FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER
Passing the Test: West Virginia: After wins over Western Michigan and Marshall it was time for WVU to beat up on a decent team from a BCS conference, and they did. As usual, the game was the Steve Slaton show, as the junior rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns. It was Slaton’s 22-yard touchdown that put the game away in the third quarter, as he capped off drives with long rushes all day averaging 5.3 yards per rush. The longest run came from freshman Noel Devine, who added 136 yards on only five carries. The WVU defense stepped up shutting out the Terps in the second half and forcing three turnovers. They shut down the Maryland rushing attack in the second half only allowing 89 yards on the ground in the entire game.

Cincinnati: Coming off a huge win over Oregon State it was important for the Bearcats not to have a let down. Cincinnati dominated the entire game jumping out to a 23-0 and never looking back. With Ben Mauk out (sore arm), backup Dustin Grutza threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Tight End Connor Barwin had 11 receptions for 109 yards, a career high. The Bearcats only allowed 56 rushing yards and forced four turnovers. Sophomore receiver Marcus Barnett blocked a punt for a safety and then caught a touchdown pass all in the first quarter.

Upset Alert: The Cardinals can pretty much say goodbye to their national title hopes after a loss in Lexington. A very sloppy start for UL spotted Kentucky a 13-0 lead and then it was all Brian Brohm and Andre’ Woodson. Brohm finished the game throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns hooking up with Harry Douglas 13 times for 223 yards. This NFL duo could not be stopped except for when they were on the sidelines when they watched Woodson and Rafael Little just run up and down on the U of L defense. Woodson threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns including the 57-yard game winner to Steve Johnson with 28 seconds remaining. Little rushed for 151 yards averaging 5.3 yards a touch. The Louisville defense did a terrible job, after a 100-yard kick off return by Trent Gay, they allowed Kentucky to march down field for touchdown. The Louisville offense responded with a long drive of their own capped off by an Anthony Allen two-yard plunge. However, once again the Cardinal’s defense failed to hold on to the lead, in addition to their national title hopes.

Just End It Already: Three games in and three blowout losses for Syracuse this season. Illinois is just a better and much faster team as the Orange continue to embarrass the conference. Just look at the rushing yards in the game: Syracuse was held to 63 yards, averaging 1.9 per rush, compared to Illinois who rushed for 378 yards. Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall could not be stopped, as the junior tailback rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore defensive tackle Arthur Jones did have a decent game with a couple of big tackles early in the game but left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

Sloppy But Surely: With their victory over Temple, Connecticut starts the year 3-0 for the first time since 1998. Andre Dixon rushed for 129 yards and Donald Brown rushed for two touchdowns including the game winner early in the fourth quarter. Temple had several chances to get that lead back but the Huskies defense held strong in the end for a 22-17 victory.

Freshman Standout: In their 17-13 loss to Michigan State, freshman running back LeSean McCoy caught the eyes of many. McCoy rushed for 172 yards including a 64-yard touchdown earlier in the second quarter. McCoy also had two receptions in the game.

Blowout City: Rutgers just pounded Norfolk State as expected 59-0. Ray Rice just got twelve carries but still rushed for 72 yards and three touchdowns.