Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 — Week 2 opened with an early window that featured No. 7 Texas hosting San Jose State, No. 11 Illinois visiting Duke in Durham and the Cy‑Hawk rivalry as No. 16 Iowa State faced Iowa, with several tight games, standout plays and notable roster updates shaping the afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- Arch Manning connected with redshirt freshman Parker Livingstone for an 83‑yard, career‑long touchdown and another score as Texas built an early lead in Austin.
- Illinois used a trick sequence — a fake reverse leading to a direct snap to Hank Beatty — to extend a lead over Duke; Beatty had 108 receiving yards and a 25‑yard rushing TD on the day.
- Iowa State and Iowa produced a physical, penalty‑marred first half; ISU led 13‑10 at the break but costly infractions helped Iowa stay close.
- SMU and Baylor turned into a high‑scoring first half, with SMU up 24‑21 at halftime and QB Kevin Jennings flashing efficiency.
- Texas will be without leading rusher Quintrevion Wisner (held out as a precaution); backups Jerrick Gibson and others were expected to carry added load.
- Florida State paused pregame to honor freshman LB Ethan Pritchard, who remains hospitalized after a shooting; teammates wore his number during warmups.
- The prime‑time headline for the weekend is No. 15 Michigan vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. ET); Georgia’s game vs. Austin Peay was moved up to 2:30 p.m. ET amid weather concerns.
Verified Facts
In Austin, Arch Manning’s longest pass as a starter went for an 83‑yard touchdown to Parker Livingstone, which was also the longest Texas TD pass since 2009. Livingstone followed that with a three‑yard scoring catch; through the early window, all three Texas touchdowns in 2025 had been Manning‑Livingstone connections.
At Duke, Illinois extended a late third‑quarter lead to 28‑13 after coach Bret Bielema called a direct snap to Hank Beatty following a fake reverse. Beatty finished the game with 108 receiving yards and added a 25‑yard touchdown run; Duke trimmed the margin but failed a two‑point try and trailed 28‑19 with about four minutes left in the third.
The Cyclones’ rivalry game with Iowa lived up to its scrappy billing. At halftime the score was 13‑10 in favor of No. 16 Iowa State; Iowa drove 73 yards on a 17‑play sequence late in the half after Iowa State was penalized on a third‑and‑8 sequence, producing a goal‑line opportunity for the Hawkeyes.
SMU and Baylor produced fast offensive numbers in the first half — SMU led 24‑21 — with SMU QB Kevin Jennings showing accuracy (10‑for‑10 for 236 yards and two TDs in the opening frame). Several other early games included tuneups for top programs: No. 1 Ohio State faced Grambling, and No. 3 LSU hosted Louisiana Tech in the evening window.
Roster and scheduling notes: Texas ruled out leading rusher Quintrevion Wisner (he had 80 yards on 16 carries in Week 1) as a precaution; Georgia’s kickoff vs. Austin Peay moved from 3:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET due to forecasted thunderstorms in Athens; Alabama WR Ryan Williams remained in concussion protocol and was expected to miss Week 2.
Context & Impact
Week 2 is lighter on marquee ranked‑vs‑ranked matchups — the only top‑25 pairing of the day is No. 15 Michigan vs. No. 18 Oklahoma in prime time — but early results still matter for College Football Playoff hopefuls and Heisman narratives. Illinois traveling to Durham and performing well against Duke helps the Illini’s resume; conversely poor early results can create pressure that lingers into conference play.
Individual breakout performances matter on multiple levels. Livingstone’s big plays for Texas immediately shift receiver depth charts and target priorities; similarly, Hank Beatty’s hybrid usage for Illinois highlights durability and playbook creativity that could influence future quarterly calls.
Injury and availability updates have roster implications beyond one game. Wisner’s absence forces more snaps for Jerrick Gibson and younger backs, affecting rotation and workload over several weeks. Alabama’s loss of Ryan Williams affects the Tide’s passing attack and may alter coverage priorities when ULM visits.
Short list — Watch for
- How Texas spreads carries without Wisner and whether Livingstone remains a primary target.
- Illinois’ reliance on creative play calls and whether their rushing game improves after a weak ground half.
- Big‑name QB repertoires in prime time (Michigan vs. Oklahoma) and any shuffle in Heisman odds after Week 2 production.
Official Statements
“I think Oregon spent close to $40 million last year. That was just one year. Now, I might be off a few million.”
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State (on roster spending)
Unconfirmed
- Mike Gundy’s $40 million figure is an estimate made on the record and described by him as approximate; CBS Sports noted he added, “I might be off a few million.” The precise annual roster spending referenced was not independently verified in‑game.
- Projections about Parker Livingstone’s long‑term breakout status remain speculative despite his early impact; long‑term production is not yet established.
Bottom Line
Week 2’s early window delivered meaningful snapshots: Texas found an instant chemistry between Arch Manning and Parker Livingstone, Illinois showed design creativity to generate scoring, and rivalry and mid‑tier Power Five matchups provided more data points for playoff and award evaluators. With prime‑time top‑25 matchups and weather‑driven schedule shifts still ahead, Saturday’s outcomes will shape narratives and depth charts as teams head toward conference play.