Today marked a huge Top 10 match up between No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats and No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in front of a sellout crowd of 77,622 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Cincinnati came in with a record of 3-0 and Notre Dame came in at 4-0, would Cincinnati be able to stamp their season? News before the game is Notre Dame would be without starting nose guard Kurt Hinish and left tackle Tosh Baker. Cincinnati would be without starting right guard Vincent McConnell for the second week in a row. It is only the second time in the programs history they have met with the first time being in 1900, so that Notre Dame win holds no weight in today’s game.
After getting dinged up in the Wisconsin win last week quarterback Jack Coan started for Notre Dame and on a big 4th and 10 play on the Cincinnati side of the ball he hit Michael Meyer for a 20 yard dime that Ja’von Hicks almost got. A few plays later in the red zone Darrian Beavers forced an arrant throw by Coan that was picked off by Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Cincinnati didn’t do anything with it during that drive Kyle Hamilton made a nice play on a safety blitz to stall the drive. Cincinnati held the Notre Dame offense down and Ridder hit Alec Pierce for a big 17 yard completion on 3rd and 9, but that drive stalled and Mason Fletcher’s punt wasn’t downed and allowed Notre Dame better field position. Notre Dame put freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner in for two series and he went 0-of-2 passing for an interception. Myjai Sanders had a pressure that forced Buchner’s pick by Deshawn Pace. Cincinnati scored as Ridder hit Leonard Taylor 1 yard touchdown to strike first and give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. After scoring Chris Tyree fumbled the kickoff return and it was recovered by Wilson Huber at the 17 yard line. An illegal lineman down field play negated a Ridder to Jerome Ford touchdown and they had to settle for a 23 yard Cole Smith field goal. Up 10-0, Cincinnati forced a punt after Notre Dame threatened to go for it on 4th and 4, but they ended up taking a delay of game. After punting to Cincinnati, Ridder led a five play 80 yard drive capped with a 27 yard touchdown to Tre Tucker.
Cincinnati took an 17-0 lead into the half and they received the ball first in the third quarter. The three takeaways were huge has Notre Dame had control of the time 19:24 to 10:36.
