Alex Frank | Sports Director
It wasn’t pretty throughout most of the game, but the University of Cincinnati Bearcats football team grinded out a 37-21 win over Tulane University today at Nippert Stadium.
The win gives Cincinnati a 6-0 finish through the first half of their schedule and, more importantly, makes them bowl eligible for the first time since 2015.
Cincinnati’s offense was in a well-orchestrated rhythm in the second quarter as they put together three drives resulting in touchdowns.
The first was an electrifying 81-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Michael Warren that gave the Bearcats a 10-7 lead.
Senior wide receiver Khalil Lewis, who has been relatively quiet throughout the season, finally broke out of his scoring slump by hauling in a 25-yard touchdown later in the second quarter, one of his two scores on the afternoon.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder, who missed on several throws with receivers throughout the game, still managed to throw for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
He also ran for a score for the Bearcats third touchdown of the second quarter.
Despite a fumble by Warren, a muffed punt and an interception in the third quarter, Cincinnati managed to make plays when it mattered most to prevent Tulane from having a chance of getting back into the game.
The Bearcats now head into a bye week and will return to action on Saturday Oct. 20 at Temple University.