Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 4: I-4 rivals hold position at top
By Zach Bigalke
Cincinnati held on at home in an intrastate non-conference showdown against Ohio. The Bearcats were down 24-7 at halftime, but clawed their way back in the second half and closed a nine-point gap in the fourth quarter. In the process, Luke Fickell’s team remained undefeated as they prepare to head into their American Athletic Conference schedule.
Michael Warren II led the way for Cincinnati with 124 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 23 carries. Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder added 278 passing yards and 24 rushing yards with three total touchdowns. Rashad Medaris caught three of Ridder’s 19 completions for 104 yards and a score.
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When Ohio had the ball, they relied heavily on quarterback Nathan Rourke to generate offense both in the air and on the ground. Rourke finished 12-of-27 for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while adding 96 yards and a rushing touchdown on nine carries. A.J. Ouellette added 71 yards and another score on 21 carries as the Bearcats gave up 234 yards on the ground to Ohio.
Cincinnati remains right in the thick of things, and they benefit from playing in the same division as UCF and South Florida. They play both teams in November, when all three could potentially be ranked if they keep winning up to that point. The Bearcats will look to keep the winning ways going on Saturday afternoon against UConn.