Big Second Half Lifts Louisville

Few games have gotten off to a wilder start than Louisville-Pittsburgh on Thursday night -- two touchdowns in the first 25 seconds, both on kickoffs. But by game’s end, the result was routine: another lopsided Louisville victory.

Michael Bush rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns and Art Carmody tied a school record with four field goals as No. 24 Louisville controlled the second half en route to a 42-20 victory over the Panthers at Louisville, Ky.

Louisville, 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big East Conference, has won two in a row after losing its first two league games and temporarily falling out of the top 25.

The Cardinals, wearing black jerseys for the first time since the 1984 season, became bowl eligible with the win.

“At the beginning it kind of felt like it was a little video game,” Bush said.

“After that, we got ourselves together and we made a couple of nice plays and we were able to get the win. Things just settled down in the second half.”

Pitt (4-5, 3-2) had a three-game winning streak stopped. The Panthers must win their final two games, against Connecticut and No. 18 West Virginia, if they are to extend their streak of consecutive bowl appearances to six.

Louisville, known for its high-scoring offense, wore the Panthers down with long drives after halftime.

The Cardinals scored the final 23 points and held a commanding edge in time of possession -- 37:10 to 22:50 for Pittsburgh -- and never punted.

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Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan was publicly reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference for making an apparent throat-slashing gesture after an argument with an official during the Cornhuskers’ game against Oklahoma.

The disciplinary action came five days after Callahan engaged in a heated exchange with referee Steve Usechek following Kejuan Jones’ touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cornhuskers’ 31-24 loss. Callahan argued that holding should have been called on the play. Nebraska opponents have been called for holding only once this season.

Video showed Callahan raising his right arm to his throat, index finger extended, and making a slashing motion after Usechek walked away.

Callahan has denied any wrongdoing but has acknowledged that he made a gesture out of frustration and intended no malice toward the officials.

“It’s over. The decision’s been laid down. It’s over,” Callahan said.

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Although sophomore backup Johnny DuRocher has spent considerable time taking repetitions with the first team, Washington Coach Tyrone Willingham said junior Isaiah Stanback remained the starting quarterback.

Willingham opened up the quarterback competition after Stanback’s poor play in Washington’s 44-20 loss at Arizona State last weekend.

But Willingham said Stanback has performed well enough in practice to hold onto the starting spot for Saturday’s game against Oregon State.