Pitt
Connecticut
Pittsburgh Tops UCONN, 34-10
12/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 6, 2008
EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut (Ticker) - LeSean McCoy's 47-yard touchdown run ignited a 24-point third quarter Saturday that carried 23rd-ranked Pittsburgh to a 34-10 victory over Connecticut in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Capitalizing on five interceptions, Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2) reached nine wins for the first time since 2002 and reportedly is headed to the Sun Bowl.
After the teams combined for just two field goals and nine punts in the first half, the Panthers broke it open in the third quarter for their fourth victory in five games.
The touchdown by McCoy, who finished with 95 yards on 24 attempts, snapped a 3-3 tie. Bill Stull threw a pair of TDs in the quarter to extend the Panthers' lead to 27-10.
McCoy's touchdown was his 21st of the season, tying him with Michigan State's Javon Ringer for second in the FBS behind Ball State's MiQuale Lewis, who has 22.
Brown, UConn's all-time leading rusher, ran for 189 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries to finish the regular season as the leading rusher in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,822 yards.
However, Brown was virtually a one-man attack for the Huskies (7-5, 3-4), who reportedly will play Mid-American Conference champion Buffalo in the International Bowl.
UConn senior quarterback Tyler Lorenzen had a miserable outing in his final home appearance and was benched in the fourth quarter after completing just four of his first 21 passes for a meager 22 yards and two interceptions.
However, his replacement, Zach Frazer, threw three interceptions - one in the red zone and one that was returned 20 yards for a touchdown by Greg Williams to complete the scoring.
Lorenzen later returned and completed two passes so that the Huskies finished with more completions (six) than interceptions (five). Lorenzen ended his nightmarish afternoon 6-of-27 for 80 yards.
To order your Sun Bowl tickets visit Bowl Central or call 1-800-643-PITT. The Panthers Ticket Office will be open on Sunday, December 7 from 12:00pm-5:00pm to handle Sun Bowl Ticket requests.
