the match ranked No. 20 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Bluejays received five kills from Ashlyn Paymal, but Nebraska's defense prevented Creighton from developing enough additional offense to threaten the Huskers over three sets. No. 25 North Carolina Comes Next Nebraska now prepares for another ranked opponent. The Cornhuskers will return to the Devaney Center to face No. 25 North Carolina on Friday as part of the Ameritas Players Challenge. Nebraska will enter that matchup undefeated after another defensive statement. The Huskers were not at their offensive best against Creighton, but Jackson and Cogill delivered highly efficient performances, Reilly recorded another double-double, and the defense held a ranked opponent to only 17 kills. In front of 15,405 fans, No. 1 Nebraska defeated No. 20 Creighton 25-13, 25-15, 25-19 to improve to 8-0 and extend its rivalry winning streak to 25 matches.

California found a way through one of its toughest tests of the young season Wednesday night, rallying past UC Davis in a five-set battle to earn a 3-2 victory and extend its winning streak to six matches. The Golden Bears dropped two of the first three sets, including a tense 27-25 third, before forcing a deciding fifth. Cal then erased an early 5-2 deficit in the final set and survived another dramatic finish to win 17-15. The victory improved the Golden Bears to 8-1 , continuing their longest winning streak since 2023. Cari Bohm led Cal with 14 kills , Sophia Johnson collected 19 digs, and the Golden Bears finished with nine service aces. UC Davis' Brooke Hibino led all players with 21 kills. UC Davis Takes the Opening Set UC Davis entered the match with a 3-5 record that did not fully reflect the challenge facing California. The Aggies had already defeated No. 7 Arizona State , recording the highest-ranked victory in program history, and had also beaten a Cal Poly team that received votes in the national rankings. That ability showed immediately against Cal. The opening set featured 10 ties and only one lead change . California remained within a few points throughout the frame, but UC Davis repeatedly prevented the Bears from taking control. The Aggies eventually created enough separation to secure a 25-21 victory and take a 1-0 match lead. Cal Answers With 25-21 Victory The second set followed a similarly competitive pattern, but this time California produced the stronger finish. Neither team created significant separation as the Bears and Aggies remained close throughout the frame. Cal ultimately reversed the opening-set score, winning 25-21 to even the match at one set apiece. That set the stage for an even more dramatic third. UC Davis Survives Marathon Third Set With the match tied, neither side was willing to give away control. The third set reached ties at 22-22, 23-23, 24-24 and 25-25 , creating a series of pressure points with both teams having opportunities to move ahead. UC Davis ultimately won the final two points and escaped with a 27-25 victory . The Aggies now held a 2-1 match advantage, leaving California one lost set away from having its five-match winning streak snapped. Instead, the Golden Bears responded. Golden Bears Force a Fifth Set California shifted momentum in the fourth. For the first time during the match, the Bears finished a set with more kills than UC Davis, holding a 13-6 advantage in kills during the frame. That offensive improvement allowed Cal to force a deciding fifth set. The uploaded source does not provide the final score of the fourth frame, so that score is not included here. What the source does establish is that California entered the fifth having recovered from a 2-1 deficit against an Aggies team that had already demonstrated its ability to defeat nationally ranked opposition. The Bears still had another comeback ahead of them. UC Davis Builds Early Fifth-Set Lead UC Davis opened the deciding frame by taking a 5-2 advantage . For a California team attempting to extend a five-match winning streak, the margin created immediate pressure. Cal began working its way back, eventually setting up a finish in which every point carried match-ending implications. Hibino remained a major problem for the Golden Bears. She finished the night with 21 kills , the highest total by any player on either team. But one of the match's defining moments would come away from an attack. Jen Malcom's Challenge Changes the Fifth Set Late in the fifth, UC Davis appeared to hold a 14-13 advantage , putting the Aggies one point from victory. Cal head coach Jen Malcom challenged the call . The review went California's way. Instead of UC Davis holding match point at 14-13, the ruling changed the score to a 14-13 Cal advantage . It was Malcom's fourth successful challenge of the match. Even then, the match was not finished. UC Davis continued fighting, and the deciding set moved beyond the standard 15-point finish. Cal finally created the two-point margin it needed. Elise Lau Ace Finishes 17-15 Thriller With the Golden Bears one point away from completing the comeback, Elise Lau delivered a service ace to end the match. Cal won the fifth 17-15 , completing its 3-2 victory. The finish capped a match in which California had to recover repeatedly. The Bears lost the opening set, responded in the second, dropped an extended third and then faced an early deficit in the fifth. Each time, Cal found another answer. Cari Bohm Leads Balanced California Effort Bohm finished with a team-high 14 kills , providing the leading offensive total for California. Cal also generated pressure from the service line, finishing with nine aces . Defensively, Johnson anchored the back row with 19 digs . Freshman setter Anna Flores continued an impressive streak of her own. The UC Davis match marked the sixth consecutive contest in which Flores recorded at least 40 assists . Those contributions helped the Golden Bears survive a match in which UC Davis repeatedly put them under pressure. UC Davis Presented Major Test The Aggies entered the week with more momentum than their record suggested. Their victory over then-No. 7 Arizona State came in four sets and represented the highest-ranked win in UC Davis program history . The Aggies recorded 26 blocks in that upset. UC Davis was also picked second in the Mountain West preseason poll after winning the Big West in 2025. The Aggies had also defeated Cal in five sets during the previous season and entered Wednesday with a 9-6 all-time series advantage . This time, the fifth set belonged to the Golden Bears. California Wins Sixth Straight Cal's victory moved the Bears to 8-1 and extended their winning streak to six matches. It is their longest winning run since the 2023 team opened its season with 12 consecutive victories . The latest win required considerably more than a dominant statistical performance. California had to respond to an opening-set loss, survive an extended third, improve offensively in the fourth and erase a three-point deficit in the fifth. The final result provided another example of Cal's ability to win under pressure. Battle of NorCal Comes Next California now turns its attention to another tournament before beginning ACC competition. The Golden Bears are scheduled to compete in the Battle of NorCal , where they will face Sacramento State and San Jose State . They will enter that tournament carrying their longest winning streak in three years. Bohm led the Bears with 14 kills. Johnson finished with 19 digs. Flores extended her 40-assist streak to six matches. Malcom's successful late challenge helped flip a critical fifth-set point, and Lau supplied the match-ending ace. After trailing 2-1 in sets and 5-2 in the fifth, California defeated UC Davis 3-2 to improve to 8-1 and earn its sixth consecutive victory .