MIAMI FOOTBALL

First half production not enough as MU falls to 'Cats

By MIKE SMITH
CINCINNATI, OH -- A first half to remember and second half to forget. 
That might sum up the Miami RedHawks day in Saturday's 35-31 loss to Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. 

Down 28-7 at intermission, the Bearcats stormed back to outscore MU 28-7 in the final two quarters. Fumbles, an interception and missed field goal attempts hampered Miami's second half offense. Meanwhile, the RedHawk defense managed just two stops and forced no punts during Cincinnati's 28-point run. 

Ironically, Miami's troubles . . . 

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. . . began soon after MU stopped the 'Cats first second half possession after just four plays. Taking over at the UC 31, Miami gained 14 on Rodney Nelson's run up the middle. However, another big gain inside the five was wiped out by a chop block penalty. 
Three plays later, a 36-yard field goal attempt fell apart on the hold and Cincinnati took over. 

Eight plays and 80 yard later, quarterback J French IV scored on a 1-yard run to make it a 28-14 game. 

Cincinnati's momentum gained steam when Miami QB David McComb threw an interception three plays later. That gave UC a short field and French hit Cole Tabb with an 8-yard TD toss. With 2:44 left in the third period, Miami's lead had dwindled to seven points (28-21). 

French was the catalyst for Cincinnati all day. He completed 31-of-43 passes for 309 yards and two TDs overall, adding another 39 yards, with one TD among 16 runs.  

A 41-yard pass to Maleek Huggins, along with an unsportsmanlike penalty on UC, set Miami up at the Bearcat's 19 on MU's next possession. However, two fumbles -- both recovered by RedHawks -- helped bog down the drive. Now facing fourth-and-goal, Miami settled for a 19-yard Kellan McLaughlin field goal. 

When defensive end Grant Lyons stripped French of the ball and Roosevelt Andrews III recovered for MU, it looked like the RedHawks might get some momentum of their own. However, a sack and incomplete pass near the goal like forced the RedHawks to try another field goal. This one went wide right. 

French completed three passes and rushed three times in a nine-play Bearcat score that pulled UC within three (31-28) with 6:20 left. 

There was still 3:42 remaining after a Miami punt. Cincinnati was 85 yards away, but French went to work, completing five-of-six throws. On the drive's seventh play, Tabb burst through the middle for a 53-yard TD. After the PAT, Cincinnati led 35-28. 

Miami mounted a final drive, reaching the Bearcat 34 before Antwan Peek Jr. poked the ball loose from McComb. It was recovered by Drew Logan, allowing UC to kneel out the clock. 

FIRST HALF 
Miami took an early lead with Scoop Smith's 98-yard TD return of the opening kickoff. 
After forcing a Bearcats punt, MU moved 67 yards in four plays for 
another score. Lazaro Rogers bounced the final play outside for a 12-yard touchdown. 
Cincinnati cut the lead in half with a Tabb TD, but McComb scored on a 6-yard run and found Malik Huggins for 36 yards just before halftime for a 28-7 Miami edge.

NOTES:
• Miami hosts UConn next Saturday (3:30 p.m.)
• With the win, Cincinnati left with the Victory Bell and a 62-60-7 edge in the rivalry series. No further contests are scheduled in the immediate future. 
• McComb finished the day completing 17-of-28 passes totaling 334 yards with one TD and one interception. 
• Whether it was adjustments or Big 12 Conference size/talent, the second half Bearcats had similar success to what Pitt enjoyed in Week One. 
In particular, Cincinnati was able to bring more pressure in the second half finishing with three sacks and seven TFL. 
The 'Cats defense also held MU to eight yards rushing after intermission. Miami recorded 68 yards (2 TDs) on 14 carries in the first half and finished with 28 carries for 76 yards (2 TDs). 
While Cincinnati totaled 137 yards on the ground, 53 came on the final scoring burst. Miami's defense fared better most of the day, surrendering 84 yards prior to the late run. 
• Huggins led Miami receivers with four catches for 128 yards with one touchdown. Two of the receptions were particularly acrobatic, with one utilizing one hand and both showing outstanding body control to stay in bounds. 
• Damarion Witton recorded three receptions for 84 yards and Lynel