West Virginia used a stingy defense and a little trickery in a 20-6 Big East win over South Florida, Thursday in Morgantown, W.Va.

The Mountaineers (5-1, 1-0) held the Bulls (3-3, 0-2) to 202 yards of offense and picked off USF quarterback B.J. Daniels three times.

West Virginia built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a Geno Smith touchdown pass to Brad Starks and a Tyler Bitancurt 27-yard field goal.

South Florida hung around and was down only seven with the ball late in the half. But WVU's Robert Sands picked off Daniels and set up the Mountaineers at the Bulls' 7 yard line. That's when West Virginia coach Bill Stewart pulled out some trickery.

Smith hit wide receiver Jock Sanders on what looked like a quick screen pass. But Sanders then lateraled to Noel Devine, who scampered in from 10 yards out to put the Mountaineers up 17-3 at half.

That was plenty for the Mountaineer defense, which allowed South Florida to covert only 1 of 11 third downs. Maikon Bonani's two field goals accounted for the Bulls' only scores.

The Mountaineers host Syracuse for homecoming Oct. 23. South Florida will try to bounce back at Cincinnati Oct. 22.