Perhaps experiencing a hangover from all of the Big 12 Conference news from the previous day, the University of Cincinnati football team survived a sluggish start on Saturday to remain undefeated.
After sleep-walking through the first half, the No. 7/8-ranked (Associated Press/Coaches) Bearcats used a big second half by running back Jerome Ford to pull away from FCS foe Murray State 42-7 Saturday at Nippert Stadium.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Racers, of the Ohio Valley Conference, grabbed a 7-0 lead with 13:41 to play in the second quarter on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Preston Rice.
The Bearcats (2-0) tied the game with 9:41 left in the first half when quarterback Desmond Ridder linked up with tight end Noah Davis on a 2-yard score.
Murray State (1-1) had 13 first downs to Cincinnati's three in the first half and dominated time of possession 21:53-8:07 before intermission. But the Bearcats outgained the Racers 308-52 in total offense in the second half.
After the two teams went into halftime tied 7-7, Ford scored all three of his touchdowns after intermission and finished with 113 yards on 18 carries.
Ridder completed 14 of 22 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. After finding Davis on the Bearcats' first score, the senior captain hit sophomore wide receiver Tyler Scott on a 23-yard strike with 14:13 to play.
Cincinnati capped its scoring with 1:08 remaining on a 18-yard touchdown by tight end Payten Singletary from backup quarterback Evan Prater.
Scott finished with a team-high four catches for 74 yards. Graduate receiver Michael Young Jr. added three grabs for 67 yards. Ridder and receiver/kick returner Tre Tucker linked up for a 48-yard gain, the longest play of the day.
A week after having its streak of consecutive games with a forced turnover snapped at 20 (the longest active streak in the FBS), the UC defense forced three turnovers, all in the first half. Safety Ja'von Hicks, cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and nickelback Arquon Bush each had an interception.
Linebacker Joel Dublanko led the Bearcats with eight tackles.
The victory marked the 21st straight at home for Cincinnati (2-0), which remained unbeaten before moving into the heart of its non-conference schedule.
The Bearcats travel to Indiana next week (noon ET on Sept. 18 on ABC/ESPN) and then face No. 8/7 Notre Dame on Oct. 2 in South Bend.
The Fighting Irish on Saturday escaped their home game against Toledo with a 32-29 victory.
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