The world’s most ironic fire alarm
From The GIST College Sports (hi@thegistsports.com)
Welcome to your week!
Forget the Emmys red carpet — the real stars were out on the college gridiron this weekend. More details on an Ilona Maher–level slay below…
— The world’s most ironic fire alarm, which interrupted Florida State head coach Mike Norvell’s post-game press conference after Memphis upset his Seminoles 20–12 on Saturday — a bitter metaphor for a guy who’s officially on the hot seat after a shocking 0-3 start. Poetic.
Football
🏈 New sheriff in town
The GIST: This weekend was all about what didn’t happen — top teams showed out or narrowly avoided upsets to keep things on the rails in college football’s Week 3.
Quinn Ewers injured, but Arch Manning dazzles: When Ewers, a preseason Heisman favorite, went down with an abdominal injury in the second quarter, the sport’s most famous backup quarterback (QB) stepped in and led Texas to a 56–7 win over UTSA — and to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll for the first time in 16 years.
- Manning logged four passing touchdowns (TD) and a jaw-dropping 67-yard rushing TD, impressing even his famous (and famously slow) uncles. Ewers’ injury is considered “week to week,” but something tells us the Longhorns will be just fine while he rests up.
No. 2 Georgia survives Kentucky 13–12: It could have been an upset that shook the very foundations of college football. Instead, the Bulldogs dug deep on defense to earn their 42nd straight regular-season win and a restful bye week to prepare for arch-nemesis No. 4 Alabama. Whew.
No. 6 Tennessee puts up 71 on Kent State: With Saturday’s historic 71–0 shutout, the Vols have outscored their first three opponents 191–13 and show no signs of slowing down as they slide into SEC play. Tennessee is now ranked No. 6 in the country…and still might be underrated.
Individual superstars highlight regional rivalries: Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel reminded fans why he was the preseason Heisman favorite, shaking off two underwhelming wins to seal a 49–14 dub over intrastate rival Oregon State. Heading into Big Ten competition with the Platypus Trophy in hand does wonders for the confidence.
- In other Pacific Northwest power moves, Washington State QB John Mateer rushed for two TDs and threw for another, leading the Cougars to a cathartic 24–19 win over Washington and catapulting himself into the national spotlight in the process.
- Plus, Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter dominated on both sides of the ball, helping his Buffs secure a chippy 28–9 victory over Colorado State. If Colorado were a serious title contender, Hunter would be leading Heisman watchlists left and right.
Women's volleyball
🏐 Not surviving, but thriving
The GIST: Volleyball season always goes from zero to 100 thanks to elite nonconference invitational matchups — and 2024 has been no different. Three squads made major statements with Top-10 wins this weekend, reshuffling the power rankings as we race toward the conference play grind.
🌲 No. 2 Stanford: The Cardinal’s hot start to the season got even hotter in last night’s home opener with a commanding sweep of superstar Madisen Skinner and reigning national champ No. 6 Texas. Stanford’s Kami Miner stole the show at Maples Pavilion and is well on her way to becoming the nation’s best setter, recording 35 assists and 10 digs in the smackdown.
- Stanford traditionally starts the season with the toughest schedule possible, and it’s really paying off this year: They’re now 7-0 for the first time in a decade with four ranked dubs. Too hot, hot damn.
🐦 No. 4 Louisville: Stanford’s not the only Cardinal feeling fly — the Louisville Cardinals shut down No. 9 Creighton’s fierce comeback attempt to take yesterday’s five-set thriller, rebounding from abysmal third and fourth sets to seal their second Top-10 win of the season. Down to the wire. Tonight we bounce back.
🚂 No. 7 Purdue: The Boilermakers are always competitive in the cutthroat Big Ten, but they looked particularly dangerous in Saturday’s 3-1 win over No. 10 Kentucky. Thanks to outside hitter Eva Hudson’s vicious attack, they’ve dropped just three sets in eight straight wins, and the volleyball world is taking notice.
⚽ Wake Forest women’s soccer stuns No. 2 Virginia 3–0
The ACC is the nation’s toughest women’s soccer conference, and fans were reminded why yesterday when the Demon Deacons ran over the ’Hoos — who had previously allowed just two goals in eight matches — on their own pitch. Just goes to show that there are no easy wins and no days off in this talent-packed group.
- Elsewhere, Harvard defender Jade Rose landed SportsCenter ’s No. 1 play on Friday with an absolute screamer to help her Crimson defeat Milwaukee 4–2. Women athletes getting the love they deserve on national TV? You know we love to see it.
⚽ No. 3 Stanford men’s soccer aces first two tests in new conference
The Cardinal scheduled the toughest entrée to ACC play possible: consecutive weekend road games against reigning national champ then–No. 2 Clemson and 2023 runner-up No. 23 Notre Dame. They overcame the pressure (and cross-country travel) with style, earning one-goal wins in both contests to put their new conference on notice.
🏑 Pressure builds for perfect field hockey teams
Out of Division I’s 82 fockey programs, only six — No. 1 Northwestern, No. 2 UNC, No. 3 Virginia, No. 8 Ohio State, and unranked Cal and La Salle — remain undefeated two weeks into the season. Northwestern looks particularly impressive, allowing just one goal in their six dubs — including Friday’s 2–0 shutout of No. 9 Louisville.
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The GIST's Bracket Challenge
Think you know the WNBA? Don’t miss out on The GIST’s Pro Women’s Basketball Bracket Challenge — the first of its kind! Flex your basketball IQ, compete with other fans, and score some amazing prizes along the way. Sign up for free today.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
🌷 How to keep fresh
With Clairvee by Bonafide, a daily probiotic that balances your vaginal microbiome, assisting your natural defense system in fighting odor and itching.* Use code THE GIST for 20% off your first month of a subscription.**
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.🧢 What to wear
Hot Girls Love Football hat. Football season is here, and whether you’re tailgating or just there for the snacks, do it in style with this playful hat. Perfect for Sunday game day vibes.
🏀 Who to know
Batouly Camara. The former Afro-American basketball star is empowering girls through her organization, WAKE, using hoops to educate and drive gender parity in Guinea and NYC.
** This is a sponsored post. Balance is everything.Today's email was brought to you by Katie Kehoe Foster and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Lindsay Jost. Fact checking by Mikaela Perez. Ops by Lisa Minutillo and Elisha Gunaratnam. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Molly Potter. Head of Content Ellen Hyslop.