College football scores, rankings, highlights: Texas ends historic skid, Cincinnati stays perfect

Wazzu upends Washington for sweet Apple Cup win

Washington State fired its coach, Nick Rolovich, in the middle of the season -- but you'd never be able to tell based on the way this team has played. The Cougars destroyed rival Washington 40-13 to notch its first Apple Cup win since 2012 -- and marking the largest margin of victory for Wazzu in rivalry history. The win also keeps this program in the hunt for the Pac-12 North title. All the Cougars have to do now is root for Oregon State in Saturday's rivalry game with Oregon. A Beavers win sends Wazzu to the Pac-12 Championship Game to face Utah, but if the Ducks win, they're in. Regardless, this team has shown incredible resiliency and interim coach Jake Dickert has a great case to be named the permanent coach. 

NC State completes epic comeback win

The Wolfpack have snapped Mack Brown and Sam Howell's two-game streak in the series thanks to two touchdowns in the final 30 seconds to win 34-30. The successful onsides kick was just one piece of a total collapse for the Tar Heels in the final of what was several dramatic swings between these two teams in the game. NC State went up 14-0 early, North Carolina scored 24 unanswered at one point and eventually it was those final 14 points for the Wolfpack that proved to be the last movement in this rivalry epic. This finish joins Russell Wilson's 2-yard Hail Mary, Gio Bernard punt return touchdown and more as one of the best finishes in the NC State-UNC rivalry. 

Wolfpack lead!

What a turn of events! Leary found Emezie again for a 24-yard touchdown to go up 34-30 with just over a minute remaining. The Tar Heels were victim to a questionable (at best) roughing the passer penalty earlier in the drive, but still, this is a massive collapse from Mack Brown's team to allow two touchdowns within two minutes. North Carolina has the ball back with 48 seconds left and will have one final chance. 

NC State still alive ...

North Carolina looked like it had its rivalry game with NC State in the books thanks to a 50-yard field goal with two minutes remaining to take a 30-21 lead. However, the Wolfpack scored quickly on its next possession -- A 64-yard strike to Emeka Emezie -- and recovered an onside kick. Now down 30-28, NC State has a minute and a half left to try to get the win. Unbelievable. 

Washington State extends lead

The Huskies had some life going into halftime, but Washington State has responded with a touchdown run from Max Borghi in the third quarter. The score was Borghi's 41st career touchdown, tying him for the most in program history. Borghi has done it all, spanning back to Mike Leach's Air Raid, so it's great to see him have a nice game in the Apple Cup. 

One possession game

NC State holds UNC to a field goal, which puts the Tar Heels ahead 27-21 midway through the fourth quarter. UNC faced a fourth-and-goal at the NC State 4 and took a timeout. Ultimately, Mack Brown decides to go with the field goal. Touchdown and a PAT puts NC State back ahead. Should be a pretty good finish. That was a critical stand for the Wolfpack.

Washington has life

At one point in the second quarter of the Apple Cup, Washington had three (3) yards of offense. But the Huskies finally got on the board with a touchdown run from Kamari Pleasant. The Cougars still holds a 13-7 lead and have been dominant throughout the first half. If Washington hadn't scored, the margin would have felt a lot bigger. Still, this is a one-possession game entering halftime. The question is whether the Huskies have enough offense to get into the end zone again. 

Wolfpack answer

UNC's run of 24 unanswered is broken with a 26-yard TD for Thayer Thomas via Devin Leary. Now 24-21 Tar Heels with 32 seconds left in the third quarter. That capped a 9-play, 73 yard drive. Huge answer for the Wolfpack after UNC had seized all the momentum. Sets up what should be a pretty captivating fourth quarter.

UNC takes the lead 

The Tar Heels have rallied from a 14-0 deficit to take a 17-14 lead in the third quarter. UNC is getting the football back as well after forcing a three-and-out. Nice rally from a team that could have folded after falling behind early against an NC State team fighting for a potential spot in the ACC title. That's five straight scoreless possessions now for the Wolfpack as Sam Howell and Co. take over again.

All Washingon State early

Sam Huard is making his first career start for Washington tonight, but it's all Wazzou early in the Apple Cup. The early highlight for the Huskies may have been Race Porter's 71-yard punt just now, although it went for a touchback. Huskies have gone three and out on both possessions. Washington State has gone 75 and 59 yards for its scores. A win keeps the Cougars in the Pac-12 North hunt, pending the outcome of Oregon-Oregon State tomorrow.

North Carolina keeps it close

NC State probably feels it should be up by two or three scores, but at the half, the Wolf Pack hold just a 14-10 lead over the Tar Heels. A six-play, 49-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter pulled North Carolina to within a possession. Receiver Josh Downs has been a problem with five catches for 33 yards. Some missed opportunities that NC State wishes it had back, but overall this is living up to be a close game to finish out Friday's action. 

NC State defense

The Wolfpack are standing strong against the NC attack and lead 14-3 late in the first half. UNC has punted four times and settled for a FG at the end of a 70-yard drive early in the second quarter. The special teams touchdown for NC State to start the game looms large. Devin Leary hit Trent Pennix on a 9-yard TD pass late in the first quarter to make it 14-0 before the NC State field goal.

Cincinnati closes it out

The Bearcats handle ECU on the road in fairly impressive fashion, covering the spread and closing the regular season 12-0. Next up is a showdown with a Houston team that will be entering on an 11-game winning streak after it beats UConn tomorrow. That AAC title game will be the biggest G5 vs. G5 game in CFB history. Cincinnati gets the dub vs. ECU despite turning the football over three times. The Bearcats held ECU to 1.4 yards per rushing attempt. ECU closed it to 28-13 with 9:38 left, but the Bearcats closed it out with a short TD drive.

NC State strikes first

The Wolfpack strike first on a blocked punt by Jordan Houston that C.J. Riley recovers in the end zone. What a start to the rivalry showdown in Raleigh. Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson are all still in the mix for the Atlantic Division title. Wake will be the winner if it takes care of BC on the road tomorrow. But if the Demon Deacons were to falter and NC State were to lose this game, it would be Clemson. An NC State win and Wake loss would mean the Wolfpack get the nod.

Utah keeps momentum

The Utes keep momentum heading into next week's Pac-12 title game as they knock off Colorado 28-13 at home. Utah holds Colorado to just 148 total yards and only nine first downs. Utah's Tavion Thomas and TJ Pledger both surpass 100 yards on the ground. Tonight's Apple Cup and tomorrow's action will determine who Utah plays in the Pac-12 title game. Oregon, Oregon State and Washington are all still in the mix out of the North.

Not over yet ... 

No. 4 Cincinnati has been in control for most of the day on the road in a potential trap game against East Carolina. However, the Pirates just put together a touchdown drive to make it 28-13 with just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Outside of a huge second quarter in which the Bearcats scored 21 points in a hurry, their offense hasn't produced much on the board. Cincy's defense has been good as usual, but the undefeated playoff hopefuls aren't out of the woods yet. 

Arkansas puts Mizzou on ice

It's been an impressive showing for the Hogs today as they cap off an impressive Year 2 regular season under coach Sam Pittman. Arkansas leads Missouri 34-9 in the fourth quarter behind a banner day from quarterback K.J. Jefferson (323 total yards) and receiver Treylon Burks (7 catches, 129 yards, TD). The Tigers' defense hasn't been good this year, but the Razorbacks have been taking advantage with big plays all day. 

Utah keeping Colorado at arm's length

It hasn't been the Utes' prettiest performance -- and no one would blame them for a letdown after beating Oregon -- but Kyle Whittingham's team has found a way to stay one step ahead of Colorado. Tavion Thomas rumbled his way into the end zone early in the third quarter to give Utah a 21-13 lead over Colorado. It's been a little sloppy, but Utah is getting it done on the ground. 

Record-making Hall

Iowa State running back Breece Hall has broken the all-time record for most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown, breaking the 51-year-old record set by Arkansas' Bill Burnett in 1970. Hall scored a breakaway 39-yard touchdown for his 24th straight game with a rushing score to give the Cyclones a 17-0 lead in the first half. In addition to his 53rd career touchdown, Hall entered Friday with nearly 4,400 yards from scrimmage to his name in three seasons. 

KJ Jefferson in the injury tent

No. 25 Arkansas still leads Missouri 10-0, but could have just suffered a big loss early in the second half. Quarterback KJ Jefferson, the dual-threat star who's a power in between the tackles as a runner, went down hard in the first drive of the second half and went to the injury tent after walking off the field. Malik Hornsby began to warm up before Jefferson emerged from the tent. It'll be interesting to see if Razorbacks offensive coordinator Kendal Briles lets Jefferson cook on the ground knowing that he's a bit banged up.

Razorbacks up on Mizzou

Half: No. 25 Arkansas 10, Missouri 6

The Razorbacks are looking to reach the eight-win mark in coach Sam Pittman's second year, and are 30 minutes away from doing just that. Raheim Sanders scored from one yard out midway through the second quarter for the game's only touchdown. Missouri running back Tyler Badie hasn't had any issue against this Razorbacks defense, though, rushing for 117 yards on 22 carries. The Tigers are are 3 of 10 on third downs through two quarters, which is a big reason why Badie's performance hasn't impacted the scoreboard. 

Now Cincinnati is rollin'

The fourth-ranked Bearcats caught fire in the second quarter by ripping off three straight touchdowns to take a 21-3 lead with under five minutes to play in the second frame. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has thrown two touchdown passes, including this 44-yarder to Leonard Taylor for their first score of the game. 

Running back Jerome Ford, who was banged up early in the game, ran one in two yards out for Cincinnati's other TD. It's a big stage for the Bearcats who, despite being ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, could use some style points in case either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State win out and take the Big 12 crown.

Cincinnati on upset alert

Start 2Q: East Carolina 3, No. 4 Cincinnati 0

Cincinnati made history on Tuesday night when it became the first team in the College Football Playoff era to be ranked in the CFP Top 4. The high from that monumental feat has worn off, because there's an upset brewing early in Greenville, North Carolina. The home-standing East Carolina Pirates lead the Bearcats 3-0 after one frame. Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder is 2 of 4 passing for just 24 yards, and they haven't been able to get the run game going at all.

Arkansas up early

Start 2Q: No. 25 Arkansas 3, Missouri 0

The Battle Line Rivalry has been an old-school slugfest early. Cam Little has the game's only points with a 36-yard field goal midway through the first period to give the home-standing Razorbacks the lead. Missouri is driving though thanks to a Trelon Smith fumble at the Arkansas 39-yard line. The Tigers recovered and converted a third-and-3 to get within field goal range. 

Nebraska/Iowa tight in fourth

4Q: No. 19 Iowa 21, Nebraska 21

Nebraska took a 21-9 lead earlier, but Iowa has run back behind a series of big plays on defense and special teams to tie it up in the fourth quarter. The Cornhuskers blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, sacked Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers for a safety and kicked a long field goal to tie the game. The 'Huskers just went 3-and-out again, giving Iowa the ball with 5:58 remaining and a chance to take the lead. 

Texas gets first win since Oct. 2

FINAL: Texas 22, Kansas State 17

The six-game slide in Austin is finally over as the Longhorns survived Kansas State to finish the year 5-7. Running back Roschon Johnson put together the best game of his career with 31 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown in a five-point win. The Longhorns held the Wildcats to just 293 yards and 13 first downs. Running back Deuce Vaughn posted 143 yards and a touchdown. The win means Texas avoids the program's worst record since 1956. 

Aztecs storm back

3Q: No. 21 SDSU 27, Boise State 16

Less than halfway into the second half, San Diego State has found its momentum. The Aztecs scored 14 points in fewer than two minutes behind a Hank Bachmeier interception to take an 11-point lead over the Broncos in the second half. Quarterback Jordon Brookshire completed a 27-yard pass to Jesse Matthews, who now has 134 yards and a score with more than 20 minutes remaining in the game. 

Whoops

New Mexico football has been off the radar this season as the Lobos are 3-8 and have been a non-factor in the Mountain West. Apparently the head referee hasn't been paying much attention either. He called New Mexico its rival's name, New Mexico State, during Friday's contest against Utah State. The home fans let him have it. Hey, at least he owned it during the call.

CMU rolling in rivalry game

3Q: Central Michigan 17, Eastern Michigan 3

The Chippewas are dominating their rival behind another monster game from running back Lew Nichols III. Nichols has 106 yards early in the third quarter, good enough for more than half of CMU's total offense. The Eagles have mustered just 26 yards rushing. Both teams came into this game at 7-4. 

SDSU on upset alert

HALF: Boise State 16, No. 21 San Diego State 13

San Diego State trails Boise State by three points at the half in a matchup featuring a pair of conference championship hopefuls. Broncos quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, while George Holani kept the chains moving with 61 on the ground. SDSU WR Jesse Matthews already has his first 100-yard performance of the season at the half.