TicketsSept. 27, 2006
The Cincinnati Bearcats turned the ball on their first three possessions at Miami, but regained their composure and rolled to a wild 52-42 victory before a crowd of 22,469 at Yager Stadium.
The UC point total was the highest for a visiting team since Miami began playing football in 1888.
The Bearcats had an interception on their first possession and fumbles on their next two, but Miami cashed in the gifts for only two field goals.
"I know it sounds crazy when we gave up 42 points and however many yards they got (408)," said UC coach Rick Minter, "but I thought the key was the way our defense kept us in the game early when our offense was fiddling around and putting the ball on the ground."
After the Bearcats put their fiddles away, they began making beautiful music. And the most melodious notes came from quarterback Deontey Kenner and tailback Robert Cooper, who orchestrated an attack that produced 528 yards.
Kenner threw three touchdown passes and scored one himself, while Cooper pulverized the Miami defense for 209 yards and two scores and also caught one of Kenner's TD strikes.
The loss dropped the RedHawks to 5-3 and virtually eliminated them from bowl consideration.
"I'm really in shock," admitted Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "I never expected them to be able to move the ball on us like they did. I never expected for us to move the ball that well on them, for that matter, but that's pretty hollow when you loves and give up 52 points."
Miam's Mike Bath threw for a school-record 352 yards and Trevor Gaylor had eight catches for 168 yards and three TDs, but UC limited NCAA record-setting tailback Travis Prentice to 54 yards, his lowest rushing total in three years as a starter.
Kenner finished with 243 yards through the air on a day in which he completed 18-of-28 attempts. Antonio Chatman made four catches for 93 yards to lead the Bearcats.
After falling behind by a count of 32-28 one minute into the second half, UC scored 21 consecutive points to take a 49-32 cushion into the fourth quarter that would be enough to bring the Victory Bell back to Clifton.