BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The University of Cincinnati football team overcame its largest deficit in three years Saturday at Indiana, but it wasn't enough to improve its position in the polls.
The Bearcats stayed put at No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll and fell one spot to No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll released Sunday.
It marked the second straight week Cincinnati (3-0) dropped a spot in at least one of the polls. UC fell one spot in the AP poll last week.
More:Analysis: No. 8 Cincinnati's cornerbacks shut down potent Indiana WR Ty Fryfogle
Notre Dame (3-0), which defeated Purdue 27-13 on Saturday, remained at No. 12 (AP) and No. 10 (coaches) in the polls. The Bearcats have a bye this week before facing the Fighting Irish on Oct. 2 in South Bend. The Irish will play No. 18/15-ranked (AP/coaches) Wisconsin (1-1) next Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago before hosting Cincinnati.
UC rallied Saturday from a 14-0 deficit late in the second quarter to defeat the Hoosiers 38-24 in front of 55,626 fans. It was the largest deficit overcome by Cincinnati since Sept. 22, 2018, against Ohio (21- 0), which was Desmond Ridder’s third career start.
More:No. 8 Cincinnati uses penalty to jumpstart offense, rallies to 38-24 win at Indiana
It was also Indiana's first sellout since 2017. Ridder and his teammates took photos together on the Memorial Stadium field after the win.
"I've never played at Indiana ... it's something we can look back on in 40 years," Ridder said. "IU didn't want to leave up the score so we could get it in the background, but I'm pretty sure in 40 years we'll know who won the game."
Ridder rebounded from two early turnovers to finish with 210 yards on 20-of-36 passing and two total touchdowns, including a game-clinching 7-yard rushing score with 2:37 to play.
Cincinnati's defense forced four turnovers, including hauling in three interceptions for the second straight game. Senior safety Bryan Cook recorded his first career interception, while junior nickelback Arquon Bush’s had his second pick in as many games.
Sophomore linebacker Deshawn Pace had UC's third interception and added a career-high 10 tackles. Graduate linebacker Darrian Beavers had a forced fumble – which he also recovered – and a season-high nine tackles.
"We're tough and nasty," Beavers said of the defense. "When our back is against the wall, we play our best."
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