Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
CINCINNATI: Despite leading heading into the fourth quarter, Cincinnati
dropped a heartbreaking 34-31 decision in overtime to then No. 16 Louisville.
The Bearcats got the ball first in overtime but Munchie Legaux threw and
interception and the Cardinals got a field goal on its possession to seal the
win. The overtime interception was one of three thrown by Legaux who finished
with 157 yards passing while completing 13-of-28 pass attempts. Legaux did
throw a touchdown pass to Damon Julian who led the team with four receptions
for 52 yards. George Winn ran the ball a game-high 26 times for 125 yards but
it was Ralph David Abernathy that found the end zone twice on the ground.
Legaux also ran in for a touchdown but had only 32 yards rushing. The Bearcats
were just 5-for-15 on third downs but did convert all three of its red zone
trips into touchdowns. On defense the Bearcats were lit up for 524 yards of
total offense including 416 through the air. Greg Blair racked up 19 total
tackles including 1.5 sacks. Maalik Bomar had six tackles, 1.5 for loss and an
interception. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Cincinnati versus
Louisville. Up next for Cincinnati is one of three home games the Bearcats
will have in the next four weeks as they host Syracuse at Nippert Stadium next
Saturday.
CONNECTICUT: After taking a 40-10 drubbing in the Carrier Dome to Syracuse,
the Huskies were idle this past weekend. Connecticut now sets its sights on
South Florida with the hopes of ending a current three-game losing streak. It
is the first losing streak of three or more games since 2009.
LOUISVILLE: The Cardinals trailed heading into the fourth quarter but still
managed to come out on top and remain undefeated with a 34-31 win over
Cincinnati. John Wallace nailed a 30-yard field goal in overtime after Terell
Floyd intercepted a pass from Bearcat quarterback Munchie Legaux on
Cincinnati's possession. The Cardinals are now 8-0 for the first time since
2006. It was the fifth straight home win for the Cardinals which is the
longest such streak for Louisville under current head coach Charlie Strong.
The Cardinals are also 3-0 in Big East play for the second time in school
history. It was also the team's first overtime win since 2002. Louisville held
a 524-353 advantage in total yards including a 416-157 edge in yards through
the air. Louisville could have put the game away in regulation if not for the
team did not settle for two field goals, along with two touchdowns, in four
red zone trips. Teddy Bridgewater completed 24-of-41 passes for 416 yards and
two touchdowns but was intercepted once. It was the first time Bridgewater had
thrown for 400 or more yards. He has now thrown a touchdown pass in 10
straight games. Bridgewater was especially efficient in the second half,
completing 15-of-19 attempts for 262 yards and both touchdown passes. DeVante
Parker caught four of those passes for 120 yards and both touchdowns. Jeremy
Wright finished with 74 yards rushing and a touchdown. Preston Brown and Keith
Brown each finished with a team-high 13 tackles. The win ended a four-game
losing streak to the Bearcats. Louisville will play host to Temple next
weekend.
PITTSBURGH: The Panthers have won consecutive games for the second time this
season after posting a 47-17 thrashing over in-state foe Temple. The victory
was the first for the Panthers versus a fellow Big East opponent in four
tries. Pittsburgh now holds a 27-8-1 edge in the all-time series with the
Owls. The 47 points scored by the Panthers were the most against an FBS
opponent since 2009 and the most in a home game since 1999 when Pittsburgh
also beat Temple 55-24. Tino Sunseri completed 20-of-28 pass attempts for 321
yards in his third 300-yard effort this season. Ray Graham ran for 109 yards
on 19 carries for his second 100-yard performance this season. Graham also
scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one through the air. It is the second
time this season Graham has accumulated three scores with the other coming in
a 35-17 win over Virginia Tech. Devin Street caught six passes for a career-
high 140 yards and a touchdown. Street is the leading receiver in the
conference in yards (695) and receptions (50). Pittsburgh held a 528-324 edge
in total yards and held Temple to just three red zone trips. Pittsburgh had
seven red zone chances of which five turned into touchdowns and two to field
goals. The 31 points the Panthers scored in the first half marked the first
time since 2009 the Panthers had scored 30 or more points in the first half
since 2009. Dan Mason had a team-high 10 tackles while Shayne Hale had six
total and three for loss. Pittsburgh faces a tough challenge next week when
the Panthers travel to South Bend to face off with No. 4 Notre Dame.
RUTGERS: Kyle Flood suffered his first loss as head coach at Rutgers as the
Scarlet Knights fell 35-26 at home to Kent State. The loss pushed Rutgers,
which had been ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 entering play, out of the
national rankings and ended an eight-game winning streak that dated back to
last season. Rutgers normally staunch defense was torched for 224 yards on the
ground the most given up since 2011. Rutgers also allowed an 100-yard rusher
for the first time in 11 games with Kent State's Trayion Durham posting 131
yards. Rutgers turned the ball over a season-high seven times which was the
most in a game for the Scarlet Knights since 2001. Big East leading rusher
Jawan Jamison finished the game with 172 all purpose yards (84 rushing, 88
receiving). His eight receptions and 88 yards receiving were a career-high.
Gary Nova threw for 313 yards on two scores on 25-for-46 passing but was
intercepted a career-high six times. Rutgers suffered from a deficit of just
over 14 minutes in time of possession. Logan Ryan had a career-high 13 tackles
in the loss. Scott Vallone had a season-high seven tackles and a team and
career-high 2.5 tackles for loss. Marcus Cooper also set a career-high with
nine tackles. Khaseem Greene had seven tackles as well and forced and
recovered a fumble. Rutgers will try to get back on track next weekend when
the Scarlet Knights battle the Black Knights of Army at High Point Solutions
Stadium.
SOUTH FLORIDA: The Bulls suffered a crushing 37-36 defeat at home to Syracuse
last weekend. USF lost despite holding a 23-3 edge at halftime with Syracuse's
Ryan Nassib throwing a one-yard touchdown pass to Alec Lemon with three
seconds left in regulation. The Bulls could have put the game out of reach on
the previous possession but after a 12-play drive settle for a 47-yard field
goal from Maikon Bonani which kept Syracuse in striking distance. USF had a
552-520 edge in total yards, 369 of which came on the ground. Lindsey Lamar
rushed for a team-high 145 yards on just 10 carries and also scored a
touchdown. B.J. Daniels threw for 183 yards and a touchdown on 17-for-30
passing and also added 134 yards on the ground. He is now just the eighth
player from any Florida school to have more than 10,000 yards of total offense
for a career. Bonani knocked in five field goals in the game to set a career-
high and single game record at USF for points scored (18). The Bulls converted
on 8-of-15 chances on third down but scored only one touchdown in three red
zone trips, settling for field goals twice. USF also had the only turnover in
the game, a fumble by Demetris Murray in the third quarter. Kayvon Webster had
a game-high with 12 total tackles while Reshard Cliett added 11, including the
team's only sack which was one of just three tackles for loss by the Bulls.
USF is now 0-4 in Big East play a record the Bulls will yet again hope to
improve when they play a second consecutive home game next weekend against
Connecticut.
SYRACUSE: Ryan Nassib connected on a one-yard passing touchdown to Alec Lemon
with three seconds remaining in the game to lift Syracuse to a 37-36 win over
South Florida. The win moves the Orange to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in conference
play. It was also the second straight win for the Orange. Syracuse had to
overcome a 23-3 halftime deficit to win the game. Syracuse outscored USF 21-3
in the third quarter. The Orange gave up 369 yards rushing to the Bulls but
out gained USF through the air by a 328-183 margin. Syracuse was penalized a
game-high 19 times which accounted for 89 yards while also have a more than
three minute disadvantage in time of possession. Syracuse scored on 5-of-6 red
zone trips and did not allow a sack. Nassib completed 27-of-40 attempts for
328 yards and four touchdowns. It was his fourth game of more than 300 passing
yards this season and the eighth fourth-quarter comeback of his career.
Although Lemon caught the game-winning pass it was Marcus Sales that had the
superior game in receiving with nine receptions for 125 yards and two scores,
all team highs. Lemon had five receptions for 40 yards, while Jarrod West had
seven receptions for 98 yards and a score of his own. Jerome Smith carried the
ball 28 times for 127 yards, while Prince-Tyson Gulley added 67 yards on 14
attempts. Deon Goggins and Shamarko Thomas tied for a team-high nine tackles
while Dyshawn Davis had two of only five tackles for loss by Syracuse. The
Orange will play three of their final four games on the road beginning with a
contest against Cincinnati next weekend.
TEMPLE: A cross-state road trip ended in disappointment as the Owls were
routed 47-17 in Heinz Field by the Pittsburgh Panthers. Temple is now 3-4
overall on the season and 2-2 versus conference opponents. The Owls have lost
two straight games by a combined score of 82-27. Temple was out-gained by more
than 200 yards of total offense (528-324) in the loss. The Owls also lost a
pair of fumbles which were the only turnovers of the game. Temple did not put
together very many long drives with only three red zone trips as compared to
seven by the Panthers. In his 11th career start at quarterback Chris Coyer
completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 143 yards and a touchdown. The score went
to tight end Cody Booth who has three touchdown receptions in his career, all
of which have come this season. Montel Harris rushed for 72 yards on a team-
high 18 carries and also scored a touchdown. Jalen Fitzpatrick did not find
the end zone but recorded team-highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards
(55). Matt Brown finished with a team-high 126 all purpose yards, 120 of which
came on kick returns. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich had a team-high in tackles
for the fourth straight week with 10. John Youboty had a sack which was one of
just two tackles for loss by Temple. Things won't be any easier next week as
Temple travels to Papa John's Cardinals Stadium to take on undefeated and
nationally ranked Louisville in its next matchup.
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