Courtesy GoBearcats.com
HIGHLIGHTS
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati Bearcats shook off a slow start, then scored 28 unanswered points to defeat Tennessee-Martin, 28-7, Thursday night in the season opener before 28,520 fans at Nippert Stadium.
The Bearcats, who have now won 29 straight non-conference games at Nippert, didn't claim their first lead lead until late in the third quarter and committed three turnovers - all in the first half. But they also forced three by UT Martin, an FCS team that is now 1-21 all-time vs. FBS teams.
UC Sophomore quarterback Hayden Moore completed 21 passes in 34 attempts for 260 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Senior running back Tion Green gained 97 yards on 16 carries. And junior wide receiver Devin Gray, a junior college transfer in his first major college appearance, caught five passes for 111 yards. UC gained 400 yards to 323 for UT Martin.
The Bearcats, who trailed, 7-6, at halftime, took their first lead with 2:42 left in the third quarter on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Moore to wide receiver Kahlil Lewis, then added a 2-point conversion on a pass from Moore to tight end DJ Dowdy to give UC a 14-7 lead.
The key play in the drive was a 9-yard pass from Moore to Nate Cole on fourth and six from the UT Martin 35 for a first down.
The Bearcats scored again with 5:31 left on a 1-yard run by Mike Boone at the end of an 11-play, 77-yard drive that gave them a 21-7 lead, then added a final touchdown with 2:16 left on a 58-yard interception return by Tyrell Gilbert.
UT Martin accepted the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards on 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Holcombe to wide receiver Caylon Weathers. The Bearcats responded by driving to the UT Martin 7-yard line on their next possession, but kicker Josh Pasley, who was filling in for the injured Andrew Gantz, missed a 24-yard field goal attempt.
The Bearcats who ranked 124th of 127 nationally in turnover margin last year, turned the ball over three times in the first half - one on a fumble by Green, one on an interception of a Moore pass and one on a fumble by Moore after he was sacked.
Fortunately for UC, none of the turnovers led to UT Martin points. The Skyhawks returned the favor with a fumble by running back Jamiee Bowe on the UC 11 that was recovered by Alex Pace. They had two other chances to score following a UC turnover, but kicker Mitch Mersman missed two field goals - one from 37 yards, the other from 31.
The Bearcats got on the board for the first time with 19 seconds left in the first half when Moore connected with Cole from three yards out, but Pasley missed the extra point, leaving UC facing a one-point deficit as the half ended.
UC gained 188 yards in the first half to 161 for UT Martin, held the ball for 21:29 compared with UC's 8:31.