Dixon lifts Connecticut

STORRS, Conn. -- Andre Dixon ran for a career-high 167 yards and Connecticut used a late goal-line stand to upset No. 11 South Florida, 22-15, the Huskies’ first win over a ranked opponent.

The victory keeps Connecticut (7-1, 3-0) in sole possession of first place in the Big East Conference.

“I think we earned a lot of respect today,” Coach Randy Edsall said.

South Florida (6-2, 1-2), which was ranked No. 2 two weeks ago, has lost two games in a row.

Dixon ran for 115 yards in a rainy first half, helping Connecticut build a 16-0 lead. He had 32 carries and three receptions for 42 yards.

The Bulls cut the deficit to 19-15 in the fourth quarter, before a 20-yard field goal by Tony Ciaravino with 5 minutes 19 seconds to play gave Connecticut its final margin.

Matt Grothe drove the Bulls inside the Connecticut two with just over a minute to go but was hit by linebacker Greg Robinson Jr. for a 10-yard loss on a bootleg on third down. On fourth down, Grothe’s pass sailed out of the end zone.

Grothe had 146 yards in 25 carries. He threw for 189 yards but had two interceptions.

The first interception came on a deflected pass with 8:25 left in the first half that linebacker Scott Lutrus grabbed and ran 23 yards for a touchdown to make it 16-0. It was Lutrus’ fourth interception this season, and the second he has returned for a touchdown.

South Florida didn’t score until Jerome Murphy blocked a punt with 6:07 left in the third quarter. Connecticut’s Dahna Deleston fell on the ball in the end zone for a safety.

It took the Bulls 29 seconds to score after the free kick. Grothe ran 53 yards on second down to the Connecticut 10, and ran the ball in on the next play.

“We struggled tonight,” Grothe said. “We got to fix some stuff, but we definitely struggled.”