College football scores, rankings, highlights: Miami, LSU pull away after slow starts, Ohio State rolls

Week 4 featured a couple of close calls for ranked teams

Week 4 of the 2024 college football season saw no upsets, but it did feature a handful of ranked teams pushed to the brink. No. 7 Missouri needed double overtime to survive an upset bid from Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Miami, LSU and Notre Dame all pulled away in the second half after a slow start. The three ranked-on-ranked games each provided entertaining moments. 

No. 6 Tennessee spoiled Oklahoma's debut in SEC conference play with a 25-15 win in Norman, while a late touchdown by Kalel Mullings helped No. 18 Michigan knock off USC 27-24.

Utah played without star quarterback Cam Rising for the second consecutive weekend and went into Stillwater and secured a 22-19 win over No. 14 Oklahoma State. 

No. 21 Clemson flexed its muscles with another bounce-back performance in a 59-35 victory over NC State.The top-ranked team in the country, Texas, was without Quinn Ewers due to injury and Arch Manning started in his place. Manning threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start in a 51-3 win over UL Monroe.

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

College football scores, schedule: Week 3

No. 21 Clemson 59, NC State 35 -- Recap
No. 3 Ohio State 49, Marshall 13 -- Recap
No. 18 Michigan 27, No. 11 USC 24 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 16 LSU 34, UCLA 17 -- Recap
 No. 17 Notre Dame 28, Miami (OH) 3 -- Recap
No. 19 Louisville 34, Georgia Tech 19 -- Recap
No. 12 Utah 22, No. 14 Oklahoma State 19 -- Recap
No. 8 Miami 50, South Florida 15 -- Recap
No. 6 Tennessee 25, No. 15 Oklahoma 15 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 24 Texas A&M 26, Bowling Green 20 -- Recap
No. 1 Texas 51, ULM 3 -- Takeaways, recap
Check out the entire Week 4 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• Amazing finish: Colorado rallies for OT win over Baylor after last-second hail mary
• TT25T: Tennessee into top five, Michigan makes big jump in college football rankings
• Oklahoma benches Jackson Arnold: Sooners sit star QB vs. Tennessee after struggles
• Vandy pushes Mizzou: No. 7 Tigers survive in double-OT thriller  
• North Carolina coaching news: Mack Brown offered to step down after loss to JMU, rebuffed by players
• Clemson still class of ACC: Thrashing of NC State shows Tigers are still tops
• WATCH: Will Johnson breaks Michigan record with 42-yard interception return TD
• WATCH: Temple K breaks Lincoln Financial Field record with 64-yard FG
• Dodd: Colorado's Hunter one of 10 best players I've seen live

[Sep 22, 2024 at 12:00 am ET · David Cobb]

Colorado wins in wild finish

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders connected with wide receiver LaJohntay Wester for a game-tying touchdown to send the Buffaloes' Big 12 matchup with Baylor into overtime on Saturday. The catch came as time expired in regulation and set the stage for Colorado to outlast the Bears in overtime as they improved to 3-1.

Inside the comeback: Shedeur Sanders' Hail Mary, Travis Hunter's heroics fuel Colorado's stunner vs. Baylor

Shehan Jeyarajah

[Sep 21, 2024 at 10:14 pm ET · David Cobb]

Miami handling business

Late 3Q: Miami 36, South Florida 15

Miami has scored 22 unanswered points since falling behind 15-14 to South Florida in the second quarter. Each of those touchdown drives were 80 yards, and the last two were finished off by 1-yard Damien Martinez touchdown runs. Cam Ward is up to 348 yards passing and has essentially been the offense tonight. While Martinez has three touchdowns, he's totaled just 9 yards on 7 carries. It appears the 'Canes are going to survive, but the lack of push in the traditional run game is something to flag moving forward.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 10:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jackson Arnold benched

Oklahoma benched starting quarterback Jackson Arnold on its final possession of the first half on Saturday night against No. 6 Tennessee, turning instead to freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. The surprising move came after Arnold committed three turnovers, which handicapped the No. 15 Sooners in their first conference game as a member of the SEC. 

Oklahoma benches Jackson Arnold: Sooners face tough choice after backup QB Michael Hawkins provides late spark

David Cobb

[Sep 21, 2024 at 9:41 pm ET · David Cobb]

Texas up big, but Arch imperfect

Half: Texas 28, Louisiana-Monroe 3

Arch Manning threw two touchdowns and two interceptions in the first half of his first career start. Standing in for the injured Quinn Ewers, Manning has made some highlight-reel plays and also caught some bad breaks/made some questionable decisions. His second interception hit the hands of running back Jaydon Blue before winding up in the hands of Warhawk defender. For more on Manning's first start, follow this link.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 9:32 pm ET · David Cobb]

Baylor strikes on special teams

Late 2Q: Baylor 24, Colorado 10 

An offensively challenged team like Baylor needs help from its defense and special teams. The Bears got some in the first half against Colorado with this 100-yard kickoff return from Jamaal Bell. The Buffs had just tied it up at 10-10 with a field goal when Bell broke loose to turn the momentum back in BU's favor. Baylor also got a 54-yard punt return from Josh Cameron to set up a field goal. This is Colorado's first conference game back in the Big 12, and the Buffs have some ground to make up.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 9:07 pm ET · David Cobb]

Miami gets a break

Half: Miami 22, South Florida 15

South Florida got a 64-yard completion from Byrum Brown to Ta'Ron Keith to jumpstart its two-minute drill late in the second quarter. But the Miami defense made a stand, and John Cannon missed a 31-yard field goal wide right with 18 seconds left in the half. However, the Bulls get the football to start the third quarter, and they have proven they can move the football against the Hurricanes. Stopping Cam Ward is proving to be more challenging. The Miami star has 223 yards passing with a pair of touchdown tosses.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 8:31 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Missouri survives upset bid

FINAL: No. 7 Missouri 30, Vanderbilt (2OT)

No. 7 Missouri survived an upset bid from Vanderbilt with a 30-27 win in double overtime win in both teams' SEC conference opener. Missouri kicker Blake Craig redeemed himself after missing three field goals in regulation by nailing a 37-yard go-ahead kick, and Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor missed a 31-yard field goal wide left that would've sent the game to triple overtime.

The Commodores came into the weekend riding a 16-game losing streak against ranked opponents and had lost their last 12 SEC openers. Vanderbilt's losing streak against ranked opponents on the road extended to 31 with the loss.

Missouri vs. Vanderbilt score: No. 7 Tigers survive Commodores' upset bid in double-OT thriller

Cameron Salerno

[Sep 21, 2024 at 8:08 pm ET · David Cobb]

South Florida battling early

2Q: Miami 14, South Florida 12

South Florida is hanging tough with Miami early on. The Bulls have scored on all three of their possessions as coach Alex Golesh's offense poses a challenge to the 'Canes. USF squandered a statement opportunity at Alabama but has another one here with a home game against the No. 8 Hurricanes.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 8:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Mack Brown offered to step down

North Carolina coach Mack Brown told his team following Saturday's 70-50 loss to James Madison that he would "walk away and step down if he was the problem," sources told 247Sports' Inside Carolina. The players vocally supported Brown and took the blame themselves after Brown made his address. 

"He will be in the office tomorrow and getting back to work," one source told Inside Carolina on Saturday night. "Going in and having a normal Sunday."

Mack Brown offered to step down after stunning loss to James Madison, rebuffed by North Carolina players

Will Backus

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:45 pm ET · Will Backus]

Manning set to make first career start 

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian announced Thursday that quarterback Arch Manning will start Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe. Incumbent starter Quinn Ewers, who Sarkisian labeled as "questionable" on Monday, suffered an abdominal injury in a Week 3 win over UTSA. 

Sarkisian was not concerned about Ewers' long-term future, but the Longhorns will be cautious with SEC play looming in the coming weeks. This will be the first start of Manning's young career. 

Here's what to watch for from the ballyhooed young signal caller: 

Arch Manning to make first start at Texas: Star QB stepping in vs. ULM as Quinn Ewers recovers from injury

Will Backus

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:39 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

No Cam Rising, no problem for Utah

FINAL: No. 12 Utah 22, No. 14 Oklahoma State 19

Playing without star quarterback Cam Rising for the second consecutive week, Utah recorded a statement Top 25 win over Oklahoma State to move to 4-0 on the season. Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Zach Wilson, started in Rising's place. Wilson threw for 207 yards and tossed a 45-yard touchdown to Utah star tight end Brant Kuithe to extend the lead to 22-3 in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys attempted a late rally in the fourth quarter and scored 16 unanswered points. OSU attempted an onside kick with 1:47 left, but Utah was able to recover and run out the clock.

Oklahoma State star running back Ollie Gordon ll was held to 42 yards rushing (on 11 attempts.) Gordon has gotten off to a slow start to the 2024 season and has posted just 132 yards and one touchdown in the last three games after opening the season by rushing for 126 yards and three scores against South Dakota State.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:19 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

NIU falls after ND upset

Final: Buffalo 23, No. 23 NIU 20

Northern Illinois struggled to continue its momentum after upsetting Notre Dame. In the Huskies' first game after the upset, NIU fell in an overtime performance against Buffalo. The Huskies led by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Al-Jay Henderson broke off a 36-yard touchdown run to put Buffalo in control. NIU hit a late field goal to force overtime, but the Bulls blocked an overtime field goal to set up their own game-winner to walk it off. 

NIU's loss again shakes up the Group of FIve's race to the College Football Playoff, which also took a big swing after Memphis lost to Navy. Suddenly, Toledo emerges as the MAC's top option. Buffalo also could factor into the conversation, but a 38-0 loss against Missouri could make the path prohibitively difficult. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:18 pm ET · Will Backus]

Navy sinks Memphis' College Football Playoff hopes

Final: Navy 56, Memphis 44 

Memphis was the favorite to represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff for approximately one week. Following a huge win against Florida State, the Tigers hit the road to play Navy with everything in front of them. Instead, the Midshipmen led for a majority of the game and pounded the rock for 361 yards and five touchdowns rushing to earn a huge American Athletic Conference win. 

Memphis even had a chance to win it late in the fourth quarter after falling behind 49-30. The Tigers corralled an onside kick with 1:20 left and were given a chance to score a potential go-ahead touchdown. Instead, on second-and-10 from Navy's 26-yard line, Navy defensive back Rayuan Lane III jumped in front of a Seth Henigan pass and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown, officially slamming the door on Memphis' comeback and effectively burying the Tigers' playoff hopes. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:09 pm ET · Will Backus]

Michigan plays power football to take late lead

Late 4Q: No. 18 Michigan 27, No. 11 USC 24

Lovers of big-on-big football, rejoice. Michigan just used a very heavy I formation to score a go-ahead touchdown against USC. Running back Kalel Mullings ran through the middle of USC's defensive front and plunged in from one yard out to finish a signature drive for the Wolverines, who went 89 yards down the field in 10 plays right after USC took its first lead of the game to completely recapture momentum. 

Mullings may have emerged as Michigan's No. 1 running back option. He also had a key 63-yard run on that touchdown drive to give the Wolverines a realistic chance at scoring, and Michigan has leaned heavily on him as the game has gone one. USC will have 37 seconds, and no timeouts, to at least get into field goal range. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm ET · Will Backus]

Full-circle moment for Venables, Heupel 

Saturday will be a tremendous test for both teams. Oklahoma certainly wants to make an impression in its first conference game as an SEC program, and a difficult schedule means that the Sooners need to set a tone for how the next couple months will progress. Tennessee has legitimate College Football Playoff hopes, but this is one of a handful of games that could make or break the Vols' season. 

The result will reverberate well beyond the stands of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. For just over three hours before the final whistle sounds, though, all eyes will be fixed on two opposing coaches that were both forged by their shared experience at Oklahoma. 

Tennessee's showdown with Oklahoma marks a full-circle moment for coaches Josh Heupel and Brent Venables

Will Backus

[Sep 21, 2024 at 6:49 pm ET · Will Backus]

USC surges ahead 

Late 4Q: No. 11 USC 24, No. 18 Michigan 20 

USC has its first lead of the game, at the perfect time, thanks to some excellent complementary football. Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry punched the ball out of Michigan running back Donovan Edwards' hands and USC was able to recover the ball, deep in USC territory. Even so, Michigan's defense looked like it would buckle down -- thanks in large part to a holding call on the Trojans that set them up with an eventual third-and-16. But in that crucial situation, quarterback Miller Moss lofted the ball to wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane, who jumped above two defenders to secure the catch and a 24-yard touchdown. 

It's the first lead of the game for the Trojans, who have completely erased a 14-3 halftime deficit thanks in large part to some strong defensive play in the second half. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 6:40 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utes holding on late

Start 4Q: No. 12 Utah 13, No. 14 Oklahoma State 3

Utah continues to lead Oklahoma State by double-digits entering the fourth quarter in Stillwater. Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson turned the ball over twice, but running back Micah Bernard has 151 yards to keep Utah on schedule. Wide receiver Dorian Singer has also given Wilson help with 95 yards, more than half of the overall production. 

Oklahoma State's offense has been a disaster, mustering 156 total yards and only 36 yards on the ground. Running back Ollie Gordon II has been a total nonfactor with 24 yards and the Cowboys ultimately benched veteran quarterback Alan Bowman for Garrett Rangel. Neither has found much consistency. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 6:35 pm ET · Will Backus]

Michigan DB Will Johnson heads to locker room

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who had a pick-six off of quarterback Miller Moss earlier in the second half, was taken to the locker room in the fourth quarter. It's not clear what issue Johnson is dealing with, but the CBS broadcast noted that he seemed to be headed in the direction of Michigan's x-ray room. Johnson's parents also came down from the stands and went into the tunnel inside Michigan Stadium. Johnson would be a huge loss for the Wolverines, given he's one of the best defensive backs in the nation. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 6:17 pm ET · Will Backus]

Huge effort play swings momentum for USC

Late 3Q: No. 18 Michigan 20, No. 11 USC 17 

USC had its back against the wall after quarterback Miller Moss threw a pick-six to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Johnson's score gave the Wolverines a 20-10 lead and sent Michigan Stadium into a rapturous uproar. But Moss did a good job  of shaking the mistake off and leading a drive all the way to Michigan's 6-yard line. 

Disaster struck again -- for a moment, at least. Josaiah Stewart raced into the backfield and hit Moss, who appeared to fumble the ball. Wolverines DL Kenneth Grant recovered the fumble and took off running. USC running back Woody Marks eventually chased him down, met him and ripped the ball from his arms, taking possession back for USC. Officials reviewed the play to ensure that Moss' fumble wasn't an incomplete pass and confirmed the entire sequence after taking it to the booth.

Two plays later, Moss found a wide open Jay Fair, as the result of a Michigan coverage bust, for a 16-yard touchdown. It was a huge sequence for USC and Marks deserves a ton of credit for sticking with the play and almost singlehandedly swinging momentum. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 6:06 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oklahoma State makes quarterback change 

After a lackluster offensive effort in the first half, Oklahoma State made a change at quarterback to try and spark something. The Cowboys made the decision to bench veteran starter Alan Bowman, who completed just eight of his 22 pass attempts for 89 yards in the first half, in favor of Garrett Rangel. The change didn't yield immediate results. Oklahoma State went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half, and Rangel missed on both of his passes -- one of which sailed into triple coverage over the middle of the field and could have been intercepted. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 5:49 pm ET · Will Backus]

Vanderbilt leads at half versus Missouri 

Half: Vanderbilt 13, No. 7 Missouri 10 

Vanderbilt couldn't have asked for a better end to the second half. The Tigers went for it on fourth-and-3 from their own 47-yard line with less than 15 seconds to play in the second quarter. Quarterback Brady Cook was sacked by Vanderbilt's Khordae Sydnor, giving the Commodores the ball on Missouri's 42-yard line. A 4-yard pass from quarterback Diego Pavia moved the ball a little closer, and kicker Brock Taylor did the rest of the work with an impressive 57-yard boot that gave the Commodores a lead -- and some momentum -- entering halftime. 

Missouri does get the ball to start the second half, so the Tigers have an opportunity to stem the tide a bit.  

[Sep 21, 2024 at 5:45 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utes, Pokes trading mistakes

HALF: No. 12 Utah 13, No. 14 Oklahoma State 3

Utah has struggled offensively without starting quarterback Cameron Rising, but still leads Oklahoma State 10-3 heading into the half. Utes backup Isaac Wilson threw two interceptions -- including one at the end of the half to waste a potential scoring drive -- but Utah cleared 200 yards and gets the ball to start the second half. Utah has put together three drives of at least nine plays. 

Oklahoma State has reached only 119 yards as running back Ollie Gordon II has been held to 16 total yards on six carries. Quarterback Alan Bowman is completing only 8-of-22 passes against the physical Utah secondary and only two drives have lasted longer than three plays. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 5:28 pm ET · Will Backus]

Auburn goes back to Thorne at quarterback 

After a scoreless first half against Arkansas, Auburn has decided to switch things up (again) at quarterback and hand the reins of the offense back to Payton Thorne. Thorne was benched in lieu of Hank Brown ahead of Auburn's Week 3 win against New Mexico State, but Brown struggled over the first 30 minutes against the Razorbacks Saturday. He finished the first half with seven completions for 72 yards and three interceptions. Four of Auburn's first-half drives ended in turnovers, though Arkansas only had a 7-0 lead at halftime. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 5:26 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

LSU tied with UCLA at halftime

Half: No. 16 LSU 17, UCLA 17

We have reached halftime from Baton Rogue. UCLA put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive — which was capped with an 11-yard touchdown strike from Ethan Garbers to Logan Loya to tie the game in the closing moments before the intermission.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 14 passes to six different wide receivers for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers scored 10 unanswered points in the second quarter after UCLA took a 10-7 lead with 17 seconds left in the opening frame on a made field goal before UCLA answered with a long touchdown drive to close the first half.

[Sep 21, 2024 at 5:11 pm ET · Will Backus]

Michigan holds decent lead at half 

Half: No. 18 Michigan 14, No. 11 USC 3 

USC hasn't had the best time thus far in its first Big Ten game. It's certainly no easy task, walking into Michigan Stadium, but the Trojans did look thoroughly overmatched along both lines of scrimmage. Michigan rushed for a whopping 199 yards on 27 carries and scored on rushing touchdowns of 53 and 41 yards. Running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards each finished with at least 60 yards rushing over the first 30 minutes and the Wolverines are averaging a brisk 7.4 yards per carry. 

By comparison, USC enters halftime with -4 yards rushing. In spite of that, quarterback Miller Moss has had a solid day. The connection with young star wide receiver Zachariah Branch is really working: the two connected on three passes for 85 of Moss' 134 first-half yards passing. 

Fittingly, though, the first half ended on a Kenneth Grant sack. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 4:53 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Utes struggling without Rising

2Q: No. 14 Oklahoma State 3, No. 12 Utah 3

Utah's offense is struggling to find any momentum behind freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson. Wilson was sacked twice in the first quarter alone and threw an interception as Oklahoma State and Utah are knotted early in the second quarter. Oklahoma State has struggled to take advantage as star running back Ollie Gordon II has only 11 yards in the first period. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 4:38 pm ET · Will Backus]

Vanderbilt opens scoring with explosive pass

Early 1Q: Vanderbilt 7, No. 7 Missouri 0 

If the early game is any indication, Vanderbilt came to play on the road against a top-10 SEC team. The Commodores held an explosive Missouri offense to just one yards in three plays on its first drive of the game and then followed that up with an explosive play for a touchdown. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia took his time in the pocket, stepped up and delivered a strike well downfield to wide receiver Joseph McVay for a 65-yard touchdown. That was McVay's first catch of the year, too. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 4:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

Michigan strikes first 

Late 1Q: No. 18 Michigan 7, No. 11 USC 0 

No sluggish starts for Michigan's offense this week. Well, sort of. The Wolverines did punt on each of their first two drives, including one three-and-out, but they did open the scoring with an explosive play from running back Kalel Mullings, who burst through the middle of USC's defensive line and outraced everyone to the end zone on a 53-yard touchdown sprint. It will be interesting to see how much Michigan leans on Mullings, given his hot play recently and the fact that the Wolverines have turned to a new starting quarterback in Alex Orji. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 4:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Wilson starts vs. Oklahoma State

Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson has come out to take the first snaps against Oklahoma State in the Utes' Big 12 opener. Starter Cameron Rising was questionable for the game with a hand injury but was expected to play based on comments from coach Kyle Whittingham. Instead, it will be the true freshman Wilson. The brother of Zach Wilson has been inconsistent in his first major action, failing to lead a scoring drive against Baylor in Week 2. He bounced back with three touchdowns against Utah State in a 38-21 win, but the Utes didn't score for the first 20 minutes. Against Oklahoma State, he faces his biggest challenge yet. 

[Sep 21, 2024 at 3:44 pm ET · Will Backus]

North Carolina gives up 70 

Late 4Q: James Madison 70, North Carolina 44 

James Madison officially hit 70 points against North Carolina -- 53 of which came in the first half -- with an 11-yard pass to tight end Logan Kyle late in the fourth quarter. North Carolina is now responsible for the last two instances in which an ACC program allowed 70 points in non-conference play. The Tar Heels lost 70-41 to East Carolina in 2014.