Rivers’ Passing Lifts N.C. State to a Win

Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to tie the Atlantic Coast Conference career record as North Carolina State defeated Clemson, 17-15, Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C.

Rivers had scoring passes to T.A. McLendon and Richard Washington as the Wolfpack (5-3, 2-2 ACC) improved to 5-0 at home. Rivers has 79 career touchdown passes, tying the mark set by Florida State’s Chris Weinke.

Chad Jasmin scored the only touchdown for the Tigers (4-3, 2-2), who fell to 0-5 in nationally televised Thursday night games.

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Bradlee Van Pelt ran for two touchdowns and passed for another as Colorado State defeated Air Force, 30-20, at Fort Collins, Colo.

Van Pelt’s versatility helped the Rams (5-3, 2-1 Mountain West) generate 564 total yards and moved the defending champions back into contention in the conference.

Air Force (6-2, 3-1) was led by quarterback Chance Harridge, who ran for 136 yards and two scores. He was intercepted twice.

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Sean Comiskey’s 21-yard field goal with eight seconds left at Lafayette, La., gave Louisiana Lafayette (1-7, 1-3 Sun Belt) a 26-24 victory over New Mexico State (1-6, 0-3).

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The East Valley Tribune of Mesa, Ariz., reported that two Arizona State players have been suspended after they were charged with aggravated assault and criminal trespassing. The players were identified as Barton Hammit, a linebacker, and Matt Mason, a defensive end. They were allegedly involved in the beating of another student, who was left with bruises and facial lacerations.... Chris Bruhn is expected to start at running back for Washington State against Stanford. Jonathan Smith (ankle sprain), the Cougars’ leading rusher, will have his playing time limited and backup Jermaine Green (separated ribs) is not expected to play.

Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez says running back Anthony Davis has recovered from a sprained left ankle and will start against Purdue. The Boilermakers could be without running back Jerod Void, who has a sprained right ankle. Brandon Jones and Jerome Brooks would split playing time if Void remains hobbled.... Jared Lorenzen has sufficiently recovered from a concussion and will start at quarterback for Kentucky when the Wildcats play host to Ohio, but starting tight end Win Gaffron is expected to sit out two weeks because of back problems.

Miami safety Sean Taylor is recovering arthroscopic shoulder surgery but is expected back for the Hurricanes’ Nov. 1 game against Virginia Tech. Teammate Roscoe Parrish, a receiver who was hospitalized with internal bleeding after a brutal hit in the victory at Florida State, will not play against Temple.... Running back Jermelle Lewis, who tore a ligament in his right knee in April, could play in Iowa’s game at Ohio State. Also expected back for the Hawkeyes are receiver Ed Hinkel, guard David Walker and fullback Champ Davis.

Officials of Houston’s Reliant Stadium reportedly are interested in making an offer to play host to the Texas-Oklahoma game, which has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since 1929. The schools, which receive $1 million each for playing in the Cotton Bowl but want an additional $350,000, are threatening to take the game to a different venue.... Louisville plays host to Tulane tonight in a Conference USA game.