College football Week 0 sights and sounds: Caleb Williams dazzles, Irish rule in Ireland, more

College Football

Updated Aug. 26, 2023 11:41 p.m. ET

Week 0 is here, and there were a handful of FBS teams in action Saturday.

No. 13 Notre Dame opened up the new season by demolishing Navy in Dublin, Ireland, winning 42-3 as Sam Hartman threw four touchdowns in his Fighting Irish debut.

The evening slate was highlighted by No. 6 USC taking on San Jose State. And if you were wondering what reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams might do for an encore, he dropped a big hint in the second quarter, when he picked up a loose ball and casually tossed the longest touchdown pass of his career.

Williams’ amazing throw helped the Trojans roll to a 56-28 victory, but it was only one of the great things to see during Saturday’s action.

Here are the sights and sounds from Week 0 games across the nation (and world!), as well as reactions from social media.

Fourth-and-out

Caleb Williams’ fourth touchdown pass of the game gave the Trojans a 49-21 lead and allowed the star QB to take the rest of the night off. The Trojans breezed from there to a 56-28 victory.

Don’t tell anyone he’s only a freshman

After San Jose State pulled within 35-21, Zachariah Branch responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.

Elusive!

San Jose State QB Chevan Cordeiro continued to be a problem for the Trojans, using his legs to scramble for a first down …

… and then throwing a gorgeous 32-yard touchdown pass.

Pulling away

Caleb Williams’ third touchdown pass of the game was also the career-first for Zachariah Branch, and it was a thing of beauty that put the Trojans up 35-14.

Easy does it

Austin Jones strolled into the end zone early in the third quarter to put the Trojans back up by two TDs. It was Jones’ second TD of the game.

Spartans with the strike

San Jose State kept it to 21-14 at the half thanks to a blown coverage by USC’s defense.

Cool under pressure

Sure the ball was bouncing around loose, but Caleb Williams didn’t mind. This is what Heisman winners do — turn that mess into a touchdown. Well, not just a touchdown, but a 76-yarder off his back foot.

A little bit later, the Trojans went up by two TDs.

Meanwhile in San Diego …

… yikes! Watch this extremely unfriendly hit from Aztecs safety Davaughn Celestine.

Same old problems?

USC’s biggest problem last season was defense — or a lack thereof. Would it be improved in 2023? The jury is still out. The Spartans would soon score to tie it at 7-7.

First of many?

Caleb Williams began his 2023 campaign by connecting with Dorian Singer for a touchdown pass as he looks to repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner.

Mark Sanchez back at USC!

The NFL on FOX analyst returned to the place where he went to college and first became a household name on Saturday.

Ouch!

One of the referees in the Ohio–San Diego State game took a ball to the face for the year’s first blunder.

A most unique setup

UTEP attempted a pass(!) out of this interesting formation on fourth-and-3 against Jacksonville State. It didn’t work, and the ball was turned over after a sack.

Leinart is ready

After watching Brady Quinn’s Fighting Irish open up the new season with a win, Matt Leinart is ready to see his Trojans do the same on Saturday.

He also has a message for “Big Noon Kickoff” viewers!

One for the show

QB Sam Hartman gave Fighting Irish fans who made the trip to Dublin one last touchdown to celebrate as he threw his fourth score of the game in the fourth quarter in a memorable debut.

Sideline reactions

Notre Dame was fired up in the third quarter as it continued its domination over Navy with players celebrating multiple plays with coaches and teammates.

Hartman’s house

Hartman scrambled around before finding Jaden Greathouse in the end zone for the second time in Saturday’s game, bringing excitement to Fighting Irish fans in his first game with Notre Dame.

Just in, Jayden

Jayden Thomas hauled in a reception in the end zone to extend Notre Dame’s lead to 28-0 right before halftime, bringing excitement to the Fighting Irish fans and the unique fire celebration in the stadium.

First touchdown of the season

Notre Dame is the first team to get on the board in the 2023 FBS season. The Irish marched down the field on their opening drive before Audric Estime ran in for a 1-yard score.

Everyone is ready for football!

The fans in Ireland were pumped and ready right before kickoff as “Shipping Up to Boston” echoed throughout the stadium.

Making an entrance

Notre Dame’s social media team shared what it was like on the field when the Fighting Irish came out of the locker room for Saturday’s game.

Not everyone is in regular–season form

After Navy took the field, a pair of its flag carriers were a bit behind. The people carrying the “V” and “Y” flags were noticeably several yards behind the two people holding the “N” and “A” flags, signaling they still need some time for conditioning!

Pregame performances

Notre Dame’s band took the field prior to kickoff, marching to form the word “Irish” during its performance.

Where are you, Brady?

Notre Dame fans flooded Dublin ahead of Saturday’s game, which led Matt Leinart to wonder where fellow “Big Noon Kickoff” analyst — and ex-Notre Dame quarterback — Brady Quinn was in Ireland’s capital.

Irish everywhere

Football fans were all over Dublin on Saturday ahead of kickoff.

Notre Dame’s band puts on a pregame show

Hours before kickoff, the Fighting Irish’s band performed “Wild Rover” in the streets of Dublin.

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