The Cincinnati Bearcats welcomed the East Carolina Pirates into Nippert Stadium for an American Athletic Conference battle. This will be the last game at Nippert Stadium for the season and the last for the 14 seniors on the team. (Tinashe Bere, Dino Boyd, Cortez Broughton, Garrett Campbell, Malik Clements, Marquise Copeland, Chris Ferguson, Kimoni Fitz, Tyrell Gilbert, Kahlil Lewis, Keith Minor, Hayden Moore, Kevin Mouhon and Kyle Trout)
The first drive of the game Desmond Ridder hit Jayshon Jackson for a 10 yard score to start off the fireworks. The next drive Ridder hit Josiah Deguara for a 30 yard score to push the lead to 14. Before the end of the quarter Ridder hit senior Kahlil Lewis for a 57 yard score to start the route. The defensive kept ECU at -15 yards total for the first quarter.
In the second quarter Charles McClelland broke off a 55 yard touchdown to push the lead to 28-0 early in the period. It was followed by a two yard run by Tavion Thomas, but ECU did finally join the party with a 71 yard touchdown Holton Ahlers to Mydreon Vines (failed two point conversion). Ridder found Lewis from 28 yards out for the second time of the game. With the lead pushed to 42-6 at the half Ridder is 20-of-29 passing for 335 yards and four touchdowns. The team as a whole had 454 yard total, which is a huge contrast to ECU’s 185 total yards. Senior Marquise Copleland had a monster half with three tackles and two sacks. Lewis had five catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. McClelland had four carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 30 yards.
Mike Warren didn’t play because a shoulder injury, but I think they held him out so he is ready for the upcoming bowl. Freshman Arquon Bush played in the place of senior Tyrell Gilbert who was injuried in the UCF game. Bush had two pass defensed in the first half.
In the first series of the second half Bush got his first interception of his young Bearcat career. Senior Hayden Moore took over for Ridder in the second half to lead the show. Moore’s first drive he hit Lewis for a seven yard touchdown to complete a 98 yard drive. Bush capped the night off with a 36 yard pick six. He finished with three tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
The Cincinnati Bearcats finished the regular season 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the AAC with the 56-6 win against ECU. Moore went 5-of-11 passing for 59 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 20 yards. Lewis finished with nine catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns. Lewis had the fifth 200 yard game in school history, season high in yards and touchdowns. Thomas and McClelland both had 100 yards (Thomas 106 and McClelland 114).
Great night for the Bearcats and now they just have to wait for Bowl placement.
Highlights via BearcatsTV
Highlights from the #Bearcats 56-6 win over ECU on Senior Day to finish the regular season at 10-2. pic.twitter.com/ztQEN3qxGX
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 24, 2018
