NCAA Football News

College football is back! With a full slate of games this Labor Day weekend, football fans around the nation were treated to a weekend full of upsets, fantastic plays, and plenty of news.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from this first official week of college football.

Pair Of Top Five Teams Battle In Opening Weekend

One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the weekend featured a pair of top-five teams as the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs took on the No. 3 Clemson Tigers. In what turned into a matchup of defensive giants, the Bulldogs prevailed with a 10-3 victory.

In the win, neither offense scored. Rather, both special teams had a field goal while the lone touchdown was an interception that was returned for a 74-yard touchdown by Christopher Smith of Georgia.

Not only was Georgia’s defense able to get the big interception, but they also smothered Clemson’s quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei to the tune of seven sacks.

Obviously, both offenses will need to find their rhythm, but Georgia’s defense showed that they should be feared, and they definitely made a statement in Week 1.

Hefley Sets Impressive Record

To say Ren Hefley of Presbyterian College was feeling it this weekend would be a bit of an understatement.
Hefley was able to lead the Blue Hose to an 84-43 victory of St. Andrews in large part to a whopping 10 touchdowns thrown by Hefley in the game, a new FCS record.

Hefley, a transfer from Michigan, went 38 for 50 for 538 yards, 10 touchdowns, and no interceptions. That was good for a quarterback rating of 232.4. He also had four rushes for 32 yards.

The craziest thing is that Hefley did not even play most of the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Tyler Huff came in and threw for 63 yards and another two scores.

On the day, nine different receivers caught a touchdown, with Jalyn Witcher (five receptions, 156 yards, three touchdowns) and Matthew Rivera (eight receptions, 137 yards, two touchdowns) leading the way.

Thibodeaux Leaves With Ankle Injury

One of the best defensive players in the nation, and a possible top pick in next year’s NFL draft, Kayvon Thibodeaux was forced to leave Oregon’s 31-24 win over Fresno with an ankle injury.

Thibodeaux left the game with an injury in the second quarter. While he tried to return, he ultimately ended up on the sideline for the entire second half.

Even in his limited time, he still had two tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. With Thibodeaux being the heart of the Ducks’ defense, Oregon is hoping that he can return quickly as they face No. 4 Ohio State next week.

Michigan Loses Major Playmaker

Oregon was not the only team that lost a star this weekend. Michigan’s top receiver, Ronnie Bell, was forced to leave their win over Western Michigan with an apparent leg injury.

The injury occurred on a punt return, one in which Bell had returned for 31 yards. Earlier in the game, Bell made a phenomenal play on a 76-yard touchdowns reception.

Of all returning wide receivers from last year, Bell was the most productive. In 2020, he had 26 receptions for 401 yards and a touchdown.

Obviously, there is a lot of second-guessing of head coach Jim Harbaugh as to why he was in on special teams, but for now, the attention is on Bell and his leg injury.

Ohio State Freshman QB Cashes In

Without even touching the field for the Buckeyes yet, freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers has already made out really well as an Ohio State quarterback. According to Darren Rovell of Action Sports, Ewers has signed with GT Sports Marketing to a mega NIL contract.

The deal will pay him approximately $1.4 million in an agreement that covers three years.

Leaving high school early so that he could get started with the Buckeyes, Ewers’ deal has made plenty of waves for someone that hasn’t even touched the field yet.

While coach Ryan Day has indicated that Ewers has a lot of work to do to get on the field, he will at least be able to put in that work with a little bit of a heavier wallet.