Star quarterbacks dominate Week 1 as college football opens with high-scoring performances
Top quarterbacks posted impressive numbers in Week 1, leading their teams to large victories while many matchups featured lower-ranked opponents.
Quarterbacks from several leading programs posted standout statistics in the opening week of the 2026 college football season, helping their teams post lopsided wins. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score in a 56-3 victory over Ball State. Oregon’s Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover in a 34-27 win against Boise State. Georgia’s Gunner Stockton was 15-of-16 for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs routed Tennessee State 63-3. Texas quarterback Arch Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns in a 59-7 win over Texas State, despite a late interception. Indiana’s Josh Hoover threw four touchdowns on 13 of 16 passing in a 52-16 victory over North Texas after playing through a facial injury.
Other notable performances included USC’s Jayden Maiava, who was 23-of-25 for 349 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-0 win over Fresno State, and Tennessee freshman Faizon Brandon, who recorded three passing and two rushing touchdowns in a 56-9 win over Furman, becoming the first SEC quarterback since 2010 to achieve that stat line in a debut.
Among the week’s surprise winners, UMass upset Rutgers 37-21, with transfer quarterback Pop Watson throwing three touchdowns. Tulsa defeated Oklahoma State 24-10 in the new coach Eric Morris’s debut, and Army and Navy each posted dominant rushing displays against FCS opponents. Boise State’s close loss to Oregon highlighted its competitiveness, and Virginia Tech’s rushing attack showed early promise under new head coach James Franklin.
Conversely, Rutgers continued its struggles under Greg Schiano, losing to UMass and facing a challenging Big Ten schedule. Georgia Tech fell 14-13 to Colorado after a clock-management error, while Stanford’s defense could not contain Miami’s Malachi Toney, who recorded 12 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Charlotte’s 49ers were edged 43-41 in triple overtime by The Citadel despite a strong offensive showing.