The University of Cincinnati football team now has the highest ranking in program history.
The Bearcats (5-0) climbed two spots to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll released Sunday after opening American Athletic Conference play with a 52-3 win over Temple on Friday night at Nippert Stadium.
Recap: Cincinnati Bearcats open AAC play with 52-3 rout of Temple at Nippert Stadium
Analysis:What we learned from UC's lopsided 52-3 win over Temple
Cincinnati's previous school-record ranking was No. 4, which the Bearcats achieved twice during the 2009 season. Cincinnati went 12-0 that year under then-head coach Brian Kelly before losing to Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
Interim head coach Jeff Quinn coached the Bearcats against Tim Tebow and the Gators, as Kelly left Cincinnati to take over the Notre Dame program on Dec. 10. 2009.
Quinn is now an assistant under Kelly, leading the Fighting Irish offensive line.
Analysis:What we learned from UC's win over Notre Dame in South Bend
Luke Fickell's Bearcats also climbed two spots to No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll also released Sunday.
Cincinnati benefited from losses by previously top-ranked Alabama at Texas A&M and then-No. 4 Penn State's loss at No. 3 Iowa on Saturday.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for 259 yards with three touchdowns while completing 22 of 30 passes Friday night against Temple.
It was the second game of the season where Ridder three or more passing touchdowns. The other came in the home-opener against Miami University. Ridder threw for four scores in the 49-14 victory over the RedHawks.
"Coach Fick talked earlier in the week about making sure we come out here, start fast and really finish the whole game and stay consistent through. I feel like we did a great job of doing that," Ridder said. "It feels good when you play good."
Reactions:Cincinnati Bearcats rout Temple Owls before sold-out Nippert Stadium crowd
Ridder also reached two career milestones during the game: 8,000 passing yards (8,209) and 10,000 yards of total offense (10,138).
Ridder and the Bearcats will be home again on Saturday, as they face AAC foe UCF. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on ABC.
Cincinnati has won 23 straight games at Nippert, eight straight games against AAC opponents and is 21-3 (.875) in the past three years against AAC foes, the best mark in the conference.
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