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| A late B.J. Daniels touchdown pass lifted South Florida past Nevada. (Getty Images) |
Big East scoreboard
Saturday
North Carolina State 10, Connecticut 7: Both teams floundered offensively, but Connecticut was worse. But the Huskies did manage a three-play, 63-yard drive for their score late to make a game of it. UConn got the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead, but the offense failed to move down the field.
Maryland 36, Temple 27: After starting slowly, Temple made a furious comeback but fell short. The Owls beat Maryland last season in College Park but were unable to get their second win of the season. Boston College transfer RB Montel Harris did not play as he was nursing a strained hamstring.
No. 23 Louisville 35, Missouri State 7: The Cardinals took control early and coasted to an easy victory led by sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater. Missouri State was able to hang around for a bit in the first half, but too much Louisville talent wore the Bears down.
Rutgers 26, Howard 0: The Scarlet Knights earned their first shutout since a 48-0 win over North Carolina Central in last season’s opener. Although the Bison finished with 74 rushing yards, the majority came in the fourth quarter after the game was long decided. Howard had just eight rushing yards at the end of the third. Jawan Jamison helped ignite the offense with a 64-yard run midway through the first quarter. Jamison had 110 yards on 10 carries. WR Brandon Coleman only had two catches, but both were for touchdowns.
South Florida 32, Nevada 31: The Bulls had no answer for Wolf Pack QB Cody Fajardo, who had 405 total yards and 3 touchdowns. But it wasn't enough as a late South Florida touchdown sealed the win for the Bulls. USF WR Andre Davis had 12 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 2 Southern California 42, Syracuse 29: Senior QB Ryan Nassib had his way last weekend against Northwestern, throwing for a school record 470 yards. He and the Orange had a tougher time this week as Southern Cal pulled away in the fourth quarter after inclement weather delayed the game for more than an hour.
Thursday
Cincinnati 34, Pittsburgh 10: The Panthers' woeful start continues as they were routed by the Bearcats in the Big East opener. Cincinnati RB George Winn scored on the Bearcats' first offensive play, and Pitt never stood a chance. The Panthers are staring down three straight losses to open the season with a loss to Youngstown State in its opener and Virginia Tech looming.
Play of the week: With South Florida trailing Nevada 31-26 with less than a minute remaining, QB B.J. Daniels hit a streaking Andre Davis down the sideline for the decisive touchdown.
They said what?: Pittsburgh QB Tino Sunseri -- whose intentional heave through the uprights at the end of the half took too long, thus ruining the chance for a field goal attempt -- explaining something that a senior quarterback should probably already know: "I learned with five seconds left not to put so much air under it so you have a couple seconds so you can kick a field goal." Good plan.
RapidReports defensive star of the week: Connecticut LB Yawin Smallwood. In an otherwise ugly game, the UConn defense stood tall against North Carolina State. No one taller than sophomore LB Yawin Smallwood, who had 14 tackles, including three for a loss.
RapidReports offensive star of the week: Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater. After going 19 of 21 for 232 yards in Louisville's opening win over Kentucky, sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater was again a model of efficiency in a Cardinal win over Missouri State. Bridgewater was 30 of 39, throwing for two touchdowns and a career high 344 yards.
His seat is getting uncomfortable: Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst. Yes, it's early, but Chryst is not doing himself any favors. After an embarrassing loss at home to Youngstown State in their opener, the Panthers were blasted by Cincinnati on Thursday night. The offense was anemic, which is concerning, especially considering the upperclassmen running the show.
A possible spot on the bench for: Connecticut QB Chandler Whitmer. After winning the starting job from senior Johnny McEntee, Whitmer has been less than impressive in his first two starts. After an easy win over Massachusetts, Whitmer struggled in a 10-7 home loss to North Carolina State on Saturday, even receiving a smattering of boos. Whitmer was 15 of 27 for 204 yards and three interceptions. Look for UConn to perhaps try the wildcat formation with sophomore Scott McCummings more frequently if Whitmer can't be a better manager of the offense.
Why you care about these three stat lines
- Connecticut DL Trevardo Williams: 5 tackles, 4 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble. Williams, and the rest of the Connecticut defense, were in the North Carolina State backfield all afternoon. Unfortunately, their offense wasn't able to put many points of the board. If Williams, Smallwood, and Sio Moore continue their dominance, and the offense can get something going, the Huskies will be somewhat formidable.
- Temple's first-half offense: The Owls managed a meager 34 yards of total offense against Maryland in the first half Saturday. Temple was able to make a game of it, but slow starts with its methodical offense will not play well game in and game out.
- Rutgers' rush defense: The opponents haven't been too powerful, but Rutgers has allowed a total of just 82 rushing yards in wins over Tulane and Howard. In the first seven quarters, the Scarlet Knights had allowed 14 rushing yards. Rutgers' road does get tougher, as it faces South Florida in Tampa on Thursday.
Key number: 12. Number of first downs the Temple defense allowed in the first half Saturday. The Terrapins managed a total of 13 first downs in their opener against William and Mary.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.
