Pitt, Penn State pick up easy wins
Both Pitt and Penn State won during the same week since opening weekend, and both have important stretches on the horizon.
n After dropping its last three games, Pitt got back into the win column Saturday with a 42-10 win over Rice.
Max Browne completed 28-of-32 passes for 410 yards to pace the Panthers.
The Panthers head to Syracuse Saturday before hosting 24th-ranked N.C. State on the Oct. 14.
Considering that Pitt ends the season at No. 16 Virginia Tech on Nov. 18 and then host 13th-ranked Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 24, the Panthers need to get some wins now so that it is bowl eligible prior to those contests.
Syracuse will be a step up, talent-wise, from Rice, and N.C. State was a trendy pick with several national pundits to have a chance to finish in the Top 10.
n Indiana stymied Saquon Barkley on the ground Saturday as it held him to 52 yards, but the Heisman contender returned a kick 97 yards for a score and threw for another on a halfback pass.
Trace McSorley threw for 315 yards in front of 107,542 fans, while DaeSean Hamilton caught nine passes for 122 yards and three scores. His last catch of the game gave him a new school record of 180 receptions for his career.
Penn State has a plethora of weapons, but its defense and special teams play are being overlooked because of the Nittany Lions鈥� high-powered offense.
The Nittany Lions are at Northwestern Saturday, and Ryan Field is a place that has given Penn State fits over the years.
A win would leave Penn State 6-0 heading into a bye week before a tough stretch that sees them hosting Michigan for its annual White Out game on Oct. 21 and then going on the road to Ohio State on Oct. 28 and Michigan State on Nov. 4.
n The 23rd-ranked Mountaineers head to Fort Worth to take on eighth-ranked TCU.
West Virginia was off last weekend and will rely on the arm of Will Grier. The transfer from Florida has thrown for 1,374 yards and 13 touchdowns in four games. After a sluggish first half in WVU蘑菇视频 opener against Virginia Tech, Grier has been lights out throwing the ball.
A win will look great on West Virginia蘑菇视频 resume and give the Mountaineers momentum as the go deeper into Big 12 play.
n This past Saturday on ESPN蘑菇视频 College Gameday, Tom Rinaldi did a touching and emotional piece on Iowa蘑菇视频 new tradition of waving to the kids in the new University of Iowa Steed Family Children蘑菇视频 Hospital.
The story of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz蘑菇视频 granddaughter moved the 18-year head coach to tears. The piece, which can be seen at http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=20866964, ended with the fans at Virginia Tech giving a wave to the kids at the hospital.
Kudos to Rinaldi on a stirring piece that will tug on your emotions.
n The California (Pa.) women蘑菇视频 volleyball team looks to keep its hot streak alive Friday night when the Vulcans head to Slippery Rock for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference match, looking to win its sixth victory in a row.
The team is 10-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
Rachel Priore leads the way with 246 points and Ashley Leto is next with 164 points.
The Vulcans are at rival IUP on Saturday.
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