GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NCAAF: SOUTH FLORIDA (6-1) at CONNECTICUT (6-1)

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Andre Dixon andConnecticut proved once again that there may be a new top dog inthe Big East Conference.


Dixon rushed for 167 yards and the unranked Huskies forced apair of crucial turnovers en route to a 22-15 upset of No. 11South Florida on Saturday.


It was the second straight thrilling chapter in what could turnout to be a storybook season for Connecticut (7-1, 3-0 BigEast), which remained atop the conference standings.

The Huskies, who went just 1-6 in conference play last year,defeated Louisville here last week in a contest marred by aquestionable touchdown on a punt return.


Eight days later, UConn won in another nail-biter, as SouthFlorida nearly rallied from a 16-0 halftime deficit.

"(The win) was great for all the people that are surrounded withthe program, the people of this state, and for the people whohad the vision for this program to allow this to happen," saidHuskies coach Randy Edsall, who has UConn off to its best startsince 1998.


The victory marked the first time in school history that theHuskies defeated a ranked opponent.


"There are a lot of people that share in the excitement and joyof what is happening in that locker room," said Edsall, whocoached his 100th career game at UConn. "But when I sayexcitement and joy, it's a very business-like locker room.

"The guys really understand that there were some things that didget accomplished tonight, but that's not going to help us nextweek."


Despite outplaying the favored Bulls (6-2, 1-2) throughout therain-soaked contest, the Huskies were forced to make a latedefensive stand to preserve the landmark victory.


Matt Grothe directed South Florida on a 14-play drive down tothe UConn 1-yard line with just under two minutes remaining.

But after the Bulls were stuffed on 2nd-and-goal, Grothe wastackled for a 10-yard loss by linebacker Greg Robinson Jr. onthird down.


Grothe's desperation pass on the following play sailed well overits intended target, allowing UConn to kneel out the remainingtime on the clock.


A wild celebration ensued once the game clock ran out, as manyof the 40,000 fans at Rentschler Field stormed the field.

"We got the win, and that's all that concerns us," Huskiesquarterback Tyler Lorenzen said. "We accomplished our goals andwhat we intended to do, and it was a good feeling to seeeveryone going crazy."


The Huskies held on thanks largely in part to Dixon, who carriedthe ball 32 times. Lorenzen also delivered an efficientperformance, completing 13-of-25 passes for 194 yards and atouchdown.


"I helped us get this win, so it feels good," Dixon said. "Idon't think UConn has ever had the field rushed before, so thisfeels especially good."


"I didn't realize (Dixon) had that many yards, and he'llprobably be a little sore and things," Edsall added. "I thoughtthe offensive line did a pretty good job."


Already owning a 9-0 lead, UConn built a 16-point advantage with8:25 left in the first half when linebacker Scott Lutrusintercepted Grothe and reeled off a 23-yard return for a TD.

"They've got a good defense," Grothe said. "I've got to hand itto them. They played well. They did well enough to win thegame."


The Bulls roared back in the second half, however, as Grotheraced for a 10-yard TD in the third quarter and Delbert Alvaradodrilled a pair of fourth-quarter field goals to cut the deficitto 19-15.


Alvarado's second field goal followed a pair of critical errorsby tight end Cedric Hill, who was flagged for a holding penaltythat negated a two-yard TD run on 1st-and-goal.


Three plays later, Hill dropped a potential game-tying scoringtoss from Grothe, the most glaring of USF's multiple mistakes.

"(The dropped passes) are not disappointing," Grothe said."It's going to happen. It was raining out there, and it's justa part of football."


Tony Ciaravino booted a 20-yard field goal to give the Huskies a22-15 edge with 5:19 remaining, and UConn's defense held onfrom there.


"We wasted too many opportunities," USF coach Jim Leavitt said."We're proud of our guys. We battled our tails off. Youdidn't see any quit in this football team."


Grothe completed 16-of-30 passes for 189 yards and twointerceptions. He also did the majority of the running for theBulls, rushing for 146 yards on 25 carries.