The Big East Conference, which was criticized all season long for it's mediocrity, finished the college bowl season with a 4-2 overall record on Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Panthers earned the BBVA Compass Bowl title by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats, 27-10, in Birmingham, AL.
The Panthers (8-5, 5-2 Big East), league co-champs, earned the victory despite not having a true head coach.
Last weekend, Pitt had to fire newly appointed Mike Haywood after he was arrested on domestic violence charges on New Years Eve. The school fired former head coach Dave Wannstedt after its final regular season game. The program is still searching for a replacement.
Pittsburgh used is power-running game, which compiled 261 yards and 46 carries, to upend Kentucky (6-7, 2-6). Sophomore running back Dion Lewis ran for 105 yards and scored a touchdown.
The other Big East school's to earn bowl victories were Louisville Cardinals, Syracuse Orange and South Florida Bulls.
The Connecticut Huskies lost to No. 7 Oklahoma in the BCS Fiesta Bowl. The West Virginia Mountaineers lost to the N.C. State Wolfpack in the Citrus Bowl.