Indeed, the Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech defenses drop the curtain on the first week of the season, and on the opposing offenses on Monday night in Blacksburg, Va. Here, Yellow Jackets running back Zach Laskey is brought down by a host of Hokies defenders . . . a scene repeated throughout the Labor Day affair.

But the offenses in Monday's game aren't entirely shut down. Here, Georgia Tech running back Robert Godhigh scores a second-quarter touchdown to even the game at 7-7 . . .  and find a giant, fuzzy mascot waiting for him with open wings.

The game finally ends on Monday in overtime, as Virginia Tech kicker Cody Journell kicked the game-winning field goal to lift the No. 16 Hokies to a thrilling 20-17 win.

Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jordon Paschal (22) helps hold the Governor's Cup trophy after defeating Kentucky. Louisville defeated Kentucky 32-14.

Lanear Sampson of Baylor University scores a touchdown against SMU Mustangs Sunday at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.

Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Maxwell Smith prepares to pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half Sunday. Louisville defeated Kentucky 32-14.

Southern Methodist running back Zach Line (48) is tackled by Baylor defensive end Chris McAllister (31) and safety Sam Holl (25) during the first quarter Sunday at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.

Louisville Cardinals safety Calvin Pryor (25) breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Demarco Robinson (9) during the second half Sunday at Papa John's Cardinals Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Louisville defeated Kentucky 32-14.

Louisville Cardinals running back Senorise Perry (32) breaks through the tackle of Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Tyler Brause (10) during the first half Sunday. Louisville defeated Kentucky 32-14.

Arizona's Austin Hill (right) looks like he is taking Toledo's Cheatham Norrils for quite the trip in the first half as he tries to break the tackle.

Toledo's Mark Singer (right) forces Arizona's Richard Morrison to fumble the ball in the first half.

Toledo QB Austin Dantin (right) tries to find some open space while being pursued by Arizona's Dominique Austin.

Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro (4) tries to bring down Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith during the second quarter.

Texas' D.J. Monroe scores a touchdown past Wyoming defender Mark Nzeocha in Austin, Texas.
 

Alabama receiver DeAndrew White scores a touchdown vs. Michigan.

Michigan running back Vincent Smith (2) is stopped by Alabama linebacker Xzavier Dickson (47) and defensive lineman Ed Stinson during the first half at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday.

Hawaii linebacker Kamalani Aloknocks the ball from the hands of Southern California running back Silas Redd.

USC receiver Robert Woods celebrates a touchdown during the first half in Los Angeles.

Hawaii receiver Chris Gant cannot hold on to a pass as USC cornerback Brian Baucham makes a tackle.

Oklahoma State safety Ashton Lampkin gets the interception against Savannah State  during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday.

Clemson cornerback Bashaud Breeland tackles Auburn running back Onterio McCalebb in the second quarter on Saturday.

Oklahoma State running back Jeremy Smith dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Savannah State in the first quarter.
 

Auburn defensive back Ryan White knocks Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins out of bounds in the second quarter on Saturday.

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd is sacked by Auburn defensive end Dee Ford in the first quarter.

Oklahoma State safety Ashton Lampkin intercepts a pass intended for Savannah State wide receiver Marcus Johnson in the first quarter.

Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis is brought down during the first quarter by safety Wilmot Wellington.

Wisconsin's Jordan Fredrick (9) is tripped up by Northern Iowa's Garrett Scott during the first half.

Wisconsin running back James White (20) looks to move past Northern Iowa  defensive backs Garrett Scott (15) and Wilmot Wellington during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium.

Gillislee slips past the Bowling Green defense on his way to a 15-yard touchdown run on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Bowling Green wide receiver Ryan Burbrink (17) runs after a reception as he is tripped up by Florida defensive back Jaylen Watkins during the first half.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) hands off to running back Mike Gillislee (23) during the first quarter against Bowling Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday.

Ohio's Corey Hasting sacks Penn State quarterback Matthew McGloin during the first half at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 1. The look worked for the Bobcats, who upset the Nittany Lions in Penn State's first opener since the end of the Joe Paterno era.

Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien leads his team onto the field before the start of their game against Ohio on Saturday, the Nittany Lions' first since the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Penn State tight end Matt Lehman extends to reach the end zone in the second quarter, helping to give the Nittany Lions 14-3 halftime lead.

Ohio State's Evan Spencer reaches over Miami of Ohio's Chrishawn Dupuy to haul in a reception during the second quarter.

Miami of Ohio's Dawan Scott outruns Ohio State's C.J. Barnett to gain a first down in the first quarter.

Ohio State wide receiver Evan Spencer hauls in a reception between two defenders for a short gain during the first quarter.

Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick runs for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries as the Fighting Irish crush Navy 50-10 in Ireland.

Navy quarterback Trey Miller pitches to running back Bo Snelson in the second quarter against the Notre Dame. Tough the Midshipmen moved the ball well (341 yards of total offense) they did not capitalize, being held to 10 points.

Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert hauls in a second-quarter touchdown, beating two defenders as the Fighting Irish scored in each quarter against Navy on Saturday.

Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell scores a touchdown despite being tackled by Boise State cornerback Jerrell Gavins. Bell finished with 210 yards and two TDs on 44 carries in the Spartans' 17-13 win.

Tennessee tight end Mychal Rivera runs after a catch in the second half of the Vols' 35-21 victory over North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome.

Stanford's Jordan Williamson boots a 46-yard field goal against San Jose State during the Cardinal's 20-17 win.

Stanford's Jackson Cummings gets stopped short of the goal line by San Jose State's defense in the first quarter.

Stanford's Stepfan Taylor dives over the San Jose State defense for a one-yard touchdown.

Tennessee offensive lineman Dallas Thomas tries on the winner's leather helmet after the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game against North Carolina State, beginning the NCAA college football season.

Michigan State safety RJ Williamson intercepts a pass during the first half against Boise State.

North Carolina State running back James Washington is tackled by a group of Tennessee defenders

North Carolina State running back James Washington celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Tennessee during the second quarter of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

North Carolina State receiver Tobais Palmer runs after a catch in the first quarter.

Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) celebrates with Justin Hunter after catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter against North Carolina State.

Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell (24) looks for room at Spartan Stadium.

Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell (24) and teammates celebrate after a touchdown during the first quarter against Boise State on Friday.

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Ace Sanders leaps to avoid a tackle attempt by Vanderbilt Commodores safety Kenny Ladler (1) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Gamecocks beat the Commodores, 17-13, on Thursday.

The Brigham Young Cougars mascot does a flip after the Cougars scored a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium.

Brigham Young Cougars running back David Foote (27) runs for a first down during the first quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium.

Mike Leach prepares to coach Washington State in his first game back on the sideline since being fired by Texasx Tech in 2009.

Arizona State running back DJ Foster is tackled by a Northern Arizona defender in the first quarter at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday.

In his first game as Arizona State head coach, Todd Graham talks to his team during the first half of the opener against Northern Arizona on Thursday.

Arizona State running back Cameron Marshall dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half.

South Carolina's D.J. Swearinger (36) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt's Jonathan Krause in the second half.

UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin (23) celebrates with receiver Jerry Johnson after scoring a touchdown against Rice on Thursday in Houston.

Rice wide receiver Jordan Taylor (15) bobbles a potential catch under pressure from UCLA cornerback Aaron Hester (21).

Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half vs. UCLA in Houston on Thursday.

UCLA receiver Shaquelle Evans coughs up the ball vs. Rice.

Shaq Wilson of South Carolina intercepts a pass intended for Zac Stacy of Vanderbilt.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier speaks to coach James Franklin of Vanderbilt.

Chris Boyd of the Commodores jumps over Jimmy Legree of the Gamecocks on Thursday in Nashville.

Central Florida running back Latavius Murray (28) carries the ball during the first quarter against Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium on Thursday.

Vanderbilt's Kenny Ladler (1) celebrates his interception with Karl Butler (28) against South Carolina in the first half on Thursday in Nashville.

Akron wide receiver LT Smith (3) takes a hit by Central Florida defensive back Clayton Geathers.

Akron receiver Marquelo Suel (15) jumps for a pass against the Central Knights linebacker Jonathan Davis (11) and defensive back Clayton Geathers (26) at InfoCision Stadium on Thursday.

UCLA coach Jim Mora reacts against Rice during the first quarter of his head-coaching tenure with the Bruins.

UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin is tackled by Corey Frazier of Rice.

Brett Hundley of the Bruins prepares to fire a pass against the Owls.

Vanderbilt's Andre Hal (23) breaks up a pass intended for South Carolina's Bruce Ellington (23) in the first half.

Vanderbilt's Steven Clarke (12) is tackled by South Carolina strong safety Kadetrix Marcus (25) and linebacker Damarion Jeffery (33) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on Thursday.

South Carolina receiver Damiere Byrd (3) is tackled by Vanderbilt cornerback Trey Wilson.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) pitches the ball against South Carolina.