TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Backup quarterback Zach Collaros ran 75 yards for a touchdown on his third play Thursday, propelling No. 9 Cincinnati past 21st-ranked South Florida 34-17.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Collaros came on for injured starter Tony Pike in the second half and immediately delivered a big play that gave the Bearcats a 14-point lead.
Cincinnati climbed to 6-0, enhancing its position in the Top 10. At 2-0 in the Big East, the Bearcats moved into a share of the conference lead with Pittsburgh. South Florida fell to 5-1 and to 1-1 in league play.
Pike injured his left wrist late in the first half when he fell backward after being hit by defensive tackle Aaron Harris. Pike returned to the game at the start of the second half, but led the Bearcats on only one drive that ended with a missed field goal.
Collaros replaced him on the next series, which began at the Cincinnati 26. After two plays lost a yard, Collaros ran a quarterback draw that sent him dashing between would-be tacklers all the way to the end zone for a 24-10 lead.
Collaros, a sophomore, completed only four passes for 72 yards, but ran 10 times for 132. He also scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth period. Pike completed 12-of-25 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns before leaving.
South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels threw for 208 yards and a touchdown and ran for 74 yards and another score.
The loss by South Florida leaves eight unbeaten teams in major college football -- Cincinnati, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, TCU, Florida, Alabama and Boise State.
