Big Ten teams need to stay away from Appalachian State on September 1st, as the Mountaineers nearly pulled off a major upset 11 years to the day after their last major victory. The 10th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions needed overtime, but survived with an end zone interception to earn a 45-38 win to open their 2018 season. Amani Oruwariye had the game-ending interception after Miles Sanders scored on a four-yard run to begin the extra period.
On September 1st, 2007, the Mountaineers stunned the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines, 34-32, to open the year, and they nearly pulled off a similar upset on the road Saturday. They trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, before rallying to take the lead. The Nittany Lions then scored in the final minute of regulation to force overtime. It would then take less than a minute for Trace McSorely to lead Penn State to a quick lead and the victory.
McSorely threw for 230 yards and ran for two touchdowns, while his one passing touchdown found K.J. Hamler for a 15-yard score with 42 seconds left in the fourth. Sanders took over for Saquon Barkley, who was drafted by the New York Giants, as he ran 19 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns in his first game as the starting tailback.
The Nittany Lions even trailed in the first half, so they needed a late field goal from Jake Pinegar to pull in to a 10-10 tie at halftime.
Appalachian State has to be happy with their performance, led by quarterback Zac Thomas, who was making his first career start and threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for one. Jalin Moore also had a big game with 88 yards on the ground, including the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown in the fourth. Unfortunately, lightning could not strike twice for the Mountaineers, falling short against another top-10 Big Ten team.
Elsewhere, the 23rd-ranked Texas Longhorns could not avoid the upset against the Maryland Terrapins for a second straight season, as they fell on Saturday, 34-29. Tayon Fleet-Davis had the go-ahead 17-yard touchdown run in the final quarter, as the emotional team won it for their teammate, Jordan McNair. The offensive lineman passed away on June 13th due to heat exhaustion, as he was set to compete for a starting spot this season.
The program is under investigation for his death, as he was hospitalized 10 days prior with a temperature of 106 after a workout with the team. That led to Matt Canada being named the interim coach and he earned the victory in his coaching debut. The team took a delay of game penalty to begin the game when they lined up with just 10 men on the field, which Longhorns coach Tom Herman declined.
The Terrapins blew an early 24-7 lead, but went on to force three turnovers in the final 6:09 of the game, which led to them scoring the game's final 10 points. This comes nearly one year after their 51-41 win over the Longhorns last season. Freshman Jeshaun Jones had a big game, running for a score, throwing for one, and catching a 65-yard touchdown pass. Kasim Hill threw for 222 yards in the win for Maryland, who will visit Bowling Green next week. Texas will look to recover when they host Tulsa next Saturday night for their home opener.
On September 1st, 2007, the Mountaineers stunned the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines, 34-32, to open the year, and they nearly pulled off a similar upset on the road Saturday. They trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, before rallying to take the lead. The Nittany Lions then scored in the final minute of regulation to force overtime. It would then take less than a minute for Trace McSorely to lead Penn State to a quick lead and the victory.
McSorely threw for 230 yards and ran for two touchdowns, while his one passing touchdown found K.J. Hamler for a 15-yard score with 42 seconds left in the fourth. Sanders took over for Saquon Barkley, who was drafted by the New York Giants, as he ran 19 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns in his first game as the starting tailback.
The Nittany Lions even trailed in the first half, so they needed a late field goal from Jake Pinegar to pull in to a 10-10 tie at halftime.
Appalachian State has to be happy with their performance, led by quarterback Zac Thomas, who was making his first career start and threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for one. Jalin Moore also had a big game with 88 yards on the ground, including the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown in the fourth. Unfortunately, lightning could not strike twice for the Mountaineers, falling short against another top-10 Big Ten team.
Elsewhere, the 23rd-ranked Texas Longhorns could not avoid the upset against the Maryland Terrapins for a second straight season, as they fell on Saturday, 34-29. Tayon Fleet-Davis had the go-ahead 17-yard touchdown run in the final quarter, as the emotional team won it for their teammate, Jordan McNair. The offensive lineman passed away on June 13th due to heat exhaustion, as he was set to compete for a starting spot this season.
The program is under investigation for his death, as he was hospitalized 10 days prior with a temperature of 106 after a workout with the team. That led to Matt Canada being named the interim coach and he earned the victory in his coaching debut. The team took a delay of game penalty to begin the game when they lined up with just 10 men on the field, which Longhorns coach Tom Herman declined.
The Terrapins blew an early 24-7 lead, but went on to force three turnovers in the final 6:09 of the game, which led to them scoring the game's final 10 points. This comes nearly one year after their 51-41 win over the Longhorns last season. Freshman Jeshaun Jones had a big game, running for a score, throwing for one, and catching a 65-yard touchdown pass. Kasim Hill threw for 222 yards in the win for Maryland, who will visit Bowling Green next week. Texas will look to recover when they host Tulsa next Saturday night for their home opener.
