CINCINNATI — Tony Pike was on the field just long enough to save No. 14 Cincinnati.

Pike threw three touchdown passes in a quick-strike offense that was hardly on the field yesterday, and the Bearcats held on for a 28-20 victory over a Fresno State team that ran all over them for most of the game. One big gamble made the Bulldogs (1-3) come up empty.

Trailing 21-17 and facing fourth-and-2 at the Cincinnati 6 to open the fourth quarter, Fresno State chose to throw. Ryan Colburn's pass was picked off, and Pike put the Bearcats (4-0) in control with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Mardy Gilyard.

"I thought we had a real good call," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "I think if you ask Ryan, he would tell you he would have thrown it deeper, but there were a lot of bodies in the way. We considered a field goal, but we thought we could score."

Fresno State plays at Hawai'i Oct. 10.

MORE WAC TEAMS

No. 8 Boise State 49, Bowling Green 14: Kellen Moore threw two touchdown passes, and the Broncos (4-0) scored three touchdowns in just 2 1/2 minutes in the second quarter in rolling past the Falcons (1-3) at Bowling Green, Ohio. Boise State will play at Hawai'i Oct. 24.

Idaho 34, Northern Illinois 31: Nathan Enderle threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns and De'Maundray Woolridge rushed for another to lead the Vandals (3-1) past the Huskies (2-2) at Dekalb, Ill. Idaho will host Hawai'i Oct. 17 in Moscow.

Utah State 53, Southern Utah 34: Robert Turbin ran for 106 yards, caught four passes for 116 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the host Aggies (1-2) over the Thunderbirds (1-3) at Logan, Utah. Utah State plays at Hawai'i Nov. 7.

New Mexico State 20, New Mexico 17: Jeff Fleming hit Marcus Anderson with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds left, to rally the visiting Aggies (2-2) over the Lobos (0-4) at Albuquerque, N.M. in the 100th meeting between the two. New Mexico State plays at Hawai'i, Nov. 14.

San Jose State 19, Cal Poly 9: Lamon Muldrow rushed for a career-high 184 yards and scored a touchdown, helping the Spartans (1-3) end a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Mustangs (1-2) at San Jose, Calif. San Jose will host Hawai'i Nov. 21.

HAWAI'I NONCONFERENCE OPPONENTS

No. 12 USC 27, Washington State 6: Matt Barkley threw touchdown passes of 29 and 57 yards in 9 seconds during the first quarter on the way to 247 yards passing as the Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Pac-10) beat the Cougars (1-3, 0-2) in Los Angeles.

Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson rushed for scores for the Trojans, whose national title hopes were seriously dampened by last week's 16-13 loss at Washington. The Cougars lost to Hawai'i, 38-20, Sept. 12.

Wyoming 30, UNLV 27: Austyn Carta-Samuels threw three touchdown passes for the Cowboys (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West) and the Rebels (2-2, 0-1) had a chance to tie the game with a field goal with 1:19 left, but fumbled the snap at Laramie, Wyo. UNLV beat Hawai'i, 34-33, Sept. 19.

Navy 38, Western Kentucky 22: Ricky Dobbs ran for four touchdowns, passed for another and rushed for 143 yards to lead the Midshipmen (2-2) past the Hilltoppers (0-4) at Annapolis, Md. Navy plays at Hawai'i Nov. 28.

Wisconsin 38, Michigan State 30: Scott Tolzien threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Badgers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) past the Spartans (1-3, 0-1) at Madison, Wis. Wisconsin plays at Hawai'i Dec. 5.

Central Arkansas 24, Glenville State 10: Robbie Park threw for 358 yards and a touchdown, and Brent Grimes and Leonard Ceaser scored on short runs in leading the Bears (2-1) past the Pioneers (2-3) at Conway, Ark. Central Arkansas lost to Hawai'i, 25-20, Sept. 4.