Looking at statistics through three games
A cursory look at the Big East statistics through three weeks shows Louisville is superb on both sides of the ball, UConn is hanging around in the middle in most categories and Rutgers' players are putting up big numbers at the skill positions.
Statistics are important when analyzing how well a particular team is doing, but they are by no means the entire story.
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Rutgers quarterback Ryan Hart is second in total offense with 232 yards per game through three games and has thrown for 719 yards, by far the most in the conference. Rutgers is 2-1, but struggled against Buffalo this past week in a 17-3 win, and its other win came against Villanova.
Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm is averaging 272 yards per game and in only 60 plays from scrimmage has already thrown for 547 yards. The Cardinals are ranked No. 9 in the latest Associated Press poll after pounding previously-undefeated Oregon State, 63-27.
Matt Bonislawski, whose numbers sharply declined after a 7-for-25 passing day for 67 yards and three interceptions against Georgia Tech, is ranked fourth in total offense in the Big East. He has rushed for 121 yards and passed for 405 yards in three games for the Huskies.
Bonislawski is rated fifth in the Big East in passing yards per game with 405 yards through three games, or 135 yards passing per game. He's thrown four touchdown passes and four interceptions.
South Florida's Andre Hall and Syracuse's Damien Rhodes have statistically been the most productive running backs in the first few weeks.
Hall has gained 385 yards on 61 carries (128 yards per game) and has scored four touchdowns. Rhodes is averaging just over 120 yards per game and on 71 carries has scored five times.
Splitting time with Cornell Brockington has hurt Terry Caulley statistically, even though the two-back system gives UConn a dual threat at running back.
Caulley is averaging almost seven yards per carry, has scored two touchdowns and ran for 254 yards on just 37 touches.
Rutgers' Tres Moses leads the Big East with 14 receptions for 221 yards, but has not scored a touchdown and teammate Clark Harris is second in the conference with 12 receptions for 138 yards and one score.
Louisville's Mario Urrutia leads the conference with two touchdowns, and has seven receptions in two games. UConn tight end Dan Murray has also caught two touchdown passes.
Larry Taylor is second in the Big East in punt returns with 149 yards on 11 returns for an average of 13.5 yards per punt. Only South Florida's Jackie Chambers has better numbers with an average of 20.3 yards on seven punt returns. Taylor is also second in kickoff returns, averaging 37.5 yards on four kicks.
UConn placekicker Matt Nuzie is the highest scoring kicker in the conference through three games and is fourth overall in scoring. Nuzie has kicked 13 extra points and four field goals for 25 points. Hall and Rhodes are tied for the most points with 30 after each has scored five touchdowns.
Defensively, Pittsburgh linebacker H.B. Blades leads the Big East with 36 total tackles through three games. Danny Lansanah is tops for UConn with 22 tackles, good for 10th in the conference. Lansanah is also third in the conference with tackles for loss, with 5.5.
Strong safety Dahna Deleston is tied for 16th place with 19 tackles and linebacker Taurien Sowell is 18th with 18 tackles.
A look around the conference
Cincinnati: Eastern Michigan (28-26), Penn State (24-42), Western Carolina (7-3)
UConn: Buffalo (38-0), Liberty (59-0), Georgia Tech (13-28)
Louisville: Kentucky (31-24), bye week, Oregon State (63-27)
Pittsburgh: Notre Dame (24-42), Ohio (10-16), Nebraska (6-7)
Rutgers: Illinois (30-33), Villanova (38-6), Buffalo (17-3)
South Florida: Penn State (13-23), Florida A&M (37-3), UCF (31-4)
Syracuse: West Virginia (7-15), Buffalo (31-0), Virginia (24-27)
West Virginia: Syracuse (15-7), Wofford (35-7), Maryland (31-19)
Adam Gorney covers UConn sports for Rivals.com and can be reached at gorney@rivals.com.