Cincinnati Football: Bearcats holding onto narrow lead over SMU at halftime

After a relatively slow start, the Bearcats scored on back to back drives to take a 20-14 lead over SMU at halftime on Saturday afternoon. Cincinnati is set to receive the kick off to start the second half with a chance to stay undefeated in conference play.

On the opening drive, SMU picked up a first down but the Bearcats were able to force a punt from midfield. Cincinnati wasn’t able to take advantage though as Ben Bryant threw three straight incompletions in his first appearance since suffering a concussion.

Just a few plays later, Arquon Bush picked off Tanner Mordecai and put the Bearcats in position to take an early lead. Even though the offense failed to score a touchdown, junior kicker Ryan Coe gave Cincinnati a 3-0 lead with 10:55 remaining in the first quarter.

With less than a minute to go in the opening quarter, Ryan Montgomery punched in a touchdown to give the Bearcats a 10-0 lead. On the first snap of the next drive, Charles McClelland scored on a 76-yard sprint to the house with 13:34 left in the first half.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats holding onto narrow lead over SMU at halftime

Despite a double digit lead, Luke Fickell decided to go for a fourth down at midfield and Corey Kiner came up short. That crucial stop gave SMU a confidence boost as Mordecai hit Jordan Kerley on a flea flicker to set up a touchdown run and cut into the deficit.

Coe added another field goal to extend the Bearcats lead to 20-7 before the Mustangs answered with another scoring drive as Mordecai connected with Kerley for a one-yard touchdown. Cincinnati took a knee and went the locker room with a 20-14 lead.

Prior to kick off, senior receiver Tre Tucker touched on the matchup at SMU via Cincinnati Athletics.

"“We know that SMU is a really good team. We played them here last year on our Senior Day and it went really well for us. I’m pretty sure they have us targeted. I know they’re going to come out firing. They just got a win last week against Navy so it will be a good game.”"