Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati roll over East Carolina, 55-17
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Desmond Ridder threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score to help No. 7 Cincinnati rout East Carolina 55-17 on Friday night.
Cincinnati (7-0, 5-0 American Athletic) extended its school-record home winning streak to 19 games, the fourth-longest streak among FBS schools, and kept its hopes alive for a College Football Playoff berth.
Ridder has accounted for 17 touchdowns in the past four games, including nine rushing TDs.
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In Cincinnati's three-point victory over East Carolina last year, the Pirates scored 43 points and piled up 638 yards. The Bearcats were motivated to prevent a repeat.
The offense got off to a fast start with Ridder's 33-yard touchdown pass to Michael Young to cap a 79-yard drive on their opening possession.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cincinnati had second-and-goal at the Pirates 3, but lost a fumble at the 5. Six plays later, however, Bearcats linebacker Jarell White returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown.
After punting on three of its first four possessions, East Carolina (1-6, 1-5) drove 58 yards in three plays, pulling to 14-7 on Keaton Mitchell's 18-yard run.
Ridder's 16-yard scramble on third-and-12 set up Jerome Ford's 24-yard touchdown run, and Tre Tucker's 45-yard touchdown reception highlighted a 28-point second quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After passing for 535 yards against the Bearcats last season, Holton Ahlers threw for 87 yards Friday with three interceptions. He was sacked four times.
The Bearcats, up 42-10 in the fourth quarter, ran a successful fake punt that led to Ford's second rushing touchdown.
With the Bearcats looking to run out the clock with 17 seconds remaining, Cameron Young burst through the hole for a 75-yard run to cap the scoring.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BIG PICTURE:
East Carolina: Linebackers Bruce Bevins and Dre Terry were ejected for targeting within about five minutes in the second quarter. Both hits came on Cincinnati kickoff returners.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats got corners James Wiggins and Arquon Bush and receiver Alec Pierce back from injury, but lost senior defensive end Elijah Ponder to a knee injury in the second quarter. Ponder was on the sideline on crutches.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}UP NEXT:
East Carolina: At Temple on Nov. 21.
Cincinnati: At Central Florida on Nov. 21.