Ohio State's highly-touted freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdown passes, helping the Buckeyes secure a dominant 52-6 victory over Akron in their season opener. Smith, the top player in the 2024 recruiting class, overcame an early drop to make key receptions, while Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard threw three touchdown passes. Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins also scored his first touchdown for the Buckeyes. Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon began his Heisman campaign with three touchdowns, leading the Cowboys to a 44-21 win over South Dakota State. Meanwhile, Texas Longhorns transfer receiver Matthew Golden and Miami's ninth-year senior Cam McCormick scored their first touchdowns for their respective teams.