Around the NCAA: Week 12
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 14, 2022
Seminoles Juice Orange
In a dramatic finish, Syracuse scored with just 2 minutes to play, with a 44 yard strike from Cornell Washington to Mahlik Thornton drawing the Orange to within 2 points of Florida State. However, the Seminoles stuffed a Washington keeper on the 2-point try and hung on to seal a 34-32 victory over the Orange to imporove to 7-3.
Backup QB Lyles Leads Clemson to Dramatic Win
With Clemson star QB Will Alford knocked out of the contest after the opening drive, backup Kurt Lyles dramatically deputized for the Tigers, throwoing for 4 straight touchdowns in the second half (3 in the fourth quarter) to erase a 17-7 deficit and lead Clemson to a 35-25 victory over Louisville. Lyles manufactured big plays but struggled on accuracy, completing just 11-of-28 passes but throwing for 218 yards and the 4 scores against 1 interception. Alford's injury is not expected to force him to miss any more game time.
Boomer Sooner Outruns Cyclones
Defending champion Oklahoma turned their contest with Iowa State into a track meet, and the Sooners outscored the Cyclones en route to a 45-31 victory. Sooner signal caller Taylor Savage threw for 249 yards and 4 TD passes, outduelling Cyclone super senior Michael Robinson who totalled 260 yards and 3 scores in the losing effort.
Cowboys Wrangle Longhorns in Double Overtime
Antoine Byrne-Horton ran for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys edged out Texas, 41-38, in double overtime at Boone-Pickens Stadium. Dual threat Jovanni Perry kept Texas in it until the end, totalling 207 yards passing and 112 rushing and 3 total TDs in the loss.
Reese Runs Over Tulsa
Acey Reese kept the spotlight on Cincinnati with another stunning performance, as the senior QB passed for 178 yards and 3 scores while rushing for 171 yards and a TD to lead the Bearcats to a 45-17 win over Tulsa. Despite the injury absence of star HB Andre Cantrell, Reese was a one man wrecking crew, single handedly pushing the Bearcats to a 9-0 record.
Williams Putting in Work, Leads Heisman Race
Another stellar performance from Alabama junior HB Dareion Williams Jr. saw him finish with 215 yards and 5 TDs on just 25 carries, leading Alabama past Mississippi State, 52-23. The junior powerhouse is up to 1458 yards rushing and 19 total scores on the season, topping the projected Heisman race over Penn State QB Marques Gordon and Ball State HB Justin Martin.
Notable Matchups in Week Thirteen
Appalachian State (6-3) @ #16 Lousiana (8-1)
Ole Miss (5-4) @ #10 South Carolina (9-1)
Indiana (7-3) @ #7 Ohio State (9-1)
#22 Nebraska (8-2) @ #4 Penn State (9-1) --
College Gameday Game of the Week
BYU (8-2) @ #19 Notre Dame (6-3)
#6 Alabama (9-1) @ #15 Florida (7-3)
Texas A&M (6-4) @ #1 LSU (10-0)
#2 Pitt (10-0) @ Syracuse (6-4)
#5 Clemson (9-1) @ NC State (5-5)
#8 Oklahoma (9-1) @ Kansas State (7-3)
Oregon State (7-3) @ #9 Washington (9-1)