Almost a Bear trap
No. 8 Cincy rallies in 4th quarter to pull away from Hoosiers
BLOOMINGTON — Desmond Ridder threw the go-ahead touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, then scored on a 7-yard TD run to help No. 8 Cincinnati seal a comefrom-behind 38-24 victory Saturday at Indiana.
Jerome Ford ran for two scores and Tre Tucker scored on a 99-yard kickoff return as the Bearcats (3-0) won their first road game of the season. They’ve won 12 of 13 since the start of 2020.
Indiana (1-2) lost despite taking a 14-0 lead and playing in front of its largest crowd for a nonconference game since September 1987.
The turning point came when starting linebacker Micah McFadden was ejected for targeting late in the first half. The Bearcats, who struggled to move the ball, scored 10 points in the final 93 seconds of the first half and finally took the lead on Ford’s 3-yard TD run in the third quarter.
The Hoosiers regained the lead on D.J. Matthews Jr.’s 14-yard scoring run, then gave it right back on the kickoff return. A missed extra point opened the door for Indiana, and the Hoosiers grabbed a 24-23 advantage on Charles Campbell’s 49-yard field goal late in the third.
Then Ridder got hot. He made it 30-24 with the scoring throw to Pierce before the scoring run and a succesful two-point conversion pass.
McFadden’s ejection changed everything for a defense that was dominant. Add the Hoosiers’ early inability to score in the red zone and three turnovers, and it was the perfect concoction for a loss.
Quarterback Michael Penix was 17 of 40 with 224 yards, two TD passes and three interceptions. He’s been picked off three times in each of the Hoosiers’ losses.
Stephen Carr rushed 21 times for 52 yards and scored on 5-yard TD reception. Matthews had five receptions for 120 yards, the second 100-yard game of his college career.
Peyton Hendershot caught six passes for 60 yards and one TD.