Week 4 of the 2024 college football season is in the books.
This week was important as conference play kicked off for many teams and had playoff implications for the end of the year. Among conference play, this week featured four ranked matchups, but perhaps the most thrilling game of the week came from an unranked team giving a top-ranked team a major scare.
Kicking woes headline SEC matchup
The No. 7 Missouri Tigers (4-0) almost had its college football playoff dreams ruined taking the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2) to double overtime on Saturday in a 30-27 win. Both teams struggled in the kicking aspect in an ugly game for kickers everywhere.
Both teams combined to miss five field goals, including a 31-yarder that would have tied the game for the Commodores in the second overtime period.
Both teams’ offenses performed well despite this. Missouri’s quarterback, Brady Cook, passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns which both went to wideout Luther Burden III. Running back Nate Noel ran for 199 yards on 24 carries for the Tigers as well, setting a new career high.
Vanderbilt also played solidly on offense, as quarterback Diego Pavia passed for 178 yards along with a pair of touchdowns. Pavia showcased his dual-threat ability. He was the leading rusher for the Commodores, tacking on 84 yards on 17 carries.
Both teams will have a bye week to regroup with Missouri’s next game against the 3-1 Texas A&M Aggies in Week 6, while Vanderbilt will travel to play the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa that week as well.
Illinois’ hot start
The No. 24 ranked Illinois Illini (4-0) outlasted the No. 22 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1) 31-24 in overtime to get off to one of its best starts in recent memory.
The Illini have now beaten two ranked teams this year, including the No. 19 ranked Kansas Jayhawks in Week 2. This is the first time since 2007 that Illinois has beaten two ranked opponents. This is also their first time starting the season 4-0 since 2007.
Nebraska could certainly have been happier after the contest, extending their streak to 25 straight losses against ranked opponents.
The Cornhuskers didn’t have much of a chance in the only overtime period, with freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola sacked three times in four plays to seal Illinois’ win.
Quality quarterback play was aplenty in this contest, as Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for four touchdowns and 215 yards with no interceptions. Raiola tossed three touchdowns and an interception with 297 pass yards in the loss.
Illinois will look to continue their hot start against the best team they will play this season, traveling to play Penn State next week. Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers will try to get their season back on track next week at Purdue.
Wolverines welcome Trojans to Big Ten
The Michigan Wolverines (3-1) took home a crucial Big Ten win over the USC Trojans (2-1) in a 27-24 nail-biter in the Big House.
Run defense was a weakness in the USC defense, and Michigan capitalized on that. The Wolverines posted 46 carries for 290 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Running back Kalel Mullings led the way for Michigan, netting 159 yards and two touchdowns by himself, including a 53-yard score in the first quarter.
Michigan quarterback Alex Orji attempted only 12 passes, completing seven for 32 yards. He contributed to the run game, adding 43 yards with his legs on 14 carries.
USC had the exact opposite game plan. Quarterback Miller Moss aired the ball out 51 times on Saturday, connecting on 28 for 283 passing yards and three touchdowns with an interception.
The game was a back-and-forth affair after Michigan jumped out to a 14-0 lead halfway through the second quarter. A Michigan fumble deep in their territory set up a quick Trojan touchdown three plays later to put them up 24-20 with 7:01 left in the game.
The Wolverines had their longest drive of the evening at the perfect time, driving 89 yards in 10 plays. Mullings headlined the series, rushing for 84 yards, including the game-winning touchdown on fourth and goal from the one-yard line.
The Wolverines will host Minnesota next week at home, while the Trojans will host Wisconsin.
Week 5, kicking off on Friday, will feature the game of the year thus far, as No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa to face the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide.
