Big East Football Week #1 Recap

UConn 35 - Hofstra 3

For most teams an opening game 35-3 victory would be a good thing. But for the defending Big East co-champions, it was a win that left a lot to be desired.

Donald Brown rushed for 146 yards and scored four touchdowns, but the Huskies also turned the ball over five times in a sloppy win.

Connecticut quarterback Tyler Lorenzen, who was steady a year ago only throwing six interceptions all season, threw three on opening night, and the rest of the offense seemed sluggish, starting the game with a three and out, and only scoring seven second half points.

A strong Connecticut defense again had an excellent night, holding Hofstra to 170 total yards, limiting the Pride to only 40 on the ground. Quarterback Cory Christopher played well for Hofstra in his first career start, replacing the injured Bryan Savage. The junior transfer was 17-28 for 130 yards and also broke off a few long runs. But UConn also intercepted two of his passes, one by Scott Lutrus lead to a touchdown.

UConn will travel to Temple next week, for a re-match of the Huskies controversial 22-17 victory last year in East Hartford, Conn. The Owls are coming off an ugly, but convincing 35-7 opening road victory at Army and are hungry for the Huskies. If UConn doesn’t improve its offensive efficiency, they may be in for a surprise in Philadelphia in Week 2.

Cincinnati 40 - Eastern Kentucky 7

New quarterback Dustin Grutza threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, as the Cincinnati Bearcats opened year two of the Brian Kelly era with a dominant 40-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky.

Marshwan Gilyard caught two touchdown passes and Dominick Goodman two more (one from backup Tony Pike) as the Bearcats cruised past Eastern Kentucky- last year’s Ohio Valley Conference champions. They did so without starting defense tackle Terrill Byrd who was suspended for the game, and last years quarterback Ben Mauk, who lost his final petition from the NCAA to get an additional year of eligibility.

The Bearcats rested their starters for most of the fourth quarter, as they prepare for a Week 2 showdown with Oklahoma, in Norman.

Bowling Green 27 - Pittsburgh 17

Bowling Green outscored Pittsburgh 14-0 in the second half, capped by a Tyler Sheehan 11 yard run early in the fourth quarter, as the Falcons shocked the Panthers at home.

The Panthers who came into the season ranked in the Top 25, didn’t show nearly the offensive efficiency expected. After a LeSean McCoy scoring run early, and a Derek Kinder touchdown reception in the second, the Panthers were held to a field goal the remainder of the game.

McCoy, who lead all freshman with 1328 yards rushing last year was held to 71, and quarterback Bill Stull completed 29-51 passes, but consistently missed his receivers late in the game.

Pitt will look to bounce back at home next week against the Buffalo Bulls, who opened their season with a 42-17 victory against UTEP.

Northwestern 30 - Syracuse 10

In a game in which Northwestern’s offense came in with all the hype, a third quarter Brendan Smith interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for the Wildcats.

C.J. Bacher threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns and Tyrell Sutton rushed 21 times for 140 yards as the Wildcats unveiled their new no-huddle offense in front the home crowd at Ryan Stadium.

The Orange played well early, taking a 10-9 lead minutes into the second half. But then in typical Syracuse fashion- found a way to lose. Northwestern quickly regained the advantage as Bacher lead a 13 play, 64 yard drive, capped by a 12 yard Sutton touchdown reception. On the ensuing possession, Smith returned an Andrew Robinson pass 26 yards for the touchdown.

Northwestern sealed the game with an early fourth quarter touchdown pass from Bacher to sophomore Josh Rooks.

Syracuse dropped its season opener for the fourth time in four years under coach Greg Robinson. The Orange next play Saturday at home against the Akron Zips.

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West Virginia 48 - Villanova 21

West Virginia fans, welcome Pat White Version 5.0. The senior who will likely set an NCAA record for most career rushing yards for a quarterback by the end of the season, threw for five touchdowns in a dominating 48-21 Mountaineers victory.

White was 25-33 for 208 yards, and also rushed for 63 yards, as the Mountaineers gave Bill Stewart his first win after officially being named head coach in January. Jock Sanders led the receiving corps with eight catches and two touchdowns and linebacker Mortty Ivy returned an interception for a touchdown to lead West Virginia to an easy opening game victory.

Look for the Mountaineers to be tested in Week 2 when they travel to Greenville, N.C, to face East Carolina. The Pirates opened the season with a stunning victory over Virginia Tech.

South Florida 56 - Tennessee-Martin 7

The Bulls scored on their first four possessions, including two Mike Ford rushes, as South Florida dominated an overmatched Tennesse-Martin squad.

Junior quarterback Matt Grothe was used sparingly in the win, throwing only eight passes total, but two of them were Jesse Hester touchdown receptions. The win curbed a South Florida trend of occasionally playing down to its competition, as the Bulls struggled in previous years against I-AA competition.

Tennessee-Martin scored its only touchdown on a second half Dontrell Miller fumble recovery.

In Week 2, South Florida travels north to face Central Florida, an opening week winner as well.

Kentucky 27 - Louisville 2

The hot seat just got hotter for Steve Kragthorpe in Louisville, as the Cardinals turned the ball over five times and didn’t score an offensive point, losing embarrassingly to their archrival Kentucky Wildcats.

The Cardinals, one of last seasons most disappointing teams, was hoping to bounce back in their opening game of 2008, but instead took a giant step back. Quarterback Hunter Cantwell, who was effective as Brian Brohm’s backup the past three years, had no such luck Sunday, turning the ball over four times. The third turnover- a fourth quarter fumble which was returned for a touchdown, proved to be the final nail in Louisville’s coffin. The 205 yards of total offense for Cardinals, was less than half of the 416.5 yards they put up just a season ago.

On a positive note, last years much maligned Louisville defense, which was breaking in several new starters held Kentucky to only 210 total yards. But when your offense only scores two points, it isn’t easy to pull out for a victory.

Louisville looks to bounce back as they host 1-AA Tennessee Tech next on Saturday.

Fresno State 24 - Louisville 7

Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews rushed for 163 yards and Rutgers missed offensive opportunities early and late, as the Bulldogs beat the Scarlet Knights on the road.

Fresno State, which hopes to follow Boise State in 2006 and Hawaii last year as WAC entrants into BCS bowl games, passed their first big test in front of a sellout crowd at Rutgers Stadium.

With the score knotted 0-0 at the half, Fresno State kicked a field goal early in the third to take the lead. On the next possession Matthews scored on a four yard run, after a huge Seyi Ajirotutu reception put the Bulldogs in the red zone.

After Rutgers running back Kordell Young cut the Bulldogs lead to 10-7, it was again Ajirotutu and Matthews that put Fresno State up for good. With Fresno State facing a 3rd and 23 in Rutgers territory and a likely field goal attempt, quarterback Tom Brandstater hit Ajirotutu over the top of Rutgers secondary for a crucial first down. Matthews scored on the next play, putting Fresno State up 17-7, a score from which they would never look back.

Rutgers offense never got going. Mike Teel, who was so efficient a year ago, was 20 for 39 passing but threw two interceptions. A running game which was without Ray Rice for the first time in three years struggled, as Rutgers failed to convert on third and fourth down plays from the three yard line late in the second quarter. Freshman kicker San San Te missed two field goals.

Rutgers will look to recover with an open date this weekend before facing North Carolina in two weeks.

By Aaron Torres
BigEast-fans.com Staff Writer