College football scores, rankings, highlights: Notre Dame, Ohio State cruise amid uneasy day for top-10 teams

Week 3 was proof that there is no such thing as a boring Saturday during the college football season

The Week 3 college football slate didn't feature as many marquee matchups as Week 2, but the action that unfolded was hardly a disappointment. This is a sport that has a tendency of delivering the unexpected, and there were a number of games in which that was exactly the case. 

No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Florida State both improved to 3-0, but not until after surviving upset scares against South Carolina and Boston College, respectively. No. 10 Alabama also had trouble on the road against South Florida before the Crimson Tide pulled away late, avoiding what would have been consecutive losses after falling at home to Texas a week prior.

Other ranked teams were not so fortunate. No. 15 Kansas State fell at Missouri on a 61-yard field goal as time expired, and No. 11 Tennessee's woes at The Swamp continued with a 29-16 road loss to the Gators. The Volunteers have now dropped their last 10 road games against Florida dating back to the 2003 season. 

Other ranked teams had a more routine Saturday. No. 2 Michigan, No. 6. Ohio State, No. 8 Washington, No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 14 LSU all won comfortably. Michigan's 31-6 victory against Bowling Green also marked the third and final game of Jim Harbaugh's suspension; the Wolverines coach is now set to return to the sidelines next week for a game against Rutgers. 

CBS Sports was there every step of the way to update you with the latest scores, highlights and storylines throughout the evening. 

College football scores, schedule: Week 3

No. 3 Florida State 31, Boston College 29 -- 'Noles survive upset bid, look ahead to Clemson
No. 7 Penn State 30, Illinois 13 -- Recap  
No. 14 LSU 41, Mississippi State 14 -- Daniels, Nabers have career day in rout
No. 9 Notre Dame 41, Central Michigan 17 -- Recap
No. 1 Georgia 24, South Carolina 14 -- Bulldogs overcome halftime deficit for win in SEC opener 
No. 10 Alabama 17, South Florida 3 -- Bama survives on the road, still searching for answer at QB
No. 6 Ohio State 63, Western Kentucky 10 -- Recap
No. 8 Washington 41, Michigan State 7 -- Recap
Florida 29, No. 11 Tennessee 16-- Gators take down No. 11 Vols for 10th straight home win in series
No. 2 Michigan 31, Bowling Green 6 -- Recap
No. 4 Texas 31, Wyoming 10 -- Texas pulls away late to avoid Wyoming upset bid
No. 18 Colorado 43, Colorado State 35 (2OT) -- Hype train rolls on for Deion, Buffs with electric comeback
Check out the entire Week 3 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• Winners & losers: Alabama offense sputters, top contenders struggle in Week 3
• Tomorrow's Top 25 today: Tennessee swamped, Washington impresses in new rankings
• Travis Hunter taken to hospital: Colorado two-way star injured in rivalry game
• Mocking Deion? Colorado State players appear to mimic Prime with TD celebrations
• Sac State upsets Stanford: Hornets beat former coach on stunning late score
• Star-studded event: Lil Wayne leads Colorado onto field vs. Colorado State
• Dennis Dodd: Mevis, Cook bust slumps in Mizzou's win over K-State
• Insane walk-off field goal: Missouri upsets No. 15 Kansas State with 61-yard boot
• Jordan Travis injury scare: FSU star QB briefly exits after hurting arm vs. Boston College
• Prime Time shades: Sales for Deion's sunglasses skyrocket after feud with CSU

[Sep 17, 2023 at 2:26 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado survives

Final 2OT: No. 18 Colorado 43, Colorado State 35

Pac-12 after dark lives on. Sanders connected with Michael Harrison for not one, but two touchdowns in the overtime periods and Colorado safety Trevor Woods intercepted a pass on fourth-and-goal to avoid the upset from its in-state rival. Colorado had to overcome an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to maintain its perfect 3-0 record. Colorado starts Pac-12 play next week by traveling to Eugene to face Oregon.

[Sep 17, 2023 at 1:57 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Free football in Boulder

End 4Q: Colorado State 28, No. 18 Colorado 28 

This game has lived up to the hype and then some. Colorado tied the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Jimmy Horn Jr., which was followed by a successful 2-point conversion. Colorado had to go on a 7-play, 95-yard drive to tie it. After a scoreless third quarter, Colorado started the final quarter near the goal line and elected to kick a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-goal. Colorado State on the ensuing possession put together a 7-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Fowler-Nicolosi to TE Dallin Holker to go up 11.

[Sep 17, 2023 at 1:07 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Colorado is near striking distance 

End 3Q: Colorado State 21, Colorado 14

It was a scoreless third quarter in Boulder filled with punts and missed field goals. The Buffaloes came into Saturday as heavy favorites over their in-state rival and they will have to put some magic together to improve to 3-0. The good news is Colorado will open the fourth quarter near the goaline. We are due for a wild finish during the final 15 minutes of regulation.

[Sep 17, 2023 at 12:45 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Travis Hunter out 

Mid 3Q: Colorado State 21, Colorado 14

Colorado will be without star cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter for the rest of the night. On the ESPN broadcast, Colorado officials said Hunter was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Hunter took a big hit in the first half and stayed in the game. On the play, Blackburn trucked Hunter late and received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

[Sep 17, 2023 at 12:31 am ET · David Cobb]

Insane catch

Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan just added his name to the hat for best catch of of 2023 with this ridiculous one-handed grab in the first half against UTEP. McMillan is a former top-50 prospect with a background in volleyball and basketball. Put the body control, hand-eye coordination and leaping ability associated with those sports on full display while skying to get this one. The Wildcats lead 7-3 nearing halftime.

[Sep 17, 2023 at 12:05 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Pac-12 after dark in Boulder

Halftime: Colorado State 21, No. 18 Colorado 14

What a half. The first 30 minutes in Boulder were filled with drama, touchdowns and taunting. Colorado safety Shilo Sanders kicked off the scoring with an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. Rams safety Henry Blackburn trucked Travis Hunter late and received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Shedeur Sanders elected to confront Blackburn, which led to more drama. Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has outdueled Sanders thus far and is 17 of 24 for 194 yards and a touchdown. The Buffaloes came in as a three-touchdown favorite and will have to work magic to erase a deficit.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 11:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Wild in Boulder

End 1Q: Colorado 14, Colorado State 14

We've got a wild, chippy, highlight-filled game going in Colorado as the Rams have proven up to the challenge so far against the biggest story in college football. Both defenses scored touchdowns as Shiloh Sanders began the scoring with an 80-yard interception return for Colorado. Another big play of note came when CSU safety Henry Blackburn decked Travis Hunter late and received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Shedeur Sanders came and confronted Blackburn, and tensions flared.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 11:02 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Michigan moves to 3-0

FINAL: No. 2 Michigan 31, Bowling Green 6 

Not the cleanest performance of all time for the Wolverines, but they move to 3-0 as they now prepare to have their head coach back on the sidelines in Week 4. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy passed for two touchdowns in the victory, but was also intercepted three times on a night where Bowling Green hung around through halftime before the Wolverines were finally able to pull away. Running back Blake Corum had himself a 100-yard rushing performance, scoring twice in the victory. Big Ten play arrives for Michigan next weekend as they host Rutgers, making it four straight home games out of the gate for the two-time reigning conference champions. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 11:01 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Dart scores three touchdowns in win

Final: No. 17 Ole Miss 48, Georgia Tech 23

Ole Miss scored 31 points in the second half to pull away from Georgia Tech. Dart scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground and finished 10 of 18 for 251 yards. Dart connected with Jordan Watkins for his lone touchdown pass through the air. Ole Miss was without star running back Quinshon Judkins and WR Tre Harris because of injury. The Rebels are off a 3-0 start and travel to Tuscaloosa next weekend to face a struggling Alabama team. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 10:30 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

FINAL: Florida 29, No. 11 Tennessee 16

Florida kept its home winning streak over Tennessee alive with a resounding win Saturday night in Gainesville that it controlled from the outset and extended the streak to 10 games. The Gators scored touchdowns on four straight drives during the first and second quarters to jump out to a 26-7 lead at halftime and never looked back. The offensive line and rushing attack ruled the day, which is a 180-degree turn from the struggles that it has had over the last two games. Trevor Etienne had 23 carries for 172 yards and one touchdown, and fellow running back Montrell Johnson Jr had two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). Gator quarterback Graham Mertz was remarkably efficient, going 19-of-24 for 166 yards, one touchdown through the air and another on the ground. Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, but rushing attack simply couldn't get going. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 10:26 pm ET · Will Backus]

South Alabama routs Oklahoma State 

Final: South Alabama 33, Oklahoma State 7

Saturday couldn't have gone much worse for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys entered their home game against South Alabama as 7-point favorites, but the game was never really close -- and not in a positive way for Mike Gundy's squad. South Alabama jumped out to a 23-0 lead at halftime and held Oklahoma State scoreless until the fourth quarter. OSU played three different quarterbacks and they combined for 114 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Oklahoma State's defense gave up 243 rushing yards, with South Alabama averaging over five yards per carry and draining the clock in the fourth quarter with four total drives. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 10:15 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Michigan pulling away from Bowling Green

END 3Q: No. 2 Michigan 31, Bowling Green 6

It doesn't appear that the Wolverines will be in for any late-game upset scare tonight as they now find themselves up 25 points on the Falcons. Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson made his mark on the highlight reel for this game with a circus touchdown catch on a flea flicker in the third quarter, padding the Wolverines' lead. Barring any radical turn of events, Michigan appears to be heading for a 3-0 start with coach Jim Harbaugh returning to the sidelines next weekend following a three-game suspension. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:55 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Buffs, Rams ready to roll in Rocky Mountain Showdown

It would have been hard to imagine 12 months ago that Colorado State at Colorado would be a marquee matchup, but here we are as Deion Sanders and the No. 18 Buffaloes look to move to 3-0 in Sanders' first year at the helm. The first playing of the Rocky Mountain Showdown since 2019 has dominated the headlines in the lead-up to kickoff after Colorado State coach Jay Norvell criticized Sanders for frequently wearing hats and glasses in public, prompting Sanders and the Buffs to call this matchup "personal" once they got wind of Norvell's comments. Sanders went as far as delivering sunglasses to Colorado players during a Friday meeting. Regardless of how this game unfolds, get ready for tensions to be high at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:46 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Texas in close game with Wyoming

HALF: Texas 10, Wyoming 7

Texas is locked in a tight game against Wyoming in their first game back after beating Alabama. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has just 57 yards passing on 17 pass attempts, while the Longhorns avre getting outgained 163-120. Cowboys running back Harrison Waylee broke off a 62-yard rushing score on the fifth play of the game, and no Texas player has since matched his yardage total on that play alone. Texas gets the ball back to start the third quarter, but has gone three-and-out on two consecutive drives. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:29 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oklahoma State getting blanked at home

End 3Q: South Alabama 23, Oklahoma State 0

Oklahoma State is cobbling together one of the most shocking performances of the Week 3 slate -- and not in a good way. The Cowboys are currently getting shut out, in Boone Pickens Stadium, by non-power conference South Alabama. OSU has struggled to move the ball through the air, with 96 passing yards between quarterbacks Gunnar Gundy and Alan Bowman. The good news is, Oklahoma State is putting together a solid drive and will start the fourth quarter with the ball on South Alabama's 19-yard line. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:18 pm ET · Dean Straka]

West Virginia leads Pitt in Backyard Brawl 

HALFTIME: West Virginia 7, Pittsburgh 6 

It's been a defensive struggle through two quarters of football in Morgantown, West Virginia, as the Mountaineers lead the Panthers by a hair. West Virginia's offense suffered a setback when starting quarterback Garrett Greene left with an injury, giving way to backup Nicco Marchiol. So far, he's completed just three of only six pass attempts, but that includes a short touchdown pass that has made the difference in this one thus far. As for Pittsburgh's quarterback situation, Phil Jurkovec aslo completed just three passes in the first half and had an interception that directly led to West Virginia's lone touchdown. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:09 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Michigan in a fight with Bowling Green

HALFTIME: No. 2 Michigan 14, Bowling Green 6 

The final Saturday of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's three-game suspension has not exactly been kind to the Wolverines, who are only up a score one home turf against Bowling Green after two quarters of football. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been intercepted twice, though running back Blake Corum has help up his end of the bargain with 85 yards rushing and a touchdown so far. We've seen a number of highly-ranked teams struggle today against lesser competition -- No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Florida State and No. 10 Alabama among them -- and you can now add the No. 2 team in the country to that list. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:04 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Longhorns trails

2Q: Wyoming 7, No. 4 Texas 3

Texas allowed a 62-yard rush on the fifth play of the game and is now playing from behind against a 2-0 Wyoming squad with a win over Texas Tech under its belt. Harrison Waylee broke off the run and has doubled any Texas player in yardage after one quarter. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers has completed just 4-of-9 passes for 38 yards. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 9:02 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Rebels up at the break

Halftime: No. 17 Ole Miss 10, Georgia Tech 3

After 30 minutes of football in Oxford, Ole Miss leads Georgia Tech at the break by seven. The Rebels scored points on their first two drives of the game and had a chance to extend the lead before turning it over on downs near the goal line. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxon Dart hasn't been sharp through the air and only completed 4 of 11 passes but on the ground, he's rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown. Ole Miss missed a 55-yard field goal attempt to close the first half.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 8:54 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Florida up at the half

Half: Florida 26, No. 11 Tennessee 7

The magic is back at the Swamp after what was a tremendous first half for the Gators. Graham Mertz is 17-for-20 for 146 yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown on the evening. More importantly, Montrell Johnson Jr and Travis Etienne each have a rushing touchdown in what has been total domination up front for the Gators. The story of the game has been Florida's third-down offense, which has converted seven of its eight third down attempts. Here's a look at the halftime stats.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 8:50 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UW makes a statement in East Lansing

Final: No. 8 Washington 41, Michigan State 7

That's all she wrote from East Lansing. Washington improved to 3-0 with a blowout win over a  future Big Ten foe. Saturday was Michigan State's first game without head coach Mel Tucker, as he is currently suspended because of sexual harassment allegations that came to light last weekend. The Huskies held Michigan State scoreless until the final minutes of the fourth quarter after a majority of the starters were pulled. Penix finished the day 27 of 35 for 473 yards with four touchdown passes. Washington hosts Cal next weekend to open up Pac-12 play.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 8:22 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Cameron Ward has big day in win

Final: No. 23 Washington State 56, Northern Colorado 21

Fresh off an upset win over Wisconsin at home, Washington State continued its impressive start to the 2023 season with a blowout win over FCS-Northern Colorado to improve to 3-0. Cougars star quarterback Cameron Ward was pulled at the start of the third quarter and finished the day 20 of 26 for 327 yards with four touchdowns. Washington State opens up Pac-12 play at home against Oregon State on Saturday.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 8:16 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

WVU QB injured

West Virginia starting quarterback Garrett Greene left the game against Pittsburgh with an apparent lower body injury. Greene was tackled awkwardly on a quarterback keeper and came up limping. He stayed in the game for a few plays, but backup Nicco Marchiol later came in the game as he left the field. Marchiol has completed 11-of-24 passes for 136 yards in two seasons of work, but Marchiol and Greene have combined to miss on their first five pass attempts. With Greene sidelined, West Virginia loses a key quarterback run component against a stout Pittsburgh defense. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 8:04 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA coasts to 3-0 start

Final: No. 24 UCLA 59, NC Central 7

It was all UCLA on Saturday in Pasadena as the Bruins held NC Central scoreless through the first three quarters to improve to 3-0. UCLA star freshman Dante Moore got the start for the second consecutive week at quarterback and connected with WR Kam Brown on the first offensive from scrimmage for a 67-yard touchdown. Moore finished the day 8 of 12 for 182 yards with two touchdowns before getting taken out of the game. UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said he would play all three quarterbacks this week and Kent State transfer Collin Schlee and Ethan Garbers also saw action. The Bruins' biggest test of the young season is a Pac-12 opener in Salt Lake City against Utah next weekend.

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:55 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Texas in a new spotlight 

Texas is back ... in the AP Top 5 for the first time in 13 years after beating Alabama on the road last Saturday. The Longhorns looked the part of a true contender in that victory, but will they be able to manage sky-high expectations the rest of the way. That's been easier said than done after big wins in recent years, though Texas should't be given too much trouble in Week 3 as it returns home to face Wyoming. That said, the Cowboys already defeated a Big 12 opponent from the Lone Star State just two weeks ago, rallying to beat Texas Tech at home in a double-overtime victory. We'll see tonight just how well the Longhorns have moved on from the emotional high of toppling the Crimson Tide. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:54 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Crimson Tide survives upset scare

Final: No. 10 Alabama 17, USF 3

It wasn't pretty by any means, but Alabama found a way to survive a potential massive upset on the road against USF. The Crimson Tide held USF scoreless in the second half and used an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive which was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run in the final minute by Simpson to seal the win. Alabama still has a variety of question marks heading into SEC play such as who will be the starting quarterback the rest of the season. College football fans have gotten a glimpse of Simpson, Buchner and Milroe during the first three weeks of the season and it's unclear who will be the starter next week against Ole Miss. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:36 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Ohio State roars to 3-0 start 

FINAL: No. 6 Ohio State 63, Western Kentucky 10

The Buckeyes end this one scoring 49 unanswered points in a dominant home win against the Hilltoppers. Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord was 19-of-23 passing for 318 yards and three touchdowns, and Devin Brown also came in and passed for a touchdown after it was quite clear the Buckeyes were en route to a victory. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka both looked like the dynamic pass-catchers we've known them to be -- they combined for 183 yards and three touchdowns receiving -- and running back TreVeyon Henderson ended the day rushing for 88 yards and two scores. Even the defense got in on the action with a pair of scores. The Buckeyes now shift their focus to their biggest game yet as they travel to Notre Dame in Week 4 for what tracks to be an AP Top 10 matchup. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:32 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Portland State strikes back

Two weeks after losing 81-7 against No. 13 Oregon, FCS Portland State exorcised some demons by crushing NAIA North American 91-0 to set the Big Sky scoring record. The Vikings held NAU to a cool -23 yards, including -1.6 yards per carry. Conversely, Portland State rushed for 293 yards and seven touchdowns as PSU outgained North American by a cool 450 yards. Amazingly, Portland State's final offensive points came with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. The Vikings added a pick-six and 60-yard punt return to cross the 90-point plateau. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:19 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Nebraska makes QB change

Sophomore quarterback Heinrich Haarberg will make his first career start as starting quarterback Jeff Sims deals with an injury. Haarberg, a native of Kearney, Nebraska, threw his first career passes in a 36-14 loss to Colorado. He completed 2-of-6 passes, but threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Fidone II as time expired, only the second passing touchdown of the season. 

Sims was listed as questionable on the official injury report after suffering an ankle sprain in the fourth quarter against Colorado. He dressed for the game, but took snaps with the third team, behind Haarberg and Chubba Purdy. 

Haarberg is the first Nebraskan to start at quarterback for the Cornhuskers since Noah Vedral in 2019. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:07 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Alabama finally gets in the end zone

End 3Q: Alabama 10, USF 3

Alabama elected to stick with Simpson at quarterback and he helped lead the Crimson Tide on a 6-play, 84-yard drive on the second offensive series of the half. Crimson Tide RB Roydell Williams capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown and Alabama parlayed it by forcing a turnover on downs when USF was driving near the red zone. USF has been stopped four times already when going for it on fourth down but its defense is keeping them in the game. Does USF have enough in the tank in the final 15 minutes to pull off a stunner?