College Football Scores 2016: Final Results, Box Scores for Week 8 Top 25 Games
While several elite teams like Clemson, Ohio State, Louisville and Michigan have had problems with close games or losses in recent weeks, the same issue has not impacted top-ranked Alabama.
The Crimson Tide had a tough battle on its hands as sixth-ranked Texas A&M came calling. The Aggies forced Alabama to settle for field goals in the first quarter, but Alabama did not get discouraged and pulled away for a 33-14 victory.
| Louisville (7) | 54-13 | North Carolina State | Louisville: 553-250 edge in total yards. |
| Wisconsin (10) | 17-9 | Iowa | Wisconsin defense: Holds Iowa to two of 13 third-down conversions. |
| West Virginia (14) | 34-10 | TCU | West Virginia: Converted eight of 16 third-down situations. |
| Navy (24) | 42-28 | Memphis | Navy: RB Will Worth, 31 carries for 201 yards, three TDs |
| Nebraska (8) | 27-14 | Purdue | Nebraska defense: Holds Purdue to 24 rushing yards on 22 attempts. |
| Michigan (3) | 41-8 | Illinois | Michigan defense: Holds 10th opponents to fewer than 10 points in Jim Harbaugh era. |
| Alabama (1) | 33-14 | Texas A&M | Alabama: Outscores Texas A&M 20-0 in final 27:54. |
| Western Michigan (20) | 45-31 | Eastern Michigan | Western Michigan: QB Zach Terrell, 398 passing yards, 11.4 yards per pass, three TDs. |
| North Carolina (22) | 35-14 | Virginia | North Carolina defense: Held Virginia to 3.2 yards per pass. |
| Utah (19) | 52-45 | UCLA | Utah: RB Joe Williams, 29 carries for 332 yards, four TDs |
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Alabama was trailing 14-13 early in the third quarter, but quarterback Jalen Hurts completed a 14-play, 77-yard drive by throwing a four-yard TD pass to Calvin Ridley with 6:33 to go in the third quarter that gave the Tide a 20-14 lead.
Later in the third quarter, Jonathan Allen picked up a Texas A&M fumble and ran 30 yards into the end zone to give Alabama a 26-14 lead and control of the game. Alabama has scored a non-offensive touchdown in 10 straight games, and that feat has not been accomplished by any other team in the last 10 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Alabama received a strong effort from running back Damien Harris, who took advantage of the Crimson Tide offensive line's solid blocking to gain 128 yards on 17 carries.
Hurts threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for 93 yards and a score.
Stars of the Week
QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Jackson and his Louisville teammates got their offense going in their one-sided victory over North Carolina State.
Jackson had a magnificent day throwing the football, completing 20 of 34 passes for 355 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jackson averaged 10.4 yards per throw, and the Wolfpack defense did not have any answers for Jackson's accuracy and big-play ability.
Jackson also did a solid job of running with the football, as he gained 76 yards on 17 carries and got into the end zone once.
Jackson set the tone early in the game when he opened the scoring with his 36-yard TD run, and he followed that by hitting Jaylen Smith with a 74-yard TD pass before the end of the first quarter.
He made two tacklers miss on his TD run as he bolted up the middle, while his TD pass hit Smith in stride and the receiver sped up the sidelines after making the catch in the middle of the field.
RB Corey Clement, Wisconsin
The Badgers have been one of college football's big surprises, and close losses to powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State have done nothing but enhance the Badgers' reputation.
Wisconsin got back on track Saturday with its 17-9 victory at Iowa. Clement had an eye-opening game, as he gained 134 yards on 35 carries as he got into the end zone one time. Clement's touchdown came midway through the third quarter as he pounded the ball in from a yard out, and the score extended the Wisconsin advantage to 14-6.
Wisconsin is 10-1 when Clement rushes for 100 yards or more.
QB Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
There's little doubt Trubisky has established himself as an outstanding passer this season.
He put that talent on display in the Tar Heels' 35-14 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. Trubisky was razor- sharp in his accuracy as he completed 24 of 31 passes for 310 yards with three touchdowns, and he kept it clean as he did not throw an interception.
Bug Howard was the Tar Heels' top receiver. He caught seven of Trubisky's passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.
QB Tommy Armstrong, Nebraska
It was not the best of games for the Cornhuskers, as they found themselves trailing the Purdue Boilermakers at halftime before they rallied in the second half and came away with a 27-14 victory.
Nobody did more to help Nebraska secure the win than Armstrong. He threw for 252 yards and a third-quarter TD pass that gave the Cornhuskers a lead they would not relinquish.
Armstrong also gained key yards on the ground, as he ran for 51 yards and a touchdown, and he averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
