2024 College Football Week 0 notes: SMU squeezes out win at Nevada, FSU knocked off in Dublin
Top 10 Headlines
In the only game involving a ranked team in Week 0, we got a massive upset. #10 Florida State rolled to an easy touchdown on the first drive of the season, then looked sluggish the rest of the way as they fell to Georgia Tech. New FSU QB D.J. Uiagaleilei failed to pass for 200 yards and too often threw short, ineffective passes, while the Seminoles’ vaunted defense looked like sliced cheese against the Yellowjacket rushing attack. GT QB Haynes King was wild but effective, pushing his team down the field at the end to set up a game-winning field goal as time expired. It raises major questions about FSU’s new set of transfer players and how close they can come to replicating last season’s success. Georgia Tech meanwhile should be ranked for the first time since 2015(!) after this upset.
Best of the Weekend
RJ Maryland, take a bow. With SMU on the ropes the entire night against Nevada, the tight end constantly provided a safety net for Preston Stone, finishing with 8 catches for 162 yards and the game-winning touchdown as the Mustangs escaped Reno with a 29-24 win. Get to know the name, because you’ll be hearing it a lot more this season.
FCS Montana State was a 13-point favorite over FBS New Mexico, but you wouldn’t have known by watching most of this game. The Bobcats were sloppy with the football and trailed by 17 entering the 4th quarter. But there was no quit in the 2023 FCS runner-ups, and they ran hog wild (bobcat wild?) to end the game, finishing with 362 rushing yards to NM’s 152, and a rushing TD with 10 seconds left gave them a 35-31 win in Albuquerque.
Worst of the Weekend
The Mountain West might be a fun little conference this season as evidenced by New Mexico and Nevada’s surprising performances, but at the end of the day they both blew big leads to teams they could have beaten.
Delaware State missed their initial flight to Honolulu due to a bus mishap, and they looked the part in losing to Hawaii 35-14.
Fun Corner
Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer had to enjoy some Guinness while they were in Ireland to call Florida State/Georgia Tech, but best of all, they helped one of their camera men get a well-deserved drink.
Hawaii receiver Pofele Ashlock painted the Hawaiian islands into his hair to honor deceased former Rainbow Warriors QB Colt Brennan.
A violent wind storm rolled through Albuquerque in the middle of Montana State/New Mexico, causing a TV camera to fall off the top of the press box. Also, someone mooned the TV camera during the point after attempt on the game-winning touchdown.
Week 0 Heisman Standings
RJ Maryland, SMU TE
The Ponies would be 0-1 if not for a huge game from their breakout tight end.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State K
Mike Norvell’s clock management was horrendous throughout this game, forcing his kicker to attempt at 59-yard kick to end the 1st half. He nailed it to go along with another 50+ yarder he hit earlier in the game.
Montana State RBs Scottre Humphrey & Adam Jones
You can’t mention one without the other, as they combined for 307 rushing yards with Humphrey recording the game-winning TD.
