A dominating defensive performance combined with a balanced passing and rushing attack catapulted the No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats to a 49-17 win over the FCS Fordham Rams on Saturday.
Ahead 14-6 at the half, Cincinnati opened the third quarter with three consecutive rushing touchdowns one each by Munchie Legaux, Ralph Abernathy and Jordan Luallen to extend its lead to 35-6. The Bearcats added two fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure the 32-point win -- their second largest margin of victory this season.
Legaux threw for 262 yards on 15-of-24 passing and two touchdowns.
The Cincinnati rushing attack was led by George Winn, who carried 13 times for 75 yards. Four different rushers had a touchdown for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati, ranked No. 1 nationally heading into this game, is now 5-0 to start the season and could rise in the AP Poll for the second consecutive week, as No. 15 Texas and No. 17 Stanford lost ahead of them.
The Bearcats will take on Toledo next week, before they face their toughest opponent of the season when they go on the road to play No. 18 Louisville on October 26.
Box Score Hero: Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux had 262 yards passing and three total touchdowns to lead the Bearcats.
Rankings Ramifications: With the win, No. 21 Cincinnati could move up in the poll, as 15th-ranked Texas and 17th-ranked Stanford each suffered losses. However, beating an FCS team may not result in much of a bump.
But Did They Cover? Cincinnati was favored by 40 points and did not cover the spread.
Next Week's Schedule: Cincinnati will go on the road to take on the Toledo Rockets. Fordham will go on the road to face the Holy Cross Crusaders.
