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Game Recap
The Cincinnati Bearcats won the last time they faced the UCF Knights, and things went their way on Saturday, too. The Bearcats skirted past UCF 36-33.
quarterIt took a quarter to shake off the cobwebs, but after three first-half points, the Cincinnati offense picked up 16 points in the second quarter. UCF was right behind to make the score 19-17 heading into the break. The offense for Cincinnati continued to do well in the second half, scoring another 17 points to put the game away.
QB Desmond Ridder continued his habit of dropping crazy stat lines, passing for two TDs and 338 yards on 32 attempts in addition to rushing for two TDs and 57 yards. More help came courtesy of LB Darrian Beavers, who was good for ten tackles.
Special teams collected 12 points for Cincinnati. K Cole Smith booted in three field goals, the longest a 47-yarder in the first quarter, which ultimately accounted for the difference in the matchup.
UCF's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of WR Marlon Williams, who caught eight passes for two TDs and 97 yards, and QB Dillon Gabriel, who passed for three TDs and 243 yards on 49 attempts in addition to picking up 30 yards on the ground.
The win improved the Bearcats' record to 8-0. The Knights' defeat pushed them down to 5-3.
Cincinnati is on the road again next Saturday and plays against the Temple Owls at noon ET Nov. 28 at Lincoln Financial Field. Cincinnati is cruising in on an eight-game winning streak while Temple is stumbling in off of five consecutive losses. As for UCF, they will face off against the South Florida Bulls at 3:30 p.m. ET next Friday at Raymond James Stadium. UCF's scoring has been on the decline the past three games, which is obviously a trend South Florida hopes will continue.
