Cincy beats UConn 35-27 for share of Big East

(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

By JOE KAY

CINCINNATI (AP) Munchie Legaux threw a career-high three touchdown passes on Saturday, and Cincinnati's defense got two scores of its own, setting up a 35-27 victory over Connecticut that left the Bearcats one of three teams sharing the Big East title.

Although the Bearcats (9-3, 5-2) got their third title in four years, they likely will miss out on the league's BCS bid. No. 22 West Virginia (9-3, 5-2) will get it if, as expected, the Mountaineers are the highest-ranked Big East team in the final BCS standings.

Louisville (7-5, 5-2) also shared the title and would have gotten the bid if the Bearcats had lost on Saturday. The Huskies (5-7, 3-4) didn't have another upset in them.

Lineman Walter Stewart plucked the ball from UConn quarterback Johnny McEntee's passing hand in the end zone for Cincinnati's first touchdown, and Drew Frey returned an interception 15 yards for a 14-0 lead.

Updated December 3, 2011