BIG EAST Assisting American Red Cross In Hurricane Relief Efforts
The BIG EAST is assisting the American Red Cross with donations to assist those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The conference oversaw the collection of donations at its women’s soccer championship last weekend and will do the same this weekend at the BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Championship in Chester, Pa. The Red Cross has established a direct link by which BIG EAST fans may contribute.
Additionally, Rutgers has sponsored a number of relief efforts, including a collection effort at High Point Solutions Stadium Saturday for the Scarlet Knights’ game against Army. And Temple will hold a clothing and supply drive in conjunction with Saturday’s game against Cincinnati.
Strength Against Strength When Pittsburgh Visits Connecticut Friday
Pittsburgh heads to East Hartford, Conn., Friday to face Connecticut on ESPN2 that will go along way toward determining the winner’s postseason chances. The Panthers battled No. 4/4 Notre Dame to three overtimes last week and have been playing their best football of the season in the last three weeks, thanks to the steady play of quarterback Tino Sunseri, the return to form of elite running back Ray Graham. That duo will face a Connecticut defense that has ranked among the nation’s best all season, anchored by defensive end Trevardo Williams. Williams leads the BIG EAST with 8.5 sacks, while linebacker Yawin Smallwood is the conference leader in tackles for loss (13).
The Best Of The Brightest
The BIG EAST had five players named to the Capital One Academic All-District Teams Wednesday, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Quarterback Ryan Nassib, and offensive linemen Macky MacPherson and Sam Rodgers of Syracuse, defensive back Duron Harmon of Rutgers and tight end Evan Landi of USF all move on to the national Academic All-America ballot.
Keep The Remote Handy Saturday
Three games involving BIG EAST teams will take place Saturday and all three will start at noon Eastern time on national television platforms. Louisville takes a 9-0 record to Syracuse, which would keep its own BIG EAST title hopes intact with a win. That game will be broadcast to more than 75 percent of the nation on ABC. Rutgers hosts Army on ESPNU, while Cincinnati visits Temple in the BIG EAST Network Game of the Week, which will be carried on SNY and many other regional outlets throughout the nation.
