BallHype - Latest West Virginia Mountaineers News Articles

Cincy 24, WVU 21: Two Calls Doom Mountaineers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:20:44 +0000

By now, everyone's hashed out the two bad calls that cost West Virginia a chance to upset a Top five team at its home field and stay in the chase for the Big East Title: —The Cincy fumble at the goal line that was reversed and turned into a touchdown. —WVU's call on 3rd-and-9 when it was driving in the fourth quarter for a tying touchdown. The first call is 50-50. The ball certainly didn't break the plane of the goal line, but it may have touched it. I don't know if depressing but not puncturing the meniscus of the goal line counts as a touchdown, but I was never good at fluid dynamics. Evidently, the Big East refereeing crew was. The second call, even though Coach Stewart defended it, is really indefensible. Not the call—a running play on third-and-long, especially if you've already made up your mind to go for it on third down. Not the specific call—a power run off-tackle. What is indefensible is running it with your 175-pound slot receiver/scatback, Jock Sanders, and not your ...

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Top Prospect Tobias Harris Picks Tennessee, Spurns Syracuse

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:06:30 +0000

A top prospect in the class of 2010, Tobias Harris finally made his decision tonight, choosing to play his college basketball at the University of Tennessee over the likes of Syracuse, West Virginia, Louisville and Kentucky. The 6-8, 220-pound forward made his announcement at the ESPN Zone in New York City, surrounded by a crowd of fans hoping he would choose to wear Syracuse's orange rather than Tennessee's. In fact, the Syracuse-slanted crowd booed the decision. "I liked the family atmosphere, the campus," he said. "It was a place I could imagine going to if I wasn't playing basketball. I can talk to coach [Bruce] Pearl about anything." He joins shooting guard, and fellow ESPN Top 100 recruit, Jordan McRae as well as shooting guard Trae Golden in Tennessee's 2010 recruiting class. Read more College Basketball news on BleacherReport.com

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Tobias Harris Picks Bruce Pearl, Tennessee Volunteers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:42 +0000

Bruce Pearl has to be happy tonight, as his star recruiting prospect, five-star forward Tobias Harris of Dix Hills, N.Y., just announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee. Harris, rated seventh overall by ESPNU and universally regarded as a top-10 prospect in the Class of 2010, rolled with the Vols in favor of competing offers from Big East powers Louisville, Syracuse and West Virginia, Maryland and Georgia Tech from the ACC, and UT arch-rival Kentucky in the SEC. Over at ESPN, Matt Winklejohn has this great feature on Harris's growth as a player over the last several years. The SEC was college basketball's punching bag last season, but between Kentucky's Calipari revival and Pearl's hard work at Tennessee, it's starting to look as if the conference may return to prominence sooner than expected. Nabbing a major prospect like Harris is a coup for Pearl, Tennessee and the SEC as a whole. Read more College Basketball news on BleacherReport.com

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Tobias Harris Signs with Tennessee: Becomes Bruce Pearl's Biggest Catch

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:58:24 +0000

High School phenom Tobias Harris has signed on to play basketball with the University of Tennessee Volunteers. In what has been a highly anticipated announcement, the young man is quite possibly the biggest recruit that coach Bruce Pearl has landed in his five years as head coach at Tennessee. Harris was the No. 7 rated recruit in the nation by ESPN. While some publications have him as high as No. 5, he is the No. 1 rated power forward in the country. The 6'8, 210 pound forward chose Tennessee over offers from Maryland, Syracuse, West Virginia, Louisville, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech. Since taking over the program, Bruce Pearl has quickly made Tennessee a destination for talented players from all across America. Last year's big signing of Scotty Hopson came with plenty of hype and the expectations appear to be coming to fruition in his sophomore season. By following that signing with a high profile guy like Harris, Tennessee becomes a major player for the nation's top recruits, a ...

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VMI Defeats West Va. Wesleyan 111-92

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:20:37 +0000

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Nick Gore scored 20 points and Andrew Sparks added 19 as Virginia Military Institute defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 111-92 on Wednesday night.

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Starting Five: Isiah Thomas seeks out controversy

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:28:51 +0000

Sporting News' college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcy addresses five topics currently in his sport's headlines. 1. Is it possible for Isiah Thomas to avoid controversy? DeCourcy: Look, the media are not making this stuff up. They are not even goading him into being controversial. Thomas signed up for the job as head coach at Florida International, which isn't like taking over the 2009 Indianapolis Colts, but he can't even get through some inevitable blowout losses with dignity. The first sign Thomas was out of his element came when FIU tried to muscle the promoters of the 2K Sports Classic into giving the team a road game at Ohio State rather than North Carolina. The Gazelle Group, which promotes the tournament, had arranged for FIU to get three home games as a result of its participation—but the school threatened to walk away from all that. FIU backed down when Gazelle refused to change the schedule. What happened Sunday in FIU's 81-49 loss at Tulsa was equally ridiculous. ...

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Conference Call: South Florida's annual second half swoon

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:51:40 +0000

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences—and the teams within each league. 6. BIG EAST 1. Cincinnati 2. Pitt 3. West Virginia 4. Rutgers 5. South Florida 6. Connecticut 7. Louisville 8. Syracuse Rising Rutgers: While everyone is enamored with Matt Barkley and Tate Forcier, Tom Savage has developed into the best freshman quarterback, and RU has won seven of eight since season opening loss to Cincinnati. Falling South Florida: One is an anomaly, two is a trend, three is trouble. Third straight year USF has tanked in the second half of the season. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com .

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No. 9 West Virginia outlasts Loyola, Md., 83-60

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:03:32 +0000

Da'Sean Butler was ready when No. 9 West Virginia needed someone to stabilize a diluted lineup and soften the absence of scoring ...

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Butler powers short-handed No. 8 WVU (AP)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:26:39 +0000

Da'Sean Butler was ready when No. 8 West Virginia needed someone to stabilize a diluted lineup and soften the absence of scoring threat Devin Ebanks. Butler led four players in double figures with 26 points and the Mountaineers used two second-half runs to pull away to an 83-60 victory over Loyola, Md., on Sunday.

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Butler's 26 pace No. 9 W. Virginia in big victory

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:23:07 +0000

Da'Sean Butler scored 26 points and West Virginia (No. 9 ESPN/USA Today, No. 8 AP) used two second-half runs to pull away to an 83-60 victory over Loyola, Md., on Sunday.

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Butler puts up 26 as No. 8 West Virginia cruises

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:32:44 +0000

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No. 8 W.Va. stars slow, but beats Loyola, Md.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:25:33 +0000

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -Da'Sean Butler scored 26 points and No. 8 West Virginia used two second-half runs to pull away to an 83-60 victory over Loyola, Md., on Sunday.

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Butler powers short-handed No. 8 WVU (AP)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:56:53 +0000

As he begins his third season leading West Virginia, Bob Huggins feels like he finally has the players that fit his style of basketball - and his team's conference. With the eighth-ranked Mountaineers boasting a more rugged roster than in years past, Huggins and West Virginia open the season Sunday at home against Loyola, Md.

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Pike, No. 5 Cincinnati beat West Virginia 24-21

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:13:23 +0000

Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.

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Cincinnati survives vs. scrappy Mountaineers

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:42:08 +0000

CINCINNATI -- For the first time, Cincinnati is 10-0, the only 10-0 team in the country, and yet . . . For the first time in a month, Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike returned from a broken left forearm and threw two touchdown passes, and for the fir...

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Stewart Mandel: Cincy handles QB derby, WVU to remain perfect

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:19:55 +0000

No. 5 Cincinnati needed Zach Collaros, Tony Pike and then some to survive West Virginia 24-21 and reach 10-0, says Stewart Mandel.

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College football | No. 5 Cincinnati beats West Virginia, rises to 10-0

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:10:58 +0000

Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.

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Cincinnati remains unbeaten

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:58:14 +0000

The No. 5 Bearcats overcome mistakes to beat West Virginia, 24-21, and improve to 10-0. > Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.

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No. 5 Cincinnati dodges WVU to stay unbeaten

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:36:48 +0000

No. 5 Cincinnati remains unbeaten. Tony Pike threw two TDs in his return as the Bearcats beat West Virginia 24-21 to move to 10-0.

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No. 5 Cincinnati beats West Virginia 24-21

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:38:58 +0000

Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.

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No. 5 Cincinnati escapes West Va. 24-21 (AP)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:23:04 +0000

Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten. Tony Pike threw two touchdown passes in a cameo appearance Friday night, and the Bearcats overcame a self-destructive first half to beat West Virginia 24-21 for the best start in school history. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 Big East) struggled offensively because of uncharacteristic mistakes -- a fumble, a dropped touchdown pass, a missed...

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No. 5 Cincinnati beats West Virginia 24-21

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:22:06 +0000

Far from perfect, No. 5 Cincinnati was good enough to stay unbeaten.

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Expert Football Picks: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:14:53 +0000

This Friday night, two Big East football powers will square off when Cincinnati and West Virginia take the field. The Bearcats are 9-0 and hoping to ride a few more wins to the National Championship game. The Mountaineers are 7-2 and were nationally ranked recently, as well. There should be some good football played in this one. If you are looking for free college football picks , last year, the Bearcats had their lowest offensive output of the season against the Mountaineers and still managed to win. Will they be able to keep things going again this year? The Bearcats have a bit of a quarterback controversy on their hands. They started the season with Tony Pike, and all he did was throw for 15 touchdowns and three interceptions to merit some serious Heisman consideration. Then he went down with an injury and sophomore quarterback Zach Collaros came in and has played unbelievably. In three games, he has thrown for almost 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. On top of ...

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Fearless Prediction: West Virginia vs. Cincinnati

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:06:12 +0000

Fifth-ranked Cincinnati is eyeing a possible BCS bowl bid but has to get past West Virginia tonight. We have the Fearless Prediction.

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Rutgers' rout of USF gets Schiano up to .500

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:23:23 +0000

Piscataway -- The last time Greg Schiano was a .500 coach was Sept. 8, 2001. After a harrowing 61-0 loss at Miami, the Rutgers coach was 1-1 and Darkness on the Edge of the Raritan was about to descend. There was the 80-7 loss at West Virginia tha...

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Rutgers' rout of South Florida gets Schiano to .500

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:23:23 +0000

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Cincy's lookin' to cash in

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:53:02 +0000

A $5 Cincinnati student ticket for tonight's showdown with West Virginia is going for $75 on Craigslist. The administration at Cincinnati ran out of parking passes some three weeks ago. Lights, camera, opportunity. "When we got here our goal wa...

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Captioning Huggins: A look at West Virginia's colorful coach.

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:47:50 +0000

When someone says Coach Bob Huggins people always have descriptive words come to mind, the same as those that come from the head coach himself many times. Huggins is one of the most colorful personalities in college basketball as well as being the 4th on the all-time wins list among active coaches with 639 wins among four different division one schools. He's a great interview and a great picture as well, always colorful. Let's take a look at some of the faces of Huggs. Feel free to add you own captions to the photos in the comments section. Begin Slideshow

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Bearcats-Frogs might become BCS debate

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:45:06 +0000

A Texas loss down the stretch might leave TCU and Cincinnati fighting for a spot in the BCS national championship game. Both enter showdowns this weekend — Cincy-West Virginia tonight (full preview here) , TCU-Utah on Saturday (full preview here) . Who has the better BCS resume? No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0) — Sagarin schedule rank: 67th — Road wins over Sagarin No. 13 (Oregon State) and No. 15 (USF) — No. 3 in total offense by yards gained and No. 1 in passing efficiency — Undefeated co-leader of a conference with three wins in its last four BCS bowls No. 4 TCU (9-0) — Sagarin schedule rank: 47th — Road wins over Sagarin No. 22 (Clemson) and No. 28 (BYU) — No. 3 total defense and No. 5 in scoring defense — Undefeated co-leader of a conference that is 2-0 in BCS bowl appearances

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Forecasting the Big East: Mountaineers will finish on top

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:54:27 +0000

Sporting News college basketball expert Mike DeCourcy makes his predictions on how everything will unfold in the six major conferences. Today we preview the Big East and Pac-10. On Friday, we'll look at the SEC and Big 12. Bold predictions 1. Villanova will miss Dante Cunningham's strength and experience inside, but the Wildcats' excellent perimeter game will keep them in the title chase. 2. Pitt will figure out a way to remain relevant despite a roster full of role players, redshirts and freshmen. 3. West Virginia will win the Big East. The Mountaineers have backcourt depth, fantastic forwards and an overwhelming homecourt advantage. They'll have to score more frequently than last season—but that shouldn't be hard. The Best of the Big East Freshman: Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova Rebounder: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame Passer: Eugene Harvey, Seton Hall NBA prospect: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia Defender: Jerome Dyson, Connecticut Shooter: Andy Rautins, ...

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The games of the week

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:47:25 +0000

Good matchups in the Big East, Big Ten and Mountain West. > West Virginia (7-2) at No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0)

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Is It Time For a Change at Quaterback For WVU?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:56:45 +0000

The time comes in almost every football season when questions arise about players and who should play and who should sit. Right now for West Virginia is one of those times. Should freshman Geno Smith start in place of fifth-year senior Jarrett Brown? I know that some people are going to be saying "Are you serious? WVU is 7-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a chance to still win the Big East." Yes, this is a serious question I am proposing. I understand that Brown waited his turn behind Pat White. He was rewarded this year by starting every game thus far. However there are some things that are starting to concern me about him. First off, is that he will not take the ball on the option read. He is force feeding Noel Devine the ball on this play. Not one time in the South Florida game did Brown keep it and force either Jason Pierre-Paul or George Selvie to play honest. They crashed on every single play because they as well as every other defensive end in the Big East knew that ...

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No. 8 Pitt faces Irish with WVU looming (AP)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:19:39 +0000

The game against an unranked opponent falls right before No. 8 Pitt's rivalry game against West Virginia followed by perhaps the biggest of this season's Big East games -- a showdown with No. 5 Cincinnati. Winning probably won't substantially boost the Panthers' ranking. Losing might derail all the momentum they've spent a half-season building.

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West Vrigina's Jock Sanders' Long Road to Redemption

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:43:35 +0000

Last season, West Virginia wide receiver Jock Sanders was named second team all-Big East after leading the team with 53 catches and seven touchdowns, while adding 462 yards (which was second on the team behind Alric Arnett's 466). Things were really looking up for the rising junior as the 2009 season approached. At least it was until one February night, when his Dodge Charger was pulled over in downtown Morgantown. After being pulled over, the 5'8" slot man failed three out of four field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of 0.125. Jock was arrested for DUI, his second arrest of the year; prompting head coach Bill Stewart to suspend him from the team indefinitely. As far as many Mountaineer faithful were concerned, WVU would have to try winning another Big East title and a fifth straight bowl game without one of their most dangerous pass catchers for at least a good chunk of the season. This, however, was not a thought that went through Jock's mind. He continued working hard to stay ...

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Bearcats stay with Collaros

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike also expected to play for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm in October. The sophomore backup has played spectacularly and...

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Collaros will start, Pike will play

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:08:30 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.

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Collaros will start, Pike will play for No. 5 Cincinnati on Friday

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:24:08 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected ...

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Collaros will start for Cincy, but Pike will play

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:14:22 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm. Coach Brian Kelly announced Collaros will be his starter Tuesday. The sophomore backup has played spectacularly and kept the Bearcats (9-0) in the national title conversation while Pike heals from surgery to replace a metal plate in his left forearm.

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Collaros will start, Pike will play

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:30:37 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.

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Collaros will start, Pike will play against WVU

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:20:52 +0000

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.

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Cincy to start Collaros, Pike will play (AP)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:49:39 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm. Coach Brian Kelly announced Collaros as his starter Tuesday. The sophomore has started the last three games and kept the Bearcats undefeated.

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Collaros will start, Pike will play

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:48:19 +0000

Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.

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Zach Collaros of No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats to start at quarterback vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:26:12 +0000

Zach Collaros will start at quarterback for No. 5 Cincinnati on Friday against West Virginia, coach Brian Kelly told a Cincinnati radio station.

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SN's NCAA Tournament predictions

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:50:28 +0000

Sporting News See also: SN's projected NCAA Tournament field No. 1 seeds Kansas Kentucky Michigan State West Virginia No. 2 seeds Duke North Carolina Purdue Texas No. 3 seeds Butler Mississippi State Villanova Washington No. 4 seeds California Connecticut Georgetown Tennessee Sweet 16 picks Kansas over Connecticut Duke over Mississippi State West Virginia over Tennessee North Carolina over Washington Michigan State over Georgetown Texas over Villanova Kentucky over California Purdue over Cincinnati Elite Eight picks Kansas over Duke North Carolina over West Virginia Michigan State over Texas Kentucky over Purdue Final Four picks Kansas over North Carolina Kentucky over Michigan State National championship pick Kansas over Kentucky

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Bearcats stay with Collaros

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

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Very early upset specials

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:21:24 +0000

Teams that just might do a little damage in the NCAA Tournament: Long Beach State: Four freshmen sparked Dan Monson's second 49ers team to a 10-6 record in the Big West. They will be bloodied early by games against Notre Dame, West Virginia, Texas and Duke....

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Conference call: Give Pitt props in Big East

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:18:34 +0000

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences—and the teams within each league. 6. Big East 1. Cincinnati 2. Pitt 3. West Virginia 4. South Florida 5. Rutgers 6. Connecticut 7. Syracuse 8. Louisville Rising Pitt: No team has accomplished more with less fanfare. That all changes this week against Notre Dame—win or lose. Falling Connecticut: Beleaguered Huskies are emotionally spent. UConn has lost three straight since DB Jasper Howard's death—by a combined 10 points. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com .

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Big East Report Card Week 10: Offense and More Offense for Bearcats

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 13:58:32 +0000

What a night for Big East football! With the ABC cameras rolling and former Buckeye quarterback Kirk Herbstreit singing praises for Cincinnati, the Bearcats and UConn put on an unbelievable offensive display for the nation to enjoy. Here are the grades from a short Big East schedule last week. Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0) 47, Connecticut (4-5, 1-4) 45 Would you believe 1,173 yards of total offense for these two football teams? Amazing. Cincinnati put up 711 yards and barely held off the Huskies, who added 462. Perhaps UConn's offense found that the Bearcats might have an Achilles' heel—their defense. ABC color commentator Herbstreit, the former Buckeye, made the point that Cincinnati has an offense to match Florida, Alabama, or Texas, but is not in the same ballpark with those teams on defense. This game showed that UConn has tremendous heart. The Huskies were down all night but put up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, outscored Cincinnati 21-10, and nearly pulled this one off. ...

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What We Learned: Fight for Big East supremacy ready to begin

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 01:31:07 +0000

Sporting News' Dave Curtis analyzes what Sunday's buzz means to college football. Big East, big time Bash the Big East for its weak bottom half and lack of a national title-contending program. But the league provides annual drama this time of year, and 2009 should be no exception. West Virginia's visit to Cincinnati on Friday ranks among the nation's most compelling matchups and kicks off a four-week round-robin involving the conference's top three teams. The talk about Friday's showdown started Sunday, when Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart sounded as though he'd rather game-plan for the Cincinnati Bengals than the Cincinnati Bearcats. He referred to UC's offense as "assaulting" and a "juggernaut." And he laughed at the notion that Tony Pike, once a fringe Heisman candidate, has been supplanted by super backup Zach Collaros. "They're the media darlings," Stewart said. "They're scoring 40 points per game. … We'll probably be 20- or 30-point ...

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