SEC Football Roundup: Week 2 brings nail-biters and upsets
Another beautiful Saturday of SEC football is behind us – and it was a good one. Let’s talk about the upsets, thrillers and smackdowns.
Alabama State at No. 25 Auburn
Shutout alert! Since their 60-10 win last weekend wasn’t a big enough beatdown, Auburn came with even more heat yesterday afternoon to crush Alabama State 62-0.
And yes, Alabama State is an FCS program.
Georgia transfer Demetris Robertson scored three touchdowns in the game. Freshman Jarquez Hunter got in on the fun, too. Hunter set an Auburn record with a 94-yard, kick-six run. The Tigers seem to really like those.
South Carolina at East Carolina
This one was more exciting. South Carolina found itself in a two-touchdown deficit before halftime after an onslaught of penalties and turnovers. A pick-six from Damani Staley right before the half gave some life to the team, and the Gamecocks would go on to win 20-17.
The Gamecocks turned the ball over three times in their first five drives, but some impressive running from freshman Juju McDowell in the final minutes kept the hope alive. After the win, first-year coach Shane Beamer is now the first South Carolina head coach to start his career 2-0 in 39 seasons.
Pittsburgh at Tennessee
We can officially confirm Tennessee is not back. The Vols are now 1-1 on the season after they lost 41-34 to Pittsburgh at home yesterday afternoon. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The Panther defense also collected five sacks, recovered two fumbles, and snagged an interception.
No good news for Vols fans out of this one. Not only did they lose the game, but they also lost starting quarterback Joe Milton. Milton went down with a lower leg injury early in the second quarter and did not return.
No. 13 Florida at USF
The Gators are now 2-0 after a convincing 44-20 win over South Florida yesterday afternoon.
There is a bit of controversy around the Swamp over the starting quarterback position, as many feel that backup Anthony Richardson has been outplaying starter Emory Jones.
Yesterday, Richardson and Jones threw for 152 and 151 yards respectively, but Richardson had two touchdown passes as opposed to Jones’ one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
Oh, and Richardson did this.
UAB at No. 2 Georgia
The Bulldogs continue to impress after a 56-7 win over UAB last night.
Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett got the start after JT Daniels suffered an oblique injury at some point this week. Though it’s not believed to be serious, the Bulldogs were taking no chances.
It turned out to be okay though because Bennett was great. The senior completed his first six passes and tied a school record with five touchdown passes in the first half.
No. 5 Texas A&M at Colorado
The Aggies are still perfect too after they squeaked by Colorado 10-7 last night in Denver. Despite a rough start, sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada went 18/38 for 183 yards and one touchdown. Calzada fumbled in the end zone earlier in the game but made up for it with his game-winning touchdown late in the fourth.
Calzada entered the game after starter Haynes King went down early in the first quarter with a lower right leg injury. Eight of the A&M’s first nine drives were three-and-outs.
Mercer at No. 1 Alabama
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young went 19/27 for 227 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide rolled over Mercer 48-14 in Tuscaloosa last night.
‘Bama found the board first with a punt block in the first quarter to start things off. Though they don’t have a feature running back like previous years, the Tide racked up 158 rushing and 266 receiving yards.
Despite the win, many Tide fans are concerned with sloppy play. Penalties and dropped passes added up throughout the match, leaving Nick Saban less than happy.
No. 15 Texas at Arkansas
Welcome to the SEC, Texas! Unranked Arkansas manhandled the Longhorns last night 40-21 at home last night to remain perfect on the season.
This was a full-on beatdown. The Razorbacks led 16-0 at halftime after Texas punted on six of their first seven drives. Arkansas punted only twice the whole game. Every other Razorback series resulted in a score (minus one interception).
The two are old-time rivals from the now-extinct Southwest Conference, but have only played six times since Arkansas left the conference after the 1991 season. We smell a rivalry renewal here.
North Carolina State at Mississippi State
Bulldog fans have to like this game better than last weekend. Sophomore Lideatrick Griffin took the opening kickoff to the house for a 100-yard touchdown as Mississippi State thumped North Carolina State 24-10.
MSU looked good on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Will Rogers went 33/49 for 294 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldog defense held the Wolfpack to just 4.5 yards per play, forced two fumbles and racked up four sacks.
Austin Peay at No. 20 Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin liked this one. Coming off a dominant win over Louisville on Monday, the No. 20 Rebels rolled over Austin Peay 54-17 in Oxford last night, leaving them 2-0 on the season.
Starting quarterback Matt Corral went 21/33 for 281 yards and five touchdowns. The Rebels also racked up an impressive 336 rushing yards in the win, while holding Austin Peay to only 114.
McNeese State at LSU
The LSU Tigers have their first win of the season after a 34-7 victory over McNeese State last night. But it still wasn’t pretty.
The Tiger offense had just 262 yards of total offense through the first three quarters, but was able to put 10 on the board and pull away in the fourth. Sophomore quarterback Max Johnson threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns.
The LSU defense was much better this weekend. They allowed only one McNeese State touchdown, held the Cowboys to just 51 rushing yards and recorded eight sacks.
Vanderbilt at Colorado State
Vanderbilt finally won a game! After an 11-game losing streak, the Commodores narrowly defeated Colorado State 24-21 last night.
Quarterback Ken Seals threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, as well as one rushing. The Rams tied things with three minutes remaining, but a last-second field goal from Joseph Bulovas sealed the Vandy win – their first since 2019.
Missouri at Kentucky
Best for last as usual. Chris Rodriguez exploded for a career-high 206 yards and three rushing touchdowns as the ‘Cats defeated Mizzou 35-28 in Lexington.
Rodriguez gave the ‘Cats the lead back after Mizzou managed to tie things up early in the fourth. Wan’Dale Robinson and Kavosiey Smoke added 73 and 39 rushing yards respectively.
Levis ended the game 10/18 with 179 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Another thing – this guy is not afraid of a little contact. He’s big and he knows it.
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