big east roundup Saturday’s games

November 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

No. 8 Pittsburgh 27, Notre Dame 22

PITTSBURGH — Jonathan Baldwin made two exceptional catches that allowed Pittsburgh to open up an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter before Notre Dame rallied behind two touchdowns by star Golden Tate, and the Panthers held on for a victory that may raise more cries for Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis’ ouster. Notre Dame (6-4) trailed 27-9 with 12:44 remaining after Dion Lewis’ 50-yard touchdown run, then came back before Jimmy Clausen fumbled with just over two minutes remaining. The Irish followed up a did-it-really-happen 23-21 loss to Navy with its eighth consecutive loss to a Top 10 team — the longest streak in school history. Weis is 1-10 against ranked teams since 2006.

Louisville 10, Syracuse 9

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Adam Froman hit Josh Chichester for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1:24 remaining to lift Louisville. The victory snapped a nine-game conference losing streak for the Cardinals (4-6, 1-4 Big East), who ended a two-year hex against the Orange (3-7, 0-5) with a handful of big plays in the final minutes. Trent Guy’s 44-yard punt return set up the Cardinals in Syracuse territory before Chichester outjumped a Syracuse defender for Louisville’s first touchdown in nine quarters. Cornerback Andrew Robinson picked off Syracuse quarterback Rob Paulus on the ensuing possession to seal it. Delone Carter ran for 129 yards and a score for Syracuse, but the Orange botched the extra point, giving Louisville just enough room to pull it out in an otherwise forgettable game between Big East also-rans. Syracuse outgained Louisville 266-151, held the ball for nearly 10 minutes longer and dominated Louisville’s offensive line all day, but the Orange had no answer for Louisville punt returner/wide receiver Trent Guy.

Associated Press