Miami Falls to UC 38-17 at Paycor

Saturday, September 17

Cincinnati, Ohio (Paycor Stadium)

12 p.m.

Miami University

1-2 , 0-0

Cincinnati

2-1 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Cincinnati

Miami (OH)

9/17/2022 3:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

CINCINNATI, Ohio— In the 126th Battle for the Victory Bell, the Cincinnati Bearcats erased an early 10-point Miami lead and went on to post a 38-17 victory over the RedHawks at Paycor Stadium Saturday afternoon. Aveon Smith threw two touchdown passes for Miami (1-2, 0-0 MAC), while Ben Bryant threw for two scores for Cincinnati (2-1, 0-0 AAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Miami promptly drove the ball 75 yards in seven plays to grab a 7-0 lead. Smith found Mac Hippenhammer in the end zone from 36 yards away to put the RedHawks on top.
After a fumble recovery by Eli Blakey at midfield, Miami struck again. An eight-play drive yielded a 36-yard Graham Nicholson field goal to give the RedHawks a 10-0 lead with 6:04 left in the first quarter.
Cincinnati cut the margin to 10-7 early in the second quarter, but Miami responded with another key defensive takeaway to reclaim a 10-point advantage. Yahsyn McKee's fumble recovery at the UC 20-yard line gave the RedHawks a short field, and Smith took advantage three plays later with a two-yard scoring toss to Jack Coldiron.
UC rallied later in the period to take a 24-17 lead into the locker room. After the Bearcats tied the game with 10 quick points, Miami looked to be in business on a 35-yard punt return by Jalen Walker. However, an interception by Arquon Bush with 2:07 to play set up Cincinnati's 88-yard drive before intermission. Ben Bryant's 10-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in the half gave the 'Cats their first lead of the contest.
The Bearcats scored the only points of the third quarter, using a 41-yard pass to extend their lead to 31-17.
The RedHawks drove the ball to the UC one-yard line in the final period but were unable to get any closer. After another Miami turnover on downs, Cincinnati closed the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown run.

NOTES:

The RedHawks have scored on their opening possession in each of the last five games (dating to the 2021 season). Miami is 3-for-3 this year in winning the opening coin toss, choosing to receive, and coming away with points.
John Saunders Jr. was credited with his first career forced fumble on Cincinnati's opening drive.
Ryan McWood made a game-high 13 tackles.
Walker's 35-yard punt return was the longest of his career.
Caiden Woullard set a new career high with two sacks.
Four different RedHawks (Smith, Keyon Mozee, Kenny Tracy, and Kevin Davis) carried the ball at least seven times in the game.