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Saturday’s opening weekend left college football fans with everything from jaw-dropping finishes to blowouts that signaled larger season-long questions. A controversial Hail Mary in Ann Arbor and several standout individual performances shaped this week’s list of winners and losers.
Winner: Dante Moore
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Oregon’s offense leaned on its quarterback in a tightly contested opener against Boise State. Dante Moore finished 28-for-37 for 378 yards and three touchdowns in a 34–27 victory, rallying the Ducks when the trenches were being tested. His late-game surge offered an early boost to Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes.
Loser: Michigan, all around
The game in Ann Arbor ended in chaos. With Western Michigan appearing to hold a 12–7 lead, officials halted play, reviewed the clock and awarded Michigan a final chance. The Wolverines converted a Hail Mary — quarterback Bryce Underwood’s pass found tight end JJ Buchanan — for a 13–12 win that will be argued about for a long time.
Beyond the officiating controversy, Michigan’s offense struggled for most of the contest, producing a late, improbable score to salvage the result. The decision by fans to storm the field after the play raises questions about crowd control and sportsmanship following such a contentious finish.
Winner: Malachi Toney
Miami’s receiver Malachi Toney delivered a dominant performance in a 45–6 win over Stanford. He totaled 12 receptions for 234 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Darian Mensah completed 27 of 30 passes for 401 yards and five scores. At 18 and already a prominent college football cover presence, Toney looks like a player to watch.
Loser: Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State fell 24–10 to Tulsa, a result that surprised many after offseason expectations rose for the Cowboys. The team outgained the Golden Hurricane and had fewer penalty yards, but four turnovers — including two interceptions thrown by Drew Mestemaker — proved decisive. Coach Eric Morris now faces a quick turnaround before a matchup with Oregon.
Winner: Mason Heintschel
Pittsburgh’s Mason Heintschel delivered an eye-popping passing display against Miami (Ohio), completing 31 of 41 attempts with seven touchdown passes. Remarkably, each touchdown went to a different receiver. After flashes as a freshman, Heintschel’s performance suggested the Panthers’ passing attack could be a major storyline this season.
Loser: Josh Hoover’s nose
Indiana’s win over North Texas featured an ugly moment when pass-rush pressure visibly injured Hoosiers’ lineman Josh Hoover’s nose — an incident widely covered in the week’s coverage. On the field, however, Hoover helped lead a productive offense: he finished with 231 passing yards and four touchdowns and avoided turnovers in the 52–16 victory. The Hoosiers now prepare for a more modest test next week.
Winner: Army being Army
The Black Knights returned to form in a 59–3 rout of Bryant, piling up an astounding 569 rushing yards — the most by an FBS team in four years. Fourteen different players reached double-digit rushing totals, and slotback Zach Mundell paced the group with 105 yards. Army’s ground game was impossible to stop.
Loser: Rutgers
Rutgers’ season-opening loss to Massachusetts was a sobering result for the Scarlet Knights. UMass outgained and outrushed Rutgers, dominated on first downs and forced four turnovers en route to the upset. With a tough slate ahead, pressure is mounting on coach Greg Schiano and his staff as fans and media voice frustration.
Winners: Matt Campbell’s old team and Matt Campbell’s new team
Both sides in Matt Campbell’s coaching split enjoyed positive starts. Penn State handled Marshall behind Rocco Becht and big plays to wide receiver Koby Howard, who had six catches for 161 yards. Meanwhile, Iowa State, under new coach Jimmy Rogers, posted a 38–10 victory over Southeast Missouri State and will now face a ranked rival in a prime-time test.
Loser: Conference USA
For conferences outside the Power Four, a narrow margin for error exists in the playoff conversation. Conference USA missed a chance to bolster its Group of Six résumé when Liberty fell at James Madison, 20–13. With marquee nonconference opportunities scarce, the league’s path to national relevance this season looks especially steep.
