Group Of Five Takeaways From Week 0

The start to the college football season was a little disappointing with Notre Dame cruising through Navy on its way to a 42-3 win, but then the rest of the Week 0 slate was eventful. 

All seven FBS games featured a Group of Five team, and five of those contests were one-possession finals.

There were certainly more surprises than not, and plenty to take away from the first action of 2023.

Welcome to the FBS, Jax State

In what was the most exciting finish of the day, Gamecock cornerback Derek Carter had perhaps the biggest play of the game when he disrupted what looked like the go-ahead touchdown catch by Kelly Amharaiyi late in the fourth quarter on a third down. 

UTEP QB Gavin Hardison proceeded to throw an interception on the following play. It was picked off by Jeremiah Harris to shut the door on a comeback and secure Jax State’s first victory as a CUSA member. The interception helped Harris earn CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors:

The Miners are a good team, and could still make some noise this season, but the win solidified that the Gamecocks aren’t to be taken lightly. Their defense stepped up when it mattered most. 

Now, Jax State has to wait four more weeks for their next conference opponent when it visits Sam Houston. 

Rourke-less Bobcats Struggle

With not even the full first quarter off the clock, Ohio QB and reigning MAC Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke was knocked out of the game following an awkward hit:

It was Rourke’s first game back since tearing his ACL in November of last season, and the senior looked comfortable, was moving around well and he had no issues moving the offense down the field. He completed 8 of 10 passes for 75 yards. 

He led the Bobcats on an 82-yard drive on their first possession of the season before the Aztecs stopped them at the 2-yard line to force a field goal. The following possession was when Rourke left the game. 

CJ Harris replaced Rourke, but the offense didn’t gain any traction with Harris under center until it was nearly too late. Ohio’s only TD of the game came with 2:04 to play in the fourth, and the Bobcats actually got the ball back with 54 seconds remaining and a chance to tie or win it. 

However, Harris tossed his third interception of the game with nine seconds left at the Aztecs’ 33-yard line. 

Rourke is reportedly good to go this weekend against Long Island University, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sit out for at least the second half of this one.

It’s also worth noting from Saturday that Sam Wiglusz is like your favorite local late-night Mexican spot to eat — he’s always open. 

Hawai’i Surprises

After making the 4,300-mile trek to Nashville, the Rainbow Warriors never wavered in their 35-28 loss to Vanderbilt. 

Hawai’i trailed by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter but rallied and got the ball back with 2:14 remaining and a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but Brayden Schager was picked off on the second play of the drive, draining all of the hope out of a comeback. 

Regardless, college football betting odds had the Commodores as 17.5-point favorites, and the Warriors gave themselves a shot late against an SEC opponent. The game was closer than what the 21-point lead Vanderbilt had made it seem.

Hawai’i had more passing yards, more rushing yards, more first downs, won the time of possession, and had fewer penalties. But it lost the turnover battle 2-0, which really was the difference.

We’ll see if the Warriors can be that competitive going forward.