Week 3 SEC & Big Ten Recap: Alabama Loses; Northwestern Stays Undefeated

SEC

This week in the SEC featured some pivotal conference clashes, as well as six chances for the league to shine in out of conference action.

#15 Ole Miss 43, #2 Alabama 37

For the first time since 1988, the Rebels (3-0, 1-0 SEC) left Bryant-Denny Stadium victorious over the Crimson Tide (2-1, 0-1 SEC). Alabama’s quarterbacks threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, but the offense’s five turnovers led to 24 points for Ole Miss.  QB Chad Kelly threw for 341 yards (18-33, three touchdowns) and WR Cody Core hauled in four receptions for 123 yards and a score. The Rebels victory is the first time in series history that the Tide has lost two straight.

#13 LSU 45, #18 Auburn 21

LSU (2-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at the sold-out Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. LSU had 411 total rush yards, including RB Leonard Fournette’s career-high 228 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries.

Florida 14, Kentucky 9

With a strong defensive performance, the Gators (3-0, 1-0 SEC) continued their win streak over the Wildcats (2-1, 1-1 SEC) in front of a sold-out crowd at Commonwealth Stadium. The Florida defense registered six sacks and two interceptions, including one by DB Quincy Wilson with 33 seconds left to seal the win. The Gators’ 29-game streak is the nation’s longest active winning streak over an opponent.

#7 Georgia 52, South Carolina 20

Georgia (3-0, 2-0 SEC) took an 11-point lead into the intermission against South Carolina (1-2, 0-2 SEC) but it was the third quarter that turned the ball game into a rout. The Bulldogs outscored the Gamecocks 21-0 in the third frame behind two Greyson Lambert touchdown passes and a Nick Chubb touchdown run. For Chubb (159 yards) the game was his 11th straight 100-yard performance, just one shy of Herschel Walker’s school record.

Texas Tech 35, Arkansas 24

In a game that featured more than 900 yards of total offense, the Razorbacks (1-2, 0-0 SEC) fell to the Red Raiders (3-0, 0-0 Big 12). QB Brandon Allen threw for 196 yards (16-21, two touchdowns), while RB Alex Collins added 170 yards and a score on the ground for Arkansas. However, a strong second half by the Raiders proved too much for the Razorbacks.

Missouri (3-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Connecticut, 9-6 (2-1, 0-0 AAC).

Tennessee (2-1, 0-0 SEC) defeated Western Carolina (1-2, 0-0 SoCon) , 55-10.

Vanderbilt 1-2, 0-0 SEC) defeated Austin Peay (0-3, 0-0 OVC), 47-7.

Mississippi State (2-1, 0-0 SEC) defeated Northwestern State (0-3, 0-0 Southland), 62-13.

Texas A&M (3-0, 0-0 SEC) defeated Nevada (1-2, 0-0 MW), 44-27.

Big Ten

The Big Ten had their best week as a conference in 2015, as the league went 9-3 against out-of-conference opponents.

#23 Northwestern 19, Duke 10

With Saturday’s victory against the Blue Devils (2-1, 0-0 ACC), the Wildcats (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) have opened their season with three-straight victories for the third time in the last four years. RB Justin Jackson rushed for 120 yards, while Solomon Vault returned a kick for 98 yards and a touchdown to tip the score in Northwestern’s favor.

Penn State 28, Rutgers 3

The Nittany Lions (2-1, 1-0 Big Ten) rushed for 330 yards and held the Scarlet Knights (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten) to just 43 yards on the ground. RB Saqyon Barkley led the rushing attack with 195 yards and two touchdowns. RB Akeel Lynch added on 120 yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown in the victory.

Miami 36, Nebraska 33 (OT)

After scoring 23 points in the last 8:36 of the game, the Cornhuskers (1-2, 0-0 Big Ten) came back but fell short in overtime to the Hurricanes (3-0, 0-0 ACC). QB Tommy Armstrong finished the game with 309 yards and four touchdowns, but an interception on the first play of overtime would lead to Miami’s winning field goal.

Iowa 27, Pitt 24

For the first time in six seasons, the Hawkeyes (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) begin their season 3-0 after defeating the Panthers (2-1, 0-0 ACC). Iowa K Marshall Koehn was the hero, as the senior nailed both his field goal attempts including a 57-yard game winner as time expired. The kick was the longest in Koehn’s career and the second longest in Hawkeye history.

Virginia Tech 51, Purdue 24

Despite mistakes, the Hokies (2-1, 0-0 ACC) pulled off the victory against the Boilermakers (1-2, 0-0 Big Ten). The Purdue defense was able to force three fumbles, but VT QB Brenden Motley was able to regain his composure and throw for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

North Carolina 48, Illinois 14

The Fighting Illini (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) were defeated by the Tar Heels (2-1, 0-0 ACC) in Chapel Hill this week. Illinois RB Josh Ferguson rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown, but the senior’s valiant effort just wasn’t enough to overcome the offensive onslaught from North Carolina.

#1 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Northern Illinois (2-1, 0-0 MAC), 20-13.

Indiana (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Western Kentucky (2-1, 0-0 CUSA), 38-35.

Maryland (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated USF (1-2, 0-0 AAC), 35-17.

Michigan (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated UNLV (0-3, 0-0 MW), 28-7.

Michigan State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Air Force (2-1, 0-0 MW), 35-21.

Minnesota (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Kent State (1-2, 0-0 MAC), 10-7.

Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Troy, 28-3 (1-2, 0-0 Sun Belt).