Friday the 13th the No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats hosted the ECU Pirates for the final home game of the regular season here at Nippert Stadium. The senior class has been incredible over the last few years. The Bearcats honored their 18 seniors with a big victory over ECU, 55-17.
The big news tonight for the Bearcats were the injuries. Coming into tonight the Bearcats lost safety James Wiggins (most of last weeks game), cornerback Arquon Bush and wide receiver Alec Pierce to some injuries within the last few weeks. (Tight end Bruno Labelle was out). They were all healthy and played in the victory tonight. Wiggins came back and showed what he has been known to do in the past with a big interception on his senior night. The Bearcats suffered a big injury tonight as senior defensive tackle Elijah Ponder seemed to injure his knee and was immediately declared out and seen on the sidelines on crutches during the game so this is an injury to keep an eye on. The defense played a big role tonight and it was led by this monster senior class. Senior linebacker and local Cincinnati kid Jarell White made an impressive play on a ball throw by ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers that was intercepted by White and he took it back 26 yards for the score. Senior cornerback Coby Bryant also got in on the action in the 4th quarter with an interception of his own. The seniors really stepped up and showed why they’re one of the toughest defenses in the country tonight.
The offense continued to thrive tonight after a rough first quarter after junior quarterback Desmond Ridder fumbled twice, once down in the red zone. Ridder then settled in after that first quarter finishing the half 14-of-17 with 227 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) in the first half. Key plays were Ridder connecting with speedster Tre Tucker for a 45 yard touchdown catch down the sideline. Jerome Ford also broke out a big 24 yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Ford finished the day with 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Ridder continues to his hot streak going finishing the game 24-of-31 for 327 yards with four total touchdowns. Ridder is now tied for the longest streak in the FBS this season of four straight games with a passing and rushing touchdown. Which is also tied for the longest streak by a Cincinnati Bearcat over the last 20 years. Ridder was spreading the love all around as he had four receivers with over 50 yards on the night and that was Tucker who finished with 69 yards and a touchdown, Jayshon Jackson who finished with 54 yards and a touchdown as well. Jordan Jones who finished with four catches for 54 yards. Michael Young, Jr. who finished with three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Late in the fourth quarter with 17 seconds left senior running back Cameron Young gets his first carry of the year and took it 75 yards to the house for a touchdown.
The Bearcats out gained ECU 653 to 293 and held Ahlers to 9-of-20 passing for 87 yards and three interceptions. White finished with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one interception and one touchdown. Darrian Beavers finished with a game team high nine tackles. Mr. Fake Punt, Joel Dublanko had five tackles as well.
The Bearcats will be on the road next week versus UCF at 7:30pm on either ESPN or ABC. This will be a a great matchup as UCF quarterback Dylan Gabriel looks to test the Bearcats defense.
