Texas A&M upsets LSU, Texas outlasts Vandy and more from CFB Week 9

We're in the middle of the college football season and Week 9 action is underway.

Here's a look at Saturday's results:

No. 14 Texas A&M upsets No. 8 LSU and climbs to the top of the SEC

No. 14 Texas A&M came back to beat No. 8 LSU with a 31-point second-half performance, defeating the Tigers 38-23. Aided by a top-notch running game and an overwhelming defense, LSU's initial responses to the Aggies' attempts faded as the contest progressed.

Texas A&M's heartbeat was weak in the first half. With 17 points, the Aggies had fewer than 150 scrimmage yards, scored seven points and turned it over twice before halftime. LSU looked like it did two weeks ago when it beat then-No. 9 Ole Miss on the road.

However, the script changed after halftime when coach Mike Elko inserted freshman quarterback Marcel Reed and benched starter Connor Weigman. From then on, TAMU received a new life.

The home team crossed the pylon on four consecutive drives and forced four turnovers, taking Kyle Field's energy from zero to 10.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw three interceptions for the first time in his career. All five of the Aggies' touchdowns came on the ground, including three by Reed.

Marcel to the house!! @Marcel10Reed

📺ABC#GigEm | #BTHOlsu pic.twitter.com/UAJNP3Sqwx

— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) October 27, 2024

The 15-point win moves TAMU to 5-0 in SEC play and first place in the conference standings. The Tigers fall to 6-2 and, similar to their loss to Southern California on September 1, succumb to the offensive gridlock as the game progresses.

Texas outlasts Vanderbilt to snap its three-game winning streak

No. 5 Texas closed out the party Saturday in Nashville, defeating No. 25 Vanderbilt 27-24. The loss ended the Commodores' three-game winning streak, which came after their victory over then-No. 1 Alabama.

Vanderbilt showed promise early on in the scoring drive, intercepting Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers on the game's first possession and scoring less than three minutes later. However, Texas recovered with aplomb and outscored the Commodores 21-3 at the end of the half.

Vanderbilt still showed signs of life after cutting the Longhorns' lead to 24-17 midway through the third quarter. However, quarterback Diego Pavia's interception in the fourth quarter gave Texas a 10-point lead with five minutes left.

Pavia and the Commodores attempted a comeback after a receiving touchdown with less than a minute to play, but were unable to recover the onside kick.

The Longhorns are now 6-0 and haven't lost since 2022, while Vanderbilt falls to 5-3.

Indiana remains undefeated

Indiana continued its perfect start, defeating Washington 31-17 and improving to 8-0 in front of a loud home crowd. The Hoosiers benefited from early defensive stops and a convincing 67-yard pick-six from D'Angelo Ponds, who skipped a screen pass in the first quarter to give Indiana a 7-0 lead that it never relinquished.

Tayven Jackson, filling in at quarterback, found Omar Cooper Jr. on a 42-yard strike in the second quarter to extend the lead to 14-0. Washington responded with a quick touchdown drive, but Indiana's defense forced crucial stops and held the Huskies to a field goal late in the fourth quarter to maintain their two-point lead.

Judge Ellison led the offense with a touchdown late in the third quarter, capping an eight-play drive in which he was the focal point. The Hoosiers added a touchdown in the fourth quarter after a short run by Jackson, making the score 31-14 and securing the victory. Indiana's balanced attack totaled 318 yards while its defense disrupted Washington's rhythm, recording three sacks and forcing two turnovers.

Indiana's undefeated record remains intact and marches toward a possible appearance in the Big Ten title game.

No. 12 Notre Dame routed No. 24 Navy

One of the most intriguing matchups heading into Week 9 of the college football season was No. 12 Notre Dame against undefeated No. 24 Navy. A fast start by the Irish dashed any hopes of a potential upset on the neutral field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as the Irish defeated the Midshipmen 51-14.

Navy entered the day averaging a whopping 44.8 points per game, ranking third nationally. Notre Dame's defense held Navy's potent offense in check, holding the Midshipmen to just 14 points. The turnovers also proved crucial as the Irish recovered five Navy fumbles on the day to help them win.

Notre Dame's offense also continued to improve since its home loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. Quarterback Riley Leonard had an efficient day both on the ground and through the air, rushing for 83 yards and going 13 of 21 for 173 passing yards and 3 total touchdowns.

Notre Dame looks to continue its winning streak next weekend against a struggling Florida State team in South Bend.

No. 4 Ohio State escapes Nebraska in a thrilling finish

After a tough 1-point loss to Oregon ended its winning streak, Ohio State looked for redemption at home.

However, Nebraska had other plans. With a strong second-half surge, the Huskers turned the Buckeyes' attempt to recover into a dogfight. Still, Ohio State stayed strong and took a 21-17 win.

After Nebraska scored its first touchdown in the fourth quarter to take a 17-14 lead, the Buckeyes responded with a touchdown to take the lead back 21-17.

With time running out, Ohio State University linebacker Arvell Reese was called for targeting, giving Nebraska the ball near midfield and a chance to spoil the Buckeyes' redemption. But Ohio State University cornerback Jordan Hancock secured a game-winning interception with just 1:16 left.

OHIO STATE HOLDS OFF RAIOLA 😱

The @ohiostatefb The defense does it again! 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Su5tQEYDqG

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 26, 2024

This win lifts Ohio State to a 6-1 record and keeps them in the Big Ten and in the national title race. However, with an undefeated Penn State awaiting them next week, the Buckeyes will need to make key adjustments to keep their championship hopes alive.

No. 1 Oregon rolls No. 20 Illinois

No. 1 Oregon has gained a foothold in the Big Ten, edging past No. 20 Illinois at 38-9

The Ducks continue to impress following their one-point win over Ohio State two weeks ago. Dan Lanning's squad sits atop the Big Ten.

Oregon averaged nearly 8 yards per play in the win, including 14.9 yards per completion. The offense ran well overall, including over 200 rushing yards and nearly 300 passing yards.

Dillion Gabriel continued to build on his Heisman credentials today, completing 69% of his passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns and adding a score on the ground.

Illinois (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) faces a tough Minnesota team next week as the Fighting Illini look to stay in the top half of the conference.

Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) will have its toughest matchup next week when it travels to the Big House to face a struggling Michigan team. If Oregon continues to play at this level, we'll watch Gabriel and company compete for a Big Ten championship and national title in the new conference's first year.

Other top 25 results:

No. 3 Penn State remains perfect

• The Nittany Lions are 7-0 this season, defeating Wisconsin 28-13. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar left the game late in the first half, but James Franklin's team overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit without him. The Nittany Lions will face their toughest test of the season next week at home against Ohio State as they look to defeat the Buckeyes for the first time since 2016.

No. 6 Miami (Florida) moves to 8-0 with a win over Florida State

• Miami took care of business against Florida State, winning 36-14 and moving to 8-0 for the first time since 2017. Quarterback Cam Ward and the offense had a great day, scoring a touchdown on seven of their eight drives, including a touchdown. The 22-point win is the team's first seven-point victory since September 21st.

No. 11 BYU takes care of UCF

• BYU improved to 8-0 on the season, defeating UCF 37-24. The win marks the program's best start in eight games since 2020. The Cougars' offense put on a show at home, totaling 480 yards, including 228 passing yards and a season-high 252 rushing yards.

No. 15 Alabama shuts out No. 21 Missouri

• The Crimson Tide got back on track against a Brady Cook-less Tigers offense and defeated Missouri 34-0. Without Cook, who left in the first quarter with an upper-body injury, the Tigers struck out seven times and turned the ball over four times. The loss marks the first time Missouri has been shut out since 2019.