Wild Comebacks, Incredible Upsets in College Football’s Week 3

Winless Old Dominion shocks No. 13 Virginia Tech; Stanford mounts huge, late rally to defeat Oregon.

Stanford Cornerback Obi Eboh (22) and center Brian Chaffin (65) celebrate after defeating Oregon in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Stanford Cornerback Obi Eboh (22) and center Brian Chaffin (65) celebrate after defeating Oregon in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
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A 2018 college football season already marked by nail-biting finishes and improbable underdog victories added a few more to its legacy on Saturday.

In the PAC-12, No. 7 Stanford mounted an incredible comeback from a 17-point, second half deficit to tie the game against 20th-ranked Oregon, thanks to some huge pass plays and a gut-wrenching fumble by the Ducks with just 28 seconds remaining. That led to a game-tying field goal by Stanford at the end of regulation. The Cardinal carried their momentum into overtime, scoring on a sensational, circus-catch TD in their first possession. Stanford’s 38–31 comeback victory was then sealed with an interception of an Oregon pass in the end zone on the following overtime possession.

 

The upset special of the week award goes to winless Old Dominion, for its stunning 49–35 victory over No. 13 Virginia Tech (although unranked and winless Purdue’s 30–13 defeat of No. 23 Boston College deserves honorable mention). Virginia Tech walloped ODU 38–0 last year, which was, in part, why Old Dominion was a 28.5-point underdog at home this week. But the Monarchs hung with the Hokies this season and only trailed by seven points after three quarters, thanks to back-up QB Blake LaRussa. Then, the Monarchs offense took over, scoring TDs on its next two possessions. ODU finally polished off the Hokies with a rumbling, 40-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Cox with under two minutes left.

 

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