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ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Cincinnati football team suffered a 24-3 road defeat at UCF, Saturday in Bright House Networks Stadium.
The loss was the third straight for the Bearcats (4-6, 1-5 AAC East) while the Knights (6-4, 4-2 AAC East) gained bowl eligibility after going 0-12 a year ago.
"We thought we had a great chance today, but you've got to score points," Head Coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We've just got to get more physical on the offensive line. We gave up some sacks because we couldn't run the ball, and they just teed off on the pass rush."
UC turned it over three times with a second-half interception and blocked punt for a touchdown turning a 10-3 halftime nail biter into a 24-3 rout. UCF also tallied five sacks.
Facing a fourth-and-eight from its own 35 in the waning moments of the third quarter, Cincinnati lined up in punt formation, UCF brought the house, Tre Neal blocked it and Justin McDonald scooped it at the 23-yard line and went in for the score.
UCF's Seyvon Lowry intercepted a Hayden Moore pass on a third-and-six play from the 50-yard line in the fourth quarter and appeared to return it for a TD, but he was penalized for celebrating before crossing the goal line, giving the Knights a first-and-10 at UC's 25-yard line. Jawon Hamilton had a 25-yard TD run three plays later on a third-and-six play.
The Bearcats outgained the Knights 327-305 in total yards, but the offense continued to struggle to punch the ball in the end zone. UC rushed for only 107 yards and has not scored an offensive TD in 10 quarters, dating back to the first half of the Temple game.
"We've just got to go back to the drawing board," Tuberville said. "We've had some bright points on defense, the guys played hard, but we've got to get better on offense. Some way, we've got to find a way to score some touchdowns."
UCF got on the board first with a 22-yard field goal with 8:12 left in the first quarter. A 1-yard TD pass from Milton to Dredrick Snelson pushed the margin to 10-0 before a 38-yard field goal by kicker Josh Pasley got UC on the board at 10-3 with 7:36 left in the opening half. Pasley missed a 47 yarder on UC's next drive.
Late in the half, UC pinned UCF inside its own 2-yard line and got the ball back at midfield with under a minute left. Moore fumbled after being hit in the pocket, UCF got the ball back but missed aa 48-yard attempt as time expired in the opening 20 minutes.
RB Tion Green, playing in his hometown for the first time in his collegiate career, rushed it 15 times for 76 yards, netting 5.1 yards per carry. Green is UC's primary back after Mike Boone suffered a season-ending injury a week ago against BYU.
UC played all three of its quarterbacks with Moore getting the start and finishing 13 of 25 for 129 yards. Ross Trail added a different dimension, rushing three times in short-yardage situations and Gunner Kiel came in during the fourth quarter, going 6-of-17 for 91 yards and an interception, including a 52-yard completion to WR Tshumbi Johnson.
Johnson finished with three catches for 68 yards, both career highs. Kahlil Lewis led the way with six catches for 84 yards.
S Zach Edwards and LB Eric Wilson had 12 and 10 tackles, respectively. LB Mike Tyson returned after missing two games due to an ankle injury and finished with nine tackles. S Carter Jacbos, starting for an injured Tyrell Gilbert, tallied eight stops.
UCF's McKenzie Milton was 22 of 34 for 150 yards with a TD. Hamilton finished with 81 yards and a TD.
UC plays its final home game of the season Friday at 8 p.m. against Memphis inside Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats will honor a 20-member senior class during pregame ceremonies. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network, with radio coverage on 700 WLW AM and TuneIn.com.