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BIG EAST MONDAY MORNING QB: WEEK #3

by Michael Pina

It’s already week three and things are starting to shape up just a little bit. Breakout performances, like Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams, who statistically doubled what he’d accomplished through the first two games, materialized. Legitimate non-conference opponents like Auburn and Oregon State flexed their muscles and the most dreaded phrase that can be placed next to a starting quarterback’s name, torn ACL, has already cropped up with South Florida’s Matt Grothe.

Now onto the weeks results. As always I will designate two top performers at the bottom of the column.

South Florida (3-0) vs. Charleston Southern (59-0 win)

The toughest team to gauge through three weeks, the Bulls have yet to play a worthy opponent that can give them a legitimate test.

Even after losing Mr. Do-It-All quarterback Matt Grothe to a torn ACL in the second quarter, South Florida still rolled to 31 more unanswered points in an absolute routing. The Bulls totally dominated in all three phases of the game, including special teams where towards the end of the first quarter they blocked a field goal, taking it all the way for a 21-0 lead.

Jim Leavitt’s squad is in huge trouble now that they’ve lost Grothe for the rest of the season. He’s one of the conference’s biggest offensive weapons and to lose him so early in the season could be an insurmountable situation. South Florida could be competitive as they move on, but expect them to finish with a losing record.

#14 Cincinnati vs. Oregon State (28-18 win)

Microscopic Beaver running back Jacquizz Rodgers, last year’s Cinderella performer against USC, was for the most part held in check while Tony Pike continued his back yard dominance as Cincinnati avoided an upset.

With the Beavers threatening a little comeback in the fourth quarter, Pike who chucked the ball 49 times for 331 yards on the day, connected with number one target Marshwan Gilyard for a 19 yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Right now the Bearcats are the Big East Trojans until somebody knocks them off their thrown. With conference about to pick itself up, Cincinnati’s offense will have to continue clicking on all cylinders for them to run the table, something they’re capable of doing.

Louisville vs. Kentucky (31-27 loss)

With two weeks to prepare for an out of conference rival, the Cardinals’ special teams let them down in a back and forth battle for the Governor’s Cup. The ever impressive Victor Anderson ran for 110 yards and a score on 19 carries, but a 100 yard kick off return for a touchdown by Wildcat junior running back Derrick Locke ended up being the difference.

Louisville now heads two time zones west to play an extremely gifted Utah team that is coming off their first loss in over a year. The Cardinals could easily find themselves looking up and out of a deep hole as the 2009 season moves forward.

Rutgers vs. Florida International (23-15 win)

Despite an inevitable poor performance from true freshman Tom Savage, the Scarlet Knights’ defense absolutely crushed Florida International. There were five sacks, three turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown, and 99 total yards allowed through the first three quarters.

Savage, who only completed 11 passes on 28 attempts, struggled for the entire game before being taken out in the fourth after getting sacked for the fourth time.

Rutgers has continued to improve since their opening week blunder against Cincinnati, but it’s not often a team can come away with a win with such a poor performance by the quarterback.

Pittsburgh vs. Navy (27-14 win)

If quarterback Bill Stull can play the way he played against the Midshipmen against conference opponents, then the rest of the league is in a bit of a predicament. While he most likely won’t be throwing for touchdowns on his first toss, as he did in this contest, Stull looked very accurate completing 17 of his 24 passes for 245 yards and the previously mentioned touchdown.

Freshman Dion Lewis continued to run effectively although sub par by his standards, scampering for 79 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown.

Pittsburgh deserves to join Cincinnati as the two ranked teams representing the Big East. The two don’t face each other until the season’s final game though so a lot can happen until then.

Connecticut vs. Baylor (30-22 win)

Last week I said this game against Baylor was huge in figuring out what type of team Connecticut is. Coming off a heartbreaking loss in what would have been the season’s biggest upset, the Huskies were forced to travel the farthest they ever have as a football program. Deep down south to the football heartland of Texas. Thankfully they brought senior running back Andre Dixon along on the plane.

Dixon was magnificent, rushing for 149 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Connecticut looks like a resilient team that unfortunately just doesn’t have the firepower to find continuous success throughout the season.

West Virginia vs. Auburn (41-30 loss)

If you missed this nationally televised game and enjoy offense, then I suggest you find a replay or if no other options present themselves, cry. 900 total yards of offense doesn’t come around too often.

Noel Devine was his usual mind blowing self, running for 128 yards on only 15 carries and scoring three touchdowns, including a 71-yarder in the first quarter.

Unfortunately quarterback Jarrett Brown did all he could to prevent a Mountaineer victory, throwing for four interceptions. His fourth on a screen pass delivered while trailing by just four points with 3:41 in the final quarter.

This loss shouldn’t be looked into too deeply as West Virginia turned the ball over six times and still managed to put up 30 points against an SEC defense. The Mountaineers are still a force to be reckoned with and a team that nobody should take lightly.

Syracuse vs. Northwestern (37-34)

It took two weeks, but quarterback Greg Paulus looks comfortable in his offensive scheme. The former Duke point guard threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns and just like that, Syracuse found its first win. Senior wide receiver Mike Williams was the most impressive receiver in the nation, catching 11 balls for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Paulus was the true star though, looking relaxed in his own energetic way while in the pocket. He made few mistakes and was very impressive.

Not to get too caught up in a game between two perennial conference basement dwellers, but Syracuse still looked good in this game, especially down the stretch as he led his team to a game winning field goal.

Top Performers:

Syracuse Wide Receiver Mike Williams- In a close contest that gave his team their first win of the season, the senior receiver was very impressive, getting open when his quarterback needed him over and over again.

Rutgers Lineback Ryan D’Imperio- The senior 245 pound linebacker who runs a 40 yard dash in 4.5 seconds, recorded one sack, had eight total tackles and returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. He was the leader on a defense that delivered a nearly flawless performance.