Field Level Media
Oct 3, 2020
The No. 15 Cincinnati Bearcats continued their perfect start to the 2020 season Saturday with a 28-7 victory over the visiting South Florida Bulls in the opening American Athletic Conference game for both teams.
Gerrid Doaks rushed for 102 yards on 22 carries to lead Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0 AAC).
After Cincinnati scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters for a 21-0 advantage, USF finally got on the board, but never got close. Cincinnati's Tre Tucker ran back the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, reestablishing the three-touchdown advantage, and the Bearcats would not be threatened again.
Junior quarterback Desmond Ridder had a mixed game for the Bearcats, finishing with 143 passing yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions.
Jordan McCloud had the most passing yards of the three quarterbacks in South Florida's (1-2, 0-1) rotation, but threw two picks. In total, the Cincinnati defense intercepted five USF passes. Cody Bryan made two of the interceptions for the Bearcats.
The game started ugly with the first four possessions resulting in turnovers.
Doaks opened the scoring in the first quarter when he dashed into the end zone from 10 yards out to complete a 13-play, 92-yard drive.
Cincinnati wouldn't score again until its final drive of the second quarter. The Bearcats worked their way down the field before Ridder found Josh Whyle for a spectacular 13-yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone.
In the third quarter, Cincinnati extended its lead to 21-0. Highlighted by a 35-yard pass from Ridder to Jayshon Jackson, Ridder found the end zone again with a 3-yard pass to tight end Bruno Labelle.
South Florida finally got on the board on the next possession when Johnny Ford scored from two yards out to cap off a 10-play drive.
In the fourth quarter, South Florida couldn't mount any comeback against the stout Bearcats' defense, which gave up only 291 yards on the day.
South Florida faces East Carolina next week, while Cincinnati has a bye before returning to action against Tulsa on Oct. 17.
--Field Level Media