Sports
Tulsa Upset Shakes Up Big 12 Standings Following Season-Opening Weekend
The first full weekend of Big 12 football produced few shocks at the top of the league but plenty of movement elsewhere, highlighted by a stunning upset that has reshaped the conference's power rankings.
Texas Tech and BYU, who met in last year's Big 12 championship game, both delivered dominant performances to open the season, while preseason-ranked Houston survived a tougher-than-expected test. But the headline result came from Stillwater, where Oklahoma State fell to crosstown rival Tulsa for the second consecutive year, this time under new coach Eric Morris despite an offseason overhaul that included a prized transfer quarterback.
Texas Tech remains at the top after a 33-10 win over Abilene Christian. Quarterback Will Hammond, returning from a season-ending knee injury, threw for 298 yards and a touchdown as the Red Raiders piled up 471 total yards while holding the Wildcats to 194. Texas Tech travels to Oregon State on Sept. 12.
BYU holds the No. 2 spot after routing Utah Tech 63-7, building a 56-0 lead before allowing a garbage-time score. The Cougars forced four turnovers and limited Utah Tech to just 184 total yards. BYU has not lost to a non-FBS opponent since 1960. The Cougars host Arizona on Sept. 12.
Houston stayed at No. 3 following a 33-20 win over Oregon State that was closer than anticipated. Quarterback Connor Weigman passed for 305 yards, and Amare Thomas caught eight passes for 133 yards, but the Cougars led by only a touchdown deep into the fourth quarter against a team that went 2-10 last season. Houston hosts Southern on Sept. 12.
Utah remains fourth after a 66-14 blowout of Idaho, the first win of the Morgan Scalley coaching era. The Utes built a 45-7 lead and finished with 633 yards of offense while allowing 255. Utah hosts Arkansas next.
Arizona stayed at No. 5, defeating Northern Arizona 35-7 behind quarterback Noah Fifita's 22-for-29, 262-yard, two-touchdown performance. The Wildcats' defense held the Lumberjacks to 193 total yards. Arizona plays at BYU on Sept. 12.
Arizona State held at No. 6 after a 70-7 win over Morgan State. Quarterback Cutter Boley threw for 387 yards and six touchdowns despite exiting early in the third quarter, setting a school record for a debut performance. The Sun Devils' defense allowed just 188 yards. Arizona State visits Texas A&M next.
Kansas State jumped from ninth to seventh following a 71-3 rout of Nicholls State in new coach Collin Klein's debut. Quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns, and Rodney Fields added 101 rushing yards. The Wildcats host Washington State on Sept. 12.
West Virginia climbed to eighth after edging Coastal Carolina 31-24. Running back Cam Cook, a Jacksonville State transfer, rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns despite the Mountaineers being outgained by their opponent while integrating 88 new players. West Virginia hosts UT-Martin next.
Kansas moved up to ninth with a 51-6 win over Long Island, pulling away after a slow start. Quarterback Isaiah Marshall threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, with Nik McMillan catching six passes for 130 yards. Kansas hosts Missouri on Sept. 11.
Colorado rose to 10th after a dramatic 14-13 win over Georgia Tech. Quarterback Julian Lewis led a late go-ahead drive with 1:40 remaining, and the defense survived a missed 45-yard field goal by Georgia Tech on the final play. Colorado hosts Weber State next.
Cincinnati slipped slightly to 11th despite a 34-15 win over Boston College, its first game in the post-Brendan Sorsby era. The Bearcats rushed for 209 of their 277 total yards, led by Hi'Bran Payne's 71 yards on 11 carries. Cincinnati hosts Western Carolina on Sept. 12.
Central Florida moved to 12th after crushing Bethune-Cookman 73-6, amassing 560 total yards, including 300 rushing yards led by Duke Watson's 110. UCF plays at Pitt next.
Iowa State rose to 13th with a 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri in coach Jimmy Rogers' debut. New quarterback Jaylen Rayner accounted for four touchdowns, two rushing and two passing, as Rogers oversees a roster with 81 newcomers following Matt Campbell's departure for Penn State. Iowa State travels to Iowa on Sept. 12.
Oklahoma State dropped to 14th after its 24-10 loss to Tulsa, a stunning setback for new coach Eric Morris, who brought in quarterback Drew Mestemaker from the transfer portal after Mike Gundy's exit. The Cowboys entered as roughly two-touchdown favorites. They host Oregon next.
TCU fell to a tie for 15th after an idle week following its Aug. 29 season-opening loss to North Carolina, 15-10. Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig struggled in his debut, completing 20 of 32 passes for 175 yards, while Jeremy Payne rushed for 142 yards on 25 carries. TCU hosts Grambling State next.
Baylor also sits at 15th after a heartbreaking 17-16 loss to Auburn. The Bears drove 70 yards in the final minutes, cutting the deficit to one on a five-yard touchdown pass from D.J. Lagway to Gavin Freeman with nine seconds left, but a two-point conversion attempt for the win failed under coach Dave Aranda's decision. Freeman finished with 12 catches for 154 yards. Baylor hosts Prairie View A&M on Sept. 12.