Cincinnati Bearcats Come Up Big Over South Florida

Nov 23, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back George Winn (32) runs during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

The Bearcats won their final home game in decisive fashion over the Bulls of South Florida 27-10. The team, already eliminated from Big East Title contention, needed the win to boost morale after a tough loss last week to Rutgers. Cincinnati did just that and managed to be redeemed from their horrible play just a week ago.

In Cincinnati’s second possession of the game, quarterback Brendon Kay rushed for an 18 yard touchdown putting the Bearcats on the board first. This was made possible by great field position, after Demetris Murray, Bulls running back, dropped the ball that was recovered by Cincinnati’s Dan Giordano on the South Florida 19 yard line.

After scoring first, the Bearcats never relinquished the lead throughout the entire game. They put up six points in the second quarter on a pass from Kay to Travis Kelce and headed into halftime with a score of 13-0. Then returned in the second half of play to add seven more in the third quarter and then again in the fourth, both on George Winn touchdown runs.

The Bulls have only put together three wins this season and after the loss to the Bearcats, fell 1-5 in the Big East. They started the game with freshman quarterback Matt Floyd who went 21 for 39 and 176 yards. Murray put up the only touchdown for South Florida and ran for 68 yards on 19 attempts. Marcus Shaw also got in on the ground game, picking up 60 yards on 10 carries against the Bearcats.

Cincinnati came into the game questioning their quarterback situation, once again. They stuck with fifth-year senior Kay, though. He was 17 for 27, 178 yards and scored two touchdowns in the game; one through the air and one on the ground. George Winn put the Bulls away with his 119 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the second half.

It was a good showing for the Bearcats who are sitting firmly in third place in the Big East. The team went to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in the conference after the win. Cincinnati will travel to Connecticut next week to take on the Huskies at Rentschler Field.