WASHINGTON — Yes, there are blowouts in college football. I’ve happened to watch Maryland paste each of its first two home foes by an average score of 51-10 … and both games haven’t even been that close.
But on an autumn Saturday, seasons are often made — or broken — on crazy plays and last-minute miracles.
Witness No. 25 Georgia salvaging its SEC East hopes with a 47-yard TD pass with 10 seconds left … only to cough up a 43 yard TD pass to No. 11 Tennessee on the game’s final play. Witness No. 12 Florida State fall on a last-minute field goal to North Carolina — at home. Witness No. 18 Utah stumbling to Cal after being stuffed at the one-yard line on the game’s last play. Witness No. 3 Louisville rallying from 18 down at Clemson … only to lose an eight-point fourth quarter lead.
Once again, thanks to LSU and Les Miles for having their last-second heartbreak one weekend before I decide to write about that topic. In the unforgiving college football world where one loss can make or break a season as well as a Heisman campaign and coaching career … these nail-biters never go away. Trust me, just as there are still people chatting about Herschel Walker running over Bill Bates in 1980 on the way to the end zone, this year’s Vols-Bulldogs fantastic (or furious, depending on your loyalties) finish will live on for some time.
Maryland (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) began Big Ten play with a 50-7 rout of Purdue. The Terps dodged an early bullet when the Boilermakers missed a 35-yard field goal following a Perry Hills interception … and proceeded to play so well that now instead of the “can they make a bowl” conversation, we have the “which bowl would they go to” talk. Because sad-sack Rutgers, always-suspect Indiana and suddenly slumping Michigan State (0-2 in the Big Ten) remain on the slate.
- Terrapin Triumphs: The running game gained 400 (Yes! — 400!) yards on the ground as sophomore Ty Johnson had gains of 48, 56 and 77 yards. The defense sacked David Blough six times and held the Boilermakers to 6-20 on third down.
- Terrapin Troubles: 11 penalties for 92 yards is not ideal. And while Perry Hills threw two touchdown passes while running for another, the senior was sacked four times and threw an interception.
Next: 12 p.m. Saturday at 3-2 Penn State.
Virginia (2-3, 1-0 ACC) vanquished four years of road struggles with their first win away from Charlottesville since November 2012, defeating Duke 34-20. And there’s more: UVa, by being in the Coastal Division, doesn’t have to play Clemson or Florida State this fall. Time for the downer: They do face Louisville.
- Cavalier Congrats: Kurt Benkert threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns as the offense converted 11 of 21 third down attempts. Juan Thornhill and Bryce Hall each noted two interceptions as Quin Blanding added an INT as well. By the way, Micah Kiser tallied 18 tackles.
- Cavalier Concerns: Not accounting for the two sacks allowed, the running game averaged just a whisker over 3 yards a carry. With the presence of Taquan Mizzell and Albert Reid, you’d hope for a little more productivity. But honestly — after snapping and 18 game road losing streak, concerns take a major back seat.
Next: Oct. 15 against 3-2 Pitt.
Navy (3-1, 2-0 AAC) went outside the conference to Colorado Springs and was ambushed by Air Force 28-14. Something about the mountain air? The Mids have won 10 of the last 14 games in the series, but have dropped three of the last four on the Falcons’ home field.
- Midshipmen Medals: Will Worth throws for a career-high 260 yards. Micah Thomas leads the defense with 11 tackles. The offense converts on three of five fourth downs.
- Midshipmen Miscues: How did they get to fourth down? By converting just 5-15 third downs. Chris High was held to a season-low 32 yards rushing (2.9 yards per carry). The offense also turned the ball over three times while the D had issues getting off the field (Air Force converted 50 percent of their third downs).
Next: Saturday against No. 6 Houston (5-0).
