Numbers Don't Lie: 5 Big East stats you should know

Several units and players have stood out statistically through two games in the Big East. The list includes: Syracuse's passing offense, Connecticut's rush defense, Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater and South Florida WR Andre Davis.

By Matt Rybaltowski

Sep 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm ET • 2 min read

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has only had a handful of incompletions through the Cardinals' first two games. (Getty Images)

Syracuse pass offense: 402 yards per game -- The Orange rank third in FBS in passing yards per game. Senior WR Marcus Sales has quickly dusted off the rust after missing the entire 2011 season. The passing totals figure to remain constant considering that Syracuse put up 41 points without senior wideout Alec Lemon. The Orange average nearly 100 passing yards more than the next closest team (South Florida) in the conference.

Connecticut defense: 5 points and 158.5 yards allowed per game -- The Huskies’ defense has been stifling. As expected, senior DE Trevardo Williams has been menacing off the edge. In last Saturday’s loss to NC State, Williams delivered a crushing blindside hit on Wolfpack QB Mike Glennon. Since Glennon is considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft, it’s impressive that UConn allowed only 10 points against the Wolfpack. The Huskies have also surrendered just 57 rushing yards in two games or 0.9 yards per carry. Rutgers' rush defense has been just as formidable. The Scarlet Knights’ allowed just 16 rushing yards through the first seven quarters of their season.

Teddy Bridgewater: 81.7 completion percentage -- The Louisville sophomore quarterback is ranked second in FBS in completion percentage (among quarterbacks with at least 15 attempts per game). West Virginia QB Geno Smith, who has completed a remarkable 88.9 percent of his attempts, is the only quarterback with a higher percentage. Bridgewater’s numbers illustrate his maturity and greater understanding of reading defenses.

Andre Davis: 13 catches for 204 yards and 2 TDs -- The South Florida sophomore wide receiver rescued the Bulls with a spectacular game-winning 56-yard touchdown catch against Nevada in the final minute of Saturday’s 32-31 win. USF coach Skip Holtz raved about Davis’ development in the preseason. Against the Wolf Pack, Davis toasted Nevada CB Khalid Wooten in the first quarter with a sharp cutback on a 51-yard touchdown along the left sideline. Davis then outleapt Nevada S Bryan Lane Jr. on the aforementioned game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds left. It’s critical for Davis to remain consistent after the loss of Sterling Griffin for the season.

Rutgers' offensive line: No sacks allowed -- Although the Scarlet Knights haven’t faced the most imposing front fours (Tulane and Howard), their ability to protect QB Gary Nova is commendable. Rutgers returned just two starting offensive linemen from a unit that ranked fifth in the Big East last season in sacks allowed (30). The line has also opened creases for RB Jawan Jamison. Through two games, Jamison ranks second in the conference in rushing yards per game (111.0). Last season, the Scarlet Knights averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.

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