EAST CAROLINA PIRATES  vs CINCINNATI BEARCATS



                       6                                             56



Nippert Stadium            11/23/18           Cincinnati, OH.

Photos By: Toby Clark

The Cincinnati Bearcats achieved a remarkable feat in their final regular-season game, surpassing their win total from the last two years combined and finishing with an impressive 10-2 record, their first 10-win season since 2012. Redshirt freshman Desmond Ridder was the star of the game, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes in the first half, helping the Bearcats secure a convincing 56-6 victory over East Carolina.

The team's second-year coach, Luke Fickell, was elated with the growth and development of his young roster throughout the season, which exceeded all expectations. After winning only eight games over the last two seasons, the Bearcats opened the season with six consecutive wins, earning them a spot in the Top 25 rankings.

Senior offensive lineman Garrett Campbell described the season as a "pinch-me-I'm-dreaming moment" due to their incredible success. The Bearcats were on course to win the American Athletic Conference, but a 38-13 loss to UCF dented their title aspirations and removed them from the Top 25.

Against East Carolina, however, the Bearcats were back to their best, producing big plays on offense and dominating on defense. Ridder threw touchdown passes of 10, 30, and 57 yards in the first quarter, while Charles McClelland and Kahlil Lewis added scores of their own. Lewis finished the game with nine catches for 203 yards and a season-high three touchdowns.

Despite missing star running back Michael Warren II, who was sidelined with an injured shoulder, the Bearcats were able to overcome injury concerns and reshuffle their offensive line to secure the victory.

The Pirates, who had snapped a five-game losing streak in their previous game against UConn, could not maintain any momentum and finished the season with a 3-8 record. Holton Ahlers struggled throughout the game and was eventually forced off with a sore knee, leaving the team with no chance to stage a comeback.



Cincinnati, on the other hand, now eagerly awaits news of their first bowl appearance since 2015, having completed a remarkable turnaround from a team with only four wins last season to one with 10 wins this year. The Bearcats' excellent season is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they have established themselves as one of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Review By: Todd Clark

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

10:46 CIN - JAYSHON JACKSON 10 yd pass from DESMOND RIDDER (COLE SMITH kick) 8 plays, 75 yards

01:21 CIN - JOSIAH DEGUARA 30 yd pass from DESMOND RIDDER (COLE SMITH kick) 5 plays, 56 yards

00:00 CIN - KAHLIL LEWIS 57 yd pass from DESMOND RIDDER (COLE SMITH kick) 2 plays, 62 yards

Second Quarter

13:06 CIN - CHARLES McCLELLAND, C. 55 yd run (COLE SMITH kick), 1 plays, 55 yards

09:12 CIN - TAVION THOMAS 2 yd run (COLE SMITH kick), 5 plays, 34 yards

08:13 ECU - MYDREON VINES 71 yd pass from HOLTON AHLERS 3 plays, 75 yards

03:53 CIN - KAHLIL LEWIS 28 yd pass from DESMOND RIDDER (COLE SMITH kick) 9 plays, 75 yards

Third Quarter

07:05 CIN - KAHLIL LEWIS 7 yd pass from HAYDEN MOORE (COLE SMITH kick) 12 plays, 98 yards

Fourth Quarter

13:32 CIN - ARQUON BUSH 36 yd interception (COLE SMITH kick)