Top-25 College Football Game Capsules

Aug 31, 2007, 6:58 GMT

Starkville, MS - Craig Steltz came up with three of LSU's six interceptions of Michael Henig, as the second-ranked Tigers opened their season with a resounding 45-0 victory over Mississippi State. Matt Flynn, in his first regular season start after serving as the backup the last three years playing in the shadow of JaMarcus Russell, completed 12-of-19 passes for 128 yards and a pair of scores for LSU (1-0, 1-0 SEC), which beat the Bulldogs for an eighth consecutive time. LSU's No. 2 preseason ranking is its highest since 1959, and with a return of 15 starters, the Tigers immediately showed off their experience and dominance. One of those players not returning is Russell, who was the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick this year, but is still a contract holdout with the Oakland Raiders. However, Flynn stood out, also scrambling for 42 yards, and Early Doucet caught nine passes for 78 yards and a TD. The Tigers, coming off an 11-2 season and a win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, got a pair of touchdown runs from Keiland Williams. The Bulldogs (0-1, 0-1), who ended with a 3-9 record, including 1-7 against SEC opposition last season, were held to 10 yards rushing and 146 total. Henig, whose sophomore season was reduced to shambles by a pair of broken collarbones, connected on 11-of-28 passes for 120 yards.

Final Score: (10) Louisville 73, Murray State 10

Louisville, KY - Brian Brohm threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns as 10th-ranked Louisville dismantled Murray State in the opener for both schools, 73-10, at Papa John's Stadium. Brohm completed 16-of-21 passes before exiting early in the third quarter as the Cardinals (1-0) extended their home winning streak to 19 games. The 73 total points were the most scored by a Louisville team since a 79-0 victory over Ogden in 1926. Douglas was Brohm's main target, finishing with five catches for 151 yards and a two touchdowns, while tight end Gary Barnidge had four receptions for 46 yards and a pair of scores. Starting tailback Anthony Allen carried seven times for 56 yards and a touchdown, while reserve George Stripling came on for 92 yards on 14 carries. In total, the Cardinals amassed 655 yards of total offense to the Racers' 271. Their 49 first-half points set a new school record, eclipsing the previous mark of 42 set in 2006 against Temple. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt completed 12-of-20 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown for Murray State (0-1). Paul McKinnis rushed nine times for 72 yards, including a 32-yard scamper.

Final Score: (16) Rutgers 38, Buffalo 3

Piscataway, NJ - Ray Rice ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns to lead the 16th-ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights over the Buffalo Bulls, 38-3, in the season opener for both programs. Rice, a Heisman Trophy candidate, now has 3,101 career rushing yards, which is just 14 yards shy of passing Terrell Willis (3,114) for the all-time leader in school history. The junior passed JJ Jennings for second all-time on his first TD run and his night ended following his third score. He ended with 205 total yards, adding two receptions for 21 yards to his 25-carry performance. Mike Teel completed 16-of-23 passes for a career-high 328 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for the Scarlet Knights (1-0), who opened their season by continuing the momentum created last year when they went 11-2 and won their first bowl game in school history. Tiquan Underwood pulled in 10 receptions for a school-record 248 yards and two touchdowns for Rutgers, which gained nearly 600 yards in total offense, having opened the season ranked in both the Coaches' and Associated Press polls for the first time in history. Drew Willy threw for 165 yard on 19-of-32 passing for the Bulls (0-1), who have dropped four straight and 11 of 12 since opening last season with a 9-3 overtime win against Temple.

Final Score: (24) Boise State 56, Weber State 7

Boise, ID - Ian Johnson rushed for 128 yards and scored three touchdowns, as 24th-ranked Boise extended the nation's longest winning streak to 14 games with a 56-7 rout of Weber State. The Broncos captured the spotlight last season by going a perfect 13-0 in head coach Chris Petersen's inaugural season. That run was illuminated by a wild 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, a classic that featured a hook-and-ladder and Statue of Liberty play in the game's most critical moments. The team lost 11 starters from last season, but showed it still has some firepower, especially in the backfield. Jeremy Avery added to the big night on the ground by amassing 105 rushing yards with two scores. Senior quarterback Taylor Tharp, replacing Jared Zabransky, went 14-of-19 for 184 yards and a touchdown for Boise State (1-0). Opposing quarterback Jimmy Barnes was just 9-of-23 for 67 yards with a TD pass, and Trevyn Smith paced the ground game for Weber State (0-1) with 76 yards on 19 carries.

© 2007 The Sports Network