Week 0 College Football Recap: Highlights, Scores, and Key Moments
College football is back, and Week 0 didn’t disappoint. From thrilling comebacks to dominant performances, the opening weekend set the stage for an exciting season. Let’s look at the key highlights, standout performances, and what could be ahead in the coming weeks.
Week 0 Highlights: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The first Saturday of the college football season was spectacular. Fans saw tight games, elite individual performances, and wild finishes across the country.
As the day wrapped up, one FBS game remained on the radar: UNLV leading Memphis 14-7 at halftime in a crucial matchup for Group of Six CFP positioning. In the FCS, reigning champion Montana State dominated Utah Tech 26-0 at halftime, while in-state rival Montana was tied 21-21 with Southern Utah early in the fourth quarter.
Key Results from Week 0 in the FBS
- North Carolina 15, TCU 10: UNC fans got a glimpse of Wisconsin transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and a defense led by head coach Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels held on despite a high snap on a punt that resulted in a TCU safety.
- Virginia 34, NC State 8: Missouri transfer QB Beau Pribula led the Cavaliers to a statement win with 110 rushing yards and 155 passing yards, including two touchdowns.
- North Dakota State 33, Jacksonville State 7: NDSU made a strong FBS debut, with QB Nathan Hayes leading the charge in his first collegiate start.
- Stanford 37, Hawaii 27: Stanford’s Micah Ford scored three touchdowns, including a game-winning run, while Tevarua Tafiti sealed the game with a strip-sack touchdown.
Late-Night Thrillers and Historic Moments
As evening arrived, the excitement continued with tight games and a historic shutout in the FCS. Florida State struggled early against New Mexico State but found its rhythm after halftime, thanks in part to running back Ousmane Kromah’s 115 yards and a touchdown.
South Carolina State’s 87-0 shutout against Savannah State marked the fifth-largest winning margin by an FCS team since 1996.
Individual Standouts Across Divisions
- South Dakota QB Austyn Modrzewski: In his debut, Modrzewski threw for 304 yards and six touchdowns, then added a 68-yard rushing TD.
- Davenport RB Cephus Harris: Harris ran for 351 yards and three touchdowns. An 84-yard rush highlighted his performance.
- Virginia QB Beau Pribula: Pribula led the Cavaliers’ ground game with 110 rushing yards, adding 155 passing yards and two TDs.
Notable Team Performances
Several teams made headlines with their performances. North Dakota State’s first FBS win against Jacksonville State was a statement, with the Bison totaling 373 yards, including 209 on the ground.
USC, the only ranked team in action, blew out San Jose State and showcased quarterback Jayden Maiava’s efficient play.
Virginia’s Historic Win and UC Davis’ Comeback
Virginia opened the season with a significant win against NC State, its first in Charlottesville since 2006. The Cavaliers’ 23-play, 75-yard touchdown drive stood out, as did Beau Pribula’s dual-threat performance.
Meanwhile, UC Davis avoided an upset with a 31-24 comeback win against Portland State, scoring 31 second-half points.
Underdogs and Firsts
Division II West Virginia Wesleyan snapped a 35-game losing streak with a 31-13 win against Post. It was the program’s first victory since October 2022.
Chicago State scored its first points in program history with a rushing touchdown from Michael Dabney Jr. against DII Roosevelt.
New Faces and Coaches
This season also marks the beginning of new eras for several programs. North Dakota State and Sacramento State transitioned from the FCS to the FBS, with the Bison winning their debut game.
In coaching, Marshall Faulk made his head coaching debut with Southern against Alabama State, while Quinn Gray opened his tenure at Florida A&M with a game against Albany State.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
As Week 1 approaches, anticipation builds for the debut of some of the nation’s top teams. Ohio State starts the season ranked No. 1, followed by Oregon, Georgia, and Notre Dame.
Defending national champions Indiana are ranked sixth but received the third-most first-place votes. Here’s a look at the full Top 25:
- 1. Ohio State (40)
- 2. Oregon (14)
- 3. Georgia
- 4. Notre Dame (6)
- 5. Texas
- 6. Indiana (8)
- 7. Miami (Fla.) (1)
- 8. Texas A&M
- 9. Ole Miss
- 10. Oklahoma
- 11. LSU
- 12. Texas Tech
- 13. Alabama
- T14. BYU
- T14. Southern Cal
- 16. Michigan
- 17. Washington
- 18. Penn State
- 19. SMU
- 20. Tennessee
- 21. Utah
- 22. Iowa
- 23. Houston
- 24. Louisville
- 25. Missouri
Conclusion: A Season to Remember
The 2026 college football season is off to an electrifying start, and Week 0 has already set the tone for what could be an unforgettable journey. With new faces, historic wins, and standout performances, fans have plenty to look forward to as the season unfolds.
For more detailed recaps and highlights, visit the NCAA’s official Week 0 recap.
