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Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Bearcats beat and batter Cards

CINCINNATI — Of all the staggering numbers Saturday at sold-out Nippert Stadium, these were the cruelest: Cincinnati 41, Louisville 10.

The absence of starting quarterback Tony Pike didn't slow the fifth-ranked Bearcats in the "Keg of Nails" series.

Cincinnati's most lopsided win in the series since 1951 (38-0) likely added some more nails to the coaching coffin that may be closing on U of L's Steve Kragthorpe.

The Cardinals (2-5, 0-3 Big East) lost their eighth consecutive conference game.

• Box score

Asked if the Cards still had hopes of winning out and becoming bowl-eligible, Kragthorpe said, "Absolutely. Based on what's happening in this league and based on the teams we've played, I think that's a possibility."

But all he can guarantee, he said, is hard work, hard practice, diligent preparation and continued effort.

The Bearcats (7-0, 3-0) have won 13 regular-season games in a row. They have won nine in a row at home, where a record crowd of 35,099 watched Saturday.

Pike missed the game after having surgery on his non-throwing wrist due to an injury suffered a week earlier. A plate that was inserted last year was knocked loose and had to be replaced.

Cincinnati third-year sophomore Zach Collaros, making his first start, completed 15 of 17 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Collaros also rushed for 52 yards.

"He steps right in like he's been there the whole time," said Andre Revels, a linebacker who led Cincinnati with 11 tackles. "He didn't lose a game his whole high school career (30-0 at Steubenville, Ohio). This is a kid that knows how to win, and he proved it here today."

Collaros completed his first four passes and five of six on a game-opening 78-yard touchdown drive. Isaiah Pead scored untouched on a 1-yard sweep around the right side.

Collaros said "there were some questions" as to how he would be able to mix up the attack, "but we came out with the first two drives and everything was hitting. After that, I had a lot of confidence."

Pead, who totaled 88 yards on six carries, added a second-quarter TD on a 15-yard Collaros pass and ran 67 yards for a third-quarter score.

"They have a great offense, and it's very hard to stop a spread offense," said Richard Raglin, U of L's strong safety. "We thought we had a pretty good game plan. But a few bad plays here and there, so it kind of hurts."

Cincinnati's second possession, a 90-yard TD drive, ended with a 24-yard Collaros pass to Armon Binns.

Pead's second touchdown catch made it 21-0.

Louisville showed some life by converting five third downs and driving 64 yards to a touchdown. Adam Froman's 3-yard slant pass to Josh Chichester made it 21-7 at halftime.

Ryan Payne's 36-yard field goal to open the second-half scoring made it 21-10. But the Cards might have had more, reaching the 12-yard line before tackle Byron Stingily was flagged for a personal foul.

A 75-yard kickoff return by Mardy Gilyard led to a quick UC field goal.

After U of L lost 3 yards on three plays, Cory Goettsche shanked a punt.

Ten seconds later, Collaros hit Gilyard over the middle for a 31-yard score.

After another U of L three-and-out, Pead ran 67 yards on the next play, completing a 17-0 spurt that took 4:02 off the clock.

More numbers:

■ UC, ranked No. 1 in the nation with 10.2 tackles for loss per game, posted a season-high 17 Saturday.

■ UC outgained Louisville 468 yards to 275.

■ Chazz Anderson, who relieved Collaros late in the third quarter, completed three of four passes for 25 yards, and fourth-stringer Brendon Kay was 1-for-1 for 8 yards.

■ Gilyard had 225 all-purpose yards, including four receptions for 82 yards.

■ U of L has lost fumbles in 10 of its last 11 games.

The Cards left battered and bruised.

Due to injuries, Froman (shoulder) gave way in the third quarter to Justin Burke (shoulder), who gave way to Will Stein. The trio combined to go 14-for-25 for 145 yards, with one interception by Burke.

Running back Victor Anderson (shoulder) left in the second half in favor of Darius Ashley (13 carries for 67 yards), a redshirt freshman from Cincinnati.

Speedy receiver Trent Guy (knee) exited early in the second quarter.