College football scores, rankings, highlights: USC cruises to easy win, Oregon survives road scare in Week 2

NCAA football scores, live updates and highlights from the full slate of Week 2 action on Saturday

Week 2 of the 2023 college football season is in the books, and a Saturday full of notable non-conference matchups certainly didn't disappoint. Between first-time matchups, rivalries renewed, frantic finishes and a few upsets, the day provided a bit more clarity on which teams might be contenders and which ones are merely pretenders.

A eyes were on the top-15 showdown in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, that saw No. 11 Texas upend No. 3 Alabama as the Longhorns snapped the Crimson Tide's 21-game home winning streak.

No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Michigan. No. 4 Florida State and No. 5 Ohio State all cruised to comfortable victories at home against lesser competition, but that wasn't the case for everyone. No. 12 Utah and No. 13 Oregon survived scares against Baylor and Texas Tech on the road, while No. 17 North Carolina needed two overtimes to beat an always-pesky Appalachian State team at home.

Other ranked teams weren't so lucky. No. 23 Texas A&M fell at Miami, and No. 19 Wisconsin's first season under coach Luke Fickell took a sour turn as the Badgers went down at Washington State. 

There's also No. 22 Colorado, which continues to live up to the hype in Deion Sanders' first year at the helm. The Buffaloes cruised to victory at home Saturday against Nebraska as the two longtime former conference foes renewed their rivalry. Elsewhere in Pac-12 country, No. 6 USC raced past Stanford in the last scheduled meeting between the schools, while Auburn took down Cal in the first meeting between those two programs.

CBS Sports was with you every step of the way to keep you looped in on the action. Scores and highlights from the day's biggest games are below.

College football scores, schedule: Week 2

No. 1 Georgia 45, Ball State 3 -- Recap
No. 5 Ohio State 35, Youngstown State 7 -- Recap
No. 10 Notre Dame 45, NC State 24 -- Recap
No. 22 Colorado 36, Nebraska 14 -- Recap, takeaways
No. 2 Michigan 35, UNLV 7 -- CBS -- Recap, Takeaways
Miami 48, No. 23 Texas A&M 33-- ABC -- Recap, Takeaways
No. 20 Ole Miss 37, No. 24 Tulane 20 -- Recap
Iowa 20, Iowa State 13 -- Recap
No. 8 Washington 43, Tulsa 10 -- Recap
No. 17 North Carolina 40, Appalachian State 34 -- Recap
No. 18 Oklahoma 28, SMU 11 -- Recap
No. 9 Tennessee 30, Austin Peay 13 -- Recap
No. 11 Texas 34, No. 3 Alabama 24 -- Recap, Takeaways
No. 13 Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30 -- Recap
UCLA 35, San Diego State  10 -- Recap
No. 4 Florida State 66, Southern Miss 13 -- Recap
No. 6 USC 56, Stanford 10 -- Recap
Auburn 14, Cal 10 -- Recap
Check out the entire Week 2 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• Dennis Dodd: Texas, Steve Sarkisian crack Alabama's mystique
• Week 2's winners, losers: Notre Dame passes first big test, SEC teams fail to impress 
• Jerry Palm's bowl projections: Texas takes Alabama's spot in playoff field after upset
• TT25T: Longhorns charge into top three of projected rankings
• Kamren Kinchens injury: Miami's All-American DB carted from field in win over Texas A&M
• Shedeur Sanders calls out Matt Rhule: Colorado QB had plenty to say after win over Nebraska
• Utah rallies to edge Baylor: No. 12 Utes secured first lead in game's final seconds
• Colorado fans storm field: Buffaloes fans hyped as Coach Prime era stays hot
• Big return for Mike Hollins: UVa RB scores after surviving on-campus shooting in 2022
• Turnover Throne: Colorado debuts new defensive prop in Deion's home debut
• Honorary captain: UNC's Tez Walker represents team pregame after being ruled ineligible

[Sep 10, 2023 at 2:03 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

USC improves to 3-0

Final: No. 6 USC 56, Stanford 10

The second half of USC-Stanford was mostly uneventful. The Trojans pulled a majority of their starters and they were held scoreless until backup quarterback Miller Moss scored on a 15-yard run late in the fourth quarter. USC star Caleb Williams so far this season has been lights out and he's thrown 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. Williams is looking to become the second college football player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. The USC defense has been a point of discussion all offseason and it's clear they had its best performance of the season in the Pac-12 opener. 

As for Stanford, starting quarterback Ashton Daniels exited the game in the first half and Syracuse transfer Justin Lamson came in to replace him. Lamson finished with 121 yards passing and he scored Stanford's lone touchdown of the night on a 1-yard rush. USC has a bye week next weekend and Stanford will face Sacramento State on Saturday. That game in Palo Alto will be a reunion for Taylor, as he was the head coach of the Hornets program for three seasons.

[Sep 10, 2023 at 1:53 am ET · Barrett Sallee]

Auburn's defense does it all

FINAL: Auburn 14, California 10

Auburn topped California in one of the sloppiest games you'll ever see. The Tigers got a five-yard touchdown pass from Payton Thorne to tight end Rivaldo Fairweather with 6:31 to play for the game-winner. It was a game that saw Auburn turn the ball over four times, but hold Cal to three points on four drives that started in Auburn territory. Linebacker Eugene Asante was the star of the night, notching 12 total tackles, 1.5 for a loss and hurrying the quarterback twice.

[Sep 10, 2023 at 12:20 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Trojans cruising at home

Halftime: USC 49, Stanford 3

It's been all USC during the first 30 minutes in Southern California and the Trojans are well on their way to a 3-0 start to the season. USC is up 46 points at the break and USC star quarterback Caleb Williams is 19 of 22 for 300 yards and three touchdowns. It's very likely Williams and the rest of the starters see little action in the second half. 

[Sep 10, 2023 at 12:12 am ET · Barrett Sallee]

Cal leads Auburn at the half

HALF: California 10, Auburn 7

The Bears got a 14-yard touchdown from from Jaydn Ott and a 39-yard field goal from Michael Lockhurst to take a three-point lead into the half. It's great to have the lead, no doubt. But three drives have started inside Auburn territory and they are averaging just 3.3 yards per play in what has been a very bizarre first half. Cal has stymied an Auburn offense that looked like a monster last week. The Tigers have just 99 yards and quarterback Payton Thorne only has 38 yards through the air.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 11:44 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Zachariah Branch does it again

Early 2Q: USC 28, Stanford 0

USC true freshman Zachariah Branch is making his case for one of the best players in the country. In Week 0, Branch scored two touchdowns in the win over San Jose State, including one as a punt returner. Last week, he scored a receiving touchdown and this week against Stanford, Branch found another way to score. Branch caught a punt at his own 25-yard line and returned it 75-yards for his fourth all-purpose touchdown of the season.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 11:39 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Florida State cruises

FINAL: No. 4 Florida State 52, Southern Miss 10

Championship-level teams don't suffer hangovers after big wins, and the Seminoles certainly didn't look hungover on Saturday night. They racked up 448 yards, averaged 7.6 yards per play and their defense shut down the Southern Miss offense from the moment toe met leather. Quarterback Jordan Travis threw for 175 yards, tossed two touchdowns and added 20 yards on the ground in the win.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 11:22 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Moore shines in UCLA's win

Final: UCLA 35, San Diego State 10

Despite UCLA QB Dante Moore finishing the game 17 of 27 for 290 yards and three touchdowns, Bruins head coach Chip Kelly said postgame he is uncommitted to naming the star true freshman the long-term starter. UCLA led 28-10 at halftime and pitched a shutout in the second half. The Bruins are 2-0 and will face NC Central next weekend before opening up Pac-12 play against Utah on Sept. 23. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 11:12 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

WSU upsets Wisconsin

Final: Washington State 31, No. 19 Wisconsin 22

Washington State's future after this season as a member of the Power-Five may be in doubt, but the Cougars delivered a statement win over Wisconsin at the comforts of home in Pullman. Nakia Watson scored a 1-yard touchdown to extend the WSU lead to nine before the Cougars forced a turnover on down the ensuing possession.

The Badgers cut the deficit to two points heading into the fourth quarter before being shut out in the final frame. WSU star Cameron Ward finished 20 of 32 for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 43 yards. The WSU defense forced three turnovers in the win, including a strip-sack by Ron Stone Jr. that was recovered by Brennan Jackson for a touchdown. Washington State is 2-0 and opens Pac-12 conference play on Sept. 23 at home against Oregon State.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:44 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Texas upsets Alabama in Tuscaloosa

FINAL: No. 11 Texas 34, No. 3 Alabama 24

Steve Sarkisian became the third former Nick Saban assistant to top Saban on Saturday night when the Longhorns beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. 'Horns quarterback Quinn Ewers, who lit up the Tide defense last season before suffering an injury at the end of the first quarter, threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns -- two of which went to Adonai Mitchell -- to announce their national presence with authority. The Texas defense bent quite a bit, but didn't break when it mattered most. Quarterback Jalen Milroe tossed two interceptions in his second game as the full-time starter.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:30 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Florida State up big at the half

HALF: No. 4 Florida State 31, Southern Miss 3

The Seminoles aren't suffering from a hangover after last week's win over LSU. Star quarterback Jordan Travis -- who inserted himself into the Heisman Trophy race after last week's performance -- is 15 of 29 for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including a beautiful six-yarder to Keon Coleman.  

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:25 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Late-night action out West 

The wait is over for this week's edition of #Pac12AfterDark, headlined by USC's Pac-12 opener against Stanford and Cal's non-conference home game against Auburn. Tonight's matchup between the Trojans and Cardinal is the 101st all-time between the in-state foes and the last scheduled meeting for the foreseeable future with both schools on the move to new conferences in 2024. USC is Big Ten-bound, while Stanford will join the ACC along with Cal. 

As for the Golden Bears, tonight is first time they've faced Auburn on the gridiron. The Tigers haven't frequented the West Coast much over the years, as this is just their fourth time playing a game in the state of California. Their most recent visit to the Golden State was the BCS National Championship Game loss to Florida State in January 2014, which was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The four teams across these two games are a combined 5-0 to start the year, with Auburn and Stanford under first-year coaches in Hugh Freeze and Troy Taylor, respectively. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:24 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Here comes the Badgers

Washington State 24, No. 19 Wisconsin 22

The Badgers offense came alive in the third quarter. Chez Mellusi scored a 2-yard touchdown and Wisconsin QB Tanner Mordecai connected with Skyler Bell for a 16-yard score to cut the deficit to two. Washington State opens the fourth quarter with the football looking to respond. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:21 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Knights survive in Boise

Final: UCF 18, Boise State 16

UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee wasn't sharp and turned the ball over twice, but he helped lead a 9-play drive that resulted in a 40-yard game-winning field goal by Colton Boomer. Boomer made all four of his field goal attempts to help the Knights move to 2-0.

Playing without starting quarterback Taylen Green in the second half due to injury, Boise State backup connected with Stefan Cobbs for a 28-yard touchdown with 1:49 left to give the Broncos a one-point lead with less than two minutes remaining before the final drive. This is UCF's first win on the road as a member of the Big 12 and hosts FCS-Villanova next week at home.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 10:13 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Texas back on top, but Alabama lurking

4Q: No. 11 Texas 27, No. 3 Alabama 24

The deficit for the Longhorns didn't last long. Texas immediately responds with a touchdown drive before Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe's second interception of the night leads to another Longhorns scoring drive. The Crimson Tide aren't letting Texas pull clear, however, as Milroe responds with another long touchdown pass -- aided by some suspect tackling from the Longhorns defense -- to make it a three-point game again. This game is far from over as two heavyweights trade punches. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:51 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Alabama takes first lead against Texas

End 3Q: No. 3 Alabama 16, No. 11 Texas 13

Here comes the Tide. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe hits Jermaine Burton on the deep ball for a 49-yard touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the third quarter, and the Crimson Tide are on top for the first time tonight. That'll certainly get the crowd going in Tuscaloosa, and perhaps reinvigorate an Alabama offense that had left much to be desired before that play. How will Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense responds to that punch will be telling.  

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:42 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Oklahoma takes care of SMU 

Final: No. 18 Oklahoma 28, SMU 11 

Oklahoma moves to 2-0 as the Sooners fend off any comeback effort from the Mustangs, ending the game on a 14-0 run after a pair of fourth quarter touchdown passes from Dillon Gabriel. The Sooners signal-caller ended the night with four touchdown passes -- each to a different pass-catcher -- in the victory. SMU quarterback Preston Stone and the Mustangs offense flashed at times, but a lack of consistency and a pair of turnovers from that unit ultimately kept them from potentially pulling the upset. For Oklahoma, it continues to be a strong start to what the Sooners hope is a bounce-back season in their second season under coach Brent Venables, though we'll see if it keeps up once Big 12 play arrives at the end of the month. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:23 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

WSU defense shining at home

Halftime: Washington State 24, No. 19 Wisconsin 9

The Cougars made a statement in the first half against Wisconsin. Ward is making a turn toward stardom and the defense looked stout. The second turnover the Cougars forced in the first 30 minutes of action was a strip-sack by Ron Stone Jr. that was recovered by Brennan Jackson for a touchdown. Ward in the first half finished 14 of 20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. The fate of Washington State as a Power-Five program is certainly in doubt after this season, but a potential statement win against Wisconsin could raise the stock of the program.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:19 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA has its starting QB going forward

Halftime: UCLA 28, San Diego State 10

Is there still a debate about who UCLA's quarterback should be for the rest of the season? If so, the first-half performance by Dante Moore should answer that question. After splitting time with veteran starter Ethan Garbers in the win over Coastal Carolina last week, Moore finished the first half 11 of 19 for 227 yards and had touchdown strikes to Josiah Norwood and Logan Loya. Bruins head coach Chip Kelly said earlier this week that Moore, Garbers and Kent State transfer Collin Schlee would all see action. Moore is the only UCLA quarterback who took a snap in the first 30 minutes.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:18 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Tennessee wins an ugly one

Final: No. 9 Tennessee 30, Austin Peay 13

The Volunteers only led by seven at the half, but pulled away in the second half to win an ugly one over the Governors in Knoxville, Tennessee. Joe Milton III hit McCallan Castles for a 43-yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter to put this one on ice. It wasn't Milton's best game, but he wasn't asked by coach Josh Heupel to do an awful lot on the afternoon. He finished the game 21 of 33 for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 9:05 pm ET · Dean Straka]

UNC outlasts App State in 2OT thriller

Final/2OT: No. 17 North Carolina 40, Appalachian State 34

North Carolina avoids becoming Appalachian State's latest victim among the power conference ranks as the Tar Heels survive in double overtime, that after missing a game-winning field goal attempt at the end of regulation. Quarterback Drake Maye hadn't had accounted for a touchdown all evening before taking it himself for the go-ahead score in double overtime. And while he was stuffed on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, the UNC defense held strong to secure the win. Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton also rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the victory on a night where the UNC passing game got off to a slow start. North Carolina moves to 2-0 while App State falls to 1-1.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Oregon fighting vs. Tech

HALF: No. 13 Oregon 18, Texas Tech 13

One week after dropping 80 points, Oregon finds itself in a battle with Texas Tech. Ducks quarterback Bo Nix posted 210 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, but the Red Raiders mucked up the game and limited possessions against the explosive attack. Oregon has just 43 yards rushing at the half. 

Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough, an Oregon transfer, has all the offense for Texas Tech with 81 yards passing, 92 yards rushing and two touchdowns. A fumble late in the second half helped set up an Oregon field goal before the half for the five-point lead. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Texas leads Alabama at the half

Halftime: No. 11 Texas 13, No. 3 Alabama 6 

It's a rather low-scoring affair, but Texas isn't complaining as they look to pull the upset for what would assuredly be among the program's biggest victories in recent memory. Neither offense has looked spectacular tonight, but that deep ball from Quinn Ewers to Xavier Worthy -- the lone touchdown in this game thus far -- is enough for the Longhorns to have the edge through 30 minutes of football. We'll see how Nick Saban and Alabama adjust in the second half against a team led by one of Saban's former assistants in Steve Sarkisian. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Boise State testing UCF at home

Halftime: Boise State 10, UCF 9

There wasn't an abundance of scoring on the blue turf in the first half, but there were 500 yards of total offense combined between Boise State and UCF. The Knights had their chances to put the ball in the end zone twice in the first quarter, but star QB John Rhys Plumlee threw an interception and the team turned it over on fourth-and-1. The lone touchdown thus far was a 38-yard strike from Boise State QB Taylen Green to Ashton Jeanty. UCF is playing in its first road game as a member of the Big 12 and it comes in a hostile environment in Boise. UCF started the season with a blowout win over Kent State in Orlando and Boise State is coming off a road loss to Washington.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:28 pm ET · Dean Straka]

North Carolina, App State tied late

Late 4Q: Appalachian State 27, No. 17 North Carolina 27 

App State hits the game-tying field goal with less than two minutes to play in regulation. This game has been close from the start and we're shaping up for a thrilling finish in Chapel Hill. Will North Carolina be able to win it in regulation? They'll have just more than a minute to at least get in field goal range as the Tar Heels look to avoid becoming the latest power conference program to fall to the Mountaineers.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:25 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Upset alert in Pullman?

End of 1Q: Washington State 7, No. 19 Wisconsin 3

After the first quarter started with both teams trading punts, Washington State put together an impressive 4-play, 50-yard drive that was capped with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Ward to Kyle Williams. Ward had a monster performance in the Week 1 win against Colorado State and the Cougars are looking to start the season 2-0. The Badgers responded with a 10-play drive that ended with a 49-yard field goal by Nathan Vakos for their lone points of the quarter. This is Luke Fickell's first road game as the Wisconsin head coach.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:23 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Tennessee pulling away

End Q3: No. 9 Tennessee 23, Austin Peay 6

The Volunteers entered the locker room up a touchdown on the Governors, much to the surprise of the college football world. Things settled on Rocky Top in the third quarter when Joe Milton III hit Ramel Keyton for a five-yard touchdown on the first drive of the second half. Charles Campbell connected on a 22-yard field goal midway through the frame to push the lead to 23-6. This one hasn't been pretty for the orange and white. At times, it's been downright ugly. But coach Josh Heupel's crew has found a way to get things going in the right direction late in this one.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:09 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Washington improves to 2-0

Final: No. 8 Washington 43, Tulsa 10

It was all Huskies on Saturday in Seattle and Washington improved to 9-0 at home under head coach Kalen DeBoer with the win over Tulsa. Penix added to his potential Heisman resume by completing 28 of 39 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns. McMillan had a game-high eight receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown and Odunze had a touchdown on the ground and through the air.

The Washington defense held Tulsa quarterbacks Cardell Williams and Roman Fuller to 150 passing yards on 32 attempts and as a team, the Golden Hurricanes averaged only 4.4 yards per play. The Huskies have a critical matchup on the road in East Lansing at Michigan State next weekend. Last season, Washington upset the Spartans to improve to 3-0 on the season. They will have the chance to do the same on Saturday.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 8:03 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Texas leading in Tuscaloosa

Early 2Q: No. 11 Texas 10, No. 3 Alabama 3

The Longhorns have come to play. After the teams traded field goals earlier, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers finds Xavier Worthy on the deep pass to put the 'Horns up a touchdown against the Crimson Tide. That's sweet redemption from an earlier drive in which Worthy was unable to haul in a perfectly-placed short pass in the end zone, forcing Texas to settle for a field goal. Alabama's offense has yet to get going, with quarterback Jalen Milroe committing an interception in the first quarter. 

[Sep 9, 2023 at 7:53 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Miami upsets No. 23 Texas A&M

FINAL: Miami 48, No. 23 Texas A&M 33

The Aggies jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead on the road at Hard Rock Stadium, but the Hurricanes' offense caught fire for the final three quarters to take a big win. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke threw for 374 yards, tossed five touchdowns, didn't throw an interception and proved to the college football world that, when healthy, he is one of the top quarterbacks in the sport. Senior Xavier Restrepo was Van Dyke's favorite target on the night, as the duo hooked up six times for 126 yards. Read more HERE.

[Sep 9, 2023 at 7:51 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Kamren Kinchens carted off

Miami defensive back Kamren Kinchens was carted off the field after suffering an injury in the waning minutes of Miami's win over Texas A&M. He was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center for further evaluation. ESPN reported that he was awake and was talking to trainers as he left the stadium.

A first-team All-American who chose to come back to school after flirting with the NFL, Kinchens is one of the key defensive pieces on a team that has been looking to claw back into the national spotlight in coach Mario Cristoabal's second season at the helm. Read more HERE