Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) escapes the grasp of Cincinnati defensive back Drew Frey (26) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, in Knoxville, Tenn.KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Cincinnati returned the Big East’s top passer, top rusher and all-purpose yards receiver this season and scored a Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 72 points in the first weekend of the 2011 season.
The Bearcats’ offensive firepower was no match for Tennessee, though.
“When you play a talented team like UT, well, you can’t beat yourself,” Cincinnati coach Butch Jones said. “You can’t give them opportunities like we did.”
Isaiah Pead led the Bearcats (1-1) with 155 yards rushing and a touchdown, DJ Woods had 111 yards receiving and Zach Collaros was 21 for 34 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, but the Volunteers were more explosive and won 45-23 on Saturday.
Pead, who had 104 yards rushing in the first quarter alone, ran 65 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball – the third play of the game. He had a 40-yard touchdown run on the first play of the Bearcats’ season opening 72-10 win over Austin Peay.