Week 9 // 2023
Week 9
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “There is nothing like blocking for your brother on the game winning touchdown.” -- Wisconsin tight end Hayden Rucci said of his teammate and younger brother Nolan Rucci’s late TD to secure the 25-21 comeback against Illinois
TEAM OF THE WEEK
VIRGINIA
Chapel Hill was the site of the week’s biggest upset after Virginia defeated No. 10 North Carolina, 31-27, to earn its first road win over a Top 10 team in program history and its first win against a Top 10 team since 2005.
T E A M T O W AT C H
OHIO STATE In a pivotal Big Ten matchup, No. 3 Ohio State defeated No. 7 Penn State, 20-12, behind All-American Marvin Harrison Jr., who had 11 catches for 162 yards and a late touchdown to secure a Buckeyes win. The Nittany Lions are now No. 10 in the latest AP Poll. Kyle McCord also showed out for the Buckeyes offense with 22-for-35 passing for 286 yards, one touchdown and a personal season-high 367 total yards. Running back Miyan Williams had 24 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Buckeyes on the ground. A decisive Ohio State defense held Penn State to 240 total offensive yards, didn’t allow them into the endzone until 29 seconds left in the game and sacked the Nittany Lions four times. Tommy Eichenberg led the defensive line with eight tackles.
Cavaliers running back Mike Hollins accounted for three touchdowns, two back-to-back in the first quarter and his final late in the third to bring Virginia within 24-21. After North Carolina broke a 24-24 tie with a field goal, Virginia scored the game-winner with a touchdown pass by Tony Muskett to Malik Washington, who recorded 12 receptions for 115 yards. Linebacker James Jackson sealed North Carolina’s fate with an interception of Tar Heels star quarterback Drake Maye, who took a hit from Paul Akere on the game’s final play. Virginia gears up for another road conference game at Miami on Saturday, October 28, at 12:30 p.m. PHX on ACC Network.
On deck for Ohio State is a road game at Big Ten West leader Wisconsin on Saturday, October 28, at 4:30 p.m. PHX on NBC.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
Week 9
GAMES OF THE WEEK #6 OKLAHOMA AT KANSAS 10.28 // 9 AM // FOX
#1 GEORGIA VS FLORIDA
AP WEEK 9 RANKINGS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Georgia Michigan Ohio State Florida State Washington
6. Oklahoma 7. Texas 8. Oregon 9. Alabama 10. Penn State
For the full AP Top 25 Rankings, click here.
10.28 // 12:30 PM // CBS
#20 DUKE AT #18 LOUISVILLE
GAME OF THE WEEK
10.28 // 12:30 PM // ESPN
#19 AIR FORCE AT COLORADO STATE 10.28 // 4 PM // CBS
#11 OREGON STATE AT ARIZONA
#8 OREGON AT #13 UTAH Both teams coming off statement victories, Pac-12 rivals Oregon and Utah battle to stay in conference championship contention. While the Ducks lead the alltime series 24-12, they haven’t won in Salt Lake since 2016 and the Utes have won 29 of their last 30 home games -all in front of sold-out crowds.
For a full schedule of Week 9 games, click here. (All times in PHX)
Oregon’s offense, which averages 225.4 rushing yards per game, will be tested against Utah’s defense, which is holding opponents to 78.0 rushing yards. The Ducks are No. 2 nationally in scoring offense with 47 points per game. Meanwhile the Utes average 15 points per game in scoring defense, ranking 11th in the nation.
2023 BOWL PREDICTIONS
Who will jump and who will fall in the rankings after this top-15 matchup? Find out on Saturday, October 28, at 12:30 p.m. on FOX, with ESPN College GameDay reporting onsite.
10.28 // 7:30 PM // ESPN
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ESPN Bonagura – Oregon vs. Penn State 247 Sports – Oregon vs. Air Force CBS – Washington vs. Air Force College Football Network – Penn State vs. Air Force FOX Sports – LSU vs. Penn State USA Today – Oregon vs. Texas
ESPN Schlabach – Kansas vs. Minnesota 247 Sports – Kansas vs. Wisconsin CBS – Baylor vs. Minnesota College Football Network – Iowa State vs. Nebraska FOX Sports – Kansas vs. Illinois Action Network – BYU vs. Nebraska
Week 9
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
MIKE GESICKI Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki was instrumental in the team’s first win of the season, catching the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds left to beat the Buffalo Bills, 29-25, in the shocker of the weekend. In his debut season with New England, Gesicki has recorded 17 receptions for 149 yards through four games. The 2017 Fiesta Bowl champion had six receptions for 62 yards in Penn State’s 35-28 win over Washington. Gesicki finished his college career ranked No. 9 in program history with 129 catches as a tight end and is tied at No. 9 for most receiving touchdowns with 15. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2018 and joined the Patriots in 2023. Gesicki faces his former NFL team next Sunday, October 29, at 10 a.m. PHX on CBS as the Patriots head south to Miami.
BIG NEWS The Guaranteed Rate Bowl will once again feature Bowl Season’s only Big 12 vs. Big Ten matchup. As we eagerly await the Dec. 26 kickoff, we’re bringing you weekly game highlights, player reports and other updates from the two conferences. Here’s the BIG news from Week 9:
BIG TEN
BIG 12
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No. 2 Michigan (8-0) sits atop the Big Ten for the ninth consecutive week, followed by No. 3 Ohio State (7-0) and No. 10 Penn State (6-1). Rutgers and Wisconsin received votes. The Big Ten is the only league with more than two teams in the Top 10. Five Big Ten teams rank among the top 25 nationally in scoring defense: Ohio State (3rd, 10.0), Iowa (8th, 14.5), Rutgers (12th, 15.8), Wisconsin (20th, 18.3) and Maryland (21st, 18.6). Michigan quarterback and Fiesta Bowl alum J.J. McCarthy earned another Big Ten Player of the Week nod after a career-high four touchdown passes against Michigan State. Michigan is the only FBS team to win each of its games by 20-plus points through eight weeks. Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers are all bowl eligible after six wins, while Maryland and Wisconsin need one more to secure eligibility.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
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No. 6 Oklahoma is one of nine undefeated teams and is joined in the AP Top 10 by No. 7 Texas. Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Kansas are receiving votes. Among conferences, the Big 12 is first in rushing yards per game (169.9), second in total yards (424.3) and third in passing yards (254.4) and scoring (30.8). Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw three touchdowns against UCF and has thrown 44 touchdown passes in 19 career Sooners games. The former starter for the Knights has a career-total 114 touchdown passes, tied for 15th most in FBS history. Three Power 5 schools nationally have multiple players with 3+ interceptions -- all hailing from the Big 12: BYU (2), Houston (2) and Iowa State (2).
Week 9
MORE THAN A GAME
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT JENNIFER SWANTON The Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee took a trip to Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium on September 30, and it carried a special meaning for fourth-year Yellow Jacket Jennifer Swanton, a childhood cancer survivor. She revisited the same treatment center at University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics that saved her life 31 years ago. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Swanton was reunited with her pediatric oncologist nurse, Mary Schlapkol. Together, they enjoyed the Hawkeyes game against Michigan State and participated in the famous Hawkeye Wave tradition for the first time. Read the full story here.
GRAND MARSHALS ANNOUNCED FOR 51ST ANNUAL Vrbo FIESTA BOWL PARADE PRESENTED BY LERNER & ROWE Former Arizona State University and NFL quarterback Jake Plummer and former Moon Valley High School, University of Arizona and NBA standout Richard Jefferson will be honored as grand marshals for the 51st Annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe on Saturday, December 16, at 10 a.m. Honoring this year’s theme of Spirit of Competition, the two-mile route in Central Phoenix will be led by perhaps the mostcelebrated players in Sun Devils football and Wildcats basketball history, who both went on to long careers in the NFL and NBA. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe Grand Marshal honors an individual or group whose actions align with the Fiesta Bowl’s commitment to driving economic growth, championing charitable causes and executing innovative experiences. Admission is free to the public with premium and reserved seating available for purchase for $30 here. For more information, click here.
Week 9
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER // 2023
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Week 9