Rutgers sees title hopes dashed

Reserve quarterback Nick Davila made his first career start Saturday night and led Cincinnati to its biggest upset in school history, a 30-11 victory over No. 7 Rutgers at Cincinnati, ending the Scarlet Knights’ perfect season and national title aspirations.

Davila scored on a 1-yard run and threw an 83-yard touchdown pass as the Bearcats (6-5, 3-3 Big East) had their way against one of college football’s best defenses.

Rutgers (9-1, 4-1) came into the day as one of four unbeaten teams left in Division 1-A. Playing as a Top 10 team for the first time in their 137-year history, the Scarlet Knights gave by far their worst performance of the season.

Now, only No. 1 Ohio State and No. 13 Boise State have perfect marks.

(3) Florida 62, Western Carolina 0: At Gainesville, Fla., freshman Tim Tebow ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, and the Gators overwhelmed Western Carolina.

Florida (10-1) scored touchdowns on nine of its first 10 possessions, using the Division I-AA Catamounts (2-9) to prepare for next week’s rivalry game against Florida State in Tallahassee.

(5) Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 14: At Starkville, Miss., Darren McFadden didn’t have his usually strong game rushing but made up for it by returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

The Heisman Trophy contender returned a kickoff 92 yards for the Razorbacks (10-1, 7-0 SEC) and his teammates backed him with just enough big plays to slip past the Bulldogs (3-8, 1-6) and into the Dec. 2 SEC championship game against the Florida Gators.

(6) Notre Dame 41, Army 9: At South Bend, Ind., Brady Quinn threw for three touchdowns and Darius Walker ran for 162 yards and two scores to power the Irish (10-1) to a win over the Black Knights (3-8).

Quinn threw his first interception in seven games on Notre Dame’s first possession, and the Irish trailed 3-0 late in the first quarter. But Notre Dame scored on its next five possessions and cruised to its eighth straight win.

(9) LSU 23, Mississippi 20 (OT): At Baton Rouge, La., Colt David kicked a 26-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Tigers to a victory over the Rebels.

The Tigers (9-2, 5-2) could have won in regulation after Dwayne Bowe’s touchdown, but Mississippi blocked the extra point. The Rebels (3-8, 1-6 SEC) opened overtime on offense but fumbled away the possession.

(10) Louisville, 31, South Florida 8: At Louisville, Ky., Brian Brohm threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals rebounded from a loss to Rutgers with a win over the Bulls.

The Cardinals (9-1, 4-1 Big East) avenged a 31-point loss to the Bulls (7-4, 3-3) last year behind a stout defense that limited South Florida to 286 yards.

(12) Wisconsin 35, Buffalo 3: At Madison, Wis., the Badgers snapped out of what looked like a senior slump on Senior Day to pull away from a surprisingly pesky Bulls team.

After the Badgers defense turned the Bulls (2-9, 1-7 MAC) away with a goal-line stand late in the second quarter, P.J. Hill ran for a score and Tyler Donovan threw a touchdown pass in the last 2 minutes of the half to help spur the Badgers (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) to the win.

(19) Virginia Tech 27, (14) Wake Forest 6: at Winston-Salem, N.C., Sean Glennon threw two touchdown passes and Xavier Adibi had a 35-yard fumble return for a score to lead the Hokies past the Demon Deacons (9-2, 5-2 ACC).

Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan each had long touchdown catches for the Hokies (9-2, 5-2), who have won five straight games.

(15) Auburn 22, Alabama 15: At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Brandon Cox threw a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, David Irons had a crucial interception and the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide for their fifth straight win in the bitter rivalry.

Auburn (10-2, 6-2 SEC) hadn’t won five Iron Bowls in a row since 1958, Bear Bryant’s first year with the Crimson Tide (6-6, 2-6).

(16) Oklahoma 36, Baylor 10: At Waco, Texas, the Sooners extended their winning streak to six and are still in contention for the Big 12 South title after overcoming five miscues in a victory over the Bears.

Chris Brown ran for 169 yards and a score for Oklahoma (9-2, 6-1 Big 12). Baylor (4-8, 3-5) was held to a season-low 140 total yards.

(18) Georgia Tech 49, Duke 21: At Atlanta, Reggie Ball passed for three touchdowns and the Yellow Jackets added momentum to their ACC championship drive by beating the winless Blue Devils (0-11, 0-7 ACC).

The Yellow Jackets (9-2, 7-1) put the game away in the first half and then rested their starters. Receiver Calvin Johnson had two TD catches in the first half and tailback Tashard Choice ran for 118 yards and a score.

(20) Boston College 38, (21) Maryland 16: At Boston, Jolonn Dunbar scored on two fumble recoveries before Boston College’s offense took the field. When it did, the Eagles (9-2, 5-2) made sure they stayed in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship picture.

The Eagles led 14-0 on Dunbar’s returns of 14 and 38 yards before Matt Ryan added two scoring passes in the win over the Terrapins (8-3, 5-2).

(22) Tennessee 39, Vanderbilt 10: At Nashville, Tenn., Erik Ainge threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, LaMarcus Coker ran for two more, and the Volunteers routed the Commodores.

The victory also gave the Vols (8-3, 4-3 SEC) a bit of revenge against their state rival. The Commodores (4-8, 1-7) snapped Tennessee’s 22-game winning streak in this series last season with a 28-24 victory.

(23) BYU 42, New Mexico 17: At Provo, Utah, John Beck passed for 464 yards and four touchdowns, Curtis Brown became the leading rusher in Brigham Young history and the Cougars clinched the Mountain West Conference championship by beating the Lobos (5-6, 3-4).

The Cougars (9-2, 7-0) won their eighth in a row.