Around the Big East: Week 3

With Rutgers taking the week off, the Big East had a modest improvement, going 4-3 in Week 3. Syracuse and Pittsburgh fell on the road while Connecticut lost a late lead for the second consecutive week. No.  18 West Virginia held on at Maryland while Louisville held off Kentucky. No.  20 South Florida and Cincinnati both won handily at home.

CONNECTICUT 20, IOWA STATE 24

QB Steele Jantz overcame three interceptions on his first four passes as Iowa State defeated Connecticut, 24-20. Steele found Darius Reynolds for a 20-yard score to give the Cyclones the lead for good. Huskies QB Johnny McEntee finished 13 of 30 for 188 yards and one interception.

NEXT GAME: 09/24 @BUFFALO

PITTSBURGH 27, IOWA 31

QB James Vandenberg rallied Iowa from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to stun Pittsburgh, 31-27. It was the largest comeback in school history for the Hawkeyes. The Panthers led 27-10 with just over 12 minutes to play before Vandenberg connected on touchdown passes of 14, 25, and 22 yards, respectively. Panthers QB Tino Sunseri completed 23 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, but was also picked off twice.

NEXT GAME: 09/24 VS. NOTRE DAME

CINCINNATI 59, AKRON 14

The Bearcat defense forced six turnovers, returning three of them for scores en route to a 59-14 rout of Akron. QB Zach Collaros finished 10 of 16 for 157 yards and one touchdown, adding a rushing score. The Zips didn’t score until the 13:37 mark in the fourth quarter – their first touchdown of the season.

NEXT GAME: 09/22 VS. NC STATE

NO. 18 WEST VIRGINIA 37, MARYLAND 31

QB Geno Smith had a career day, throwing for 388 yards and one touchdown as the No. 18 Mountaineers survived a second half Terps rally. Maryland pulled to within 34-31, but a Tyler Bitancurt 21-yarder with 04:42 to play would be the difference-maker for the Mountaineers. On the ensuing drive, Eain Smith picked off QB Danny O’Brien with just over a minute remaining. Andrew Bule and Vernard Roberts combined for 87 yards and two scores on the ground for West Virginia.

NEXT GAME: 09/24 VS. NO. 3 LSU

NO. 20 SOUTH FLORIDA 70, FLORIDA A&M 17

B.J. Daniels threw for a career-best 382 yards and four touchdowns, adding another score on the ground as No. 20 South Florida topped Florida A&M, 70-17. Darrell Scott contributed 146 rushing yards and three scores and added one catch for 84 yards and a receiving touchdown for the Bulls.

NEXT GAME: 09/24 VS. UTEP

LOUISVILLE 24, KENTUCKY 17

True freshman QB Teddy Bridgewater came in for an injured Will Stein and led Louisville to a 24-17 win over Kentucky. Bridgewater finished 10 of 18 for 106 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yarder to Josh Bellamy to give the Cardinals the lead for good. Wildcats QB Morgan Newton had a solid outing with 255 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

NEXT GAME: 10/1 VS. MARSHALL

RUTGERS: BYE

NEXT GAME: 09/24 VS. OHIO