MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Dawson Garcia scored 30 points and Minnesota defeated Oral Roberts 80-57 in the season opener for both. A three-point play by Josh Jones got the Golden Eagles within single digits — 38-29 — for the first time since early in the first half but Garcia and Parker Fox scored five points each to help the Gophers push their lead to 50-33 with 13 1/2 minutes left. Minnesota continued to extend its lead as Oral Roberts could not put a rally together. The Golden Eagles went the final 15 minutes without scoring consecutive baskets. Fox scored 13 points and Lu’cye Patterson added 10 for Minnesota. It was Garcia’s fourth career game of 30-plus points.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota and Max Brosmer took a chance on each other this season. They’ve formed a strong partnership. The leading passer in the FCS who threw more than 40 times per game for New Hampshire sought to transfer to a power conference team he could lead for his final season. Now the ball has been in the air for the Gophers more than on the ground. The last time that was the case for was 2007. The Gophers called runs on 62% of plays over the first seven seasons under coach P.J. Fleck. They’ve passed 55% of the time this season.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Highly touted freshman guard Ace Bailey missed the season opener for No. 25 Rutgers after sustaining an undisclosed injury in practice two days earlier. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell didn’t elaborate on the nature of Bailey’s injury after the Scarlet Knights’ 75-52 win over Wagner on Wednesday night. He reiterated that Bailey is “still day-to-day with a basketball injury.” The school’s statement before the game did not disclose the 6-foot-10 guard’s injury. Bailey and fellow freshman Dylan Harper were among the top players coming out of high school this past year. Harper scored 20 points against Wagner.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Mackenzie Mgbako scored 19 of his career-high 31 points in the first half and Malik Reneau added 15 points and seven rebounds to lead No. 17 Indiana past SIU Edwardsville 80-61 in the Hoosiers’ season opener. Mgbako made 8 of his first 10 shots and finished 13 of 17 from the field while making 4 of 5 3-pointers and grabbing nine rebounds. The Cougars were led by Ray’Sean Taylor with 17 points and Arnas Sakenis, who had eight points and nine rebounds. Indiana closed the first half on a 15-3 run, taking a 42-30 lead. SIUE never recovered from it.

UNDATED (AP) — One of the nitpicks about the first College Football Playoff rankings was that the committee undervalued unbeaten Indiana. The Hoosiers’ No. 8 ranking puts them fourth among Big Ten teams. The Hoosiers have won all nine of their games by at least 14 points and they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 419-123 amid criticism that their schedule is somewhat lightweight. First-year coach Curt Cignetti appears content to bide his time. He said it would be the kiss of death to worry about the conversation around his program. The Hoosiers host Michigan on Saturday before playing at Ohio State.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – (AP) — Freshman standout Dylan Harper scored 20 points in his highly anticipated debut to lead No. 25 Rutgers to a 75-52 win over Wagner on Wednesday night in the season-opener for both schools. Harper, a combo guard, is considered one of the top freshmen in the country and together with fellow first-year forward Ace Bailey, a major reason why the Scarlet Knights entered the season at No. 25. He is the younger brother of Ron Harper Jr., who also starred at Rutgers, and whose father, Ron Harper Sr, was a 15-year NBA veteran. Rutgers was without Bailey, who was sidelined with an undisclosed injury he suffered Monday in practice. His status is day-to-day. Keyontae Lewis led Wagner with 12 points.

UNDATED (AP) — The first College Football Playoff rankings are out and now the jockeying for position begins. Two SEC teams just outside the top 12 can enhance their chances of appearing on the bracket. Mississippi is No. 16 in The Associated Press poll and CFP rankings. The Rebels host Georgia. The Bulldogs are No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the CFP. LSU hosts Alabama in a rivalry that heated up over their time together in the old SEC West. LSU is No. 14 in the AP poll and No. 15 in the CFP. Alabama is No. 11 in both.

UNDATED (AP) — It didn’t take Penn State players long to turn their attention toward what lies ahead even with the sting still setting in following yet another gut-wrenching loss to Ohio State. Players made it clear they hope the Nittany Lions meet the Buckeyes again this season. The moves by conferences in recent years to abolish divisions combined with the expansion of the College Football Playoff field from four teams to 12 created more avenues for rematches and even teams meeting three times. Penn State playing Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game wasn’t a possibility prior to this year.