BIG EAST ROUNDUP : Defense Does Job for Miami

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis made 17 tackles, broke up four passes and intercepted one to help No. 6 Miami defeat Virginia Tech, 24-3, in a Big East game Saturday at Miami.

The Hurricanes’ defense forced three turnovers, had six sacks and held Virginia Tech to minus-14 yards rushing.

The Hurricanes (6-1, 3-0) have won their three Big East games by a combined 86-12, and the defense has yet to give up a touchdown in conference play.

No. 13 Virginia Tech (7-2, 4-2) is 0-12 against Miami.

The Hurricanes took control by scoring 17 points in the final nine minutes of the second quarter to lead, 17-3, at halftime. Defense set up two of the scores, giving Miami possession at the Virginia Tech 47 and 13 following a punt and a fumble forced by Kenny Holmes.

Lewis snuffed out the Hokies’ last chance for a victory, making an interception at the Miami 30 in the third quarter when the score was still 17-3. He returned the interception to the Hokies’ 45, and Miami scored eight plays later on Danyell Ferguson’s two-yard run.

Miami faces No. 14 Syracuse in a Big East showdown Saturday at Syracuse.

Pittsburgh 45, Temple 19--John Ryan had his second big game since coming off the bench two weeks ago, passing for 330 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers (2-7, 1-4) stopped a six-game losing streak by beating the Owls (2-6, 0-4) at Pittsburgh.

Ryan, who lost his job in training camp after starting 10 times last season, completed 18 of 39 passes for 330 yards in his second start this season.

In his first on Oct. 15, he passed for 433 yards and four touchdowns against West Virginia, and he has passed for 763 yards and eight touchdowns in two games.

Billy Davis caught two touchdown passes and Billy West, the Big East’s leading rusher, ran for 149 yards to break the 1,000-yard mark.

Boston College 30, Army 3--Omari Walker scored on three short runs and the Eagles (4-2-1) held the Black Knight wishbone to 83 yards rushing to win at West Point. Army fell to 3-5.

Boston College scored 17 points in the second quarter.

West Virginia 52, Louisiana Tech 16--Vann Washington had interception returns of 97 and 67 yards for touchdowns and the Mountaineers (4-5) of the Big East rushed for 328 yards in routing the Bulldogs (1-7) of the Big West at Morgantown, W.Va.