Week 2 of the college football season served up a massive treat for fans, as No. 1 Alabama narrowly escaped Texas, 20-19, in a rare matchup between two of the most storied programs in the country.
It marked the 19th consecutive 2-0 start for Alabama, the longest active FBS streak. The Tide are now 11-11 when scoring 20 points or fewer under Nick Saban.
Elsewhere, No. 3 Ohio State made light work of Arkansas State, rolling to a 45-12 win, while No. 19 Wisconsin fell to Washington State at Camp Randall, 17-14. The Sun Belt came away with two huge top-10 road victories, as Marshall took down No. 8 Notre Dame and Appalachian State upset No. 6-ranked Texas A&M.
In the afternoon slate, Iowa State came out on top over in-state foe Iowa, No. 24 Tennessee outlasted No. 17 Pittsburgh in overtime, and Texas Tech fans stormed the field following a 33-30 win over No. 25 Houston in double OT.
In the nightcap, No. 20 Kentucky pulled off an upset win over No. 12 Florida, No. 10 USC cruised past Stanford, and No. 21 BYU topped No. 9 Baylor in double overtime.
Here are the top plays from Saturday’s Week 2 slate.
Go time!
Things started off with a bang in Austin, as the Tide made their way downfield with relative ease.
But the Longhorns’ defense came up with a massive stop on third down, shutting down QB Bryce Young and forcing the Tide to settle for a field goal on their opening drive.
Going, going, gone!
Texas knotted things up with a field goal of its own shortly after, but things didn’t stay that way for long. Alabama RB Jase McClellan broke off for a monster 81-yard score to give the Tide a 10-3 edge.
Jase McClellan breaks off 81-yard rushing TD
Jase McClellan’s 81-yard rushing TD gives Alabama a 10-3 first-quarter lead.
Bombs away
Newly-minted Texas QB Quinn Ewers, a redshirt freshman transfer from Ohio State, showed off his arm strength late in the opening frame, finding wideout Xavier Worthy for a 46-yard gain that put the Longhorns deep in the red zone.
Ewers injured
Ewers took a huge hit on the next play that drew a roughing the passer penalty and left Texas fans holding their breath. After several minutes being attended to on the field, Ewers walked to the sideline and to the locker room under his own power with a towel covering his face.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers goes down awkwardly on his shoulder
Longhorns QB Ewers is helped to the locker room against Alabama after going down awkwardly on his shoulder at the end of the first quarter.
Making it count
Head coach Steve Sarkisian named Ewers the Longhorns’ starter last month over redshirt sophomore Hudson Card, who checked into the game for Ewers on first-and-goal. Card handed the ball off to star RB Bijan Robinson, who did the rest to tie things up at 10.
Bijan Robinson scores on a one-yard rushing TD
Texas and Alabama are tied after Bijan Robinson punched it in from one yard out.
Related: The Business of Bijan: Robinson’s growing stardom is a family affair
Mess with the bull, get the horns
The Longhorns’ defense came up with a huge sack on Young, knocking the reigning Heisman Trophy winner back 11 yards. Texas went on to force three consecutive punts by Alabama in the second quarter.
Under pressure
Card moved the Longhorns’ offense downfield in an effort to take the lead, but not even two pass interference penalties could get it done.
Things remained tied at the break after a missed a 20-yard field goal that left Texas fans stunned.
All gas, no brakes
The Longhorns picked up right where they left off to start the second half, putting pressure on Young and forcing Alabama to punt right out of the gate.
On the following drive, Texas backed up Alabama up to their own 1-yard line, and chaos ensued.
What could have been
What appeared to be a safety and two points for Texas turned into a new set of downs for Alabama, as a questionable roughing the passer and targeting penalty flew in at the end of the play.
After review, the play…
Read More: College football top plays: Alabama escapes Texas; Kentucky tops Florida