College football night recap: Miami and Fresno State win, USC rallies

Saturday night's college football results featured late defensive scores, long touchdown runs and several games settled by a single possession. USC erased an 11-point deficit against Washington, Louisiana won on the final play and Texas Tech's four interceptions overcame an early Colorado lead.

USC beat Washington 25–21 after Elijah Newby forced a fumble and Jahkeem Stewart returned it for the go-ahead touchdown. Texas Tech beat Colorado 29–7 behind three Stone Harrington field goals, John Curry's interception touchdown and Quinten Joyner's late scoring run. Both winners turned tight games into victories with decisive fourth-quarter defensive plays that directly changed the scoreboard.

The largest offensive totals came in LSU’s 63–14 win over McNeese, with 731 yards, and Oregon State’s 56–26 win over Colorado State, with 727. Sam Leavitt threw three touchdowns for LSU; Braden Atkinson threw five for Oregon State. Indiana beat Rutgers 47–15 with 204 rushing yards from Turbo Richard and four Josh Hoover touchdown passes.

Several finishes demanded a final stop or kick. Tony Sterner ended Louisiana’s 23–20 win over Arkansas State with a 37-yard field goal after a drive from the Cajuns' own seven. UTSA held off Rice 16–14 despite going scoreless after halftime. Louisiana Tech beat Army 31–29 after Army's late touchdown left its onside kick as the final chance to recover possession.

Temple beat South Florida 17–13 on Evan Sheppard's touchdown run to finish a 96-yard drive. BYU won at TCU 17–10 with Bear Bachmeier rushing for both touchdowns. Georgia Southern beat Coastal Carolina 31–24 behind Max Johnson's two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.

Texas A&M beat Arkansas 34–7, pairing rushing touchdowns with a defense that allowed just one score. Boise State beat Utah State 37–18 as Dylan Riley and Maddux Madsen supplied two touchdowns each. South Alabama beat UL Monroe 52–35 with 321 passing yards from Jared Hollins and two long touchdown catches by Anthony Eager.

Three recaps complete earlier results alongside the night games: Missouri beat Florida 45–17 behind Jamal Roberts' 211 rushing yards; James Madison beat Marshall 45–17 with 206 from George Pettaway; and Toledo beat Ball State 39–24 as two Rockets surpassed 100 rushing yards. Florida Atlantic beat Texas Southern 66–10, with Leonard Farrow returning two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Miami beat Clemson 41–13 in the next confirmed final. Darian Mensah threw an opening-play touchdown to Cooper Barkate and Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for two scores. Miami improved to 5–0 overall and 3–0 in the ACC.

Fresno State beat Washington State 26–6 in the next confirmed final. Manaki Watanabe kicked four field goals, and the Bulldogs scored all 20 second-half points while holding the Cougars without a touchdown.

All four games carried from the West close are now final, and the Saturday night recap board is complete.

Baylor routed Arizona State 55–19 behind DJ Lagway's career-high four touchdown passes and an eleven-yard rushing touchdown. Ryelan Morris and Caden Knighten added long rushing scores, and Baylor's 21-point third quarter broke open an eleven-point halftime lead.

San Diego State rallied past Texas State 31–29 after trailing 17–3 at halftime. Jaylon Hawkins returned the second-half kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, freshman Josiah Lucas ran for two scores, and Cameron Cooper's 32-yard interception return supplied the deciding touchdown.

Arizona handed Cincinnati its first loss, 34–7, holding the Bearcats to 74 rushing yards. Noah Fifita accounted for three touchdowns despite the Wildcats losing three receivers during the game; their future availability remains unconfirmed.

San José State held off Hawaii 20–16 to retain the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy. Luke Weaver threw two touchdowns, and Caleb Womack's late interception set up a drive with two fourth-down conversions and Trajan Sinatra's final field goal.