College Football Today

STARS

Marshall Lobbestael, Washington State, threw for career highs of 361 yards and five TDs in place of injured Jeff Tuel in the Cougars’ 59-7 win over UNLV.

Paul Richardson, Colorado, caught 11 passes for a school-record 284 yards in the Buffaloes’ 36-33 loss to California.

Andrew Luck, Stanford, matched a career high with four TD passes and threw for 290 yards in the No. 6 Cardinal’s 44-14 rout over Duke.

Keith Price, Washington, connected on his first eight passes en route to a career-high 315 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Huskies hold off Hawaii’s late rally for a 40-32 win.

Darron Thomas, Oregon, matched a school record with six touchdown passes to help the No. 13 Ducks bounce back from its season-opening loss to beat Nevada 69-20.

Tyler Bray, Tennessee, threw for a career-high 405 yards, passed for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth score as the Vols cruised to a 45-23 win over Cincinnati.

Geno Smith, West Virginia, threw for 371 yards and four scores and the No. 19 Mountaineers overcame a rough start to beat Norfolk State 55-12.

Steele Jantz, Iowa State, had 279 yards passing and four TDs to lead the Cyclones to a 44-41 triple overtime win over rival Iowa.

Russell Wilson, Wisconsin, threw three TD passes and the No. 8 Badgers overcame a slow start from their running game to beat Oregon State 35-0.

EJ Manuel, Florida State, threw for a career-best 329 yards and four TDs as the No. 5 Seminoles defeated Charleston Southern 62-10.

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KILL HOSPITALIZED

New Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill is listed in stable condition at a Minnesota hospital after suffering a seizure late in the game against New Mexico State, the third time he’s had a seizure on game day.

Kill was taken from TCF Bank Stadium by ambulance Saturday night after collapsing on the sidelines with 20 seconds to go in the game, a frightening scene that silenced the stadium and had players and coaches from both teams kneeling on the field in prayer.

Team doctor Pat Smith said the 88-degree temperature coupled with dehydration might have played a role in the seizure.

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9/11 REMEMBERANCES

A day before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, numerous schools held patriotic ceremonies as fans gathered in the tens of thousands to enjoy a busy day of college football.

The United States Military Academy paid tribute to the victims and heroes of the attacks during halftime of its game against San Diego State. Army cadets passed out American flags to fans before the game, and first responders were among those honored during halftime on “Salute the Heroes Day” at Michie Stadium.

At Washington, Huskies players wore special white helmets with the colors of the American flag within the “W” in their game against Hawaii and defensive lineman Sione Potoa’e led the team onto the field carrying an American flag.

In Ann Arbor, Mich., “God Bless America” was played as a scroll of Michigan graduates who lost their lives on 9/11 was shown on the video boards before the Notre Dame game.

Northwestern paid tribute to the 9/11 attacks by painting the big “N” at midfield and on its helmets red, white and blue instead of the usual purple-and-white color scheme. Flight crews from United and American airlines were on hand, as were members of the Evanston police and fire departments, and a large flag was unfurled on the field before a moment of silence.

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OLD GUY

Alan Moore, a 61-year-old Vietnam veteran and grandfather of five, became the oldest player ever to get in a college football game when he kicked an extra point for NAIA Faulkner in its season-opener.

Moore wore a square-toe shoe and kicked old-school style, not soccer style _ trends that were popular when he first played college football in the late `60s. He gave Faulkner a 25-0 lead early in the second half Saturday en route to a 41-19 win over Ave Maria, located in southwest Florida and playing its first game ever.

Players one-third his age swarmed Moore as he jogged off the field smiling. Gray-bearded and tanned, Moore swapped high-fives and fist bumps with teammates.

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WAR EAGLE ON GLASS

Auburn’s eagle Spirit flew into the glass window of a luxury box during his pre-kickoff flyaround before the Tigers’ game against No. 16 Mississippi State.

Seemingly unharmed, the bird then flew over the stands behind an end zone as fans ducked. Spirit then landed near midfield like always.

Auburn fans tried to keep the traditional “War Eagle” chant going during the longer-than-usual flight.

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NUMBERS

1 _ First downs by Florida Atlantic in a 44-0 loss to No. 17 Michigan State.

11 _ Touchdowns scored by Campbell in a 76-0 rout of Apprentice.

16_ Straight home losses by Western Kentucky after Navy’s 40-14 victory.

63 _ First-half points by Youngstown State in its 77-13 win over Valparaiso.

90 _ Years since Ohio State lost to an instate opponent. The Buckeyes are 43-0-1 since that 7-6 setback to Oberlin after beating Toledo 27-22.

150 _ Receptions by B.J. Cunningham, making him Michigan State’s career leader.

200 _ Wins by Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore after the Mountaineers routed North Carolina A&T 58-6.

200 _ Wins by coach Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech after the Hokies beat East Carolina 17-10.

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OHIO STATE VIOLATIONS

Ohio State must answer several questions from the NCAA before three players suspended for accepting $200 in cash at a charity event are allowed to return to the team.

Athletic Director Gene Smith says he did not know if the three _ starting tailback Jordan Hall, cornerback Travis Howard and backup safety Corey “Pittsburgh” Brown _ would be cleared to play at Miami on Sept. 17.

Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell said earlier this week the three would be available to play against Toledo. But the university and NCAA issued statements on Friday saying the players had not been reinstated.

Smith said it was a misunderstanding.

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RICE’S WIN

Rice ended its 10-year losing streak against Bowl Championship Series teams with a 24-22 victory over Purdue after Justin Allen blocked Carson Wiggs’ 31-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.

The Owls (1-1) had lost 22 consecutive games to BCS opponents since a 15-13 win over Duke on Sept. 8, 2001. Rice had not beaten a Big Ten team since a 40-34 win at Northwestern in 1997.

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HOWARD HONORED

Desmond Howard was brought to tears when he was honored as the first “Michigan Football Legend” in a ceremony before the game against Notre Dame.

Calling it an honor “I will cherish every day of my life,” Howard will also be the first Wolverines player featured in a new display at Schembechler Hall. Wide receiver Junior Hemingway’s lockers _ and those who wear No. 21 in the future _ at Schembechler Hall and Michigan Stadium will also be customized to reflect that Howard has been recognized as a “Michigan Football Legend.”

Howard won the 1991 Heisman Trophy, sparked by a diving touchdown catch against Notre Dame in a sensational season he capped by striking the Heisman pose after scoring on a punt return against Ohio State. He is a College Football Hall of Famer and an ESPN analyst.

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ROCKIN’ BIG HOUSE

The first prime-time game at Michigan Stadium lived up to the hype, as quarterback Denard Robinson led the Wolverines to a thrilling 35-31 win over Notre Dame.

Robinson threw a 16-yard TD pass to Roy Roundtree with 2 seconds left. That score came 70 seconds after Robinson’s 21-yard pass to Vincent Smith gave Michigan its first lead of the game.

Notre Dame answered, as Tommy Rees threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Theo Riddick with 30 seconds left. But the Fighting Irish then left Jeremy Gallon wide open on a pass that let Michigan go from its 20 to the Notre Dame 16.

Michigan has now taken three straight from Notre Dame for the first time since 1908.

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BAKER BENCHED

LSU starting linebacker Ryan Baker was benched for the home opener against Northwestern State because of a violation of team rules.

LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette didn’t disclose what Baker did, but said his actions were exclusively a team violation that have nothing to do with NCAA rules. His benching is not expected to last more than one game.

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CARTER STILL OUT

Alabama wide receiver Duron Carter did not travel with the second-ranked Crimson Tide team for its game at No. 23 Penn State and has still not been cleared to play.

Alabama announced that it is still “awaiting documents necessary for Carter to be certified.”

The junior college transfer and son of former NFL star Cris Carter has been practicing with the team since Aug. 29. The school says he can continue to practice “until those documents are received.”

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PATERNO BOXED

Penn State coach Joe Paterno coached No. 23 Penn State against No. 3 Alabama from the Beaver Stadium press box.

The 84-year-old coach is recovering from injuries to his right shoulder and pelvis sustained during an accidental hit in practice Aug. 7.

Paterno said he was feeling better earlier this week and was optimistic he would return to the sideline for the Crimson Tide. He also said he was still in some pain.