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Postgame Notes | USATSI Gallery
Cincinnati (3-3, 1-1 American) snapped a three-game losing streak, cruising past SMU 41-3 on Saturday at Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Two interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown highlighted a strong effort by the Bearcats defense that allowed its fewest points (three) and fewest total yards (276) to an opponent this season.
Six different players scored points for the Bearcats, including touchdown runs by backup quarterback Jarred Evans and freshman running back Mike Boone - their first UC scores.
UC starting quarterback Gunner Kiel completed 13 of 20 passes for 241 yards and one TD throw on the day. His 23-yard touchdown toss to Johnny Holton gave the Bearcats plenty of cushion - a 22-3 lead with 1:38 to go in the second quarter.
UC ran the ball a season-high 46 times for 240 yards, with Evans leading all Bearcats with 67 yards on 10 carries.
Running back Rod Moore ran two yards for a touchdown to give UC a 6-0 lead on the Bearcats' opening drive of the game.
SMU (0-6, 0-2 American) answered on its first drive when Cody Rademacher kicked a 29-yard field goal to pull the Mustangs with a 6-3 margin with 4:47 left in the first quarter.
UC kicker Andrew Gantz gave UC a 9-3 advantage when he made the first of his career-high three field goals, splitting the uprights on a 40-yard try with 4:47 left in the first quarter.
The lead was extended to 15-3 when Evans ran seven yards for a touchdown with 4:25 left in the first quarter. UC's two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Bearcats later wrapped up their first-half scoring when linebacker Nick Temple picked up a fumble by SMU quarterback Garrett Krstich and scampered 27 yards to the end zone to give UC a 28-3 lead with a minute to go before intermission.
Gantz connected on field goal tries from 30 and 21 yards and Boone ran for a 1-yard score to account for UC's scoring in the second half.
Bearcat cornerback Howard Wilder intercepted Krstich in the first quarter. UC safety Andrew Jones picked off a Krstich pass in the fourth quarter.
Cincinnati plays host to USF on Friday at Paul Brown Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.