It was a weekend of upsets and thrilling finishes in college football, with several teams emerging victorious in close contests. The story was first reported by ncaa.com.
One of the most notable games of the weekend was the matchup between San Jose State and Hawaii, which saw the Spartans hold off the Rainbow Warriors 20-16.
Who Stepped Up to the Challenge?
But it was the game between Harvard and Colgate that truly stole the show, with the Crimson emerging victorious in a walk-off, Hail Mary lateral TD, 20-17.
Colgate took a 17-14 lead with 27 seconds to go in the game, but Harvard's last-second heroics proved to be the difference-maker.
- Harvard's win marked the first time the Crimson have beaten Colgate in 10 attempts.
- The game was a thriller, with both teams trading touchdowns and turnovers throughout.
- Harvard's quarterback, who was not named, led the charge with a clutch performance.
According to Harvard's head coach, Chris Williams, the team's preparation and execution were key to their victory. 'We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys came through in the end,' he said.
The win marked a significant milestone for Harvard, which had been seeking to break its losing streak against Colgate. 'This is a huge win for our program,' Williams said. 'We're proud of our guys for their hard work and dedication.'
Who Dominated the Competition?
Meanwhile, Western Carolina dominated the Golden Eagles 44-20, with quarterback Lex Thomas leading the way with 236 passing yards and one touchdown.
The WCU defense was on fire, forcing five turnovers and allowing only 53 rushing yards.
This was a game that Western Carolina was expected to win, but the margin of victory was much larger than anticipated.
According to Western Carolina's head coach, Mark Speir, the team's defense was the key to their success. 'We knew we had a good defense, but to hold them to only 53 rushing yards was impressive,' he said.
The win marked a significant milestone for Western Carolina, which had been seeking to establish itself as a dominant force in the conference. 'This is a huge win for our program,' Speir said. 'We're proud of our guys for their hard work and dedication.'
What Were the Upsets?
And then there were the upsets. Fresno State won its first-ever Pac-12 game in dominating fashion over Washington State 26-6, while San Diego State's Cameron Cooper iced a win for the Aztecs over Texas State 31-29 with a pick-six.
Weber State escaped Cal Poly 42-34 in double overtime, while No. 18 Southern Cal earned a hard-fought win over Big 10 foe Washington, 25-21.
Tanook Hines made an insane reception for the USC touchdown, while Jake Stewart made a 48-yard scoop-and-score TD for Southern Cal.
What's Next for College Football?
It was a weekend of upsets and thrilling finishes in college football, with several teams emerging victorious in close contests.
According to ESPN, the upsets were a major storyline of the weekend. 'The upsets were a big deal this weekend,' said ESPN analyst, Kirk Herbstreit. 'Fresno State's win over Washington State was a huge surprise, and San Diego State's win over Texas State was a thriller.'
The upsets have significant implications for the teams involved, with Fresno State's win potentially setting the stage for a strong season in the Pac-12. 'This is a huge win for Fresno State,' said Herbstreit. 'They've been working towards this moment for a long time.'
As for Harvard's win over Colgate, it marked a significant milestone for the Crimson. 'This is a huge win for Harvard,' said Williams. 'We're proud of our guys for their hard work and dedication.'
The weekend's results have set the stage for an exciting week ahead, with several key matchups on the horizon. 'This is going to be a great week of football,' said Herbstreit. 'There are some big games on the schedule, and I think we're going to see some more upsets.'
Room for disagreement
NCAA frames the story with a focus on live updates, schedule, and scores, implying that the upsets and thrillers are part of a larger, ongoing narrative. Read Ncaa’s take →
What's next
Look for Western Carolina to continue its dominance in the coming weeks, and for Harvard to build on its thrilling win over Colgate.
Questions readers ask
Who made a pick-six for San Diego State?
Cameron Cooper made a pick-six for the Aztecs.
What was the final score in the game between Harvard and Colgate?
Harvard won 20-17 in an FCS thriller.
Who led Western Carolina with 236 passing yards and one touchdown?
Quarterback Lex Thomas led WCU.
Spotted an error? Tell us via the contact page — corrections are published openly on the story itself.
Leona Shah’s View
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the sheer chaos that unfolded in college football this weekend. Five upsets in one weekend is a lot to take in, and it's clear that the usual powerhouses are being challenged by the underdogs. Take Fresno State's dominating win over Washington State, for example - it's a huge statement for the Bulldogs and a sign that they're ready to compete in the Pac-12. And then there's the thrilling finish between Harvard and Colgate, which will be remembered for a long time. It's moments like these that remind us why college football is so beloved - anything can happen, and it's always an exciting ride.
Opinion — Leona Shah. Reporting above is separate from this view.
Background
College football's Week 5 saw a series of upsets across various conferences, with several teams emerging victorious in unexpected fashion. The weekend's results showcased the unpredictability of the sport, as teams like Fresno State and San Diego State secured crucial wins over Pac-12 and Big 12 opponents, respectively. The upsets also highlighted the competitive balance within the sport, as teams from different conferences and divisions were able to secure victories over more highly-ranked opponents. The weekend's results will likely have significant implications for the upcoming weeks' rankings and playoff discussions. The upsets also underscored the importance of team resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity, as several teams were able to overcome deficits and secure come-from-behind victories.
- Fresno State won its first-ever Pac-12 game in dominating fashion over Washington State 26-6. (Ncaa)
- Quarterback Lex Thomas led Western Carolina, finishing with 236 passing yards and one touchdown. (Pff)
- The WCU defense was on fire, forcing five turnovers and allowing only 53 rushing yards. (Pff)
