The Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Gino Guidugli became Cincinnati's career leader in touchdown passes and Chet Ervin kicked three field goals to lead UC to a 15-13 victory over West Virginia today.

Derick Eddington rushed for 53 yards on 17 carries. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

On a day the teams combined for 14 fumbles in a light rain, Guidugli overcame his own miscues to give the Bearcats (2-0) a win over West Virginia (1-2) for the first time in 13 tries.

Guidugli fumbled three times, losing two. His 3-yard TD pass to Cedric Dawley in the second quarter was the 40th of his career, breaking the school record of 39 set by Danny McCoin from 1984-87.

Rasheed Marshall threw for two scores but otherwise couldn't move West Virginia's offense. Cincinnati held an opponent to under 250 total yards for the second straight game.

Kicking decided the meeting for the second straight season. Lance Frazier's 27-yard punt return gave West Virginia the ball at the Cincinnati 49 with five minutes left in the game, but Brad Cooper's 49-yard attempt was wide right.

"I've been there before," said Bearcats coach Rick Minter.

Last year the Bearcats' Jonathan Ruffin hit the left upright as time expired on a 49-yard field goal attempt, giving West Virginia a 35-32 win.

Ervin, a sophomore and UC's punter last year, was good from 44 and 43 yards in the first half, then closed the scoring with a 37 yarder late in the third quarter.

"Chet is a champion. He's a one-play warrior," Minter said. "This kid was totally unproven on the college level."

Minter asked his defense before the game to try to limit West Virginia to less than 160 yards rushing.

"Boy, they looked at me like I was nuts and said they weren't going to settle for anything over 100," Minter said.

West Virginia finished with 118 yards on 40 carries.

Cincinnati moved the ball past midfield on its first five possessions, including three times inside the 30, but the Bearcats couldn't find the end zone.

"We were trying to figure out how to dry our hands, get the snap, catch the ball, whatever," said Guidugli.

West Virginia's Chris Henry went high to snare a 12-yard TD pass from Marshall for a 7-6 lead late in the second quarter. For Henry it was his third reception of the season - all touchdowns.

Travis Garvin took a screen pass from Marshall and ran 48 yards up the right sideline for a 13-12 lead midway through the third quarter.

After Ervin's final field goal, Cincinnati's Jamar Enzor intercepted Marshall at the West Virginia 33 and the Bearcats were poised to add to their lead.

But Derick Ross fumbled into the end zone and West Virginia's Adam Lehnortt recovered with 11:35 left.

Still, Guidugli led UC to a ninth career comeback win.

"We've been in so many close games. You never know what's going to happen," Guidugli said. "We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

Quincy Wilson and Marshall had three fumbles apiece for West Virginia. Wilson finished with just 39 yards on 18 carries.

"I can't even remember Quincy fumbling in practice all week," said West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. "The offense didn't execute and never got in a rhythm."

Cincinnati	3	9	3	0-15
West Virginia	0	7	6	0-13

First Quarter

Cin-FG 44 Ervin, 12:45

Second Quarter

Cin-FG 43 Ervin, 8:16

WVU-Henry 11 pass from Marshall (Cooper kick), 5:32

Cin-Dawley 3 pass from Guidugli (kick failed), 1:49

Third Quarter

WVU-Garvin 48 pass from Marshall (kick failed), 8:57

Cin-FG Ervin 37 (Robbins kick), 1:59

A-51,189.

	Cin	WVU
First downs	16	12
Rushes-yards	49-165	40-118
Passing	146	125
Comp-Att-Int	17-36-0	10-31-2
Return Yards	53	44
Punts-Avg.	10-43	10-42
Fumbles-Lost	7-5	7-3
Penalties-Yards	7-48	7-70
Time of Possession	34:27	25:33

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Cincinnati, Hall 18-85, Eddington 17-53, Guidugli 11-17, Murray 2-10, Team 1-0. West Virginia, Wilson 18-39, Marshall 11-36, Harris 5-22, Phillips 4-13, Garvin 2-8.

PASSING-Cincinnati, Guidugli 17-35-0-146, Carey 0-1-0-0. West Virginia, Marshall 10-30-2-125, Team 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING-Cincinnati, Hall 4-48, Ross 3-33, Eddington 3-18, Murray 2-16, Vann 2-9, Hart 1-10, Lucius 1-9, Dawley 1-3. West Virginia, Henderson 3-14, Garvin 2-60, Wilson 2-18, Pennington 1-16, Henry 1-11, Harris 1-6.