SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Running back Devontae Booker had 124 combined yards and a touchdown and Utah spoiled Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan coaching debut, beating the Wolverines 24-17 on Thursday night.
The Utes took a 24-10 lead on Justin Thomas’ 55-yard interception return for a touchdown with 7:58 left in the fourth quarter in the opener for both teams.
Harbaugh faced many of the same issues the Wolverines had under former coach Brady Hoke.
Quarterback Jake Rudock beat out Shane Morris for the start and the Iowa transfer had a reputation for limiting turnovers. Rudock promptly threw three against Utah, and finished 27-for-43 for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan was held to 355 total yards, gaining only 76 on the ground.
Booker overcame a slow start to have a team-high seven catches for 55 yards and added 69 yards rushing. Travis Wilson threw for 208 yards and ran for 53 yards and a touchdown.
No. 2 TCU 23,
Minnesota 17
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Trevone Boykin threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and ran for 92 yards and another score to help No. 2 TCU outlast Minnesota 23-17 on Thursday night.
Boykin started his Heisman push by completing 26-of-42 passes. But he also threw an interception and the Horned Frogs had a difficult time getting their frenetic offense rolling against Minnesota’s determined defense. Their 23 points were their fewest scored since Nov. 9, 2013.
Jaden Oberkrom made three field goals, including a 53-yarder, and Josh Doctson had eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown for TCU.
Mitch Leidner threw for 197 yards for Minnesota. His touchdown pass to K.J. Maye with 1:32 left pulled the Golden Gophers within a touchdown, but TCU recovered the onside kick to hang on.
Oklahoma State 24,
Central Michigan 13
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Mike Gundy told his Oklahoma State Cowboys that they weren’t going to get an easy win Thursday night against Central Michigan.
It took them more than a half to believe him.
The Chippewas took a 13-10 lead early in the third quarter before the Cowboys scored the game’s final 14 points to escape with a 24-13 win in the season opener for both teams.
The Cowboys were just the fifth Power Five conference school in the last 20 years to visit Kelly/Shorts Stadium, and had to work hard to avoid becoming the first one to lose.
South Carolina 17,
North Carolina 13
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore had a gut feeling Marquise Williams was going to throw into the middle of the end zone with the game on the line.
So he dropped back into coverage and waited, all the while watching the eyes of the North Carolina quarterback.
Moore intercepted Williams’ pass on a fourth and goal from the 8-yard line with 3:48 left in the game to help seal South Carolina’s 17-13 win over North Carolina on Thursday night.
The Gamecocks intercepted Williams three times on the night and registered four sacks.