LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tony Pike threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and No. 22 Cincinnati remained in the hunt for the Big East title with a 28-20 win over Louisville last night.

The victory gives the Bearcats (8-2, 4-1) a half-game lead over idle West Virginia and No. 21 Pittsburgh in the conference title race. Cincinnati beat the Mountaineers last week and host the Panthers on Nov. 22.

Dominick Goodman caught nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown for Cincinnati and John Goebel ran for 77 yards and a score as the Bearcats won the Keg of Nails for the first time since 2002.

Pike completed 19 of 33 passes in soggy conditions before getting knocked out in the fourth quarter. Hunter Cantwell threw for 204 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals (5-5, 1-4), who led 17-14 at halftime.

Cincinnati plays at Hawai'i on Dec. 6 at Aloha Stadium.