Cincinnati Bearcats 38, Tulane Green Wave 14: Legaux Guides UC To Comfortable Win

The Cincinnati Bearcats easily dispensed of the Tulane Green Wave tonight by a score of 38 to 14, their third victory in as many games. UC is now 5-3 overall, a game out of bowl eligibility, and 3-1 in the American Athletic Conference.

Tonight was all about Munchie Legaux but the New Orleans native didn’t actually start this game. It was sophomore Gunner Kiel leading the offense out on Cincinnati’s opening drive. I can’t explain it. Maybe Tuberville trusts in his quarterback’s self-reports on his health. Maybe he just has more faith in a semi-healthy Kiel over a fully healthy Legaux. Maybe the UC head coach wants to break the streak of the Bearcats starting multiple quarterbacks throughout a season.

With Kiel officially starting tonight, the streak is one game closer to being shattered.

But on his first pass, the sophomore lobbed a ball into heavy winds and it was intercepted effortlessly by a Green Wave defensive back. Kiel didn’t attempt a single pass for the remainder of the game because from that play onward he was grabbing his lower back in severe discomfort.

It was Munchie Legaux’s show from then on and he didn’t disappoint the Bearcats fans in the crowd, many of which were his own family and friends from the area. Kiel’s backup completed 66% of his passes for 211 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Legaux did an excellent job managing the game and that pick was really his lone mistake of the evening. As Cincinnati has done during this winning streak they leaned on their rushing attack and defense to propel them to victory.

Now UC has 13 days until their next game, the all important one against the #21 East Carolina Pirates who currently lead the AAC. Cincinnati will be able to rest up (i.e. Kiel) and review both themselves and their opponent during the bye week. I’m confident that this coaching staff will be more than prepared for ECU with two weeks in between games.