Cincinnati and No. 18 South Florida continued to impress as the Big East went 5-2 in Week 4. The Bearcats routed the Wolfpack, while South Florida rolled over UTEP. Syracuse needed overtime to beat Toledo, while Connecticut and Rutgers also picked up wins. Pittsburgh fell at Notre Dame while No. 16 West Virginia got blown out at home against No. 2 LSU. Conference play begins next week.
CINCINNATI 44, NC STATE 14
Defense continues to be the key to success for the Bearcats, as they forced three turnovers and sacked Wolfpack QB Mike Glennon six times in a 44-14 win over NC State. The Wolfpack could not get anything going on the ground, finishing with -26 yards rushing. Bearcats QB Zach Collaros completed 25 of 34 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, adding two more on the ground. Isaiah Pead ran for 167 yards and a rushing score.
NEXT GAME: 10/01 @MIAMI (OHIO)
PITTSBURGH 12, NOTRE DAME 15
The Panthers let a second-half lead disappear for the second straight week, as Pittsburgh fell at Notre Dame, 15-12. The Fighting Irish overcame eight penalties for 85 yards and two turnovers. QB Tommy Rees finished with 216 yards passing and one touchdown, a game-winning pass to Tyler Eifert with just under seven minutes to play.
NEXT GAME: 09/29 VS. NO. 16 SOUTH FLORIDA
RUTGERS 38, OHIO 26
The Scarlet Knights converted four Bobcat turnovers into 17 points and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu hauled in 16 catches for 176 yards and two scores as Rutgers beat Ohio, 38-26. Bobcats QB Tyler Tettleton had a solid outing completing 23 of 36 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio’s first loss of the season.
NEXT GAME: 10/01 @SYRACUSE
CONNECTICUT 17, BUFFALO 3
QB Johnny McEntee connected with Nick Williams on a 49-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes to play and Connecticut outlasted Buffalo, 17-3. McEntee finished with 213 passing yards and two scores. The win ended the Huskies’ two-game losing streak.
NEXT GAME: 10/01 VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
NO. 18 SOUTH FLORIDA 52, UTEP 24
QB B.J. Daniels threw for 202 yards and ran for 130 more, contributing three total touchdowns, as No. 18 South Florida bested UTEP, 52-24. The Miners drew within two scores on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Carson Meger to Kevin Perry, but the Bulls responded with two scores of their own to make it an insurmountable lead. South Florida finished with 373 yards on the ground.
NEXT GAME: 09/29 @PITTSBURGH
NO. 16 WEST VIRGINIA 21, NO. 2 LSU 47
QB Jarrett Lee threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Ford ran for 82 yards and two scores, as No. 2 LSU thumped No. 16 West Virginia, 47-21. The Mountaineers looked to make things interesting in the second half, pulling within six at 27-21, but Morris Claiborne returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and West Virginia did not score the rest of the way. Mountaineers QB Geno Smith threw for a game-best 463 yards.
NEXT GAME: 10/01 VS. BOWLING GREEN
LOUISVILLE: BYE
NEXT GAME: 10/01 VS. MARSHALL