Top 25 Capsules
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Dante Pettis woke up No. 8 Washington just before halftime with his sixth career punt return for a touchdown and Jake Browning threw two second-half touchdown passes in a tougher-than-expected 30-14 victory over rebuilding Rutgers on Friday night.
Pettis' blistering 61-yard return gave the Huskies their first lead at 10-7 with 3:50 left in the half. He tied former California star DeSean Jackson's Pac-12 career record for punt returns for scores.
Pettis actually set up the Huskies' first three scores this season. His 51-yard catch set up the first of three field goals by Tristan Vizcaino and his catches of 10 and 24 yards ignited an early third-quarter drive that Browning capped with a 7-yard swing pass to Lavon Coleman for a 17-7 lead.
Browning was 17 of 30 for 284 yards. He also found halfback Kyle Gaskin on an 18-yard TD pass on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 27-7 lead.
Louisville transfer Kyle Bolin threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Janarion Grant on Rutgers' first possession for a 7-0 lead and a 34-yarder to Dacoven Bailey with the game pretty much decided. Bolin finished 24 of 34 for 178 yards and had two passes intercepted by Byron Murphy.
Rutgers has lost 10 straight under second-year coach Chris Ash, but showed a lot of improvement, especially against Washington. The Huskies beat the Scarlet Knights 48-13 last year in the opener in Seattle en route to a 12-2 record, Pac-12 title and a trip to the college football playoffs.
NO. 9 WISCONSIN 59, UTAH STATE 10
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Alex Hornibrook threw three touchdown passes, Wisconsin forced four turnovers, and the Badgers recovered from a miserable start with a dominating second half to beat Utah State.
Freshman Jonathan Taylor ran for 87 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the opener. Star tight end Troy Fumagalli had the go-ahead touchdown catch early in the third quarter, and Zander Neuville and Quintez Cephus made highlight-reel scoring grabs.
Wisconsin outgained Utah State 251-43 in the Badgers' 28-point third quarter, rushing for 130 yards. Safety Joe Ferguson entertained the hardy fans who stayed for the fourth by returning an interception 99 yards for a score. The Badgers asserted their dominance after struggling early. They trailed 10-0 late into the second quarter before taking off in the second half.
Utah State's Kent Myers was 25 of 41 for 219 yards with three interceptions.
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