On the Week 2 weekend of the 2025 college football season (games played Sept. 6–7), South Florida stunned Florida in Gainesville on a last‑second field goal, while Texas quarterback Arch Manning rebounded from a difficult opener with a five‑touchdown performance against San Jose State.
Key Takeaways
- South Florida upset Florida in Gainesville after late Gators mistakes and penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejection.
- USF’s resume — including a win over Boise State and the Florida triumph — positions the Bulls as a leading Group of 6 candidate for a College Football Playoff berth, if they win the American.
- Arch Manning bounced back from a tough outing at Ohio State with a five‑TD game vs. San Jose State, though technical concerns remain.
- Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s public criticism of Oregon’s NIL spending preceded a dominant Oregon offensive showing that produced 631 total yards and saw the Ducks score in the high 60s.
- Oklahoma upset Michigan, 24–13; freshman QB John Mateer accounted for all three Sooners touchdowns and combined for 270 passing and 74 rushing yards.
- Army’s grind‑out win over Kansas State this week — coming a week after an FCS loss — underscored how quickly college football narratives can shift.
Verified Facts
Florida carried a one‑point lead with under three minutes to play but went three‑and‑out and consumed only 10 seconds before punting. A pair of defensive penalties aided South Florida’s late march: an unsportsmanlike conduct foul and the ejection of Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett for spitting into the face mask of USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner. USF then moved into position for the game‑winning field goal to secure the upset in Gainesville.
USF coach Alex Golesh’s team now lists a dominant home win over Boise State and the road victory at Florida among its nonconference résumé items. With Miami up next on the schedule, those two early wins strengthen USF’s standing as the leading Group of 6 contender, should the Bulls capture the American Athletic Conference title.
Arch Manning, who struggled in Texas’s loss at Ohio State the prior week, produced a five‑touchdown outing against San Jose State. The performance was the kind of bounceback win that helps manage the offseason hype surrounding Manning, though observers noted lingering issues with his arm angle and footwork that will need continued improvement as the season progresses under coach Steve Sarkisian’s game plans.
Oregon answered public criticism from Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy — who had questioned Oregon’s NIL approach — with an overwhelming offensive display. The Ducks totaled 631 yards and scored in the high 60s; after the game multiple Oregon players signaled that they treated Gundy’s comments as added motivation.
In Norman, Oklahoma beat Michigan, 24–13. Quarterback John Mateer threw for 270 yards and ran for 74, accounting for all three Oklahoma touchdowns (two rushing, one passing). The win was an important statement for Brent Venables’ program in his fourth season as head coach.
Context & Impact
Nonconference wins carry outsized weight for Group of 6 programs. USF’s victories over Boise State and Florida provide marquee résumé items that the College Football Playoff selection committee typically values when comparing leagues. Still, the Bulls’ ultimate pathway to a CFP spot depends on winning the American and maintaining momentum through conference play.
Florida’s home loss raises immediate pressure on head coach Billy Napier. Late‑game miscues and disciplinary issues that led to an ejection shifted a one‑point lead into an unexpected defeat — a result that quickly intensifies scrutiny in a top‑tier conference environment.
For Arch Manning and Texas, Week 2 offered an essential corrective moment. A five‑TD performance against San Jose State calms some short‑term questions, but technical refinements and consistency against stronger defenses will determine whether Manning’s trajectory matches the national expectations placed on him.
Gundy’s public remarks about NIL and comparative budgets highlight a new front in Power 4 interactions: coaches are now confronting off‑field spending and roster support as potential competitive edges. Oregon’s on‑field response is likely to be recounted as an example of teams answering criticism with performance, and it raises questions about how coaches discuss rival programs publicly.
Official Statements
“When you attack our head coach, it’s like you’re attacking my dad. You’re attacking a family member. … We were gonna keep the foot on the neck and make sure we score these points and try to break the scoreboard.”
Dante Moore, Oregon quarterback
Unconfirmed
- Whether USF will finish the season as the highest‑ranked Group of 6 champion depends on outcomes later in the year and remains uncertain.
- The longer‑term implications for Florida coach Billy Napier’s job security are subject to internal athletic department deliberations and public reaction.
- How much Gundy’s comments directly altered Oregon’s game plan or motivation is interpretive rather than a documented causal fact.
Bottom Line
Week 2 reinforced college football’s volatility: underdogs can swing playoff narratives, elite prospects can reset expectations in a single game, and off‑field disputes about NIL and budgets can spill into the headlines. For fans and committee watchers, the immediate takeaways are clear — monitor USF’s conference run, watch Arch Manning’s development, and expect heightened attention on how coaches frame rival programs.