Wild Minnesota-Indiana kicker battle leads CFB week 9 winners and losers amid Big Ten QB woes
Kickers deliver from long range
Minnesota took the lead against Indiana with a 60-yard field goal, but Indiana answered with a 60-yarder of its own. The back-to-back kicks highlighted how dependable college kickers have become, compared with an earlier era when even shorter attempts could be uncertain.
The week also ended with a long kick deciding a high-scoring game. Iowa State beat Oklahoma State 51-49 on a 34-yard walk-off field goal, after the teams combined for 1,114 yards and 100 points.
Big Ten quarterbacks face adversity
Several Big Ten teams are dealing with injuries or struggles at quarterback. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with a throwing-arm injury, UCLA is without Nico Iamaleava after a severe knee injury, and Oregon lost Dante Moore for the season after a concussion.
TCU transfer Josh Hoover struggled for a fourth straight game, completing 9 of 19 passes for 119 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Backup Grant Wilson threw for 156 yards and a touchdown, then connected with Charlie Becker for a 25-yard overtime score. The conference race may depend in part on which teams manage their quarterback problems best.
Wake Forest makes a statement
Wake Forest beat Virginia 51-7, pulling away from a team that played for the ACC title last season. The Demon Deacons ran for 309 yards while Virginia managed 16.
Wake Forest scored on its first nine possessions, with six touchdowns and three field goals, before punting with under two minutes left. The performance strengthened its position among the ACC teams chasing Miami.
Big plays and close finishes
Iowa State’s victory over Oklahoma State featured major production from both backfields and passing games. Caleb Hawkins and Aidan Flora combined for 415 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Drew Mestemaker and Jaylen Raynor each threw for more than 300 yards and at least three touchdowns.
Northwestern also produced a long scoring play: Griffin Wilde caught a 64-yard touchdown after the team lined up in an unusual formation. Florida, meanwhile, lost 27-8 to Georgia in Atlanta, where quarterback Philo threw an early interception while falling down.
Another No. 2 falls
For the third week in a row, the nation’s No. 2 team lost. Notre Dame fell at BYU, which then rose to No. 2 before losing at UCF in Week 8.
Georgia was expected to move into second place in the AP poll after the latest results. The Bulldogs’ next game is at No. 12 Ole Miss, and the article urged caution ahead of that matchup.
Key points
- Minnesota and Indiana each made a 60-yard field goal in their game.
- Wake Forest defeated Virginia 51-7 and out-rushed the Cavaliers 309-16.
- Iowa State beat Oklahoma State 51-49 on a 34-yard walk-off field goal.
- Quarterback injuries and uneven play have complicated the Big Ten race.