"Our guys' confidence is building," said UC coach Mark Dantonio.

And why not?

Cincinnati's Richard Hall rushes for a 64 yard touchdown during the first half. (Enquirer photo/Thomas E. Witte)

After trouncing Memphis by 39 points last week, the Bearcats put together another strong performance Saturday, dominating Texas Christian 21-10 before a homecoming crowd of 20,453 at Nippert Stadium.

Riding a wave of emotion they generated last week, the Bearcats (4-4, 3-2 Conference USA) shut down the league's second-ranked offense, which was averaging 36 points a game, and played its second straight game without a turnover.

TCU (4-4, 2-3) has lost four of its last six.

"You never realize how much emotion plays in a football game," said UC running back Richard Hall, who gained 143 yards on 29 carries. "I didn't really understand what it took until two weeks ago. Now I feel like if we come out with emotion, we can play with anybody and if we come out and execute like we're supposed to, we can beat anybody."

UC took control of the game from the outset, assembling a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed 6:47 to take a 7-0 lead.

The Bearcats scored again on the first play of the second quarter on Hall's 64-yard touchdown run that showed the senior from Wyoming High School at his best.

Hall took the handoff from quarterback Gino Guidugli, paused momentarily behind the line, then broke outside to find a clear path down the sideline. With TCU's Mark Walker in pursuit with a favorable angle, Hall cut back inside at about the TCU 15.

"I look over and I see No. 2 running like he was gassed," Hall said. "I was going to set him up with a stutter and cut back, and that's what I did. He went for it, and I just ran into the end zone."

The Bearcats scored one more touchdown in the first half on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Guidugli to tight end Brent Celek, then turned it over to the defense, which was up to the challenge.

Facing first-and-goal at its own 3 and leading 21-7 late in the third quarter, the Bearcats stopped the Horned Frogs cold, forcing them to kick a field goal that accounted for the final score.

"We just completely destroyed what they were trying to do," cornerback Daven Holly said.

It was a disheartening blow for TCU, which also was hurt by two missed field goals.

"You get first-and-goal inside the 5, you've got to be able to score," TCU coach Gary Patterson said.

The Horned Frogs drove to the UC 39 with 5:12 left in the game, but Holly intercepted a Brandon Hassell pass to snuff out TCU's last serous threat.

"It was just what the doctor ordered," Holly said.

The Bearcats gained 410 yards overall, 261 on the ground against a TCU defense that had allowed only 102 per game. The Horned Frogs were held to 367 yards 76 below their average.

UC, which must win two of its final three games to become bowl-eligible, travels this Saturday to face No. 25 Southern Miss, a team the Bearcats have yet to beat on the road in five previous tries.

"I think we're gaining some respect," Dantonio said. "We'll see if we can keep that respect."

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