Big East Saturday Shake-Down
By Mel Payne
Nov 17, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendon Kay (11) avoids Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Khaseem Greene (20) during the second half at Nippert Stadium. Rutgers defeated Cincinnati 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
The Big East went to battle on Saturday for another week of exciting college football. With conference powerhouse Louisville sitting the week out along with Connecticut and Pittsburgh, the Big East took shape. The standings were cemented and teams firmed up where they belong on the charts.
Temple headed to West Point to face Army in Michie Stadium. The game was non-existent through the air, with both quarterbacks throwing under 75 yards for the game. On the ground, though, the teams exploded. Montel Harris, Temple’s running back for 351 yards and 7 touchdowns in the Owls’ 63-32 victory. Temple quarterback Clinton Granger added 85 yards to the rushing attack and senior running back Matt Brown came off of the bench for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Army’s quarterback, Trent Steelman, picked up 70 yards through the air and led the team in rushing with 139 yards and three touchdowns.
Temple 63, Army 32
South Florida wasn’t so lucky in the Big East when they hit road to face Miami of Florida on Saturday. Miami’s quarterback, Stephen Morris, threw for 413 yards against the Bulls and picked up three touchdowns. The Hurricanes also added yards from running back Duke Johnson on the ground. Johnson accounted for 66 yards and one touchdown to cement the struggling season play of the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls’ Matt Floyd threw for 175 yards and two interceptions and their leading rusher, Demetris Murray, picked up 108 rushing yard in the loss.
Miami, FL 40, South Florida 9
Syracuse was also on the road this week, heading to Missouri to play a touch game against the Tigers. The game was a back and forth effort from the teams, but the Orange prevailed after a fourth quarter rally that garnered 21 points. Ryan Nassib picked up 385 yards and two touchdowns through the air for Syracuse, while running back Alec Lemon added 244 more and two touchdowns on the ground.
Syracuse 31, Missouri 27
Then a heartbreaker in Cincinnati for the Bearcats, that sealed the Big East lead for Rutgers. Cincinnati could not finish drives for a score against the stout Rutgers defense. Rutgers went up early and never lost the lead, holding the Bearcats to just one field goal.
Rutgers 10, Cincinnati 3
Updated Big East Standings
Team |
Conference Record
Overall Record
Rutgers
5-0
9-1
Louisville
4-1
9-1
Syracuse
4-2
6-5
Cincinnati
3-2
7-3
Temple
2-4
4-6
Connecticut
1-4
4-6
Pittsburgh
1-4
4-6
South Florida
1-4
3-7