EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Gunner Kiel passed for 161 yards and three touchdowns and Cincinnati's defense held Connecticut to 129 total yards in a 41-0 shutout on Saturday night.

Cincinnati (7-3, 5-1 American) remained in the hunt for the conference championship, a half-game behind first-place Memphis (6-1) and tied with Central Florida (5-1).

With tonight's 41-0 win over UConn, @gobearcats stay in the hunt for the conference championship just a half-game behind Memphis

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Nov 11, 2014 at 8:58pm PST

Cincinnati has two games left including next week at Temple.

After Kiel's touchdown pass to Johnny Holton early in the third quarter gave the Bearcats a 34-0 lead, Kiel gave way to backup Munchie Legaux. Rob Moore rushed for 108 yards and Mike Boone ran for 52 yards and a touchdown.

UConn's offensive output was its lowest of the season. It was the first time UConn (2-8, 1-5) was shut out at home since Navy in 1978. Tim Boyle was 13 of 21 for 70 yards in his first start of the season.