2012 Big East Conference football season

Last updated

2012 Big East Conference football season
Big East Conference logo.svg
League NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sport football
DurationSeptember 2012 – January 2013
Number of teams8
TV partner(s) ESPN-Big East Network
2013 NFL Draft
Top draft pick Justin Pugh (Syracuse)
Picked by New York Giants, 19th overall
Regular season
Champions Cincinnati, Louisville, Rutgers & Syracuse
Football seasons
  2011
2012 Big East Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 13 Louisville $+  5 2   11 2  
Cincinnati +  5 2   10 3  
Rutgers +  5 2   9 4  
Syracuse +  5 2   8 5  
Pittsburgh  3 4   6 7  
Connecticut  2 5   5 7  
Temple  2 5   4 7  
South Florida  1 6   3 9  
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • + Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2012 Big East football season was the 22nd NCAA Division I FBS football season of the conference that was known as the Big East Conference from its formation in 1979 until July 2013, and ultimately proved to be the last for the conference under the "Big East" name, as well as the last with a full round-robin schedule for conference play. The conference consisted of eight football members: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse and Temple. [1] In February 2012, the Big East settled a lawsuit with West Virginia University that allowed them to move to the Big 12 Conference effective July 1, 2012. [2]

Contents

Conference members began regular-season play on August 30 when Temple hosted Villanova; conference play started September 6 when Cincinnati hosted Pittsburgh. The regular season concluded on December 1. Four teams—Louisville, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Syracuse—claimed shares of the conference championship. Louisville claimed the league's automatic BCS bowl berth via tiebreakers.

On February 28, 2013, ESPN reported that the conference's seven schools that do not play FBS football, which had announced plans to leave the conference as a bloc no later than July 2015, had reached an agreement to leave in July 2013, and would keep the "Big East" name when they formed a new conference at that time. As a result, the schools that retained the original Big East charter would operate under a new name in the 2013 football season. [3] On April 3, 2013, the remaining schools announced they would operate as the American Athletic Conference (The American). [4]

Previous season

West Virginia, Cincinnati and Louisville were co-Big East Champions with a conference record of 5–2. West Virginia received the conference's automatic bid into the BCS bid by way of tie-breakers. The Mountaineers went to the Orange Bowl and defeated Clemson 70–33 in the game, West Virginia tied or broke eight separate team and individual bowl game records, while the combined 69 points West Virginia and Clemson scored in the first half set another new record. [5]

Four other Big East teams went to bowl games in 2011, finishing bowl play with a record of 3–2 as a conference. Louisville (7–6) lost to NC State in the Belk Bowl. Rutgers (9–4) beat Iowa State 27–17 in New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Cincinnati (10–3) defeated Vanderbilt in the Autozone Liberty Bowl, and Pittsburgh lost to SMU 28–6 in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The three teams not to go to a bowl game were Connecticut (5–7), South Florida (5–7), and Syracuse (5–7).

Preseason

Coaching changes

Two teams have new head coaches for the 2012 season. Paul Chryst replaces Todd Graham at Pittsburgh, Kyle Flood replaces Greg Schiano at Rutgers.

Preseason Poll

The 2012 Big East Preseason Poll [6] was announced at the Big East Media Day in Newport, RI on July 31, 2012

  1. Louisville – 219 (24 first place votes)
  2. South Florida – 176 (4)
  3. Rutgers – 155
  4. Cincinnati – 139
  5. Pittsburgh – 131
  6. Connecticut – 77
  7. Syracuse – 70
  8. Temple – 41

Schedule

Index to colors and formatting
Big East member won
Big East member lost
Big East teams in bold

Week 1

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
August 307:30 pm UMass Connecticut Rentschler FieldEast Hartford, CT SNY W 37–0  35,270
August 317:00 pm Villanova Temple Lincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PA ESPN3 W 31–10  32,709
September 112:00 pm Northwestern Syracuse Carrier DomeSyracuse, NY ESPN2 L 42–41  37,830
September 16:00 pm Youngstown State Pittsburgh Heinz FieldPittsburgh, PA ESPN3L 31–17  40,837
September 17:00 pm Chattanooga South Florida Raymond James StadiumTampa, FL ESPN3W 34–13  41,285
September 18:00 pmRutgers Tulane Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA CBSSN W 24–12  26,059
September 23:30 pm Kentucky No. 25 Louisville Papa John's Cardinal StadiumLouisville, KY (Governor's Cup) ESPN W 32–14  55,386
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Cincinnati

Week 2

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 68:00 pmPittsburghCincinnati Nippert StadiumCincinnati, OH (River City Rivalry)ESPN CIN 34–10  33,562
September 812:00 pm Maryland TempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA ESPNU L 36–27  23,322
September 812:00 pm NC State ConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CT Big East Network L 10–7  34,202
September 83:30 pmSouth Florida Nevada Mackay StadiumReno, NV CBSSNW 32–31  22,804
September 83:30 pmNo. 2  USC Syracuse MetLife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJ ABC/ESPN2L 42–29  39,507
September 83:30 pm Missouri State No. 23 LouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY WHAS W 35–7  47,553
September 83:30 pm Howard Rutgers High Point Solutions StadiumPiscataway, NJ SNYW 26–0  50,855
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 3

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 137:30 PMRutgersSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL ESPN RUT 23–13  44,219
September 1512:00 PMNo. 13  Virginia Tech PittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAESPNUW 35–17  48,032
September 1512:30 PMConnecticut Maryland Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd StadiumCollege Park, MD ACC Network W 24–21  35,491
September 153:30 PM North Carolina No. 20 LouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYABC/ESPN2W 39–34  53,334
September 154:00 PM Stony Brook SyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NY TWCS/SNYW 28–17  34,512
September 157:00 PM Delaware State CincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHESPN3W 23–7  27,112
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Temple

Week 4

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 227:00 PMRutgers Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR ESPNW 35–26  72,543
September 222:00 PMConnecticut Western Michigan Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI ESPN3L 30–24  10,328
September 223:30 PMTemple Penn State Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA ABC/ESPN2L 24–17  93,680
September 223:30 PM Gardner–Webb PittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAESPN3W 55–10  36,452
September 224:30 PMSouth Florida Ball State Scheumann StadiumMuncie, IN ESPN3L 31–27  16,397
September 227:00 PMNo. 20 Louisville FIU FIU StadiumMiami, FL ESPN3W 28–21  12,318
September 228:00 PMSyracuse Minnesota TCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN BTN L 17–10  50,805
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Cincinnati

Week 5

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 2912:00 PM Buffalo ConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTBig East NetworkL 24–17  34,666
September 293:30 PM Virginia Tech Cincinnati FedExFieldLandover, MD ESPNUW 27–24  46,026
September 296:00 PMNo. 4  Florida State South FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPNL 30–17  69,383
September 298:00 PMNo. 19 Louisville Southern Miss M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS CBSSNW 24–21  23,492
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Pittsburgh, Temple, Rutgers, Syracuse

Week 6

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 57:00 PMPittsburghSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYESPN SYR 14–13  40,394
October 612:00 PMConnecticutNo. 22 RutgersHigh Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJESPNU RU 19–3  50,870
October 612:00 PMSouth FloridaTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PABig East Network TEMP 37–28  25,796
October 67:00 PM Miami (OH) CincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH (Victory Bell) FS Ohio W 52–14  35,097
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Louisville

Week 7

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 1311:00 AMNo. 18 LouisvillePittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PAESPNU LOU 45–35  42,432
October 1312:00 PMSyracuseNo. 20 RutgersHigh Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJBig East Network RUT 23–15  48,011
October 131:00 PMTempleConnecticutRentschler • East Hartford, CTESPN3 TEMP 17–14  37,279
October 137:00 PM Fordham No. 21 CincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHESPN3W 49–17  26,317
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: South Florida

Week 8

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 198:00 PMConnecticutSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYESPN SYR 40–10  36,715
October 2012:00 PMNo. 19 RutgersTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PABig East Network RUT 35–10  35,145
October 203:30 PMSouth FloridaNo. 17 LouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYABC LOU 27–25  50,167
October 203:30 PMPittsburgh Buffalo UB StadiumAmherst, NY Big East Network/ESPN PlusW 20–6  17,021
October 207:00 PMNo. 21 Cincinnati Toledo Glass BowlToledo, OH ESPN3L 23–29  24,124
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 9

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 268:00 PMCincinnatiLouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY (The Keg of Nails)ESPN LOU 31–34 OT  53,271
October 2712:00 PMTemplePittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PABig East Network PITT 47–17  42,425
October 273:30 PM Kent State RutgersHigh Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJBig East Network/ESPN PlusL 33–25  49,345
October 277:00 PMSyracuseSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPN3 SYR 37–36  38,562
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Connecticut

Week 10

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 312:00 PMSyracuseCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHBig East Network CIN 35–24  26,180
November 312:00 PMTempleLouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYABC LOU 45–17  44,609
November 33:30 PMPittsburgh Notre Dame Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN NBC L 26–29 3OT 80,795
November 37:00 PMConnecticutSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium •ESPNU USF 13–6  36,190
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Rutgers

Week 11

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 98:00 PMPittsburghConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTESPN2 UCONN 24–17  33,503
November 1012:00 PMCincinnatiTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PABig East Network CIN 34–10  20,192
November 1012:00 PMLouisvilleSyracuseCarrier Dome • Syracuse, NYABC SYR 45–26  40,312
November 1012:00 PM Army RutgersHigh Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJESPNUW 28–7  43,250
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: South Florida

Week 12

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 1712:00 PM#22 RutgersCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHBig East Network RUT 10–3  34,526
November 1712:00 PMTemple Army Michie StadiumWest Point, NY CBSSNW 63–32  27,019
November 173:00 PMSouth Florida Miami Sun Life StadiumMiami Gardens, FL ACC NetworkL 9–40  38,869
November 177:00 PMSyracuse Missouri Faurot FieldColumbia, MO ESPNUW 31–27  63,045
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Louisville, Pittsburgh

Week 13

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 2311:00 AMSyracuseTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAESPN2 SYR 38–20  22,317
November 237:00 PMSouth FloridaCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHESPN CIN 27–10  21,171
November 2412:00 PMConnecticut#20 LouisvillePapa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KYBig East Network UCONN 23–20 3OT 45,618
November 2412:00 PM#18 RutgersPittsburghHeinz Field • Pittsburgh, PATBA PIT 27–6  38,786
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 14

Going into the final week of the season, Rutgers had clinched at least a share of the Big East title, but it was possible that the season could end with a three-way or a four-way tie for the conference championship. The scenarios were: [7]

The conference's BCS berth would then be decided by tiebreakers. Under Big East rules, the first tiebreaker among three or more teams is head-to-head record among the tied teams, followed by the BCS standings. [7]

A three-way tie would go to the BCS standings, since Louisville, Rutgers, and Syracuse finished 1–1 against one another. In a four-way tie, Cincinnati and Syracuse would be eliminated with 1–2 records against the other three teams, with the BCS berth then going to the higher-ranked team between Louisville and Rutgers. The conference said that Louisville would most likely receive the BCS berth if it defeated Rutgers, [7] and that proved to be the case, with the Cardinals claiming the league's BCS berth.

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 297:30 pmLouisvilleRutgersHigh Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJESPN LOU 20–17  52,798
December 13:30 PMCincinnatiConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTABC CIN 34–17  33,112
December 17:00 PMPittsburghSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPN2 PITT 20–7  35,141
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week off: Temple, Syracuse

Records against other conferences

Big East vs. BCS matchups

DateVisitorHomeWinning TeamOpponent
Conference
September 1NorthwesternSyracuseNorthwesternBig Ten
September 2Kentucky#25 LouisvilleLouisvilleSEC
September 8MarylandTempleMarylandACC
September 8NC StateConnecticutNC StateACC
September 8USCSyracuseUSCPac-12
September 15Virginia TechPittsburghPittsburghACC
September 15ConnecticutMarylandConnecticutACC
September 15North CarolinaLouisvilleLouisvilleACC
September 22RutgersArkansasRutgersSEC
September 22TemplePenn StatePenn StateBig Ten
September 22SyracuseMinnesotaMinnesotaBig Ten
September 29Virginia TechCincinnatiCincinnatiACC
September 29Florida StateSouth FloridaFlorida StateACC
November 3PittsburghNotre DameNotre DameIndependent
November 17SyracuseMissouriSyracuseSEC

Bowl Games

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
December 27*6:30 PM Cincinnati Duke Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (Belk Bowl) ESPN W 48–34  48,128
December 28*5:30 PM Rutgers Virginia Tech Citrus BowlOrlando, FL (Russell Athletic Bowl)ESPNL 10–13  48,127
December 29*3:15 PM West Virginia Syracuse Yankee StadiumBronx, NY (Pinstripe Bowl)ESPNW 38–14  39,098
January 2*8:30 PMNo. 21  Louisville No. 3  Florida Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl)ESPNW 33–23  54,178
January 5*1:00 PM Pittsburgh Ole Miss Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (BBVA Compass Bowl)ESPNL 17–38  59,135
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Players of the week

Following each week of games, Big East conference officials select the players of the week from the conference's teams.

WeekOffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeam
9/3/12 [8] Ryan NassibQBSyracuse Yawin Smallwood LBConnecticut Brandon McManus K/PTemple
9/10/12 [9] Andre DavisWRSouth FloridaWalter StewartDECincinnatiBrandon JonesCBRutgers
9/17/12 [10] Tino Sunseri QBPittsburghYawin SmallwoodLBConnecticutNick WilliamsWRConnecticut
9/24/12 [11] Gary Nova QBRutgersAdrian BushellCBLouisvilleBrandon McManusK/PTemple
10/1/12 [12] Munchie LegauxQBCincinnatiMaalik BomarLBCincinnatiPat O'DonnellPCincinnati
10/8/12 [13] Montel HarrisRBTempleBrandon SharpeDESyracuseTony MilianoKCincinnati
10/15/12 [14] Senorise PerryRBLouisvilleKhaseem GreeneLBRutgersBrandon McManusK/PTemple
10/22/12Gary NovaQBRutgers Lorenzo Mauldin DELouisville Ross Krautman KSyracuse
10/29/12Teddy BridgewaterQBLouisvillePreston BrownLBLouisville Maikon Bonani KSouth Florida
11/5/12George WinnRBCincinnatiKeith BrownLBLouisvilleMatt BrownRBTemple
11/11/12 [15] Alec LemonWRSyracuseKhaseem GreeneLBRutgersNick WilliamsRBConnecticut

Rankings

Legend
 Increase in ranking
 Decrease in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
RV Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
 Pre
Sept.
4
Sept.
9
Sept.
16
Sept.
23
Sept.
30
Oct.
7
Oct.
14
Oct.
21
Oct.
28
Nov.
4
Nov.
11
Nov.
18
Nov.
25
Dec.
2
Final
CincinnatiAPRVRVRVRVRV2121RV
CRVRVRVRVRV232018RV
HarrisNot released2018RV
BCSNot released21
ConnecticutAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
LouisvilleAP252319201919181616
CRV2420181716161414
HarrisNot released181614
BCSNot released1616
PittsburghAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
RutgersAPRV2322201918
CRVRVRVRV25 т21191715
HarrisNot released191715
BCSNot released1515
South FloridaAPRVRVRV
CRVRVRV
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
SyracuseAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released
TempleAP
C
HarrisNot released
BCSNot released

Home attendance

TeamStadiumCapacityGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Game 7TotalAverage% of Capacity
Cincinnati Nippert Stadium 35,09733,56227,11235,09726,31726,18034,52621,171203,96529,13883%
Connecticut Rentschler Field 40,00035,27034,20234,66637,27933,50333,112208,03234,67287%
Louisville Papa John's Cardinal Stadium 55,00055,38647,55353,33450,16753,27144,60945,618349,93849,99191%
Pittsburgh Heinz Field 65,05040,83748,03236,45242,43242,24538,786248,96441,49464%
Rutgers High Point Solutions Stadium 52,45450,85550,87048,01149,34543,25052,798295,12949,18894%
South Florida Raymond James Stadium 65,89741,28544,21969,38338,56236,19035,141264,78044,13067%
Syracuse Carrier Dome 49,26237,83034,51240,39436,71540,312189,76337,95377%
Temple Lincoln Financial Field 68,53232,70923,32225,79635,14520,19222,317159,48126,58039%

Neutral Site Games

[16]

TeamStadiumCapacityGameAverage% of Capacity
Cincinnati FedExField vs Virginia Tech91,70446,02646,02650%
Syracuse MetLife Stadium vs USC82,56639,50739,50747%

Big East Conference Awards

The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Big East Conference football coaches. [17]

2012 Big East Football Individual Awards
AwardRecipient(s)
Offensive Player of the Year Teddy Bridgewater , QB, Louisville
Defensive Player of the Year Khaseem Greene , LB, Rutgers
Special Teams Player of the Year Matt Brown , RB/KR, Temple
Rookie of the Year Tyler Matakevich , LB, Temple
Coach of the Year Kyle Flood , Rutgers
Charlie Strong , LOUISVILLE
2012 All-Big East Conference Football Teams [17]
First TeamSecond Team
OffenseDefenseOffenseDefense

WR – Alec Lemon, Syracuse
WR – DeVante Parker, Louisville
OT – Eric Lefeld, Cincinnati
OT – Justin Pugh, Syracuse
OG – Austen Bujnoch, Cincinnati
OG – Antwan Lowery, Rutgers
C – Mario Benavides, Louisville
TE – Travis Kelce, Cincinnati
QB – Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
RB – Ray Graham, Pittsburgh
RB – Montel Harris, Temple
K – Maikon Bonani, USF
RS – Matt Brown, Temple

DL – Dan Giordano, Cincinnati
DL – Trevardo Williams, Connecticut
DL – Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
DL – Scott Vallone, Rutgers
LB – Greg Blair, Cincinnati
LB – Sio Moore, Connecticut
LB – Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
LB – Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
CB – Adrian Bushell, Louisville
CB – Logan Ryan, Rutgers
S – Duron Harmon, Rutgers
S – Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse
P – Brandon McManus, Temple

WR – Mike Shanahan, Pittsburgh
WR – Devin Street, Pittsburgh
WR – Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
OT – Alex Kupper, Louisville
OT – Kaleb Johnson, Rutgers
OT – Martin Wallace, Temple
OG – Adam Masters, Connecticut
OG – Mark Popek, USF
C – Ryan Turnley, Pittsburgh
QB – Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
TE – Ryan Griffin, Connecticut
RB – George Winn, Cincinnati
RB – Jawan Jamison, Rutgers
K – Brandon McManus, Temple
RS – Nick Williams, Connecticut

DL – Walter Stewart, Cincinnati
DL – Cory Grissom, USF
DL – Brandon Sharpe, Syracuse
DL – John Youboty, Temple
LB – Preston Brown, Louisville
LB – Sam Barrington, USF
LB – Tyler Matakevich, Temple
CB – Dwayne Gratz, Connecticut
CB – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Connecticut
S – Calvin Pryor, Louisville
S – Hakeem Smith, Louisville
S – Jason Hendricks, Pittsburgh
P – Pat O'Donnell, Cincinnati
P – Justin Brockhaus-Kann, USF

- denotes unanimous selection  Additional players added to the All-Big East teams due to ties in the voting

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The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big 12 Conference. They have played their home games in historic and renovated Nippert Stadium since 1924. The Bearcats have an all-time record of over .500, having reached their 600th program victory in 2017. The program has had a resurgence in recent years. After joining the Big East for the 2005 season, the Bearcats have gone 155–75, along with 14 bowl game appearances, 7 conference titles, 4 BCS/NY6 Bowl berths and 38 NFL Draft selections, as of the 2022 season.

The 2010 Big East football season was the NCAA football season of the Big East Conference. Conference members began regular-season play on September 2, but did not begin conference play until October 8; the regular season continued through December 4. Following the regular season, six conference teams played in bowl games; although the bowl season concluded with the BCS National Championship Game on January 10, 2011, the last date on which a Big East team played was January 8, when Pittsburgh defeated Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 2011 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season as members of the Big East Conference. The Mountaineers were led by Dana Holgorsen, who was in his first season as head coach. West Virginia played their home games on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. They finished the season 10–3, 5–2 in Big East play to earn a share of the Big East Conference championship with Cincinnati and Louisville. The Mountaineers, in their final season in the Big East before moving to the Big 12 the following season, earned the league's automatic berth in the BCS due to being the highest ranked of the Big East champions in the final BCS rankings. They were invited to the Orange Bowl for the first time ever where they defeated Clemson 70–33. This was the third victory for West Virginia in three BCS games played in the BCS era, while the 70 points in the Orange Bowl set a record for most points scored in a bowl game.

The 2012–13 Big East Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2012 and ended with the 2013 Big East men's basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden March 12–16, 2013 in Manhattan, New York. The regular season began in November, with the conference schedule starting on December 31, 2012. 2012-13 marked the 34th year of the Big East, and the 2013 men's basketball Championship marked the 31st anniversary of the Big East at Madison Square Garden, the longest-running conference tournament at one venue in the country. With West Virginia now in the Big 12, the 2012-13 Big East Conference schedule included 4 repeat games.

The 2012 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati as a member of the Big East Conference during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats, led by third-year head coach Butch Jones, played their home games at Nippert Stadium. They finished the season 10–3 overall and 5–2 in Big East play to place in a four-way tie for the conference championship. Along with Rutgers, Louisville, and Syracuse, the Bearcats were the final football champions of the Big East Conference, as the league's original incarnation folded following the loss of the three former programs and others to different conferences. Cincinnati became a charter member of the American Athletic Conference the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 NCAA football bowl games</span>

The 2012–13 NCAA football bowl games were a series of college football bowl games. They concluded the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and included 35 team-competitive games and four all-star games. The games began on Saturday, December 15, 2012, and, aside from the all-star games, concluded with the 2013 BCS National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida that was played on January 7, 2013.

The 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl was a postseason American college football bowl game held on December 28, 2012, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida in the United States. This was the first under the Russell Athletic moniker after eight game under Champs Sports. The 23rd edition of the Russell Athletic Bowl began at 5:30 p.m. EST and aired on ESPN. It featured the Big East Conference co-champion Rutgers Scarlet Knights against the Virginia Tech Hokies from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and was the final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season for both teams. The Hokies accepted their invitation after achieving a 6–6 record in the regular season, while the Scarlet Knights accepted theirs after achieving a 9–3 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2013 American Athletic Conference football season was the 23rd NCAA Division I FBS football season of the American Athletic Conference. The season was the first after the breakup of the former Big East Conference, which lasted in its original form from its creation in 1979 until July 2013. The charter of the former Big East was retained by The American, henceforth the legal status as the 23rd season overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2014 American Athletic Conference football season was the 24th NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football season of the American Athletic Conference. The season was the second since the breakup of the former Big East Conference, which lasted in its original form from its creation in 1979 until 2013.

References

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