College football scores, rankings, highlights: UCLA stunned by Fresno State, BYU beats Arizona State

NCAA football scores, live updates and highlights from the teams in action during Saturday of Week 3

Week 3 of the college football season brought yet another jam-packed Saturday of action. From the noon window to the late-night games stretching into the early hours of Sunday morning, there were plenty of intriguing matchups. Some provided clarity in the college football landscape, while others produced more questions than answers. In total, 23 squads ranked in the AP Top 25 were in action throughout the day. 

Among the early highlights was the renewal of an old Big 12 rivalry between No. 3 Oklahoma and Nebraska, which marked another survive-and-advance moment for the Sooners. No. 8 Cincinnati also founds itself in a fight on the road at Indiana while two ranked ACC teams -- No. 15 Virginia Tech and No. 24 MIami -- lost to Michigan State and West Virginia, respectively, in nonconference battles. The mid-afternoon slate was also highlighted by No. 1 Alabama's thriller at No. 11 Florida on CBS. 

Finally, the prime time slot brought a crowd-pleaser as No. 10 Penn State edged out No. 22 Auburn in a White Out game fans had been waiting for. To cap off the night, No. 23 BYU earned another impressive victory against a Pac-12 opponent by edging No. 19 Arizona State, while, No. 13 UCLA fell to Fresno State in a classic shootout after midnight. 

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

College football scores, schedule: Week 3

No. 3 Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 16 -- Takeaways, highlights
No. 8 Cincinnati 38, Indiana 24 -- Recap
Michigan State 38, No. 24 Miami 17 -- Recap
West Virginia 27, No. 15 Virginia Tech 21 -- Recap
No. 12 Notre Dame 27, Purdue 13 -- Recap
No. 1 Alabama 31, No. 11 Florida 29 Takeaways, highlights
No. 6 Clemson 14, Georgia Tech 8 -- Recap
No. 9 Ohio State 41, Tulsa 20 -- Recap
No. 2 Georgia 40, South Carolina 13 -- Recap
No. 10 Penn State 28, No. 22 Auburn 20 -- Takeaways, highlights
No. 17 Ole Miss 61, Tulane 21 -- Recap
Oklahoma State 21, Boise State 20 -- Recap
No. 23 BYU 27, No. 19 Arizona State 17 -- Recap
Fresno State 40, No. 13 UCLA 37 -- Recap
Check out the entire Week 3 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• TT25T: Expect Penn State to rise after statement win
• Gutsy performance: Injured Haener leads Fresno State in upset
• Jeyarajah: Winners, losers and overreactions from Week 3
• Big mistake: SEC refs admit critical error in Memphis vs. Mississippi State
• Dodd: Pushed to the limit, Alabama is showing cracks
• Clemson survives: Tigers' offense a liability in escape over Georgia Tech
• Hail Mary: SMU needs a last-second heave to beat Louisiana Tech
• Dreadful start: Florida State is 0-3 for the first time since 1976
• Play of the game: This one-handed INT sealed Oklahoma's win

[Sep 19, 2021 at 2:30 am ET · David Cobb]

Jake Haener finds a way

Final: Fresno State 40, No. 13 UCLA 37

Jake Haener's performance in this game tonight for Fresno State will go down in history. Clutching his side and writhing in pain after every throw, he leads the Bulldogs down the field in the final minute for the game-winning touchdown. What an unreal, gritty performance for Fresno State's QB. The Washington transfer put in work against Oregon as well, only to come up short in the end. But this time, he's got a signature victory to his credit, finishing 39-of-53 for 455 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in the fourth quarter.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 2:09 am ET · David Cobb]

Fresno State surges ahead

As quarterback Jake Haener writhes in pain, the Bulldogs celebrate a go-ahead TD. On third-and-goal from the 20, he finds Erik Brooks for a TD that puts Fresno State ahead 33-30 with 2:55 to go. Wow, what a gutty performance from Haener. What a game.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 1:49 am ET · David Cobb]

BYU improves to 3-0

The Cougars followed up last week's emotional win over rival Utah with a 27-17 victory tonight over Arizona State. That makes BYU 3-0 on the season with all three victories coming against Pac-12 teams. This program was stronger than Zach Wilson, as it turns out. Impressive stuff.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 1:46 am ET · David Cobb]

Thrilling finish ahead

UCLA and Fresno State are in a peak Pac-12 after dark battle. The Bulldogs had UCLA on the ropes just a moment ago, driving deep into Bruins' territory while already holding a 9-point lead. But then a fumble and quick TDR strike to Kyle Phillips gets the Bruins with 26-24 at the 8:10 mark. Buckle up!

[Sep 19, 2021 at 1:27 am ET · David Cobb]

UCLA upset alert

End 3Q: Fresno State 26, No. 13 UCLA 17

The Bruins are in deep trouble against in-state foe Fresno State after following up their touchdown to begin the third quarter with a punt, a turnover on downs and a fumble. But don't let the Bruins' two lost fumbles fool you into thinking they've just been unlucky. Fresno State and its Washington transfer quarterback Jake Haener have been the better team.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 1:25 am ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Two more FCS upsets

The chaos of 2021 FCS squads is not over yet. Week 3 featured two more FCS over FBS upsets. Arizona lost 21-19 against in-state rival Northern Arizona to drop to 0-3 on the year. A few states over, Texas State fell 42-34 against UIW and Jerry Rice Award-winning quarterback Cameron Ward. The 10 FCS over FBS upsets means that 2021 features the most FCS over FBS upsets since 2016, when there were also 10. The last time there were more than 10 upsets was the 2013 season when there were 16 FCS over FBS wins, including four over Power Five teams. 

[Sep 19, 2021 at 1:07 am ET · David Cobb]

Wacky play of the day?

We've got a new candidate for weirdest play of the day that can rival the downed punt returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Memphis win over Mississippi State. Here, you'll see a BYU drive interrupted by an interception, only for an Arizona State fumble to return possession to the Cougars -- on the other side of the field. Huge play in this game as BYU leads 21-17 early in the fourth quarter.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 12:51 am ET · David Cobb]

Critical score for UCLA

Dorian Thompson-Robinson finally hits one through the air, finding Kam Brown for a 39-yard score to draw within 23-17 early in the third quarter. Bruins needed that one. But the question is whether the defense can get a stop. Fresno State scored TDs on three of its first four possessions and snagged a field goal before the half. The Bulldogs have been effective offensively all night.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 12:49 am ET · David Cobb]

Ole Miss punts on consecutive possessions

Should we be worried? After scoring 61 points in the first three quarters, Ole Miss has punted on consecutive possessions? It's almost like the Rebels are getting comfortable with a 61-21 lead. If Lane Kiffin were like his former boss Nick Saban, he would condemn their lack of focus. But in all seriousness, it's been an impressive offensive showing for Ole Miss, which gets a bye before traveling to Alabama on Oct. 2.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 12:15 am ET · David Cobb]

Arizona State lucky

Half: No. 23 BYU 21, No. 19 Arizona State 7

The Sun Devils are fortunate to only be down 21-7 at halftime after Jack Jones intercepted Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall with 16 seconds left in the half. BYU was in field goal range, but Hall took a shot and it backfired. ASU gets ball to start the second half. Statistically, the teams were pretty even in the first half, but a pair of Jayden Daniels interceptions held Arizona State back.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 12:09 am ET · David Cobb]

Solid rebound for ISU

Half: No. 14 Iowa State 24, UNLV 0

A week after a crushing 27-17 loss vs. archival Iowa, Iowa State is bouncing back nicely agains UNLV with a 24 point lead at halftime. Brock Purdy is 16-of-19 for 160 yards and Breece Hall is already over 100 yards rushing with two scores. The trip to Vegas apparently didn't distract the Cyclones too much. Solid tune-up performance before Iowa State travels to Baylor next week.

[Sep 19, 2021 at 12:03 am ET · David Cobb]

Fresno State ain't playing around

The Bulldogs are showing their near-upset of Oregon in Week 1 was no fluke as they have opened up a 20-10 lead at UCLA on a 36-yard TD run from Ronnie Rivers with 6:37 left in the first half. Fresno State is already up to 245 total yards and has dominated time of possession. The Bruins have run just 11 plays versus 37 for the Bulldogs so far. Pac-12 after dark is getting weird!

[Sep 18, 2021 at 11:40 pm ET · David Cobb]

BYU takes a two-score lead

No letdown so far for BYU after its emotional win vs. Utah last week. The No. 23 Cougars just took a 21-7 lead on No. 19 Arizona State with 4:40 left in the first half on a 15-yard TD pass from Jaren Hall to Isaac Rex. Arizona State hasn't been tested yet this season, and it's showing early as the Sun Devils face a competent offense for the first time.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 11:31 pm ET · David Cobb]

Ole Miss-Tulane going nuts

Half: No. 17 Ole Miss 40, Tulane 21

If you thought there was a lot of offense in UNC-Virginia, Ole Miss and Tulane are trying to top it. Despite sloppy conditions and a weather delay that pushed the kickoff by nearly two hours, the offenses are up and running in Oxford. The Rebels churned out 448 yards of offense in that half while the Green Wave produced 226 of their own.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 11:28 pm ET · David Cobb]

UCLA/Fresno State swap early scores

The nightcap is just now nearing the end of the first quarter as No. 13 UCLA leads Fresno State 7-6. Bulldogs scored first but went for two and failed. Bruins struck back quickly, thanks to a 38-yard DTR to Kam Brown pass that sparked the drive. Mountain West would improve to 5-5 on the year vs. the Pac-12 with a win here, and Fresno State took Oregon down to the wire in Week 1. Could be a good one.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 11:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

UNC puts up 699 yards

Final: No. 21 North Carolina 59, Virginia 39

Virginia put up 574 yards, but UNC put up 699 and gets some revenge on the Cavaliers after last year's 44-41 loss. Sam Howell needed only 21 pass attempts to reach 307 yards and five TDs. Ty Chandler ran for 198 yards and two scores on 20 carries. Brennan Armstrong was phenomenal for the Cavaliers, but they had no running game whatsoever.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 11:02 pm ET · David Cobb]

Mountain West looking good

With San Diego State's  triple-OT victory over Utah, the Mountain West now has four victories this season against Pac-12 foes. If Fresno State were to upset UCLA tonight, the MWC would be 5-5 against the Pac-12 on the year. Impressive showing tonight from SDSU after the Aztecs routed Arizona last week. Brady Hoke's squad is 3-0.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 10:45 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia gives up a score

Final: No. 2 Georgia 40, South Carolina 13

Well, the important thing is that Georgia cruised to a relatively easy victory over South Carolina. But Bulldogs fans will be disappointed that the defense gave up its first touchdown of the season with 10:55 left. In the end, it was an encouraging performance from UGA and JT Daniels, who returned from injury and looked really sharp. Game at Vandy up next for the Bulldogs. Gotta give the Gamecocks credit for the highlight of the game though (see below)

[Sep 18, 2021 at 10:34 pm ET · David Cobb]

Oregon on cruise control

The No. 4 Ducks aren't exactly blowing the doors off Stony Brook. But they are handling business the week after their upset victory at Ohio State. It's 31-7 Ducks going into the fourth quarter. Five-star true freshman quarterback Ty Thompson has gotten some PT here, which seems to solves the mystery over who Oregon's back up is. Here he is throwing his first career touchdown pass.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 10:25 pm ET · David Cobb]

UNC's offensive explosion

End 3Q: No. 21 UNC 45, Virginia 31

There were some fair concerns about this Tar Heels offense after Week 1. But UNC has answered them resoundingly tonight against UVA. Sam Howell is shredding the Cavaliers through the air and on the ground. Brennan Armstrong is putting up monster numbers for Virginia, but he hasn't been able to keep pace. Tar Heels can snap a four-game losing streak vs. the Cavaliers if they handle business in the fourth quarter.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 9:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Ole Miss underway

No. 17 Ole Miss and Tulane are underway in Oxford, Mississippi after a lengthy weather delay. Will be interesting to see if the rainy conditions and sloppy field slow down the aerial attacks of either offense. The early returns on that are a resounding NO as the Rebels score on their first drive. The SEC After Dark should be a permanent thing!

[Sep 18, 2021 at 9:48 pm ET · David Cobb]

Penn State up 11

The No. 10 Nittany Lions lead No. 22 Auburn 21-10 early in the second half at Beaver Stadium after a botched trick play for Auburn set Penn State up with a short field. Huge momentum swing on white-out night in Happy Valley. We've got full live blog coverage of that game here.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 9:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

No drama at Georgia

The Bulldogs are cruising and putting on a show for prized 2023 recruit Arch Manning, who is witnessing a nice aerial display. JT Daniels just threw his third touchdown of the game and the Bulldogs are already over 400 total yards. Georgia leads it 40-6. The Bulldogs' defense still hasn't allowed a touchdown this season and is doing more than its share to help out in this one.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 9:21 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

UNC wasting Howell masterpiece

HALF: Virginia 28, No. 21 North Carolina

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell had 182 yards and three touchdowns in his first five pass attempts. Somehow, that hasn't been enough to keep away breakout Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong. The Cavaliers used a 21-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left in the half to take a 28-24 lead over the Tar Heels into halftime. Armstrong's numbers are absolutely unreal: 21 of 27 for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Again, that's in the first half. 

[Sep 18, 2021 at 8:55 pm ET · David Cobb]

Clemson unimpressive in victory

Final: No. 6 Clemson 14, Georgia Tech 8

The Tigers have gone through three games without allowing an opposing offense to score a touchdown. That's really impressive. What's not impressive is the Tigers' offense, which looks like the worst of the Dabo Swinney era through three games. Will Shipley ultimately provided a little bit of a bright spot with 89 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. But he never really broke loose. Clemson's longest play from scrimmage on the day was a 17-yard pass from DJU to Kobe Pace. Uiagalelei finishes 18-of-25 for 126 yards with 0 TDs and 0 INTs. Took a goal-line stand at the end to prevent potential OT. Even then, Clemson gave up a safety and had to punt it back to GT, which had a final desperation opportunity.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 8:39 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sam Howell's big start

Three of Sam Howell's first four pass attempts went for touchdowns, as the Gamecocks have opened up a 24-7 lead on UVA in the second quarter. Impressive display for the Tar Heels after they sputtered in Week 1 at Virginia Tech. Began getting back on track vs. Georgia State last week, but doing this vs. a decent UVA team is another deal.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 8:03 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia's QB 'battle' looks settled

End 1Q: No. 2 Georgia 14, South Carolina 6

J.T. Daniels went 8-of-9 for 119 yards and a TD in the first quarter after missing last week's win over UAB due to injury. Stetson Bennett, who was prolific as a fill-in vs. the Blazers, came in for UGA's third series and threw one pass. It was intercepted to set up a South Carolina field goal. Gotta love Bennett, but that should do away with any QB controversy in Athens.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 7:47 pm ET · David Cobb]

Clemson is STRUGGLING

Early 4Q: No. 6 Clemson 7, Georgia Tech 3

The Tigers beat Georgia Tech 73-7 on the road last season but are leading just 7-3 early in the fourth quarter at home this time around. DJU has yet to reach 100 yards passing and the Tigers are averaging just 3.6 yards per carry on the ground. Their defense is playing even better than Georgia Tech's though. Yellow Jackets just forced a fumble and will have the ball back at their own 17.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 7:33 pm ET · David Cobb]

Bizarre play of the day

This one will give the SMU play a run for its money in the bizarre category. This punt appeared to have been ruled dead, but the officiating crew allowed Memphis' Calvin Austin to swoop in, pick it up and run it back for a game-changing score. Also: Memphis had two players wearing No. 4 on the field for the play which is against the rules. There will have to be some sort of explanation after the game. Inexplicable.

[Sep 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Ohio State survives ... barely

Final: No. 9 Ohio State 41, Tulsa 20

Don't let the final score fool you, Ohio State struggled mightily against an 0-3 Golden Hurricane squad. Tulsa had the ball down 27-20 with a chance to tie the game with just minutes left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had his shakiest start of the year, completing just 15 of 25 passes for 185 yards, a touchdown and an interception. All-American receiver Chris Olave didn't catch a single pass. The defense let first-year Tulsa quarterback Davis Brin throw for an absurd 428 yards. 

The good news for Ohio State is that its has a star in the making. Freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 277 yards and three touchdowns, breaking Archie Griffin's 49-year-old record for most yards by a freshman running back. If the passing game and defense are going to struggle, Ohio State might need to lean on the young Henderson right away just to get through conference play.