By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

University of Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli didn't complain about the Bearcats' conservative offense against Ohio State last week, but he clearly was relieved Saturday after UC managed to throw the ball successfully downfield.

Guidugli completed 12 of 23 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in UC's 45-26 win over Miami.

The UC quarterback actually threw 13 fewer passes than he did in UC's season-opening loss to Ohio State, but was consistently able to connect with his wide receivers downfield. That was in marked contrast to the previous week when he was limited to horizontal passes near the sidelines after rolling out to avoid the Ohio State pass rush.

Asked if it felt good to throw the ball downfield again, Guidugli said, "You know it does. You think I came here to hand off?"

Five of Guidugli's completions were to senior wide receiver Hannibal Thomas for 175 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown.

It was the first time a UC receiver had passed the 100-yard mark in a game since Thomas had 173 yards against Memphis last Nov. 22.

In his last four games, Thomas has averaged six catches for 123 yards.

FIRST WIN: UC head coach Mark Dantonio sought out his wife, Becky, on the field at Nippert Stadium, while fans swarmed the players to celebrate their first victory over Miami since 2000, and Dantonio's first win as a head coach.

"I can't put it into words," he said. "We beat Miami playing in front of our home crowd in our first game at home. I thought our fans took ownership by coming out and supporting us."

TOUGH GUYS: From the beginning, Dantonio has emphasized that his UC program would be built on toughness. He stuck to that theme Saturday after the Bearcats rushed for 341 yards while holding Miami to 37.

"Football is a tough game played by tough people," he said. "And you respect somebody who knocks you off the ball. When you continue to keep knocking people off the ball, good things will happen. That's what we have to do."

TOUGH POINTS: Both teams had trouble converting extra points. Miami had one kick blocked and saw it returned by UC's Daven Holly for two extra points.

UC's Kevin Lovell missed an extra point when his kick hit the left upright, but also converted a 33-yard field goal. The Bearcats failed to convert again in the third quarter when holder Collin Carey fumbled the snap from center.

HALL'S RUN: Running back Richard Hall's 79-yard run in the fourth quarter was the longest for a UC player since Robert Cooper scored on a 79-yard run against Indiana on Sept. 26, 1998.

His 238 rushing yards gave UC its first 200-yard plus rushing game since Cooper gained 209 yards against Miami in 1999.

NOTES: Elder High School graduate Bradley Glatthaar gained five yards on his first UC carry midway through the third quarter. He finished with 14 yards on four carries. Another freshman, Butler Benton, gained 43 yards on 10 carries. ... The UC coaching staff tried to make the most of Saturday's big crowd by having 103 recruits on campus.

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com