Cincinnati Football: Bearcats Defense Struggles in Loss To South Florida

With as much momentum as they have had at any time in the season, the Cincinnati Bearcats laid an egg Friday night and lost their first Big East game in two years. 

Cincinnati had won 14 straight games at Nippert Stadium and the offense seemed to be clicking. South Florida had not scored an offensive touchdown in two previous games. 

No way the Bulls could come into Nippert and steal a victory. But, on any given weekend in college football, anything can happen. 

The Bearcats offense continued to shine and quarterback Zach Collaros threw for 463 yards before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. 

The Bulls defense shut down the Bearcats running game so Cincinnati took to the air, with three receivers gaining over 135 yards. Two dropped touchdown passes, however, were the difference in this one. 

The 30 points Cincinnati put on the board were not enough as the league's worst defense was on full display in perhaps their most disappointing loss of the season. 

If Cincinnati plans on defending their Big East Championship, the defense will have to make vast improvements in the coming weeks. 

With Syracuse coming to town, Cincinnati has to defend their home field.

The status of quarterback Zach Collaros is still up in the air, and junior Chazz Anderson could be starting Saturday. 

At 3-4, Cincinnati needs three more wins to become bowl-eligible.  

The Orange are 5-2 and coming off a huge upset at West Virginia on Saturday. They are much improved from a season ago. 

While things are looking bleak for Cincinnati, they still control their own destiny. A victory in each of their final five games will ensure another Big East Championship and a return trip to a BCS bowl game. 

Only time will tell if this talented squad can get everything together and play like they did the past two seasons.