BERKELEY, Calif. — In the split-second Kevin Riley took to decide to run with the ball instead of throw it away, California's dreams of a No. 1 ranking and undefeated season slipped away.

Riley's mistake on the final play of the game spoiled what almost was a spectacular comeback in his first career start as the clock ran out before the second-ranked Golden Bears had a chance to try a game-tying field goal in a 31-28 loss to Oregon State last night.

"It's not his fault whatsoever," coach Jeff Tedford said. "He played his heart out down the stretch to get us in that situation. We didn't lose the game because of that play."

Oregon State (4-3, 2-2 Pac-10) delivered the latest shocker in an upset-filled season and denied Cal (5-1, 2-1) a chance to seize the top ranking for the first time in 56 years. No. 1 LSU lost in triple overtime at Kentucky earlier in the day, but the Bears were unable to handle their own business, becoming the 10th team ranked in the top 10 to lose to an unranked team already this season.

"We just have to keep our heads up," said receiver Lavelle Hawkins, whose 64-yard TD with 2:31 to go started Cal's comeback from a 10-point deficit. "All it means is that we're not going undefeated."

Oregon State recovered the onsides kick after Hawkins' late touchdown and pinned Cal at its own 5 with 1:27 left and no timeouts with a punt.

Riley, showing great poise after some early game jitters, completed a 19-yard pass to Hawkins on fourth-and-18 and a 37-yarder to Robert Jordan. A pass interference call moved the ball to the 12 with 14 seconds left before the final fateful play.

With his receivers covered, Riley inexplicably tried to scramble for the score. He was tackled after a 2-yard gain and the clock ran out before the field goal unit could get on the field.

"I saw the field and I thought I could get around that guy," Riley said. "It just didn't happen."

NO. 3 OHIO STATE 48, KENT STATE 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brian Hartline returned a punt a school-record 90 yards and Donald Washington brought back an interception 70 yards to lead the Buckeyes (7-0) to an easy victory over the Golden Flashes (3-4).

The game was little more than a tuneup for the Buckeyes (7-0) for the Big Ten stretch drive. They play Michigan State, at Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and at Michigan in the final five games — all teams with winning records.

NO. 4 BOSTON COLLEGE 27, NOTRE DAME 14

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Matt Ryan threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, Andre Callender scored three times and the Eagles (7-0) beat the Irish (1-6) to remain undefeated.

The Eagles appeared ready to blow the game open when Ryan threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Callender to make it 20-0 with 11:42 left in the third quarter. But the Irish scored a pair of touchdowns 95 seconds apart to cut it to 20-14. Evan Sharpley, who replaced the ineffective Jimmy Clausen, threw a 19-yard TD pass to Robby Parris and linebacker Brian Smith returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.

NO. 5 SOUTH FLORIDA 64, CENTRAL FLORIDA 12

TAMPA, Fla. — Playing at home for the first time since climbing into the Top 10, George Selvie, the nation's sack leader, led a swarming defense that corralled the nation's leading rusher, and Matt Grothe threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to help the Bulls (6-0) roll past the Knights (3-3).

Kevin Smith, who began the day averaging 172 yards per game rushing for Central Florida, was limited to 55 on 18 carries. Grothe completed 15 of 28 passes for 212 yards, including TD throws of 9 yards to Taurus Johnson and 7 yards to Cedric Hill.

NO. 6 OKLAHOMA 41, NO. 11 MISSOURI 31

NORMAN, Okla. — Chris Brown ran for three second-half touchdowns, Curtis Lofton returned a fumble for a touchdown and the Sooners (6-1, 2-1 Big 12) knocked the Tigers (5-1, 1-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Brown put the Sooners ahead to stay with his 1-yard touchdown run with 12:26 remaining, and Lofton scooped up a botched handoff and returned it 15 yards for a score 46 seconds later.

NO. 7 SOUTH CAROLINA 21, NORTH CAROLINA 15

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Redshirt freshman Chris Smelley threw a career-high three touchdown passes in the first half and the Gamecocks (6-1) withstood a late rally by the Tar Heels (2-5).

Smelley, who improved to 4-0 as a starter, helped South Carolina build a 21-3 lead through three quarters. But the Tar Heels made things interesting when T.J. Yates threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Greg Little on the first play of the fourth quarter, then ran 3 yards for another score to make it a six-point game with 3:03 remaining.

NO. 9 OREGON 53, WASHINGTON STATE 7

EUGENE, Ore. — Dennis Dixon threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for another as the Ducks (5-1, 2-1 Pacific-10) rolled up 551 yards in total offense to hand the Cougars (2-5, 0-4) their fourth straight loss.

Oregon's victory came at a cost. Wide receiver Cameron Colvin was lost with a broken ankle early in the game, and running back Jeremiah Johnson went down with a right knee injury after he had scored two touchdowns.

NO. 10 USC 20, ARIZONA 13

LOS ANGELES — Highly-touted freshman Joe McKnight gave the Trojans the spark they desperately needed, Mark Sanchez threw his first career touchdown pass, and the Trojans (5-1, 3-1 Pac-10) rallied to beat the Wildcats (2-5, 1-3).

NO. 12 VIRGINIA TECH 43, DUKE 14

DURHAM, N.C. — Sean Glennon threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in relief of injured Tyrod Taylor and the Hokies (6-1, 3-0 ACC) finally allowed the Blue Devils (1-6, 0-4) to score for the first time in three meetings.

LOUISVILLE 28, NO. 15 CINCINNATI 24

CINCINNATI — Brian Brohm threw three touchdown passes and made a 51-yard completion to set up Anthony Allen's 3-yard TD run for a 28-21 lead as the Cardinals (4-3, 1-1 Big East) rallied past the Bearcats (6-1, 1-1).

IOWA 10, NO. 18 ILLINOIS 6

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Brett Greenwood intercepted an Eddie McGee pass at the goal line with 1:12 left as the Hawkeyes (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) held off the Illini (5-2, 3-1) to end their five-game winning streak.

PENN STATE 38, NO. 19 WISCONSIN 7

STATE COLLEGE, Pa — Rodney Kinlaw ran for 115 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Morelli threw for 216 yards and another score and the Nittany Lions (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) capitalized on the mistake-prone Badgers (5-2, 2-2), who lost their second straight after having won 14 in a row.

NO. 20 KANSAS 58, BAYLOR 10

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Todd Reesing threw two touchdown passes and Jake Sharp rushed for 110 yards and another score as the Jayhawks (6-0, 2-0 Big 12) pounded the Bears (3-4, 0-3) in a game delayed more than two hours by lightning and heavy rain.

NO. 22 AUBURN 9, ARKANSAS 7

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman Wes Byrum kicked his second game-winning field goal in three weeks, this one from 20 yards with 21 seconds remaining to lift the Tigers (5-2, 3-1 SEC) over the Razorbacks (3-3, 0-3), who took a 7-6 lead with 1:36 remaining on Casey Dick's 13-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Miller.

NO. 23 TEXAS 56, IOWA STATE 3

AMES, Iowa — Colt McCoy threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for another as the Longhorns (5-2, 1-2 Big 12) ended their longest conference losing streak in 51 years with a rout of the Cyclones (1-6, 0-3).

NO. 24 GEORGIA 20, VANDERBILT 17

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Brandon Coutu kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired as the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2 SEC) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the Commodores (3-3, 1-1).

NO. 25 TENNESSEE 33, MISSISSIPPI STATE 21

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Erik Ainge threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns and Lucas Taylor had career highs of 11 catches for 186 yards, including a 51-yard scoring catch as the Volunteers (4-2, 2-1 SEC) rallied past the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-3).