LITTLE ROCK — PITTSBURGH - Rutgers officially isn’t swapping the Big East for the Big Ten for another two years.
The 18th-ranked Scarlet Knights sure looked ready to check out early, though, in a 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Though Rutgers (9-2, 5-1 Big East) still managed to clinch a share of its first conference title after No. 20 Louisville was stunned at home by Connecticut, the Scarlet Knights head into a showdown with the Cardinals next Thursday reeling.
“It [stinks] to lose, but we still have something to play for,” Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova said.
Even if it was the Panthers (5-6, 2-4) who performed like the team with everything on the line.
Pitt’s defense swarmed the Scarlet Knights all afternoon. Nova completed just 18 of 37 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, threw an interception and left briefly in first half after getting slammed to the ground on his right (throwing) shoulder.
“Their defensive linemen are really good,” Nova said. “They put a lot of pressure on me, and we really didn’t execute well enough in protection on their pass rush to make a difference.”
The Scarlet Knights came in the Big East’s biggest surprise, rising to the cusp of the school’s first Bowl Championship Series berth despite losingprogram architect Greg Schiano to the NFL last winter.
In another Big East game, Chad Christen’s 30-yard field goal in the third overtime gave visiting Connecticut a 23-20 upset of No. 20 Louisville (9-2, 4-2). Blidi Wreh-Wilson set up the Huskies’ winning score by intercepting Teddy Bridgewater’s pass intended for DeVante Parker in theend zone. The Huskies ran three plays for 12 yards before Christen’s second overtime kick gave Connecticut (5-6, 2-4 Big East Conference) its second consecutive victory.
ATLANTIC COAST
Miami holds off Duke
DURHAM, N.C. - Freshman Duke Johnson rushed for season highs of 176 yards and three touchdowns, Stephen Morris had three passing scores and Miami held on to beat Duke 52-45 on Saturday and claim a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division title.
Morris finished 15 of 25 for 369 yards for the Hurricanes (7-5, 5-3) - who never trailed but could never really breathe easy, either, in a game in which the teams totaled a combined 1,229 yards.
Sean Renfree threw for a career-high 432 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in his final home game for Duke (6-6, 3-5), which trailed by 21 late. Brandon Connette’s second touchdown run of the day pulled the Blue Devils within seven points with 2:32 left.
After Ross Martin’s onside kick went out of bounds, Miami ran out the clock to seal its first share of a division title since joining the ACC in 2004.
In other ACC games, Mike Glennon threw three touchdown passes and David Amerson returned an interception for a score as host North Carolina State (7-5, 4-4) defeated Boston College (2-10, 1-7) 27-10. ... Bryn Renner tied a school record with five touchdown passes, while Gio Bernard ran for 163 yards and a score to help host North Carolina(8-4, 5-3) beat Maryland (4-8, 2-6) 45-38. ... Cody Journell kicked a 29-yard field goal with four seconds to play, and host Virginia Tech beat Virginia 17-14 to qualify for a bowl game and win its ninth consecutiveagainst the Cavaliers (4-8, 2-6). Antone Exum set up the winning drive when he intercepted Michael Rocco at the Cavaliers’ 36 with 3:21 remaining. Logan Thomas ran for one touchdown and threw for another for the Hokies (6-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Sports, Pages 34 on 11/25/2012