College football Week 4 delivered drama, upsets, and standout plays across the nation. From Clemson’s shocking loss to Syracuse to Oklahoma’s redemption win, fans witnessed defining moments that reshaped playoff conversations. Here are the key takeaways, top stats, and performances from Week 4.
Clemson Shocked at Home by Syracuse
Clemson’s struggles continued in Week 4 as Syracuse stunned the Tigers 34-21 at Death Valley. Head coach Dabo Swinney admitted the weight of a 1-3 start, calling himself “not a cyborg” in an emotional press conference. The loss raised major doubts about Clemson’s ability to remain contenders in the ACC this season.
Oklahoma Redeems Itself Against Auburn
In Norman, Oklahoma dominated Auburn with a relentless pass rush, recording 10 sacks in a 24-17 victory. Quarterback John Mateer led the Sooners with over 300 total yards and two touchdowns, proving the team made the right call moving forward from Jackson Arnold. Auburn, meanwhile, struggled with penalties and offensive line breakdowns, raising questions about their readiness for the SEC grind.
Florida’s Offensive Collapse vs. Miami
Hopes for Florida’s recovery took a big hit in their 26-7 loss to Miami. The Gators produced just one first down in the first half and managed only 151 total yards. Quarterback DJ Lagway finished with 61 passing yards as Miami’s defense shut down every attempt to spark momentum.
Indiana Destroys Illinois in Big Ten Clash
Indiana delivered one of the most lopsided results of the weekend, crushing Illinois 63-10. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, continuing his red-hot streak. The Hoosiers sent a strong message that they are ready to challenge top Big Ten teams this season.
Nebraska Falls Again in Close Loss to Michigan
Nebraska’s one-score game curse continued in a 30-27 defeat to Michigan. The Huskers are now 11-36 in one-possession games since 2018, and coach Matt Rhule’s struggles in tight matchups highlight a persistent issue that has haunted the program for years.
UCF Dominates North Carolina
Any momentum North Carolina carried into Week 4 vanished in a 34-9 loss to UCF. The Knights’ defense completely neutralized Gio Lopez, handing the Tar Heels a reality check about their competitive ceiling this season.
Other Week 4 Highlights
- Texas Tech showed its transfer portal investments paying off with a 34-10 win over Utah.
- Colorado’s mascot Ralphie VII made her debut in a 37-20 victory over Wyoming.
- Vanderbilt avenged last season’s defeat by demolishing Georgia State 70-15.
- TCU claimed bragging rights in their rivalry, defeating SMU 35-24 behind Josh Hoover’s five touchdown passes.
Heisman Watch After Week 4
- John Mateer (Oklahoma QB): 300 total yards, 2 TDs in win vs. Auburn.
- Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB): 5 TDs in a dominant win over Illinois.
- Josh Hoover (TCU QB): 379 passing yards, 5 TDs vs. SMU.
- Ahmad Hardy (Missouri RB): 138 rushing yards, 1 TD vs. South Carolina.
What’s Next in College Football Week 5
As September ends, the college football season is beginning to separate contenders from pretenders. With October matchups looming, teams like Oklahoma, Miami, Indiana, and Michigan will look to cement their positions as playoff hopefuls. Week 5 promises even more high-stakes games that could shake up the rankings.
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