Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
CINCINNATI: Cincinnati did not participate in the first week festivities to
kick off the 2012 FBS season. Butch Jones' third-season at the helm for
Cincinnati will get underway on Thursday, Sept. 6 when the Bearcats welcome in
conference foe Pittsburgh.
CONNECTICUT: The Huskies rode a punishing defensive effort to a dominating
37-0 win over Massachusetts, which was making its debut at the FBS level. The
former Yankee Conference rivals were meeting for the 72nd time. UConn held the
Minutemen to just 59 total yards and three first downs all game. The final
score could have been even larger but the Huskies turned the ball over three
times. Connecticut scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams in
the game. Nick Williams led the team with 143 all-purpose yards, while Lyle
McCombs, who was second in the conference in rushing last season, had 82 yards
on the ground and a touchdown. In his first start, junior college transfer
quarterback Chandler Whitmer was efficient, despite throwing a pair of
interceptions, completing 15-of-25 attempts for 219 yards. Connecticut will
again be home next week when the Huskies host NC State.
LOUISVILLE: It was a win against in-state rival Kentucky for Louisville, the
only ranked team in the Big East, in its season opener as the Cardinals downed
the Wildcats, 32-14. Teddy Bridgewater was impressive in the game completing
19 of his 21 pass attempts to set a program record for completion percentage.
Bridgewater connected with nine different receivers in the game for 232 yards.
However it was the rushing tandem of Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright that
stole the show. Both backs tallied 100-yard games with Wright going for 105
yards and three scores and Perry at 108 yards and a touchdown. Wright is the
first Cardinal back with three touchdowns in a game since 2008. It was also
the first time Louisville had two players reach the century mark on the ground
since 2010. The Cardinals scored on their first possession of the game, and in
keeping with the spirit of the heated rivalry, went for and converted a two-
point conversion. It was the first time Louisville scored on its opening drive
since 2007. Louisville had 466 total yards in the game split fairly evenly
between the pass (247) and the run (219). Louisville continues the season next
weekend at home against Missouri State.
PITTSBURGH: Paul Chryst's first game as a head coach for the Panthers could
not have gone much worse as Pittsburgh fell to FCS opponent Youngstown State
at home 31-17 Saturday. The loss ends a 57-game winning streak against FCS
opponents by Big East schools. It was the first loss ever by Pittsburgh to an
FCS program. There was some good news, as Ray Graham looked to have returned
to form after suffering a season-ending knee injury midway through last
season. Graham carried the ball 14 times for 71 yards and a touchdown in his
first start since the injury. Pittsburgh's defense had eight different players
making their first starts in the game and it showed as Pittsburgh allowed 381
total yards. The Panthers only gained 369 themselves. Pittsburgh won't have
long to digest the upset loss as the Panthers begin Big East play on the road
on Thursday against Cincinnati.
RUTGERS: Kyle Flood kicked off his head coaching career with a win as the
Rutgers Scarlet Knights grinded out a 24-12 win on the road against Tulane.
Rutgers is 11-1 in head coaching debuts since 1924. For the fourth time in his
career sophomore Jawan Jamison eclipsed the 100-yard mark, finishing with 117
yards on 18 carries while also scoring a touchdown. After being tabbed as the
starter just over a week ago, Gary Nova did enough to guide the team to
victory, completing 11-of-20 passes for 158 yards and a score. Rutgers defense
was the star of the show though holding Tulane to just eight rushing yards and
262 yards of total offense in the game. The Scarlet Knights held the Green
Wave to minus five yards rushing in the firs half. Rutgers has held three of
its last four opponents below 300 yards of total offense. 2011 Big East Co-
Defensive Player of the Year Khaseem Greene led the way with a team-high 14
tackles, including a sack. Rutgers will have its home opener next week against
Howard.
SOUTH FLORIDA: After such a disappointing end to last season the South Florida
Bulls got the 2012 campaign off to a good start with a 34-13 win over
Chattanooga Saturday. The Bulls, who had just one win in their last eight
games last season, compiled 329 total yards while holding the Mocs to just
151. That included a first quarter in which USF held Chattanooga to minus one
total yards. B.J. Daniels threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns while also
scoring on the ground. It was his 10th career game when he has scored at least
one rushing and one passing touchdown. Ryne Giddins was the motor on defense,
recording a pair of sacks, which tied a career-high, on Chattanooga's first
three plays. Maikon Bonani became the USF all-time scoring leader (248) by
going 4-for-4 on PATs. The Bulls have now won seven straight season openers
and all three under third-year head coach Skip Holtz. USF's week two matchup
will be on the road against Nevada.
SYRACUSE: In one of the more exciting games of the opening weekend, Syracuse
lost a heartbreaker, 42-41 at home to Northwestern. The loss came despite a
28-point comeback orchestrated by Ryan Nassib, who threw four touchdowns
during a four-drive stretch in the second half that turned a 35-13 deficit
into a 41-35 lead. A controversial late-hit penalty during Northwestern's next
possession set up the Wildcats game-winning score. In the loss, Nassib set
school single-game records in passing yards (470) and completions (44). Marcus
Sales was Nassib's favorite target on the day, catching 11 balls for 117 yards
and a touchdown. Syracuse lost despite out-gaining the Wildcats by more than
250 yards (596-337). It won't get any easier for Doug Marrone's squad next
week when it heads to East Rutherford, NJ for a neutral site matchup with
powerhouse USC.
TEMPLE: For the third straight year, Temple opened the regular season with a
win against Villanova in the annual Mayor's Cup game. The 41-10 victory came
in the final game of the city rivalry series as the agreement between the
schools expires this year. Senior running back Matt Brown rushed for 145 yards
on 19 carries for his 10th career 100-yard rushing performance. He also added
a career-long 45-yard punt return. Brandon McManus also made some history
setting the program record for career field goals made (48) by going 2-for-2
in the game. Boston College transfer running back Montel Harris was limited to
11 yards on five carries due to a pulled hamstring. Dual-threat QB Chris Coyer
had two total touchdowns and rushed for 86 yards and threw for 61. Even with a
win Temple allowed more yards (365) than it gained (362). Temple will remain
at home next week when the Owls play Maryland.
The Sports Network