Cincinnati Bearcats Retain Keg of Nails in Win Over Louisville

The Cincinnati Bearcats opened Big East play Friday nigh in impressive fashion with a 35-27 victory over the much improved Louisville Cardinals. 

Cincinnati overcame three turnovers, two of which came in the first quarter to knock off the Cardinals. 

For a team that was supposed to put points on the board, but struggled to do so early in the season, Cincinnati is finally hitting its stride. 

Running back Isaiah Pead has continued his steady improvement and rushed for 145 yards on 19 carries. Pead has shown that he is one of college football's best under the radar running backs. 

The offensive line was very impressive for the second consecutive week, allowing quarterback Zach Collaros time to throw the football. Collaros finished 18-28 for 275 yards and a career high five touchdowns to go along with two interceptions. 

Collaros has been able to step back and find his old favorite target from last season, Armon Binns. Binns had eight catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. 

Halfway through the season, it is becoming more evident that the Bearcats have one of the best receiving duos in the country. Senior Armon Binns has 32 receptions for 525 yards and seven touchdowns while junior slot man D.J. Woods has 31 receptions for 550 yards and six touchdowns.

Both Binns and Woods have picked up the slack since the injury to Vidal Hazelton. They are on pace to each eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. 

Woods status for Friday's game against South Florida remains up in the air after taking a shot in the end zone while holding on to his second touchdown of the night. 

Throw in Isaiah Pead and Cincinnati's trio of skill position players is as good as it gets. Pead has rushed for 547 yards in only four games this season. He has done so on only 60 carries for a 9.1 yard average. 

At 3-3 halfway through the year, the season would seem to be a disappointment, but with how the Bearcats have played of late, they are riding high heading into the two easiest conference games on the schedule. 

Cincinnati returns home for a Friday showdown with South Florida and then Syracuse comes to town before a bye week. 

The Bearcats are improving every week and with the Big East wide open, Cincinnati looks ready to defend their title once again.