The start of the college football season is finally here, and Week 1 of the new campaign lived up to the hype, with plenty of big games producing shocking results. UCLA and Georgia scored huge upsets over former CFP winners LSU and Clemson, respectively, while Penn State also recorded a stunning victory over Wisconsin.
UCLA stuns LSU for biggest win since 2015
The UCLA Bruins recorded their biggest win since they defeated then-No. 13 Utah in 2015, pulling off an impressive 38-27 victory over the LSU Tigers in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. The Bruins' defense stood tall in the upset win, sacking LSU quarterback Max Johnson four times and holding the Tigers to just 48 rushing yards.
Providing the scoring punch for UCLA was Zach Charbonnet. The Michigan transfer ran for 117 yards, and a touchdown on 11 carries in the win against the Tigers. He also was an aerial threat, catching a 35-yard reception in the second quarter that helped set up a touchdown, giving UCLA the lead for good.
The LSU Tigers will look to bounce back next week when they host McNeese State. The Bruins are off in Week 2, getting a well-deserved break after winning by a combined 45 points over Hawaii and LSU.
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Georgia and Penn State record huge wins thanks to defense
Georgia's quest to end its 40-year national title drought this season is off to a terrific start after the Bulldogs stunned the Clemson Tigers, 10-3, on Saturday. The Bulldogs' defense was simply sensational against the Tigers, holding Clemson to just 180 yards of total offense. Clemson's three points were the fewest the Tigers have scored in a game since 2007.
Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei had no answer for Georgia's swarming defensive line, completing 19 of 37 passes for 178 yards in his third career start for the Tigers. He tried to scramble out of dire situations, but he still was sacked seven times and recorded 46 lost yards. Clemson's ground game was non-existent, finishing with just two rushing yards.
Such was the dominance of Georgia's defense that the Bulldogs' only touchdown in this contest came from their defensive unit. That came with 2:58 remaining in the second quarter after Christopher Smith intercepted Uiagalelei's pass that was intended for Justyn Ross. Smith took it down the Tigers' sideline, recording a 74-yard pick-six to give Georgia a 7-0 lead, an advantage the Bulldogs never relinquished.
Also getting a shock win over the weekend was Penn State. The Nittany Lions managed to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers, 16-10, despite getting only one first down in the opening half and controlling possession for 18 minutes.
The defense was the key for Penn State, particularly in the red zone, as they thwarted Wisconsin's attack time and again in this contest. The Badgers had four scoreless trips inside the Lions' 25, three of which came inside the 10.
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