Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

Final Score: Louisville 16 - Cincinnati 25

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Bearcats overcame a nine- point halftime deficit to post a 25-16 victory over the Louisville Cardinals in the Big East opener for both squads and win the 51st Battle for the Keg of Nails at Paul Brown Stadium.

Cincinnati (5-1, 1-0 Big East) got 151 yards and one TD from tailback Isaiah Pead in the win. Quarterback Zach Collaros was 18-of-26 passing, for 152 yards and one TD, adding a second score on the ground.

Louisville (2-4, 0-1 Big East) managed a mere 271 yards of total offense, despite holding the ball for seven more minutes than the Bearcats. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 17-of-28 passing, for 195 yards and one INT. Freshman Eli Rogers was responsible for a good portion of that, hauling in seven balls, for 106 yards in the losing effort.

Louisville provided the scoring in the first quarter thanks to a pair of Chris Philpott field goals. The first one came at the 7:47 mark on the frame, a 42- yarder that capped off a 10-play, 55-yard drive. The second was a 51-yarder six minutes later to give the Cardinals a 6-0 lead at the end of the quarter.

Cincinnati finally got on the scoreboard with five minutes left in the half, taking a 7-6 lead thanks to a 26-yard TD pass from Collaros to D.J. Woods.

Philpott gave the Cardinals the lead again with an 18-yard field goal with just under three minutes to play before halftime.

The Bearcats were driving late, but Collaros threw an interception that was returned 63 yards by Mike Evans for a touchdown, providing Louisville with a 16-7 lead at the break.

The only scoring in the third quarter came on a one-yard TD run by Collaros, as Cincinnati closed Louisville's lead to 16-14 with a quarter to play.

The Bearcats took a 22-16 lead early in the fourth quarter thanks to a 50-yard touchdown run by Pead and a two-point conversion. The Bearcats put the game out of reach late with a 21-yard field goal by Tony Milano at the 1:21 mark of the fourth quarter and were able to hold on for the 25-16 win.

Cincinnati has now won four straight in the series with Louisville.