College Football Playoffs (First Round, Part 2)

#6 Utah vs. #11 Cincinnati

A back-and-forth game left the Utah Utes fans shocked as the Big East Conference champion Cincinnati Bearcats escaped with a 27-23 upset victory. The teams traded field goals in the first quarter before the Utes scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brian Johnson to Bradon Godfrey. The Bearcats responded with a touchdown drive, but a missed extra point left the score at 10-9. Cincinnati added a 21-yard field goal to take a 12-10 lead into the half. By the end of the third quarter, the score stood at Utah 20-18 after a Utes touchdown and field goal and two Bearcats field goals. After a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter stretched the Utah lead to 23-18, the Bearcats took the lead for good with 1:43 left in the game on a touchdown and missed 2-point conversion (24-23). After a Utes turnover, the Bearcats added a field goal for the final margin of 27-23.

#3 Texas vs. #14 East Carolina

The East Carolina Pirates stunned the Longhorns for one quarter, taking a 10-7 lead into the second period. Texas then reeled off 38 unanswered points to take a 45-10 lead. East Carolina scored a final touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the final 45-17 margin. Texas advances to host Cincinnati in the Quarterfinal Round.

#7 Texas Tech vs. #10 Ohio State

Leading 13-7 after the third quarter, little could have prepared the Texas Tech Red Raiders for what happened next. A 14-yard run by Daniel Herron gave Ohio State a 14-13 lead. After a Texas Tech fumble, a 31- yard Beanie Wells extended the lead to 21-13. The Red Raiders then went three-and-out and another Wells touchdown gave the Buckeyes their third answered touchdown and a 28-13 lead. Ohio State added a late field goal for the 31-13 final score.

#2 Florida vs. #15 Buffalo

The #2 Gators steamrolled to a 30-0 halftime lead over the Mid-American Conference champion. The Bulls scored 13 points in the 3rd Quarter to close the gap to 30-13. The Gators then responded with a 21 point 4th Quarter to claim a 51-16 win. Florida advances to host Ohio State.