Bearcats “Hammer Down” On Purdue 42-7

The Tommy Tuberville Era started off with a bang Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati. After some first quarter struggles the Bearcats

Aug 31, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville leads his team onto the field at the beginning of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

responded over the next three quarters by putting up 35 unanswered points on the Boilermakers on their way to a 42-7 pounding on Purdue in front of a record crowd of 36,007 at Nippert Stadium.

Munchie Legaux got the start for the Bearcats much to the surprise of many of us. Legaux struggled early throwing a pick the play after the Bearcat defense picked off Purdue’s Rob Henry. Legaux would collect himself and have a very solid day. Legaux went 13/20 145 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT’s passing while rushing for 55 yards and 1 TD. Legaux silenced many of his doubters today.

Tuberville appears to be using a two quarterback system. Brendon Kay saw some game time, on fourth downs and in the second half after the Bearcats were up big. Kay passed for 59 yards today including a huge 51 yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Chris Moore. Kay looked solid when he was in. Like last year he could see some starts down the road.

The running back corps for the Bearcats pulled their weight today. Hosey Williams, Ralph David Abernathy IV and Tion Green all accounted for rushing touchdowns. Williams led the team in rushing with 70 yards, both he and RDA4 had 15 carries on the afternoon.

Defensively the Bearcats looked stout. Allowing only 7 points in an opener is incredible. To do it to a B1G team is even better. The linebacking corps for the Bearcats has been the talk of the defense this fall. Florida State transfer Jeff Luc made his UC debut today, looking stout in the process. He is joined by senior Greg Blair and Nick Temple. Corey Mason proved to be a player to watch the junior linebacker found himself in the middle of a few plays today laying some big hits on the Boilermakers.

Cincinnati forced 4 turnovers, two interceptions and two fumbles. Purdue did force 3 turnovers from the Bearcats, that is the one main thing Cincinnati needs to work on. Legaux’s first pick was a fluke, his second was ruled a touchdown for the Bearcats before being overturned, a weird play and call that was.

The attendance turnout was phenomenal, the largest crowd in Nippert history. Not to mention the largest student section ever. The temperature was incredibly hot yet everyone turned out for the game. Cincinnati football has finally made it.

Leaving Nippert Stadium tonight the Bearcats and the coaching staff have to be happy with the way this team performed today. Cincinnati solidified themselves as an AAC favorite this afternoon.

The Bearcats travel to Illinois next Saturday to face the fighting Illini of Illinois in back to back games against the B1G.