Run to Glory: No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats Beat Houston, 35-20, Ready To Accept College Football Playoff Bid

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats have done what it takes to make history. Now, they just await affirmation and confirmation Sunday from the College Football Playoff committee to earn a seat at the national championship table.

Most Outstanding Player Jerome Ford had game-breaking touchdown runs of 79 and 42 yards and finished with 187 yards on 17 carries, while Alec Pierce made a critical 44-yard diving catch early in the fourth quarter as the No. 4 Bearcats raced away from No. 16 Houston, 35-20, before a frenzied sellout crowd of 37,978 at Nippert Stadium to capture its second consecutive American Athletic Conference championship and improve to 13-0 for the first time in school history.

The Bearcats, who jumped into the fourth spot two weeks ago, now await the committee selection announcement noon ET on ESPN.

Luke Fickell sums it up smartly: “We let our play speak for ourselves” Says he probably won’t watch CFP show Sunday. Has a team banquet. pic.twitter.com/3bp9jgiPwh

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 5, 2021

Pierce also had a 21-yard touchdown catch as part of a 21-point explosion in the first seven minutes of the third quarter to break open a one-point game and help UC keep its national championship aspirations alive. Linebacker Joel Dublanko picked off Houston quarterback Clayton Tune in the third quarter burst to set up another score.

.@GoBearcatsFB has scored 21 unanswered points to start the second half. #AmericanPow6r pic.twitter.com/zYucTfsC61

— American Football (@American_FB) December 4, 2021

Desmond Ridder threw touchdown passes to Tyler Scott and Leonard Taylor and finished the day 11-of-17 for 190 yards.

All-American corner Sauce Gardner had a critical corner blitz sack on Tune late in the second quarter as the Cougars were threatening to the take the lead before halftime.

The game featuring two of the top quarterbacks in the nation lived up to its billing in the opening 15 minutes.

Clayton Tune directed the Cougars down to the Cincinnati 15 in three plays before a sack by Curtis Brooks and Jabari Taylor forced Houston to settle for a 37-yard field goal and a 3-0 Houston lead.

Ridder was razor-sharp in his response, starting with a perfectly-thrown ball to Jerome Ford on a wheel route for 15 yards on UC’s first offensive snap of the day. Three plays later, Ridder threw a dart on a post to Tyler Scott for a 25-yard touchdown and UC’s first lead of the day, 7-3. Ridder was 4-for-4 for 76 yards on the opening drive.

.@desmondridder making it look easy