Bearcats Box Score Breakdown: Miami Hurricanes

The Cincinnati Bearcats took down the Miami Hurricanes at home 34-23 on Thursday night. Let’s put this one to bed by breaking down the box score from the game.

• After piling up 446 yards and 34 points on Thursday night, the Bearcats now rank 5th in total offense and 18th in scoring offense. Say what you will about Eddie Gran’s sometimes mind numbing playcalls, I know I have, he’s been coordinating this offense to elite levels this season and basically half the time with a redshirt freshman quarterback.
• Unfortunately Cincinnati either scored too darn fast against the Hurricanes or were forced into three-and-outs. Either way, it caused UC to only complete 22 first downs, meaning they’ve slipped to 2nd in first downs per game with 32.2. That’s it, cancel the season and shut down the program!
• Despite Mike Boone anchored to the bench, Cincinnati had one of their better games on the ground this season. Their 167 yards and 4.9 yards per carry was their best performance since Alabama A&M and Miami (OH). Go figure when UC gets it done on the ground, they win. Hosey Williams’ 7.3 yards per carry was his best of the season and Tion Green’s 6.0 was his highest since Alabama A&M. They really did a nice job picking up the slack with Boone out against Miami.
• Cincinnati was finally perfect in the redzone, scoring three touchdowns and nailing a field goal. Gotta be some kind of correlation between this and winning but I’ve not the brains to figure out how to prove it.
• For the first time since Temple of last season, the Bearcats prevented the opponent from throwing a touchdown pass. Canes QB Brad Kaaya had accomplished that in every single one of his games during his career up until Thursday night but his streak was broken against Cincinnati.
• UC wasn’t as stingy on the ground as they were through the air but that wasn’t especially unexpected with them facing the talents of Joe Yearby and Mark Walton. On the whole, the Bearcats gave up 4.6 yards per carry on the ground, 3rd most this year, but Yearby and Walton were held well below their season averages.
• The Bearcats just continue to get off the field on third downs, forcing the Hurricanes back to their bench on 4-of-15 situations on Thursday night. Cincinnati now ranks 7th in the country in preventing third down conversions, which is definitely something this defense should be proud of.
• Ho hum, Andrew Gantz continues to kick the ball well. He nailed both of his field goals on Thursday night including a career high 51-yarder.
• So too has punter Sam Geraci. He booted a bomb against Miami that went 62 yards and averaged 46 yards per punt. He also landed three inside the 20 yard line. Geraci is now averaging 46.5 yards per punt and Cincinnati as a whole is now ranked 23rd in punting this season.