Big East Football Week #5 Recap

The Big East Week #5 recap is below. After you review what happened this past weekend and check out the 2008 Big East football standings, be sure to take a look at our Big East Power Rankings!

Connecticut 26 - Louisville 21

Linebacker Lawrence Wilson returned a fourth quarter Hunter Cantwell interception for 45 yards and a touchdown, as UConn won a gritty game Friday night at Louisville.

Huskies star running back Donald Brown rushed for 190 yards and a touchdown and back-up quarterback Zach Frazier came in for the injured Tyler Lorenzen, throwing for 90 yards and a touchdown of his own.

Bilal Powell and Victor Anderson both rushed for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown each for the Cardinals. Cantwell threw for 247 yards, but playing on an injured ankle threw two interceptions late in the game that sealed the Huskies victory.

UConn improves to 5-0 on the year, while the hard-luck loser Louisville falls to 2-2.

Pittsburgh 34 - Syracuse 24

Connor Lee kicked four field goals and LaRod Stephens-Howling added two fourth quarter touchdowns as Pittsburgh scored the last 21 points of the game in a come from behind victory at Syracuse.

LeSean McCoy, Pitt’s leading rusher a year ago, had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 149 on the ground. Bill Stull added 166 yards and a touchdown through the air.

> Buy Pitt Panthers apparel & merchandise online through Big East Fans & partner sites!

Syracuse, which jumped out to a 17-13 lead at halftime was led by quarterback Cameron Dantley who threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Curtis Brinkley added 119 yards on the ground.

Pittsburgh, which improved to 3-1 on the year, has a crucial game this Thursday at South Florida. Meanwhile, Syracuse has a bye, as the Orange fell to 1-4 in 2008.

Rutgers 38 - Morgan State 0

Running back Jourdan Brooks scored three times and Mike Teel threw for a touchdown as Rutgers scored all 38 of its points in the first half in a dominating victory over Morgan State.

The Scarlet Knights, playing without suspended starting wide receiver Kenny Britt and left tackle Anthony Davis piled on the points early before letting the second team get most of the late game snaps.

This was Rutgers first win of the season, as they improved to 1-3 and must travel to West Virginia to open Big East play this weekend.

West Virginia 27 - Marshall 3

Pat White threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns, but left the game in the third quarter with an injury, as West Virginia beat their in-state rival Marshall at home.

White, who also lined up at running back, left the game in the third quarter and was seen icing his throwing hand. He did not return. Running back Noel Devine added 125 yards and a touchdown for the Mountaineers, which have held their opponents to only two field goals in the last seven quarters of play (plus an overtime).

West Virginia opens its defense of the Big East conference crown with Rutgers traveling to Morgantown Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers are 2-2 on the year.

Check out the Big East Fans WVU Correspondent's WVU over Marshall game recap.

> Gear up for the 2008 college football season with Big East football merchandise through Big East Fans!

Cincinnati 17 - Akron 15

Tony Pike threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, but left the game with a broken left arm, as the Bearcats narrowly won at Akron.

Pike, who will miss at least three weeks, hit Mardy Gilyard for touchdown passes in the first and third quarter, but the Bearcats needed a late Jake Rogers field goal to take the final lead and seal the victory.

Chris Jacquemain threw for 254 yards and a touchdown for the Zips. It was his fifth game this season in which he threw for at least 200 yards, including twice against Big East teams- Cincinnati and Syracuse in Week 2.

With Pike’s injury, the Bearcats are now down to their third quarterback as they travel to Marshall this weekend. Cincinnati is 3-1, with their only loss coming at no. 1 Oklahoma.

South Florida 41 - NC State 10

Matt Grothe threw for 259 yards as South Florida scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, cruising to victory in Raleigh.

The Bulls, playing without several key defense starters, never allowed NC State in the game. Mike Ford added a touchdown run for the Bulls, which improved to 5-0 for the second straight year.

On Thursday South Florida opens Big East play, when they host Pittsburgh in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Panthers come into the game at 3-1 on the year.

By Aaron Torres
BigEast-fans.com Staff Writer

To share your thoughts with Aaron please e-mail him at ATorres00 @ gmail.com

Read more of Aaron's thoughts on Big East football and other sports at http://at-sports.blogspot.com/

More of Aaron's writing at BigEast-fans.com: