Week 9 did not contain as much chaos as others have this season. However, it made up for the lack of quantity with quality. Some conference-shattering outcomes left people crying in happiness or sorrow. In other places, there were unreal endings. But first, in the FCS is a story people need to know about as NC Central is putting on a season for the history books. 

Davius Richard Dominates 

In No. 13 NC Central’s 62-28 win over SC State, Davius Richard had himself quite an evening. A strong Walter Payton Award contender, he completed 18 of 27 passes through the air for 352 yards and five touchdowns, along with two rushing touchdowns. If the Eagles continue to roll, it will be interesting to see if Richard and the team play in the Celebration Bowl or decide to enter the FCS Playoffs. At 7-1 with that loss coming to UCLA, this team could make a serious run to a title. But the national spotlight and financial gain from competing in the Celebration Bowl is also tempting. Whatever the case, the Eagles are fortunate to have one of the best quarterbacks in the FCS in Richard on their side. 

Georgia Tech Stings Another ACC Foe

No. 17 North Carolina ventured into Bobby Dodd Stadium coming off a shocking loss to Virginia. Hoping to avoid a skid like last season, the Tar Heels met a juiced up Georgia Tech on its homecoming weekend. The Yellow Jackets beat a ranked UNC team for the third straight season as they rushed for 348 yards, including 246 in the fourth quarter, in a 46-42 win. With the victory, head coach Brent Key has built himself quite a résumé:

Overall, it looks like Georgia Tech has the man to lead the program back to being a constant bowl team. In the meantime, it has also been a good season for Haynes King. He threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns while adding 90 yards on the ground. It was his fifth game of at least 280 passing yards with multiple touchdown passes. The former Texas A&M Aggie has found a home in Atlanta.

On the other side, Devontez Walker was taken to the hospital after a massive hit. Thankfully he was released from the hospital. His status going forward is unclear as of this article’s publication. On the whole, UNC has thrown away a prime opportunity to sneak into the College Football Playoff, or at the very least challenge Florida State for the ACC crown. With Clemson down, it was set out before the Tar Heels with the trio of Drake Maye, Walker and Omarion Hampton on offense being an absolute terror. 

Kansas Conquers Oklahoma 

Ever since Lance Leipold took over at Kansas, the Jayhawks have gone from a loveable loser to a feisty loveable loser to a competent program to finally a giant slayer. With a backup quarterback, Kansas took down No. 6 Oklahoma 38-33 for the team’s biggest win since Leipold took over, ending an 18-game losing streak to the Sooners. 

It was also Kansas’ first top 10 home win in 39 years. Who did the Jayhawks beat then? No. 2 Oklahoma of course. 

Leipold has built winners wherever he has been, and Kansas might be his pièce de résistance. The offense is creative and can give defenses problems no matter the skill level. But with talents such as Devin Neal (25 carries, 112 yards, the go-ahead touchdown) and Daniel Hishaw Jr. (12 carries, 51 yards, two touchdowns) in the backfield, the Jayhawks are a legitimate threat. There will always be the chance Leipold takes another job, but for now, with Texas and Oklahoma leaving the conference, it could become a Jayhawk domination in the Big 12 between football and basketball. 

As for Oklahoma, this loss is not a bad loss at all. A close road game against a conference foe should not be the end of the world. But the offense did look shaky, and this is back-to-back iffy performances against teams the Sooners were favored against. If they want to make the College Football Playoff, they absolutely cannot afford another loss, and even close wins might eliminate them from contention. A sneaky storyline is Dillon Gabriel struggling, which could set him back in the Heisman Trophy race. 

Johns Hopkins Wins on a Blocked Field Goal

In a Division III matchup, the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays defeated Muhlenberg 34-28. But wait, the heading says the Jays won on a blocked field goal, so they must have returned it for a touchdown? Well…

Bumbling Stumbling Safety

I have watched and cackled at this too many times. 

Shoutouts

Shoutout to UMass, which beat Army 21-14. Shoutout to No. 24 USC as the Trojans beat California 50-49 in a game where a second quarter play was run after halftime (it’s complicated). Shoutout to No. 22 Tulane as the Green Wave keep blowing leads but coming out on top (they beat Rice 30-28 after leading 27-7). Shoutout Miami (OH), which beat Ohio 30-16 and is leading the MAC East. Shoutout NC State, which beat Clemson 24-17 and continues the trend of favorites on the CW getting upset. Shoutout to No. 1 Georgia, which crushed Florida and seems well on its way to another playoff appearance. Shoutout to Arizona, which beat No. 11 Oregon State 27-24 to mark its second straight win over a top 25 team. Shoutout to Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for 271 yards and two touchdowns in an Oklahoma State 45-13 win over Cincinnati. Shoutout to all the costumes seen in the stands and on the sidelines by fans and mascots to celebrate Halloween. Finally, shoutout to this finale in Canada: