What a start to the sports season! NC State battled to a nail-biting win against East Carolina, but that wasn’t the only shocker. An unranked team pulled off a massive upset in college football, and a baseball slugger went absolutely wild, hitting four homers in one game. You won’t believe how these stories unfolded!

The kickoff of the college football season delivered an immediate cascade of thrilling matchups and unexpected outcomes, setting a high bar for the weeks to come. Among the early highlights, the NC State Wolfpack asserted their dominance in a hard-fought contest, securing a 24-17 victory over the visiting East Carolina Pirates in Raleigh, a testament to early-season grit.

Leading the charge for NC State was quarterback CJ Bailey, whose dynamic performance included both passing and rushing touchdowns in the first half. Bailey showcased his dual-threat capabilities, completing 24 of 34 passes for 318 yards and adding 21 crucial yards on the ground. Wide receiver Wesley Grimes was a key target, hauling in four catches for 121 receiving yards, including a significant touchdown reception that helped build an early lead.

Despite NC State’s offensive fireworks, East Carolina’s Katin Houser responded with an impressive aerial display, throwing for 366 yards and a touchdown on 30 completions. However, the Wolfpack defense proved resilient, holding the Pirates to a mere 30 rushing yards throughout the game, a critical factor in their ability to maintain control and ultimately seal the win.

The game’s climax saw East Carolina attempting a late comeback, scoring the final 10 points. Yet, a decisive defensive stand by NC State in the final minute thwarted a potential game-tying drive, as Houser’s pass on 4th-and-1 inside the NC State 10-yard line resulted in a loss of yardage, ensuring the NC State Wolfpack started their campaign with a victory.

Beyond the ACC, the opening week of College Football also delivered a significant upset as unranked South Florida stunned No. 25 Boise State with a dominant 34-7 performance. The Boise State Broncos, widely expected to contend for a playoff spot, looked out of sync, struggling particularly in the running game without their star player and committing five costly fumbles.

South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown was the architect of the upset, delivering a stellar performance with 210 passing yards and 43 rushing yards, including two touchdowns on the ground. His ability to extend plays and create scoring opportunities proved too much for the Broncos’ defense, giving the South Florida Bulls a landmark win against a ranked opponent, their first since 2011.

This shocking defeat places the Boise State Broncos in a challenging position for their playoff aspirations, facing a crucial upcoming schedule including a formidable opponent in No. 6 Notre Dame. The South Florida Bulls, meanwhile, gain immense confidence from this victory as they prepare for a tough road ahead against No. 15 Florida and No. 10 Miami.

Adding to the week’s sports spectacle, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber delivered an unforgettable individual performance in Major League Baseball. Schwarber powered his team to a resounding 19-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves, hitting four home runs and driving in nine runs in a historic night that thrilled Phillies fans.

Schwarber’s incredible display saw him launch solo, two-run, three-run, and another solo homer across various innings, bringing him within one blast of 50 for the season. This monumental effort not only propelled the Phillies to a much-needed win but also etched Kyle Schwarber into franchise history as only the fourth player to achieve a four-homer game, a truly rare feat in professional baseball.