NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com NCAA Football FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/UConn Finally Hits Sweet Note for Jazzhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/24/uconn-finally-hits-sweet-note-for-jazz/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/24/uconn-finally-hits-sweet-note-for-jazz/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/24/uconn-finally-hits-sweet-note-for-jazz/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Randy EdsallFor nearly a month, UConn coach Randy Edsall knew what he would do -- he just started to wonder when he would get the opportunity.

That chance finally came Saturday when the Huskies defeated Notre Dame, 33-30, in double overtime. After three excruciating losses, the Huskies finally had a victory for murdered teammate Jasper Howard.

"We've been working very, very hard to get a win for Jazz and his family after his death," Edsall said. "Each week that went by, it seemed like there was a little more burden to get that done. But when we got that taken care of at Notre Dame, I didn't tell the team what I was doing, but I knew what I was going to do once we got that victory."

After the game, Edsall said he talked to Howard's family. Edsall said he will send them the game ball.

The Huskies (5-5) continue to be one of the nation's most resilient teams.

"Jazz made the comment after the Louisville game [the last one he played before his death], he echoed that saying we have in our facility: 'you have to play every play like it's the last play,' " Edsall said. "They understood, but they took it more to heart after the tragic death of Jazz. It just resonated more with our young people and carried an even stronger message to them."

The victory against Notre Dame also helped the Huskies' bowl hopes and restored confidence to the team, Edsall said.

"This should help our confidence," Edsall said. "You keep getting into the games and lose those close ones, and to get one, I think, will boost everybody's morale and confidence up."

Pike Returns to Starting Lineup

Cincinnati QB Tony Pike is slated to start Friday against Illinois, his first start since Oct. 15 at South Florida.

Since injuring his left forearm at USF, Pike missed the Bearcats' next three games before playing against West Virginia on Nov. 13. Pike attempted only four passes, throwing two short TD passes.

"He's got 'escapability' so he's going to get out on the perimeter and he's going to throw and get hit," Kelly said. "I'm sure he'll have some moments on Friday where he goes, 'Oh, OK, here it comes,' and he's got to take care of himself."

Pike will have the luxury of returning to the starting lineup against a team that ranks 89th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense and 90th in passing defense.

Breakfast with the Big East

Friday's Rutgers at Louisville game will feature an 11AM kickoff. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said on Thanksgiving Day in 2004, Rutgers played UConn with a 10AM kickoff.

He joked that Friday's game "is actually a little late."

Schiano was not laughing, though, about the Scarlet Knights' performance in Saturday's 34-13 loss at Syracuse. Schiano said his club was overconfident against Syracuse.

"I think so, I'd be naïve if I think it didn't have a factor," Schiano said. "It's a shame. That lesson, we should know by now. I think it was a perfect storm in a bad way for us."

That perfect storm was a combination of earning its first Top 25 ranking in two years after a 31-0 victory against South Florida and then playing the Orange, who Rutgers had beaten four consecutive times by at least 18 points. Instead, Syracuse posted its largest margin in Big East play in five seasons.

Odds Are Irish Eyes locked on Kelly

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly and Florida's Urban Meyer are listed as the favorites to replace Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, according to sports-odds.com. Both coaches are listed as 3-to-2 favorites even though Meyer said Monday "I'm going to coach at Florida as long as they'll have me. So I want to make that clear."

Kelly has not made any such statement about staying at Cincinnati. He has said he will not discuss Notre Dame rumors and only comment about Cincinnati's football program.

Besides Kelly and Meyer, the next likely candidates are Stanford's Jim Harbaugh (3-to-1), Oregon's Chip Kelly (5-to-1), Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (10-to-1), Oklahoma's Bob Stoops (20-to-1) and former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden (30-to-1), according to the website.

Around the League

UConn has the Big East's best football graduation rate and the worst basketball graduation rate. Here are the graduation rates released by the NCAA for the football and men's basketball players who entered NCAA Division I schools from 1999-2002 and went on to graduate within six years. Football: UConn 82 percent, Rutgers 81, Syracuse 77, Cincinnati 75, Pittsburgh 68, West Virginia 61, USF 60, Louisville 59. Men's basketball: Marquette and Notre Dame 100 percent, Villanova 92, Georgetown 82, Providence 77, Pittsburgh 75, Rutgers 70, St. John's 60, Syracuse 55, Cincinnati and Seton Hall 53, DePaul 46, USF 44 and West Virginia 44, Louisville 38, UConn 27. ... Louisville RB Victor Anderson, last year's Big East Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,047 yards, will undergo shoulder surgery ending his sophomore season. Anderson played in eight games and finished with 473 yards. ... Pitt announced its future non-conference schedules through 2013. Among the highlights: 2010 -- at Utah, home vs. Miami; 2011 -- at Iowa, home vs. Utah; 2012 -- home vs. Virginia Tech; 2013 -- at Virginia Tech plus annual games with Notre Dame.

Contact FanHouse reporter Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com

UConn Finally Hits Sweet Note for Jazz originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Randy EdsallRandyEdsallBrett McMurphyTue, 24 Nov 2009 14:28:00 EST UConn Wins for Jasper Howard, at Lasthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/uconn-wins-for-jasper-howard-at-last/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/uconn-wins-for-jasper-howard-at-last/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/uconn-wins-for-jasper-howard-at-last/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

FanHouse Big East writer Brett McMurphy looks back at the week that was in the Big East Rewind.

Two weeks ago, UConn coach Randy Edsall and senior running back Andre Dixon both said how much the Huskies' really needed a bye week after a third consecutive last-minute loss at Cincinnati.

If no other team needed a bye like UConn, no other team in the country needed a victory like UConn. And that's exactly what the Huskies' got. UConn went into South Bend, Ind., and defeated Notre Dame 33-30 in double overtime Saturday.

It was the first victory since the murder of UConn cornerback Jasper Howard. After the game, Edsall pointed skyward in honor of Howard, while the Huskies' players held aloft Howard's No. 6 jersey.

Did anyone else notice UConn's final score just happen to be 33 (3+3=6)?

UConn's victory highlighted last week's Big East action as the Big East's bests -- Cincinnati-Pittsburgh or Pittsburgh-Cincinnati, if you prefer -- were idle last week.

In the only other two games involving league teams, South Florida thumped Louisville to secure a bowl berth for a fifth consecutive season and Syracuse upset Rutgers to avoid a winless Big East debut season for Doug Marrone.

Some things we may have figured out in the past week

1. Don't believe the preseason magazines, at least concerning offensive lines

Rutgers offensive line was hailed as (pick one): the best offensive line in the history of the Big East or one of the nation's best offensive lines. Athlon's ranked Rutgers' o-line as the nation's eighth best, while literally every preseason magazine and dot-com preseason preview touted Rutgers as the league's best. Yet, the Scarlet Knights allowed nine sacks in Saturday's loss at Syracuse and have the league's second-worst offense.

2. South Florida's B.J. Daniels should concentrate strictly on football

On Saturday against Louisville, Daniels had 445 yards of total offense, becoming the first player in Big East history and only 28th player in FBS history with 100 yards rushing and 300 yards passing in a game. The redshirt freshman is easily one of the league's most talented football players. But Daniels also has a love for basketball. That was the main reason he signed with USF because of an opportunity to play both sports. He played sparingly last season for USF's basketball team and has said he will play again after the conclusion of USF's football season. Unless the basketball team suffers a rash of injuries, Daniels likely won't get much playing time again this season and playing both sports will only curb his development on the football field.

3. Cincinnati fans are having some restless nights

UConn's victory all but sealed the fate of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. So in the matter of days (minutes?), Bearcats faithful will find out exactly how serious a candidate Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is for the Fighting Irish. The Bearcats, though, aren't going down without a fight. The school has decided to borrow $9.7 million to start construction on athletic practice fields, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Building the new practice fields are a requirement in Kelly's new five-year contract.
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Re-Tweeting Week 12

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: On Friday, Brian Kelly matches wits with Illinois' Ron Zook. This really doesn't seem fair, does it?
2. Pitt: Does Dave Wannstedt wake up at every night wondering how in the world his Panthers ever lost to N.C. State?
3. West Virginia: Not quite the same, but Mountaineers can damage Pitt's season Friday much like Panthers did to WVU in 2007
4. UConn: Win against Notre Dame -- we're not going to call it an upset -- improves Huskies' bowl hopes
5. Rutgers: Sacked nine times by Syracuse Saturday, QB Tom Savage was on his back more than (insert your own bad joke here)
6. South Florida: Bulls stop the bleeding against Louisville and become bowl eligible for a fifth consecutive season
7. Syracuse: The Orange's upset of Rutgers gives Syracuse's seniors four consecutive seasons with one Big East victory
8. Louisville: Does Steve Kragthorpe end his Cardinals career Friday against Rutgers with a win or loss?

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY

UConn Wins for Jasper Howard, at Last originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardBrett McMurphyMon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST Big East Rewind: Ready for the Big Finishhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/big-east-rewind-after-further-review/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/big-east-rewind-after-further-review/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/big-east-rewind-after-further-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Pittsburgh fanAfter further review: Cincinnati and Pittsburgh remain on a collision course to determine the Big East championship and BCS bowl berth.

The Bearcats and Panthers experienced some anxious moments down the stretch, but both survived to move a step closer to delivering the Big East its first matchup of Top-10 ranked teams since 2006.

Cincinnati held off West Virginia, 24-21, and Pittsburgh outlasted Notre Dame 27-22 over the weekend. Did we mention both UC and Pitt were playing at home and benefited from two game-changing replay reversals?

And who says the SEC has the monopoly on all the controversial replay calls?

The No. 5 ranked Bearcats (10-0, 6-0 Big East) and No. 8 Panthers (9-1, 5-0) get a chance to catch their breath this weekend. West Virginia also is off this weekend, giving the Mountaineers time to reflect on their first two-game Big East losing streak since 2004 and watch Rich Rod against Ohio State.

Some things we may have figured out in the past week:

1. Chris Fowler isn't half as embarrassed as Jim Leavitt should be

During Rutgers' 31-0 seal-clubbing of South Florida on Thursday night, ESPN's Chris Fowler remarked he was embarrassed that he had voted for USF on his AP Top 25 ballot last week. (Hey Chris, I feel your pain: I had USF at No. 25 and I should really know better). When the Bulls joined the Big East in 2005, they were expected to compete for a league title: yet they've never finished higher than third (Syracuse is the only other league team without a top two finish). USF is 2-3 in league play and regressing. The Bulls' three Big East losses this year are by a combined 75 points and they're 4-8 in their last 12 Big East games. For a second consecutive year, the Bulls could be headed for a sixth-place finish. Perhaps, Fowler and I should have listened to SI.com's Stewart Mandel, when he wrote about USF's struggles last year: "I fell for the myth that Jim Leavitt's built-from-scratch program had established itself as a nationally relevant program."

2. Is the gig up for Cincinnati?

Another team has discovered Cincinnati's kryptonite that might eventually cost the Bearcats an undefeated season. West Virginia became the third team this season to crack the 200-yard rushing mark against the Bearcats and, not so coincidentally, the third team to hang within a touchdown of Cincinnati. The Bearcats allowed more than 200 yards rushing in close wins against Fresno State (28-20), UConn (47-45) and West Virginia (24-21). In their other seven victories, they allowed an average of 91 yards rushing and had an average winning margin of 28.9 points.

3. The 'R' on the helmet stands for red-hot

Whatever Greg Schiano is doing with his Rutgers teams in the second half of the past four seasons, he should bottle it and sell it -- or try doing the same thing in the first half of the season. Once again, the Scarlet Knights are heating up in the second half of the year. Since 2006, Rutgers' combined record - not including games against FCS opponents -- in the first six games of the year is 10-9. In the same span in the second half of the year, the Scarlet Knights are 19-5. Last year, Rutgers ended the year on a 7-0 run and after Thursday's dismantling of USF, the Scarlet Knights have won their last three games.

Re-Tweeting Week 11

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Bad news is the close wins don't impress pollsters. Good news is the 'Cats are now experts at recovering onside kicks
2. Pitt: Nation's only team with a RB (Dion Lewis) and QB (Bill Stull) ranked among the nation's top six in rushing and pass efficiency
3. Rutgers: QB Tom Savage gets all the credit, but the Big East's top-rated defense has been the key to Rutgers' recent resurgence
4. West Virginia: Unless the Mountaineers defeat both Pitt and Rutgers, WVU will finish with its most Big East losses since 2001 team went 1-6
5. UConn: Huskies hoping to extend the Big East's winning streak against Notre Dame to four games
6. South Florida: In five seasons in Big East play, the Bulls are 16-17 and have never finished better than 4-3
7. Louisville: The Cards like 'em close. UL's three wins against FBS teams this season are by a combined 11 points
8. Syracuse: Just like Greg Robinson, Doug Marrone appears headed toward a 0-7 Big East record in his debut season

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY

Big East Rewind: Ready for the Big Finish originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 16 Nov 2009 17:19:00 EST Panthers Roaring in Old-School Offensehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/panthers-roaring-in-old-school-offense/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/panthers-roaring-in-old-school-offense/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/panthers-roaring-in-old-school-offense/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dave WannstedtFanHouse Big East writer Brett McMurphy empties his reporter's pad every week with the latest news from the league in the Big East Notebook.

While the majority of college football programs are utilizing the spread offense, Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt proudly admits his club's offensive philosophy has gone the way of the dinosaur.

So far, so good for Tyrannosaurus Dave and his Panthers. Forget extinction, the Panthers are thriving in their prehistoric offense.

The Panthers are 8-1, lead the Big East in rushing (187 yards per game) and second in the Big East and 16th nationally in scoring offense (34.56 points per game).

"I think there are a lot of different ways to win," Wannstedt said. "Right now everybody's in the spread offense. We're probably one of the dinosaurs left that are lining up with a fullback and a tailback and trying to pound people and play-action pass.

"But that's what I believe in. And the Super Bowls and national championships I've been associated with, that's what we did. You have to go with what you know and what you believe."

Believe this: much maligned quarterback Bill Stull is having a tremendous senior season (he ranks fifth nationally in passing efficiency with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions) and Dion Lewis is the nation's top true freshman running back.

Lewis leads the Big East and is seventh nationally, averaging 126.6 yards rushing per game. His 12 rushing touchdowns also are a Big East best.

Steve Kragthorpe: The Anti-Sally Field

"You don't like me, you really don't like me." Those weren't Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe's exact words earlier this week, but he basically admitted as much on Monday morning during the Big East's conference call and later that day during his weekly Louisville press conference.

"I know there are people that don't like me and they don't like the way I do things," Kragthorpe said. "That's fine. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. If they don't want to come and support me, that's fine. But they need to come support these players."

The Cardinals (3-6, 0-4 Big East) play host to Syracuse (3-6, 0-4) in a battle of the Big East basement Saturday. The loser likely locks up last place, while the winner can still get bowl eligible by winning out.

The Cardinals have lost nine consecutive Big East games with a pair of eight-point losses the only defeats by less than 10 points. The Cardinals' nine-game Big East losing streak matches the number of losses in four years under former coach Bobby Petrino (41-9). That and apathy toward Kragthorpe likely will attract more empty seats than fans at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

In Louisville's last home game on Halloween against Arkansas State, the Cardinals drew a stadium record low 21,497.
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Syracuse Struggling to the Finish

There has been only two types of news coming out of Syracuse's program the past two weeks: bad and worse.

On Monday, it was more of the same as the school announced that senior nose tackle Arthur Jones and junior offensive tackle Jonathan Meldrum suffered season-ending knee injuries Saturday against Pittsburgh.

In the 37-13 loss at Pittsburgh, the Orange only traveled 55 scholarship players, due to injuries, suspensions, illness, defections, plague, locusts ... you get the idea. Despite the tough times for first-year coach Doug Marrone, he said there's no other place he'd rather be than coaching his alma mater.

Just last season, Marrone was offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and if he stayed, he would be in the midst of an undefeated season and possible Super Bowl run. Instead, he's 3-6 and winless in Big East play.

"I'm so thrilled for them [the Saints]," Marrone said. "But if I was [still] at the Saints, I would have wished I was here [at Syracuse]."

Big East Title Game Look Ahead

Cincinnati doesn't visit Pittsburgh for another 23 days - in case anyone is counting - but if you can't wait to start breaking down the defacto Big East title game, here's one way: the ever-popular score comparison.

Both the Bearcats and Panthers have defeated the same five Big East opponents - UConn, Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida and Syracuse.

Cincinnati's average score was 39.4-18.8, while Pittsburgh's was 32.2-14.4. The Bearcats have a slightly better margin of victory: 20.6 compared to Pitt's 17.8

Around he League

Concerned that South Florida freshman QB B.J. Daniels might get banged up running the football, he worked with the school's softball coach, Ken Eriksen, on getting tips on how to slide. "I didn't want this to get out but [offensive coordinator Mike] Canales has actually talked to [Eriksen] and he's trying to help me out with my sliding," said Daniels, who hasn't played baseball since his sophomore year of high school. ... Rutgers recently announced it would play Army next season at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The Scarlet Knights will earn a hefty $2.5-$2.7 million payday. ... With Notre Dame all but locked into the Gator Bowl and taking one of the Big East's bowl games, UConn (4-5) likely must win its final three games to receive a bowl bid. A 6-6 record likely wouldn't earn the Huskies a Big East bowl this season. A shame, considering everything the Huskies have gone through this season.

Panthers Roaring in Old-School Offense originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyThu, 12 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST Pike Not Ready, Collaros Will Start Fridayhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/cincy-calls-pikes-number-if-hes-healthy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/cincy-calls-pikes-number-if-hes-healthy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/cincy-calls-pikes-number-if-hes-healthy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Zach Collaros, Tony PikeA day after saying that Cincinnati senior Tony Pike would be his starting quarterback when "100 percent" healthy, Bearcats coach Brian Kelly told Cincinnati radio station WEBN-FM that back-up Zach Collaros would start Friday against West Virginia.

Collaros started for Pike the past three games, and has completed 80 percent of his passes. Saturday against UConn, Collaros set a Big East and school record with 555 yards of total offense, including 480 yards passing.

Despite Collaros' impressive showing the past 3 1/2 games, Kelly said Pike would regain his starting position when healthy. Kelly's announcement means that Pike still hasn't fully recovered from his left arm injury.

Kelly said after the Bearcats' 47-45 victory, that he wasn't sure if Collaros had won the starting job from Pike, who reinjured his left arm -- which he initially broke last season -- on Oct. 15 at South Florida. Pike underwent surgery on the arm a couple weeks ago and was cleared to play Saturday, but didn't play against the Huskies.

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"I went back and thought about clearly the pluses and minuses -- a lot of pluses with both guys," Kelly said. "After careful consideration, Tony's our guy [when he is healthy]. We've got to make sure he's at the level he needs to be [physically]."

In the first 5 1/2 games before the injury, Pike threw for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns. Collaros replaced an injured Pike in the second half at USF, leading the Bearcats to the 34-17 victory.

Collaros is 3-0 as a starter, completing 80.5 percent (66-of-82) for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I don't think I should start," Collaros told FanHouse after blistering UConn for a Big East 555 yards of total offense. "Tony's my guy. We've played really well as of late, but there's no reason to think we couldn't have done the same thing with Tony.

"Tony's our guy. Tony's the starter. He's a great quarterback and he's our leader. Whenever he's ready to go he should start."

Pike is the stronger passer and has a stronger arm, but Collaros' accuracy and running ability makes him a better all-around threat.

"I had to spend the weekend thinking about it," Kelly said. "Generally, I'm pretty good about making decisions. It's a difficult one."

Last week, Pike had a specially made splint for his left forearm, allowing him to practice. Kelly said Pike wouldn't play until he had completely healed -- whenever that might be.

"If Tony's fully healthy, he's our starter," Kelly said. "The issue is [that] this becomes day to day. There's X-rays and so much that's out of my hands medically. And the risk factor -- what's the risk factor in putting him out there?"

West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said Monday his club would prepare for both quarterbacks, but wouldn't comment on which one he prefers to face.

"I'm not going there," Stewart said.

"Brian Kelly has the tough decision. All we have to do is try and stop them," Stewart joked.

Stewart said he's been impressed with Collaros and said he's similar to West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown and former WVU quarterback Pat White.

"These guys that have their running ability, they have the innate ability to pull the down," Stewart said. "These guys just tuck it and go. That's what makes Zach, Jarrett, Pat [so difficult to defend], they're athletes playing quarterback."

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, who said he rather would have faced Pike instead of Collaros after losing to Collaros and UC 41-10 on Oct. 24, said Kelly has a tough decision.

"I guess that's the question of the week in the Big East," Kragthorpe said Monday.



Pike Not Ready, Collaros Will Start Friday originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Zach Colzach collarosZachColZachCollarosBrett McMurphyTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST Hurting Huskies Finally Get Week Offhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/hurting-huskies-finally-get-week-off/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/hurting-huskies-finally-get-week-off/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/hurting-huskies-finally-get-week-off/#commentsFiled under:

CINCINNATI -- UConn coach Randy Edsall emerged from the visitor's locker room at Nippert Stadium after a 47-45 loss to Cincinnati Saturday, the latest in a season-long full of heartbreakers for the Huskies.

He admitted he's not sure what to say anymore.

"You can use any adjective you want, but we just came up short," he said. "I told [the players] I'm running out of things to tell them after a game like this."

Saturday's loss to the No. 4 Bearcats was the latest in a string of heartbreaking losses since the murder of UConn junior Jasper Howard Oct. 18. Fortunately for the Huskies, they don't play this week, giving them a much needed break.

UConn closes the regular season at Notre Dame (Nov. 21) and home against Syracuse (Nov. 28) and South Florida (Dec. 5). The Huskies need to win at least two games to become bowl eligible.

"We need a bye, truthfully, just to get away from football for a second," UConn senior running back Andre Dixon told FanHouse. "Just to refocus. We've been playing good ball, but even since it happened. We need a little bit of time away from it to refocus."

It, of course, was Howard's murder.
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"We need the bye very badly," Edsall said. "We need these kids to get away from football. They've been through quite a bit and they just need to kind of be by themselves and do what they've got to do."

Since the tragedy, the past three games for UConn have been gut-wrenching to say the least.

At West Virginia, only six days after Howard's murder, UConn led 24-21 in the final minutes only to watch West Virginia running back Noel Devine break free for a 56-yard touchdown run with 2:10 remaining. UConn lost 28-24.

Against Rutgers, five days after the team flew to Miami for Howard's funeral services, Jordan Todman's 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down gave the Huskies a 24-21 lead with 38 seconds remaining. However, Rutgers wide receiver Tim Brown, who grew up two houses down from Howard in Miami, scored on an 81-yard touchdown reception with 22 seconds remaining. UConn lost 28-24.

At Cincinnati on Saturday, the Huskies fell behind 30-10 at halftime and still trailed 40-24 with 14 minutes remaining, before putting on a furious rally. UConn pulled within 40-38, but failed on the game-tying two-point conversion with 5:03 remaining. After Cincinnati scored with 1:52 remaining, UConn answered with 13 seconds remaining, but couldn't recover the onside kick. UConn lost 47-45.

Three Saturdays. Three devastating losses. By a total of 10 points.

"It's about having pride in what you do, having the will to want to win," Dixon said. "UConn is a football team that never gives up. We really thrive on finishing. When you prepare to finish and you don't, it's kind of heartbreaking.

"But we're a team that won't give up as you can see in these last games, but it just hurts to come up short every time."

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said if the Bearcats had been playing UConn away from home, it might have ended differently.

"I know it's been talked about but Randy Edsall and the job he's done to keep his team together, is just an incredible job," Kelly said.

Besides their three recent losses, the Huskies' other two losses were to North Carolina (12-10) and Pittsburgh (24-21). The 4-5 Huskies are 15 points away from being 9-0.

"It's especially tough for the seniors," Dixon said. "Know how well we've played and how close we are to being undefeated. Think about it, it's our last year. There's no next season. As a senior, it hurts twice as much knowing this is our last time."

Dixon said the Huskies have been able to persevere through the tough times by relying on each other.

"We stick together, we push each other," Dixon said. "We compete to make sure we give our best effort in everything we do. It's not surprising at all. This is something that's a part of UConn football: it's about fighting and staying together.

"When you put the work in that we do every week, you expect to play as well as we did.

"It says something about our team character and our love for the sport, and our love for each other and how strong our family is, to bounce back from something like that and play as well as we did. It says something about our character, but the game is always measured by wins and losses at the end of the day."

Hurting Huskies Finally Get Week Off originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST Big East Rewind: Favorites Fading?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/big-east-rewind-favorites-fading/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/big-east-rewind-favorites-fading/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/big-east-rewind-favorites-fading/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia won as expected last week, but it wasn't quite as easy as the experts predicted.

All three clubs were heavy favorites between 17 and 21 points, yet only Pittsburgh won easily. PItt was the only one of the trio that didn't almost lose. The Panthers disposed of depleted Syracuse 37-10, but Cincinnati and West Virginia had a lot more difficulty.

The Bearcats outlasted a resilient UConn club 47-45, while the Mountaineers held off Louisville 17-9.

Last week's results shows that the league remains divided into three tiers: the best (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh), the worst (Louisville, Syracuse) and everyone else (South Florida, West Virginia, UConn and Rutgers).

While the top and the bottom of the league is pretty well set, it should be interesting to see how the middle four teams shake out in the next few weeks. It will start Thursday when USF visits Rutgers.

Unfortunately, we have to wait another four weeks for the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh contest.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. What do you know, the Big East ain't so bad after all

After starting the season with no teams ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Big East has half of its league in the BCS Top 25 rankings. That's even one more than the mighty SEC. Cincinnati is No. 5, but needs some help to get a shot at the BCS title game, while Pittsburgh is No. 12, South Florida No. 24 and West Virginia No. 25.

2. Syracuse will be the Big East's most improved team - in 2010

They have to be, right? There will be nowhere to go but up for the Orange. The latest debacle was Saturday's 37-10 loss at Pittsburgh. In the Orange's four Big East losses, they have not come closer than two touchdowns. Last week, they had three players suspended and a fourth - star WR Mike Williams - quit the team. Saturday, they lost starting SS Max Suter and TE Cody Catalina to season-ending injuries and they only took 55 scholarship players to Pitt.

3. Where did the O go for the "Muntaineers"?

In West Virginia's last two games, the Mountaineers have been held to 19 points in a loss at South Florida and 17 points in a win against Louisville. The significance is it marked the third time in 22 games under Coach Bill Stewart the Mountaineers had scored 20 or fewer points in consecutive games. By comparison, WVU only had back-to-back games with 20 points or less three times in the last 76 games of former Coach Rich Rodriguez's tenure at West Virginia.
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4. Are there chinks showing in Cincinnati's armor?

In Cincinnati's 9-0 start, the Bearcats' offense - whether Tony Pike or Zach Collaros played quarterback - has been absolutely dynamite. However, it does appear the blueprint for at least keeping it close against UC is out there. Fresno State, in a 28-20 loss to UC, rushed for 290 yards. UConn rushed for 201 in Saturday's two-point loss. Those are the only two games this season the Bearcats have allowed more than 200 yards rushing - and not coincidentally the only two games they have not won by double figures.

Re-Tweeting Week 10

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: The Zach Pack is growing. UConn the latest to believe that Cincinnati is better off with Collaros at QB
2. Pittsburgh: Since ending West Virginia's 2007 national title hopes, the Panthers have won 18 of their past 23 contests
3. South Florida: The not-ready-for-prime-time Bulls visit Rutgers hoping to end an 0-5 streak in ESPN Thursday night games
4. West Virginia: The Mountaineers have been outgained in their past three games, but still managed to win two of them
5. Rutgers: Freshman Tom Savage makes his first start vs. USF, looking to extend Scarlet Knights' three-game winning streak vs. the Bulls
6. UConn: The Huskies' perseverance is amazing, but they have lost their last three games by a total of 10 points
7. Louisville: Coming close counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and my Big East rankings. UL moves up one spot after hanging at WVU
8. Syracuse: The Orange and Cardinals will settle this once and for all Saturday: who is the league's worst team?

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Big East Rewind: Favorites Fading? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST Zach Collaros Is Right Choice for Cincyhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Zach CollarosCINCINNATI -- Cincinnati senior Tony Pike is rated as the third-best NFL quarterback prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. He likely will make a fine NFL quarterback one day.

Yet, the No. 4-ranked Bearcats are better off without him.

Last season, Pike led the Bearcats to their first Big East title. This year, he led Cincinnati to a 5-0 start before he re-injured his left (non-throwing) arm - the arm he broke last season.

Pike, who had missed the past 2½ games, was cleared to play Saturday against UConn, but he never left the bench. He should stay there the rest of the season.

That's because sophomore Zach Collaros is smokin' hot.

In Saturday's 47-45 victory against UConn, Collaros threw for 480 yards, completing 29-of-37 with one touchdown. He also rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns. His 555 yards of total offense - in only his third collegiate start - broke Cincinnati's 41-year old school record and also was the most in Big East history.

In Collaros' three starts, he has completed a ridiculous 80.5 percent (66-of-82) for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I don't think I should start," a humble Collaros told FanHouse. "Tony's my guy. We've played really well as of late, but there's no reason to think we couldn't have done the same thing with Tony.

"Tony's our guy. Tony's the starter. He's a great quarterback and he's our leader. Whenever he's ready to go he should start."

That's admirable of Collaros to say, but he's nuts.

Pike supposedly was ready to play Saturday. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said Pike had been cleared to play, but Collaros got the start. He never gave Kelly the opportunity to take him out of the game.

The Bearcats (9-0, 5-0 Big East) rung up 711 yards of total offense, the second-most in Big East history. Collaros' 480 yards passing were the fourth most in Big East history.
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Last week, Kelly said when Pike was healthy he would return as Cincinnati's starter. He said before Saturday's game he had intended to get Pike in the game against UConn. But faster than you can say Wally Pipp, Kelly is now having second thoughts. And he should.

Kelly said Pike will not automatically start Friday against West Virginia, but instead Kelly will evaluate both quarterbacks this week in practice to determine the starter.

"He's made it hard," Kelly said of Collaros.

"I've changed my mind, based on the way he's played the last three games. I think I have to reconsider my decision [to automatically start Pike]."

UConn (4-5, 1-4) came into the game allowing only 323 total yards a game. By halftime, Collaros had already thrown for 333 yards.

A couple of weeks ago, Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard remarked that Collaros added "spice" to the Bearcats' offense. Saturday's display was extra spicy.

"Zach went for, who knows, five million yards or something like that, whatever it was," Gilyard said. "Zach had an excellent day. We have a quarterback that can throw or run. We have so many weapons. It makes it hard for a defense to defend."

Collaros said Saturday's game was "an amazing feeling."

"It's an amazing feeling to be out there when our offense is clicking like that," Collaros said. "It's really a lot of fun. We have a very good offensive scheme.

"You've got to take something away. If you take away the run, it's just pitch and catch out there. One on one matchups, we execute that pretty well."

Two weeks ago after Collaros carved up Louisville for 305 yards of offense, completing 15 for 17, Cardinals coach Steve Kragthorpe said he actually would have preferred to have faced Pike.

"To be honest with you, I was hoping Tony would play today because I knew they would be one-dimensional and I knew they would throw it," said Kragthorpe after UL's 41-10 loss on Oct. 24. "I really felt that if Tony played, even if he hadn't been hurt, it would've been a lot better matchup for us. They're a little more one-dimensional with Tony in there."

The initial reaction to Kragthorpe's quote was "huh?" However, it turns out Kragthorpe knew exactly what he was talking about.

UConn coach Randy Edsall was asked if Cincinnati is better with Collaros instead of Pike.

"I really couldn't make that determination because Tony didn't play," Edsall said. "I just know Zach made a lot of good plays. His athleticism is something that helps their offense out quite a bit.



"I think Brian is going to have a very difficult decision to make as to who he's going to play at quarterback when Tony comes back. That's his worry, not mine."

With Pike in there, defenses have to worry about his big-time arm, but don't have to worry about Pike running. Pike can make any throw on the field and that's why he's coveted by the NFL folks.

But with Collaros in there, defenses have to worry about Collaros' running, elusiveness, and, yes, his pinpoint accuracy. They have to worry about his running and passing ability. Collaros is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, while Pike has maybe three runs longer than six yards all season.

Collaros or Pike? Pike or Collaros? Even die-hard Pike fans aren't sure what to think anymore.

One such fan was visiting the Nippert Stadium press box at halftime. The fan was wearing Pike's black No. 15 jersey under a flamboyant red jacket with stars on both sleeves. I asked him if Pike should regain his starting position.

Peering through his sun glasses, Cincinnati's best known funkster Bootsy Collins said he's not sure and admitted Kelly has "a dilemma."

"It's like they say," Collins said. "If it ain't broke, don't break it."

I couldn't have said it better.

Zach Collaros Is Right Choice for Cincy originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellytony pikezach collarosBrett McMurphySun, 08 Nov 2009 01:33:00 EST Big East Commish: Old Bowl System Preferable to Playoffhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

John MarrinattoTAMPA, Fla. -- The demand for a college football playoff could break up the BCS after the 2013 season, but instead of adding a playoff, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) would likely just revert back to the old bowl system, Big East commissioner John Marinatto told FanHouse.

"It [the BCS] is such an entity where there's so many diverse things that come together that make it work," Marinatto said. "I don't know if all that will continue to go on the way it is. If they're pressured to create a playoff, they would simply go back to what the system used to be like and have it as an at-large, free-for-all where people can go [to whichever bowl] they want.

"I don't think the pressure would cause people to create a playoff. I think it would cause them to go back to where we used to be [before the BCS]."

Marinatto also told FanHouse that the Big East has "no intention" of adding a ninth-football member. However, if the Big East was approached by another school that would "add value," the conference would be receptive to adding another member even it grew the basketball league to 17 teams. Marinatto stressed it would not "raid" another league to add a ninth-football member.

Also in Marinatto's interview with FanHouse, he said the BCS wants the coaches to make their ballots public after next season. He said he's optimistic they will and the coaches' poll will remain a part of the BCS formula. Marinatto also said it's possible a one-loss team could get selected over undefeated Cincinnati for a spot in the BCS title game and why the Big East's Yankee Bowl will be a success -- no matter how cold the weather might be in New York in late December/early January.

When will you add a ninth football member?
There is no intention of adding a ninth member at this point. There hasn't even been a discussion.

Do you want a ninth football member?
I understand the reasons why people feel like we could or should have a ninth member and it's primarily for scheduling. Again, we've had this discussion in the room the last five years since we expanded to 16 [schools]. It always comes down to: we'll take a ninth member if that member brings value to the membership.

Even if that means increasing the basketball membership to 17 schools?
Even if that means going to 17. We're structured in such a way that we've provided for that in our bylaws. If a ninth member of value became available tomorrow, we'd expand and go to 17.
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Would you pursue a ninth football member?
Will we raid someone to do it? No. It's not our intention to raid someone to accomplish what we want to accomplish. If under the right set of circumstances ... where someone might be disenfranchised and look for a new home. And if that school brought value, then we would be amenable. The world could change. The costs of travel could become such that an Eastern school that's now in a non-Eastern quote-unquote conference might want to look [and think] 'it makes more sense to be in the Big East.' There could be a shifting around. In that scenario, we would go to 17.

But we're not going to go out there and try and raid someone. That's not our intention.

Do you believe the BCS will continue to exist after the 2013 season?
The contract with ESPN is through [the end of the 2013 season]. There's so much resistance, or seemingly vocal resistance [to the BCS]. It's such an entity where there's so many diverse things that come together that make it work. I don't know if all that will continue to go on the way it is.

If they're pressured to create a playoff, they would simply go back to what the system used to be like and have it as an at-large, free-for-all where people can go to [to whichever bowl] they want. I don't think the pressure would cause people to create a playoff. I think it would cause them to go back to where we used to be.

We like the current system for a lot of reasons. It brings (the) regular season value because of the number of bowls that are available that provide so many students with the experience of being to a bowl game and that's a valuable thing.

The theory is if a playoff is created, the most you could do would be an eight-team playoff and those eight teams are going to be the ones that get to experience a post-season bowl. Whereas today you have probably 68 schools that get that experience, half of them walking away feeling good and winning. From a student-athlete's standpoint, we think the current structure allows for a better overall experience for more student-athletes. And that's really what, in the world of football, it's about: going to a bowl and experiencing that post-season experience.

In the Bowl Subdivision, people really cherish the post-season experiences. Whether it's the Rose Bowl or one of the lower level bowls, to get to a bowl is considered a positive experience. People around our table don't want to lose that.

Is there any scenario in which a one-loss team could be selected over a 12-0 Cincinnati team to play in the BCS title game?
I don't know until it unfolds. There are inherent flaws in the BCS system, it's not perfect. Injustice is possible. It's an attempt simply to get the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country identified to play each other. Over the years there have been injustices and we know it's not a perfect system. To answer your question, it could happen. It would be hard to see how it could happen, but again, the system is not perfect.

Should the coaches' ballots remain public and if they are not public, would the coaches' poll no longer be a part of the BCS formula?
Yes, transparency is important in a lot of things, but particularly in this at this point. We've talked about this around the room. We think chances are better that it [the coaches' poll] becomes transparent [than dropping the coaches poll from the BCS formula]. I think they understand at some level that it's important. Transparency is important for credibility. Hopefully that will happen; we'll see.

There clearly is a desire on the part of the commissioners around the country to have it transparent. We all feel that's important for a number of reasons, including credibility. I understand the logic of not publishing [the ballots] because of the pressure within certain conferences to help their own schools and a lot of other reasons, friendships and what not. But the reasons for making it transparent are more compelling than the reasons for keeping it secret.

The final [ballot] is the most important one. I would prefer that [all ballots through the season were public] but I don't know if that's a deal-breaker. The most important one is the final one.

Temple was kicked out of the Big East after the 2001-02 school year ...
My understanding, the group [Big East] created standards that they wanted everyone to adhere to and Temple wasn't able to meet the standards. [Marinatto was not with the Big East when the decision was made]

Could the same thing happen to another Big East school for not being competitive enough?
We have standards. In 2000, we created a strategic plan. Within our strategic plan were three elements.

One of the elements is referred to as the program standards for all of our team sports, a minimum number of scholarships you must commit; you also have to meet a certain percentage of the commitment for coaches and a facilities requirement.

When we expanded in 2003, we re-wrote the constitution and bylaws and created the contracts with the five new schools [Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, South Florida]; an exhibit to the agreement was the strategic plan. We told everyone these are the standards we created, you have to adhere to these if you want to join and make the commitment that you're going to commit to the standards, so it's built into the contracts. It's an overall commitment to excellence. They are not competitive standards.

How close was the league to restructuring the men's basketball tournament and eliminating byes for the top eight seeds?
The way it happened, at our summer meetings, several of our coaches raised the concept of changing the format of the tournament. What I said to them was we've really not talked about this. When we expanded the tournament to 16 [teams], the current structure was the only one they could accept and go to 16 because it protected the best teams.

At the meeting this year, there was a reversal of opinion [because] on the women's side, three of the top four seeds lost, and on the men's side, two of the top four lost [their opening game]. I said to them this is all new.

I had [men's basketball associate commissioner] Danny Gavitt do an analysis. Does it require more class days, etc. Basically it was a neutral effect on all of those things. We could have changed the format. Several of the coaches in the room who were advocating for it, upon reflection, weren't as excited about doing it any longer. I've said we've only done it [this way] for one year, let's just table the idea for a year and if we feel that way next year we can revisit it. For the time being let's keep it the way it is.

I decided to keep it the way it was for another year at which point and time, we'll reevaluate to whether we want to make a change.

Are you in favor of all 16 teams playing in the Big East Tournament or would you rather it be limited to only the top 12 teams?
A year ago, I would have said no [to all 16]. But it seemed to work from a crowd standpoint. We had such good crowds last year. Now ESPN is televising the first day [the first-round wasn't televised last year]. We've got ESPN2 for the first session, ESPNU for the second session. We were afraid we would devalue our tournament by going to 16 and diluting it. That didn't happen last year, so let's see again what happens this year.

The BCS is considering hiring a full-time BCS coordinator. Is former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese the obvious choice?
We've been talking about [having a coordinator] for a while. People [BCS league commissioners] who are sitting in the chair as the [BCS] coordinator often times feel conflicted wearing two hats because they have a built-in conflict of interest.

We've been talking about how we could potentially eliminate that perception because that person acts as the coordinator and also acts as the spokesperson. Within their own conference when you're the [BCS] coordinator, your own people [from your conference], you're not representing because you're representing the whole group.

We haven't resolved the fact we want to hire an executive director. We're talking about the idea. We haven't identified names. We haven't determined titles. We're not sure what the best scenario is to follow primarily to avoid that perceived conflict of interest.

You took over for Tranghese on July 1 as Big East commissioner. How have your first 100 days gone so far?
In so many ways I feel like we've accomplished so much. We got the Champs Bowl deal done. We got the Yankee [Bowl] deal done. We extended the [Madison Square] Garden contract [to host the Big East Tournament through 2016]. We hired a woman [associate commissioner Danielle Donehew] to take over for [associate commissioner] Donna DeMarco.

On the women's basketball side, we created the SWA [senior woman administrator] initiative for sportsmanship and ethical conduct. There are so many things we've gotten done in a short time, but there are so many things we need to start to deal with. The biggest of the logistical things is simply trying to relocate our office [Brown University bought the building the league's office is located in]. It sounds like a simple thing, but it's so all-consuming. Our intention is to stay in Providence.

The Big East added a bowl game to be played in Yankee Stadium starting next season. How can a bowl game played potentially in sub-freezing weather be a success?
We have three objectives [for our bowl games]: opponent, destination and geography.

Geography we address by being in New York because it's the center of where we are. Destination? New York City, Christmas, holidays. Opponent? Big 12. We have our three criteria met. If [Yankee Stadium] had a cover on the stadium it would be perfect, but it didn't. We had talked about doing this eight years ago. We had announced if the [New York] Jets built a new stadium with a roof we would create the Big Apple Bowl and we would host it. That would be perfect for us. The idea of being able to play this game in New York City on New Year's Day is what where shooting for.

When you go to Times Square and see the ball come down, it was just so appealing. I think that people would want to experience that. When you've watch it on TV since you were a kid, when Guy Lombardo would welcome in the New Year, then Dick Clark and so you grew up watching it. If your team is in New York City playing in Yankee Stadium on New Year's Day, wouldn't you want to go see New York lit up for the holidays and the ball coming down in Times Square?

I think we offset the weather with all those other things. And then as Randy Levine, president of the Yankees, keeps telling me: We're the New York Yankees, don't worry about the weather. The proposed dates are Dec. 29, 30, 31 or Jan. 1, but we're shooting for Jan. 1. That's ideal, you get there for the 31st to watch the ball and next day have the game. A day start would be ideal. The Yankees are in conversations with different networks to televise it, but haven't finalized what they want to do with it.

Big East Commish: Old Bowl System Preferable to Playoff originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>John MarinattoBrett McMurphyWed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST Rewind: Big East Primed for Big Finishhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

And then there were two.

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are now the lone undefeated teams in Big East play after last weekend's action.

The No. 4 ranked Bearcats and No. 14 Panthers continue on a collision course for the de facto Big East championship game on Dec. 5 in Pittsburgh. By the way, whatever Nick Carparelli, the Big East's senior associate commissioner for football, is making, he deserves a raise.

Carparelli is in charge of the league's schedule and his philosophy is having the league's top games played later in the year. That's easier said than done, but the Big East could have a pair of Top 10 teams playing for the league title if the Bearcats and Panthers don't stumble.

Stumble is exactly what West Virginia did -- again -- at South Florida. Playing in Tampa, Fla., on a Friday night for the second time in three years, the Mountaineers' league title hopes took a big hit with the 30-19 loss to the Bulls, who had lost their previous two games to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh by a combined margin of 75-31.

At just past the halfway mark in league play, five of the league's eight teams already have two league losses.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. They are so ready for basketball to start in Louisville and Syracuse.

Last week's home football games at Louisville and Syracuse drew ridiculously small crowds. Louisville's game against Arkansas State drew a Papa John's Cardinal Stadium crowd of 21,497, the smallest in the stadium's 11-year history. The low attendance was probably a combination of UL fans being fed up with Steve Kragthorpe and the caliber of opponent. However, a top-flight opponent didn't help Syracuse. Only 33,082 showed at the Carrier Dome to see the Orange battle No. 5 Cincinnati. Even with free tickets provided to SU students and $10 tickets available in the upper level, it was smaller than any home crowd during Greg Robinson's past four seasons. Apparently the honeymoon is already over for first-year SU coach Doug Marrone, whose job didn't get any easier when WR Mike Williams quit on Monday.

2. Tim Brown never felt better - or worse - about a victory.

Tim Brown, Rutgers wide receiver, grew up in Miami two houses from UConn's Jasper Howard. Saturday was UConn's first home game since Howard was murdered. Brown had considered flying to Miami for the funeral last Monday, but ended up watching it on the internet. Before the game, he walked onto the field, knelt on one knee, said a short prayer and raised six fingers to the heavens -- for Howard, who wore No. 6. More than three hours later, Brown was racing into the end zone with the winning 81-yard TD catch with 22 seconds remaining. After crossing the goal line, Brown held up six fingers. "I played for him," said Brown, who cried after the game. "I dedicate this win to him and my teammates, for helping me keep my head up and keep me strong."

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3. South Florida has gotten into West Virginia's head.

USF's victory last week against West Virginia was only the third in five all-time meetings between the schools. But has a 3-2 advantage ever appeared so dominating? West Virginia has been favored in all five meetings, but has only won one comfortably. Since winning the first meeting, 28-13 in 2005, West Virginia has been lucky it hasn't lost four in a row to the Bulls. In 2006 USF won at WVU 24-19 as a 21-point underdog; in 2007 USF won 21-13 as a 7-point underdog when WVU was ranked No. 5 and last year USF nearly won again (and probably should have if not for some critical turnovers) in Morgantown in Pat White's final home game, losing 13-7. In last week's 30-19 victory by USF, the Bulls put the clamps on RB Noel Devine the same way they've shut down RB Steve Slaton and White in past seasons.

Re-Tweeting Week 9

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Bearcats are nation's only team that has not lost a fumble this season. Did I just jinx a no-hitter?
2. Pitt: After Syracuse this week, Pitt hits a tough closing stretch vs. Notre Dame, West Virginia & Cincinnati, who are combined 20-4
3. USF: Bulls among eight teams with two victories this year against ranked opponents. They'll get a shot for a third vs. Miami on Nov. 28
4. West Virginia: Only Syracuse has allowed more yards passing than Mountaineers. Any chance Noel Devine can also play cornerback?
5. Rutgers: Scarlet Knights rank fourth nationally having forced 25 turnovers in eight games
6. UConn: Déjà vu again. Huskies suffer 28-24 loss for second consecutive week when defense gives up a late big play in crushing loss to RU
7. Syracuse: Will the Orange be looking past Pittsburgh this week to their Nov. 14 Battle of the Basement at Louisville?
8. Louisville: Cards' 21-13 win vs. Arkansas State was UL's first in 13 games under Steve Kragthorpe when scoring less than 24 points

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY

Rewind: Big East Primed for Big Finish originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST Incredible Finish for UConn, Rutgershttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/rutgers-player-dedicates-dramatic-victory-to-slain-uconn-player/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/rutgers-player-dedicates-dramatic-victory-to-slain-uconn-player/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/rutgers-player-dedicates-dramatic-victory-to-slain-uconn-player/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tim BrownEAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- On a day Connecticut honored slain teammate Jasper Howard, one of his best friends won the game for Rutgers.

Tim Brown, who grew up with Howard in Miami, scored on an 81-yard touchdown pass from Tom Savage with 22 seconds left to give the Scarlet Knights a 28-24 victory over the Huskies in UConn's first home game since Howard was stabbed to death.

"I just went out there and played that game for my friend," Brown said. "He was a special guy to me and I just went out there and dedicated that game to him."

Connecticut (4-4, 2-2 Big East) scored to take a 24-21 lead with under a minute left, and the crowd was roaring, when Brown got behind cornerback Robert McClain, and outraced the entire UConn secondary to the end zone.

Howard, Brown said, might have had the speed to catch him.

"We was ready to play [each other]," he said "It would have been a great game for me if I'd had my other friend on the other side."

Howard was killed outside a school dance on Oct. 18. Since the Huskies have played twice and taken two tough losses.


There were numerous tributes to Howard before the game and fans lined up three-deep to greet the Huskies as they made their way into the stadium wearing T-shirts with his number "6" on it.

Last week, UConn lost 28-24 at West Virginia when Noel Devine broke a 56-yard touchdown run with 2:10 left in the game. The Huskies' four losses are by a total of 13 points.

"Could we be [undefeated]? Yeah, but the reality of it is that we're 4-4," coach Randy Edsall said. "And the reality of it is, we've got to understand how to finish these games off and make the plays at the end in order to win."

Savage, the freshman quarterback, threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns for Rutgers (6-2, 1-2) in his first Big East road game. But he gave all the credit to Brown, who finished with 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

"He made one of the best plays you could probably make in college football," Savage said. "I know he was down all week, and he was down during the game, but he just made the play and I'm sure Jazz is proud of him."

Backup quarterback Zach Frazer, who entered the game in the first quarter after Cody Endres went down with an injury to his left shoulder, threw for 333 yards and a touchdown for UConn. He led the Huskies on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after they trailed 21-10.

UConn's Marcus Easley cut the lead to 21-17 when he caught a pass over the middle, bounced off linebacker Ryan D'Imperio and went in for a 32-yard touchdown with just over 10 minutes left.

The Huskies tried an unorthodox 2-point conversion, hitting tackle Mike Ryan on what was supposed to be a lateral screen. The 320-pound lineman dove into the end zone, stretching the ball over the left pylon. But Ryan was ruled an ineligible receiver, and UConn had to settle for a kick after the penalty.

Connecticut got the ball back for a final time with about 3 1/2 minutes left. A 31-yard diving catch by Michael Smith got the ball into Rutgers' territory, and a 32-yard catch by Kashif Moore on fourth down got the Huskies into the red zone. When Jordan Todman ran it in from 2 yards out on another fourth down with 38 seconds to go, the home crowd erupted, thinking the Huskies had completed the comeback.

Edsall said Endres is likely done for the season. He is scheduled to have surgery on Sunday.


Frazer, who lost the starting job after he suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season, completed 21 of 46 passes, but also threw three interceptions.

The game started with the stadium buzzing and the UConn crowd energetic on an emotional day for the school.

A lot of that energy seemed to drain from the building after Delvin McCourty took the opening kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown for Rutgers.

A week ago, West Virginia's Tavon Austin went 98 yards for a score with the opening kick.

Joe Lefeged's interception set up a seven-play, 81-yard Rutgers drive that ended with Brown's first touchdown catch, a 37-yarder.

Robby Frey brought the crowd back into the game by taking the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, cutting across the field behind the blocking of Todman and diving into the end zone.

But UConn senior cornerback Robert McClain limped off the field late in the second quarter, leaving the Huskies with three redshirt freshmen in the secondary.

Savage took advantage, finding Mark Harrison over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown that made it 21-10 at the half. McClain returned in the second half.

UConn gamely came back, but for the second consecutive week a victory the Huskies wanted so badly wasn't to be.

"I don't know," he said. "We'll just keep fighting. That's all I know to do."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
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Incredible Finish for UConn, Rutgers originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardFanHouse NewswireSat, 31 Oct 2009 19:19:00 EST UConn Seeks to Win One for Lost Teammate Jasper Howardhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/uconn-seeks-to-win-one-for-lost-teammate/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/uconn-seeks-to-win-one-for-lost-teammate/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/uconn-seeks-to-win-one-for-lost-teammate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Randy EdsallSTORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut coach Randy Edsall is good at many things -- such as refining football skills, leading a group of young men and supporting them through the tragedy of Jasper Howard's murder.

He has had little time to make sure his pop culture references were up to date.

"I am Sergeant Schultz, I know nothing," Edsall said earlier this week, when pressed about details surrounding the murder investigation. Just minutes later, in a separate media conference, the arrests of three men were announced.

Ironically, Edsall, especially in recent days, is very little like Schultz, whose character on "Hogan's Heroes" -- a TV show that ran from 1965-71 -- was a bumbling, borderline incompetent mess (Trust me, I looked it up).

Edsall recited Schultz's famous slogan, but that's where the similarities end.

Competence, in fact, is what Edsall demands -- even in the face of the abnormal circumstances provided by Howard's tragic slaying on Oct. 18, when he was stabbed outside a school-sanctioned dance on campus.

"You never grade on a curve," Edsall said in reference to giving his team any slack on the field during the grieving process. "In our business, you either do it right or you do it wrong. To me, it is either if they do what they are asked to do, they get a plus; if not, it's a minus. People used to have plus, minus and zero.

"Either you did it the right way or you did it the wrong way. If you say, 'Well, it was OK but ... ' they never get better. You never grade on a circumstance or a curve because you are going out there to play to the best of your ability and get a win."

That's exactly what the Huskies will try to do Saturday, when they play Rutgers in their first home game since the murder. Those circumstances, however, are not lost on Edsall or the UConn program.

The school plans to honor Howard, who was a star cornerback and punt returner.

All fans who attend the game will receive a "6" card in memory of Howard's jersey number. The first 15,000 fans who enter the gates will receive "Jazz Live 365" wristbands, while UConn students in attendance will be handed the same "eye-black" that the team will wear -- one with a "6" and the other with a "JH."

Students will also receive a "6" button and are encouraged to arrive at their seats early in anticipation of a performance by the UConn marching band, which will display the formation of a "6" during its pregame program.

A moment of silence will also take place at Rentschler Field, where a no-sign policy will be relaxed.

"This is one more way that our fans can make a personal tribute to Jasper Howard," UConn Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway said.

While it promises to be a fitting tribute, Edsall no doubt is worried about closure for his players, who traveled to Miami earlier this week for Howard's funeral.

In respect to the arrests, which saw John Lomax of Bloomfield, Conn. accused of murder and two others hit with lesser chargers, the coach was pleased with the progress made but was most concerned with returning to normalcy.

"I think it is important for everyone to see justice be brought to the case but at the same time it doesn't bring Jasper back," he said. "It has been a long week but I think everyone is ready to get back on the field and play like we know we can.

"We need to get some more wins especially in the Big East, and we are going to get back out there and do that."

UConn (4-3, 1-2 Big East) will have to focus quickly. After this game against the Scarlet Knights, the Huskies will face eighth-ranked Cincinnati before traveling to take on No. 23 Notre Dame.

All three of the Huskies' losses have come in excruciating fashion, including a late safety against North Carolina, a fourth-quarter implosion at Pittsburgh and a four-point loss at West Virginia.

Linebacker Greg Lloyd admitted that, inspired by the loss of a teammate, UConn will be pushing even harder for a win this week.

"The outlook for this week is to refuse to lose," he said. "In the last couple of games, it has been close and come down to the fourth quarter so coming into this week the main focus is to keep the team going, keep moving forward, keep making progress. we are that close but you have to finish, you have to be able to finish."

According to Edsall, each player has dealt with the tragedy on his own terms. It would be unfair to think that the grief will dissipate so quickly, though it may be beneficial for the players to immerse themselves in the game.

The coach, speaking with obvious compassion and strength, said that there is a support system for those that need someone to talk to about the loss of their teammate.

Jordan Todman, a running back for the Huskies, will always carry the memory of Howard with him.

"I definitely feel like we have grown closer and I live my days a lot more different now," he said. "You never know what can happen or when it can happen. I keep my friends a lot closer, I make sure my family and friends know that I love them because you never know when it is your time or their time."

Coincidentally, if you drive through UConn's rural campus, a message from Howard unknowingly echoes Todman's sentiments.

An impromptu memorial for Howard, spray-painted on a rock, reads, "Play every play like it's the last play you'll ever play." - JH

UConn Seeks to Win One for Lost Teammate Jasper Howard originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardJasperHowardRandy EdsallRandyEdsallAnthony OlivieriFri, 30 Oct 2009 15:50:00 EST Man Charged With Murder of UConn's Jasper Howardhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/man-charged-in-murder-of-uconns-jasper-howard/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/man-charged-in-murder-of-uconns-jasper-howard/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/man-charged-in-murder-of-uconns-jasper-howard/#commentsFiled under:

STORRS, Conn. -- Connecticut police have charged a man with the murder of UConn football player Jasper Howard. John William Lomax III, 21, was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit assault.

"There is no system of justice that can bring back someone who has been taken from us," UConn Commissioner of Public Safety John A. Danaher III said Tuesday. "But we can do all in our power to investigate, arrest and assist in prosecuting those who commit a crime such as this, and we did so in this case."

Bond was set at $2 million for Lomax of Bloomfield, Conn., which is about 30 miles from UConn's campus.

His attorney, however, insists Lomax attempted to break up a fight that erupted after a fire alarm was pulled during a school-sanctioned dance on the university campus Oct. 18. Howard was stabbed shortly after 12:30 AM and died in a Hartford hospital hours later.

Police also charged Bloomfield's Hakim Muhammad, 20, with conspiracy to commit assault, and 21-year-old Jamal Todd of Hartford with pulling the fire alarm -- a felony -- which reportedly began the fight that led to the stabbing as those in attendance at the dance evacuated.

Muhammad is being held on $750,000 bond, while Todd's bond was set at $5,000. Lomax and Muhammad are being held for a court appearance Wednesday in Rockville, Conn. Todd has a court date Nov. 10.

None of the three men are listed as students or employees at the university, according to the school's Web site.

No information about a motive was released at the conference, during which Danaher, UConn Chief of Police Robert S. Hudd and two UConn police officers -- Major Ron Blicher and Lieutenant Colonel Steven Fields -- spoke.

All four refused additional comment, leaving to speculation further details about those arrested and their relation to both Howard and each other.

According to a statement released by the UConn police, a combined task force that included the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad worked exclusively on the investigation. The release said that over 400 investigators conducted "well over 200 interviews."

Police, though, said that the investigation remains open, allowing both UConn and state police to search for additional information.



"Throughout this process, we have worked non-stop since the night of the stabbing and had tremendous support from the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, with whom we would not be able to solve the crime without," Hudd said.

"Personnel worked tirelessly," said Fields, who described the efforts of those investigating as "extraordinary."

Police arrested Johnny Hood Oct. 21, but the 21-year-old was charged only with interfering with an officer and breach of the peace. Hood was not a part of Tuesday's indictments.

According to a Connecticut television station, Hood and Lomax are friends are Facebook.

The 20-year-old Howard, nicknamed Jazz, was a talented cornerback and punt returner for the Huskies. The Miami native was leading the Big East in punt return average at the time of his death.

The Huskies host Rutgers Saturday at noon in their first home game since Howard's death. Coach Randy Edsall said Tuesday that the school has several things planned to honor Howard on Saturday, when there will be a moment of silence. Edsall also said that players will wear Howard's No. 6 jersey during their pre-game "Husky Walk" and his initials on their helmets.

Man Charged With Murder of UConn's Jasper Howard originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardAnthony OlivieriTue, 27 Oct 2009 16:55:00 EST Man Charged With Murder of UConn's Jasper Howardhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/arrest-made-in-uconn-player-murder/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/arrest-made-in-uconn-player-murder/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/arrest-made-in-uconn-player-murder/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Connecticut police have charged a man with the murder of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard. John William Lomax, 21, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit assault.

His attorney insists Lomax was attempting to break up the fight. His bond was set at $2 million.

Police charged Hakim Muhammad, 20, with conspiracy to commit assault, and 21-year-old Jamal Todd with pulling the fire alarm, which reportedly began the fight.

None of the three men are listed as students or employees at the university, according to the school's Web site.

Howard, 20, was stabbed just after 12:30AM, Oct. 18, following a school-sanctioned dance on the Connecticut campus. He was airlifted to a Hartford hospital where he died later that morning.

Police arrested Johnny Hood on Oct. 21, but the 21-year-old was charged only with interfering with an officer and breach of the peace. Hood was not a part of Tuesday's indictments.

However, according to a Connecticut television station, Hood and Lomax are friends on Facebook.

The Huskies host Rutgers in their first home game since Howard's death Saturday at noon.

Man Charged With Murder of UConn's Jasper Howard originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardChas RichTue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST Big East Rewind: No Longer the Pittshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pitt PanthersJust three weeks ago, we called Pittsburgh the Pitts-ophrenic Panthers after their up-and-down performances earlier this season against Buffalo, N.C. State, Louisville and UConn.

Uh, is it too late to take that all back?

As impressive as Cincinnati has been all season, Pittsburgh might be playing the best overall of any Big East team. The offense is balanced and the defense gets more dominating each week. Saturday, the Panthers (7-1, 4-0 Big East) scorched South Florida 41-14.

Since allowing 505 yards at N.C. State, the Panthers have improved their defensive numbers in each of the past four games. Pitt allowed 305 yards to Louisville on Oct. 2, 303 to UConn on Oct. 10, 286 to Rutgers on Oct. 16 and 212 to USF on Saturday.

Led by DE Greg Romeus, the defense just continues to get stronger and stronger. The offense also is doing its part. QB Bill Stull ranks third nationally in passing efficiency and RB Dion Lewis is the nation's fourth-leading rusher. Against USF, Pitt never had to punt.

The Panthers are off this week before closing the season against Syracuse (Nov. 7), Notre Dame (Nov. 140, at West Virginia (Nov. 27) and Cincinnati (Dec. 5).

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. Sorry Brian Kelly, Randy Edsall is the Big East coach of the year

Yes, we already anointed Cincinnati's Brian Kelly as the league's coach of the year in this column a couple of weeks ago, but Randy Edsall deserves the honor as much, if not more. What Edsall did the past week in an incredibly difficult situation was inspiring to say the least. The class, dignity and professionalism that Edsall displayed in dealing with the tragic death of Jasper Howard situation was extraordinary. Perhaps other coaches would have done as admirably, but I doubt it. Then Edsall somehow managed to take the Huskies into Morgantown and nearly pulled off the upset. UConn outgained WVU 501-387 -- the first team to gain 500 yards on WVU this season -- but couldn't overcome four turnovers and a late Noel Devine TD in the 28-24 loss.

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2. Rece Davis is a genius

While showing highlights of Pittsburgh's 41-14 rout of South Florida, ESPN's Rece Davis remarked the following about the Bulls: "Once again just as the leaves drop, South Florida falls off the face of the Earth." Yes, as the calendar nears Halloween, USF's season turns into all tricks -- no treats. In 2007, USF started 6-0, only to finish 3-4. Last year, USF started 5-0, only to finish 3-5. After this year's 5-0 start, the Bulls are 0-2 and could very well be sitting at 5-4 after hosting West Virginia Friday and traveling to Rutgers Nov. 12. After that 5-0 start, the Bulls have been outgained in each of their Big East games against Syracuse, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

3. The end is near for Steve Kragthorpe at UL

When Steve Kragthorpe was hired at Louisville in 2007, it was generally regarded as a solid hire. Kragthorpe came to UL from Tulsa where he led the Golden Hurricane, 2-21 the two seasons before he took over, to bowl trips in three of his four seasons. At Louisville, though, it just hasn't worked out. In 2007, gut-wrenching, close losses to Kentucky, Syracuse and UConn kept the Cards from a bowl berth. Last year, the Cards looked to have turned the corner after upsetting No. 14 USF to get to 5-2. However, they promptly ended the year on a five-game losing streak. This year has been more of the same: a 2-5 start with their only wins against Indiana State and Southern Miss (on a last-second field goal). UL will not play in a bowl game for a third consecutive season for the first time since Ron Cooper was coach from 1995-97. That will leave AD Tom Jurich with no other choice than to replace Kragthorpe.

Re-Tweeting Week 8

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Off to their best start since 1954, the Bearcats have committed a national-low four turnovers
2. Pittsburgh: In only loss at NC State, Panthers allowed 505 yards. In last two wins vs. Rutgers and USF, allowed only 498 combined
3. West Virginia: Last time WVU visited USF was also a Friday night in 2007 and No. 5 Mountaineers were upset. Does history repeat?
4. UConn: Huskies' three on-the-field losses have been by two, three and four points. RIP Jasper Howard
5. Rutgers: Since allowing 47 points in opener to Cincinnati, Rutgers is allowing only 10.5 points per game in past six games
6. South Florida: TGFS -- Thank God For Syracuse. Since joining Big East in 2005, USF is 5-0 vs. the 'Cuse, 10-16 against rest of Big East
7. Syracuse: After defeating Akron, Syracuse returns to Big East play vs. Cincinnati. Since 2005, SU is 3-27 against the Big East
8. Louisville: When scoring less than 24 points under Steve Kragthorpe, the Cardinals are 0-12

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY

Big East Rewind: No Longer the Pitts originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellyjasper howardnoel devinerandy edsallsteve kragthorpeBrett McMurphyMon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST Big East Rivals Honor Jasper Howardhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/big-east-rivals-honor-slain-husky/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/big-east-rivals-honor-slain-husky/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/big-east-rivals-honor-slain-husky/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jasper HowardWest Virginia wore his number. Connecticut brought his jersey and helmet to the sideline. The Morgantown crowd roared in his honor and stood silent in his memory.

Six days after UConn cornerback Jasper Howard died from a stab wound suffered after a school dance, two Big East rivals kept his memory very much alive.

The Huskies played their heavy hearts out and paid tribute to Howard with everything except a win.

"I just feel empty,'' Connecticut coach Randy Edsall said. "The kids played their hearts out and did what we asked them to do. This is a special group of kids. We've got to take this and just learn how to play like this all the time.''

The Huskies came close to what would've been a moving victory. The two teams traded the lead six times and UConn quarterback Cody Endres finished with a career-game, completing 25-of-41 for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

But Connecticut couldn't catch up to Noel Devine. The Mountaineer running back rushed for 171 of his 178 yards after halftime, and finished off the heavy-hearted Huskies with a 56-yard touchdown run for the final points in West Virginia's 28-24 victory.

"That's what football is all about -- making big plays when your teammates need you,'' Devine said.

The Huskies struggled to clear their minds of their fallen teammate. There were reminders of Howard everywhere in Morgantown, from the hundreds of heart-shaped pins and armbands passed out to the Morgantown crowd, to the banners and signs which paid tribute to the slain cornerback, to the decal with his number on all players' helmets.

UConn committed three interceptions, lost a fumble and missed two field goals.

"I just couldn't stop thinking about him throughout the game,'' UConn running back Andre Dixon said.

But the Huskies, who started in a 7-0 hole after West Virginia's Tavon Austin ran the opening kickoff back 98 yards, never quit the fight in a game that was all about their fallen teammate.

"We really wanted to go out and get this win for Jazz, but we came up short," Easley said.

Short, but only in the win column.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Big East Rivals Honor Jasper Howard originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jasper HowardRay HollomanSat, 24 Oct 2009 14:51:00 EST UConn Copes With Senseless Murderhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/uconn-copes-with-senseless-murder/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/uconn-copes-with-senseless-murder/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/uconn-copes-with-senseless-murder/#commentsFiled under: ,

University of Connecticut coach Randy Edsall said there really wasn't much consideration given to postponing Saturday's game at West Virginia following the murder of defensive back Jasper Howard.

"I know Jasper wouldn't want us to do that," Edsall said on Monday's Big East conference call. "That's the real reason [we're playing]."

Howard, 20, who had led the Huskies to a 38-25 victory against Louisville on Saturday, died early Sunday after an on-campus stabbing. Howard, who was soon to become a father, was stabbed near the school's Student Union.

Edsall said his team and coaching staff are attempting to deal with the loss of Howard, particularly two players who were with Howard when he died.

"One had Jasper in his arms, the other was pressuring where the wound went in and had blood on his hands," Edsall said. "Those two men are pretty deeply affected. I've talked to both each day. We'll see where they are.

"If they are mentally not ready to play, I'll honor whatever decision they make. I know that would be respected by the team."

Edsall declined to identify the two players.

Edsall said the team's captains have decided to honor Howard by displaying "JH" decals on the back of UConn's helmets. Also, the team will take either his jersey or helmet to all of the Huskies' games the rest of the year.

Edsall, who said he has heard from every coach in the league, said he would pick up Howard's family at the airport Monday afternoon "doing some things with the family that's not a very easy moment for any of us."

USF coach Jim Leavitt experienced a similar tragedy in 2007 when freshman running back Keeley Dorsey collapsed and died while lifting weights. The Bulls also recently had former player Will Bleakley die in a fishing accident in the Gulf of Mexico and, in 2001, freshman Patrick Payton died in a motorcycle accident.

"When I heard about it on Sunday, I broke," Leavitt said. "It brought back all the memories of what I had to go through with our football team. There's no way you can describe the pain that you go through.

"We just reached out -- our team, our staff to Randy. The only thing you can do is rely on the Lord and each other. I haven't had to go through it in the season. We had a couple of weeks [in the offseason after Dorsey's death].

"That will be an incredible challenge. There's nothing worse."

Edsall said Leavitt told him, "You have to be yourself. As the focal point and the leader, I have to be strong and be the pillar of strength for coaches, players and even for player's families and that's what I'm trying to do," Edsall said.

West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said he would announce Tuesday how Howard will be honored at Saturday's game.

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In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**
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University of Connecticut

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    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

    AP

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall speaks during a news conference about the stabbing death of playerJasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, speaks at a news conference about the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard as university president Michael J. Hogan, second from left, Major Ron Blichter of UConn Police, center, UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway, second from right, and player Desi Cullen, right, listen in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    A student walks by yellow tape marking the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    AP

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Police vehicles are parked at the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    AP

    Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5) is tackled by Texas Tech's Bront Bird, in the second half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Texas Tech beat Nebraska 31-10.(AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

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"The way Jasper Howard played is the way he lived his life: full speed with a lot of energy," Stewart said. "Every time we punted the ball [to Howard], I had my fingers crossed. He led the Big East [in punt returns] because he was good, not because he was lucky."

Stewart addressed his team about Howard's death in a team meeting Sunday. Several of West Virginia's players were from Miami, Howard's hometown.

"Our kids from Miami took it very, very hard," Stewart said. "Our guys were shaken and they really like that young man immensely."

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano opened the conference call by extending his sympathy to Howard's family and UConn.

"We express our deepest sympathy to Jasper Howard's family and the UConn family," Schiano said. "It's a terrible tragedy. At times like these, a close conference like the Big East needs to come together."

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe also offered his condolences.

"He played a great football game against us," Kragthorpe said. "I had a lot of respect for him before the game and even more after it."

Known as "Jazz" to his teammates, Howard often talked about the difficulties of growing up in Miami. His mother, Joangila, worked many jobs to support him and his sisters, Keyondra and Jasmine, who is afflicted with meningitis, the Hartford Courant reported

Howard was the first in his family to go to college. He also spoke often about his dream of making it professionally so he could support his family, his former high school coaches said.

Corey Bell, the University of Miami's director of football operations, coached Howard at Miami Edison High School. He learned of the news Sunday at 6 AM when he awoke to an avalanche of phone calls and text messages from Edison alumni.

"I'm real close to all my guys, but Jazz and I were real close," Bell told the Miami Herald. "We spoke at least once every week. He's a great kid, coachable, dependable, real tough mentally and talented. He's like most of the kids from that area in Little Haiti. He had dreams of getting to the next level and making it and taking care of his mom and his sister."

Daryle Heidelburg, who was Howard's coach his senior year at Edison, was stunned by the news.

"Jasper was never a kid in any kind of trouble," Heidelburg told the Herald. "Whenever there were any problems on the team, he was the peacemaker. He would try to squash things before they got worse. He was never confrontational."

In his final game Saturday against Louisville, Howard had 11 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble in UConn's victory. He also led the Big East in punt returns last season, averaging 11.8 yards a return.

"I remember the last day I was at Edison before I came to UM," Bell told the Herald. "All the kids were sad and upset with me. Jazz stood up and said, 'We should be happy for coach. He always pushes for us to get the next level. We should be happy for him, too.'

"I'll never forget that. That's the type of kid Jazz was."

Police said a second stabbing victim, an unidentified male who was with Howard, was treated and released from the hospital. Howard died of a stab wound to the abdomen, according to the medical examiner's office, the Courant reported.

"There's nothing written in the manual in how to deal with these situations," Edsall said Sunday. "But I know this -- this is a strong team, with strong leadership, and we'll get through it."

The state police major crimes unit and UConn police said the stabbing happened just after 12:30 AM on Hillside Road near the center of campus. It occurred after a party in the Student Union that was attended by more than 300 people, said Maj. Ron Blicher of the UConn Police Department.

Police are searching for a killer they believe is not a UConn student, but he has not been identified, according to Blicher.

Howard's pregnant girlfriend, who lives in Miami and does not attend UConn, was on campus over the weekend. It is believed she was not at the party, the Courant reported.

"Many of you know Jasper -- a devoted son, friend, and promising student-athlete," UConn President Michael Hogan wrote in a statement Sunday. "I know that our community is grieving this loss and are distressed by the violence that it involved. We extend our deepest condolences to Jasper's family, friends, and teammates at this time of incredible sorrow."

UConn Copes With Senseless Murder originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Jasper HowardBrett McMurphyMon, 19 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST UConn CB Jasper Howard Killed in On-Campus Stabbinghttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/connecticut-cornerback-jasper-howard-killed-in-on-campus-stabbin/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/connecticut-cornerback-jasper-howard-killed-in-on-campus-stabbin/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/connecticut-cornerback-jasper-howard-killed-in-on-campus-stabbin/#commentsFiled under: ,


The University of Connecticut is mourning the loss of a football player. Cornerback Jasper Howard (shown above making a tackle in a 2008 game), a starter for the Huskies, was killed Sunday morning in a stabbing that took place on campus.

According to the Hartford Courant, Howard, 20, was taken to St. Francis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Huskies coach Randy Edsall was at the hospital overnight.

The newspaper says the assailant is still at large, and UConn students have been made aware of the incident.

Howard hailed from Miami. He started all 13 games for Connecticut last year, and developed into a top punt returner. Howard led the Big East with an average of 11.8 yards per punt return while leading the Huskies with four interceptions. He was also credited with 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, and nine pass break-ups.

In Saturday's 38-25 homecoming win over Louisville, Howard started, had a hand in 11 tackles and forced a fumble.

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In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**
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    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall speaks during a news conference about the stabbing death of playerJasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, speaks at a news conference about the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard as university president Michael J. Hogan, second from left, Major Ron Blichter of UConn Police, center, UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway, second from right, and player Desi Cullen, right, listen in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    A student walks by yellow tape marking the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    AP

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Police vehicles are parked at the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5) is tackled by Texas Tech's Bront Bird, in the second half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Texas Tech beat Nebraska 31-10.(AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

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    Texas Tech's Brandon Sharpe (92) swats down a throw by Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5), as Nebraska's Ricky Henry (74) and Marcel Jones (78) block Texas Tech's Colby Whitlock (93), in the first half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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UConn CB Jasper Howard Killed in On-Campus Stabbing originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jasper howardBruce CiskieSun, 18 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST Notebook: QB Injuries Ravage Big Easthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Adam FromanOn Monday, Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe was asked who would be the Cardinals' starting quarterback Saturday against Southern Miss.

"I don't want Southern Miss to know who the quarterback is," Kragthorpe said. "You guys will find out when they walk out on game day."

Forget the Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on first?", "Who's starting at quarterback?" has become the all-too-common theme in the first month of the Big East.

Last year, the league was stockpiled with clear-cut starting quarterbacks at West Virginia (Pat White), South Florida (Matt Grothe), Rutgers (Mike Teel), Pittsburgh (Bill Stull), Louisville (Hunter Cantwell) and Syracuse (Cameron Dantley). At Cincinnati and UConn, Tony Pike and Tyler Lorenzen ended up getting the majority of the starts, but the Bearcats and Huskies each used three different starting quarterbacks last season.

This year because of injuries, determining a starting quarterback at several league schools has been more like musical chairs.

Last season in the Big East, 12 players started at least two games at quarterback. This year, the league already has had 11 players start at least two games at quarterback -- and if Adam Froman starts for Louisville Saturday, he will be the 12th league QB with at least two starts this season.

Injuries have had a great impact on the position throughout the league and the No. 1 example is at South Florida where QB Matt Grothe was lost for the season with a torn ACL. In a cruel irony, Grothe's injury occurred a week after he passed White as the league's all-time leader in total offense.

Overall, the league's list of wounded QBs who have missed a start because of an injury could fill a MASH unit: USF's Grothe (knee), UConn's Zach Frazer (knee), Louisville's Justin Burke (bruised sternum) and Rutgers' Tom Savage (concussion).

Rutgers' coach Greg Schiano, who has had Savage and Domenic Natale split four starts this season, was asked about Savage's availability for Saturday's game with Texas Southern. Schiano's answer summed up how most of the coaches in the league are feeling about their own situations.

"We hope to have him back," Schiano said.

Buckeye State Bragging Rights

Forget health care, the big debate in Ohio these days is who has the better football team? Cincinnati or Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have the storied tradition, the only two-time Heisman winner, the dotting of the I, the most BCS title game losses, etc. Cincinnati has -- uh -- the better chili.

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This year, though, the Bearcats also might be better on the field. At least in the eyes of the Associated Press voters.

The Bearcats are No. 8 in this week's AP poll, one slot ahead of No. 9 Ohio State. It's the first time since 1951 that the Bearcats are ranked higher than Ohio State. Ohio State won the last meeting 37-7 in 2006, but unless they meet in a bowl game, they won't play again until 2012.

"By that time hopefully we've continued to accelerate our program where Ohio State has something to gain by playing us," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "In years past, this [which is the best team] wasn't really a conversation because Cincinnati wasn't the kind of program that would merit that kind of conversation."

While the AP voters gave Cincinnati the slight edge, it's not even close according to one member of the Kelly household.

Kenzel Kelly, Brian's 8-year old son, recently pitted Cincinnati against Ohio State on his PlayStation. The final score was Cincinnati 91, Ohio State 0 - and it wasn't even that close.

"I promptly took him to McDonald's," Brian Kelly said.

Big Four Billboard Boasting

Near downtown in Tampa, Fla., USF's marketing department put on a USF-sponsored billboard: "Big 4: Welcome to the Club Bulls Fans." It's in reference to USF's win at Florida State two weeks ago and the Bulls' quest to make the state's Big Three of Florida, Florida State and Miami a Big Four.

The billboard has the No. 3 crossed out and includes team logos of UF, FSU, UM and USF.

USF coach Jim Leavitt, who called the win at FSU the "biggest in school history, no question," was not thrilled about the new billboard.

"I had nothing to do with it, I don't know how it got up and I don't know who put it up," Leavitt told the Tampa Tribune. "We have not won national championships and we have not won conference championships. What gives us the right to sit there all of a sudden like we've won all these championships and done all this stuff? That's not me. That's never been me.

"I don't want people to sit there and think I think we're all that -- because we're not. We're a program that's trying to get competitive. We're a program trying to build."

The Bulls, who are 1-0 against FSU, 0-1 against Miami and have never played Florida, get their next crack at a Big Three/Big Four program Nov. 28 when they host Miami.

Around the League

Last season, UConn's Donald Brown led the nation in rushing with 2,083 yards. This season, the Huskies are ahead of Brown's pace -- albeit it's the combined numbers of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. Dixon and Todman are combining for 191 yards per game, compared to Brown's 160-yard per game average last season. "Andre is more of a slasher, while Jordan is a little bit shiftier," UConn coach Randy Edsall said about his dynamic duo. ... Pitt QB Bill Stull has gone from being booed by the home fans in the season opener to No. 5 nationally in passing efficiency. The difference? "This may be too simple, but the No. 1 thing is he's not throwing interceptions," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. ... Louisville has held second-half leads in two of its three losses this season, but has been outscored 41-24 in the fourth quarter this season. Pitt outscored UL 28-0 in the second half of Friday's 35-10 win. "The first three series of the second half were catastrophic," Kragthorpe said. ... How hard has it been for USF to replace kicker Maikon Bonani, who suffered a back injury this summer falling from a Busch Gardens skyride? Delbert Alvardo and Eric Schwartz have combined to miss six of nine field goals - with five of the six misses from 40 yards or closer.

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy linebacker Boris Lee (2) breaks up a pass intended for Middle Tennessee State receiver Malcolm Beyah (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. At left is Troy defender Tebiarus Gill. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee State in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Middle Tennessee States's Emmanuel Perez (91) and Jeremy Kellem (20) walk away. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) is pursued by Middle Tennessee State's Marcus Udell (3) on a 52-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Desmond Gee runs for a first down as Troy's Tebiarus Gill (10), Bryan Willis (26) and Boris Lee (2) defend in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) dives to the end zone as Middle Tennessee State safety Jeremy Kellem (20) tries to make the stop in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Notebook: QB Injuries Ravage Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyWed, 07 Oct 2009 11:02:00 EST Rewind: Fab Four Emerge in Big Easthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The past week was fairly routine and predictable for the Big East: Cincinnati, South Florida, West Virginia and Pittsburgh all won fairly easy as they were expected against lesser competition.

The season isn't even to the halfway mark -- heck not every team has even started Big East play yet -- but that quartet has emerged as the Big East's Fab Four.

Entering the season, the consensus of all the preseason magazines and .com's was that any one of five teams would win the league. Those four plus Rutgers were considered good enough to win the league in a race that would be too close to call.

The Scarlet Knights lost to a Cincinnati buzzsaw in their season opener, but have allowed only 35 points in winning three consecutive games against subpar competition since, so they might be better than they showed in Week 1.

Whether Rutgers or, maybe even Connecticut, deserves to be included in the upper half of the league should be known fairly soon. In the next two weeks, UConn visits Pitt Saturday and the following week Rutgers hosts the Panthers.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. I guess Cincinnati really doesn't need the ball that much.

In its past two games combined, Cincinnati's offense has had the football for only 35 minutes and 27 seconds or about the same amount that some teams have in one game. Yet, the Bearcats are doing plenty with their limited opportunities. In the two wins against Fresno State and Miami, Ohio, Cincinnati has scored nine offensive touchdowns in 35:27, or an average of one touchdown every 3 minutes and 56 seconds it has the ball. You want efficiency? Check this out: the Bearcats' nine TD drives the past two games averaged to a remarkable 1:54, a virtual two-minute drill. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly isn't worried about the time of possession disparity or slowing down the Bearcats' scoring drives by saying "I'd rather score quickly."

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2. West Virginia's worst enemy is ... West Virginia.

OK, maybe this was obvious after the six turnover night at Auburn, or the four turnovers against East Carolina, or ... West Virginia is averaging 465 yards a game -- and nearly as many turnovers a game. The Mountaineers have lost 14 turnovers in the past three games. But they aren't biased toward a particular turnover. Against East Carolina, the Mountaineers lost three fumbles. At Auburn, they had five interceptions. In Thursday's win against Colorado, they lost four fumbles. "We're sloppy," WVU coach Bill Stewart said. WVU's offensive numbers -- second in the Big East, 13th nationally -- would be even more impressive if the Mountaineers could ever hold onto the dang football. In WVU's three games against FBS teams, the Mountaineers have more turnovers (14) than punts (10). Beware the Mountaineers if they can ever stop giving the football away.

3. USF is really, really good -- or maybe just taking advantage of an easy schedule.

For the third time in as many seasons, South Florida is back in the national rankings. Despite losing senior QB Matt Grothe to a season-ending knee injury in their third game, the Bulls (5-0) are No. 23 in this week's AP Top 25. Off this week, they might sneak into the top 20 this weekend if enough ranked teams lose. The Bulls' most impressive win so far was clearly at Florida State, but the Seminoles are struggling big-time this season. Also, two of USF's wins were against FCS teams (Wofford and Charleston Southern) and a third victory was against Western Kentucky, possibly the nation's worst FBS team. All of their first five opponents currently have losing records and are a combined 7-17. It won't take long to find out if the Bulls are legit contenders or pretenders. USF's next four opponents (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Rutgers) has a combined record of 15-3.

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In this Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is shown walking the sideline during the second half against Boston College of an NCAA college football game at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
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    In this photo taken Sept. 12, 2009, Illinois' QB Eddie McGee (10) heads down field against Illinois State during the second half of the NCAA college football game at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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    In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2009, Illinois' quarterback Juice Williams (7) scrambles out of the pocket against Penn State during the first half of the NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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    In this Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is shown walking the sideline during the second half against Boston College of an NCAA college football game at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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    In this photo made Oct. 3, 2009, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher makes a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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    Washington State running back Logwone Mitz, top, attempts to leap in for a touchdown but is stopped short by the Oregon defensive during the second half of their NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Oregon beat Washington 52-6.

    Don Ryan, AP

    In this Oct. 3, 2009 photograph, Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright (34) attempts to block a first half pass by Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt (9) during their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss. Josh Nesbitt is making it tough on defensive coordinators. The Georgia Tech quarterback did a little bit of everything the last two weeks, baffling defenses in wins over Mississippi State and North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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    Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (7) scores a touchdown past UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner (1) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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    Houston quarterback Case Keenum and UTEP defender Aaron King chase a fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. Keenum was unable to recover the ball and it was instead picked up by UTEP's Roddray Walker and run 70 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

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    Houston's Brandon Brinkley agonized after UTEP's Donald Buckram scored his fourth touchdown of the evening during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. UTEP linemen celebrated with Buckram in the background. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

    AP

    UTEP defender Roddray Walker sprints 70 yards for touchdown after recovering a Houston fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

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Re-Tweeting Week 5

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Start the hype: No. 8 Bearcats visit No. 23 USF Oct. 15 in nationally televised contest of league's only unbeatens

2. USF: Behind new defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, Bulls are third nationally forcing 16 turnovers

3. WVU: Just call RB Noel Devine "The Human First Down." Against Colorado, he had career-high 220 yards on 22 carries

4. Pitt: Bill Stull, former whipping boy of Pitt fans, is now fifth in nation in passing efficiency (11 TDs, one interception)

5. UConn: Huskies best chance for upset at Pittsburgh Saturday will be taking advantage of league's second-worst rush defense

6. Rutgers: Another FCS cupcake (Texas Southern) Saturday moves Rutgers to 4-1 before hosting Pitt on Oct. 16

7. Syracuse: Is turnover-machine hyphenated or two words? Greg Paulus' five interceptions part of SU's seven TOs in USF loss

8. Louisville: Flag day coming Saturday when nation's No. 6 (So. Miss) & No. 8 (UL) most penalized teams meet

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at @Brettmcmurphy

Rewind: Fab Four Emerge in Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST