RedHawks ring up UC

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Miami win most lopsided in series

Sunday, October 25, 1998

BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Miami players reclaim the Victory Bell. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

When the game ended Saturday, Miami players raced across the field to claim the series' Victory Bell from the Cincinnati Bearcats' sideline. The RedHawks' happy dash, like the game itself, saw them meet little resistance.

Miami's 41-0 destruction of UC marked its biggest win in the series' 103-game history, and was another Bearcat embarrassment in a season full of them.

UC (0-8) endured its latest indignity on its home field, and to its fiercest rival. A crowd of 23,165 watched on a sunny autumn afternoon, along with thousands more on local TV. They saw UC's worst home loss in nine years and its first scoreless home game in four years.

Miami (6-1) brought several thousand of its own fans. Although red is the primary color for both schools, RedHawk rooters stood out. They were the ones cheering.

Miami's Travis Gaylor caught a 45-yard pass on the first play. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

"We're going to have some fun with this (Victory Bell)," said Miami coach Randy Walker. "We've been ringing the bell so much, we might break it."

Miami broke UC's spirit immediately, with quarterback Mike Bath completing a 45-yard pass to wide receiver Trevor Gaylor on the game's first play from scrimmage.

Miami went down to kick a field goal for a 3-0 lead. As it turned out, the RedHawks could have walked over and snatched the series' traveling Victory Bell -- which UC had held for two years -- right there.

"This is the way we've been playing all year, so today was no surprise," said UC coach Rick Minter. "We didn't play well in any phase of the game."

Travis Prentice rushed for 127 yards and 2 TD's. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

In one respect, the 41-point spread was not surprising. UC had been allowing 48.7 points per game, worst in America. On the other hand, UC-Miami is almost always close -- since 1972, no game had been decided by more than 20 points.

But this is no ordinary year at UC.

The Bearcats, who entered Saturday as one of only five winless Division I-A teams, have lost by at least 17 points in every game. They actually allowed their fewest total yards all year (377) Saturday and gained more yards than Miami (379), but the RedHawk offense was far more efficient.

Miami followed its first score with a 41-yard Bath-to-Gaylor TD pass to make it 10-0 after one quarter.

Miami QB Mike Bath rushed 10 times for 54 yards. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

UC hung close late in the first half, until Miami star tailback Travis Prentice (127 yards rushing, two TDs) broke a 55-yard TD run.

"The defense can't be successful one or two plays and then give up a 50-yard run like that," Minter said. "That's what's been happening all year."

Miami was hardly through. The RedHawks' Bryan McCullough intercepted a Deontey Kenner pass moments later and returned it 9 yards to the UC 28-yard line. Four plays later, Prentice scored from 1 yard out and Miami led 24-0 at halftime.

End of story.

Jay Hall caught three passes for 40 yards. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

It allowed Bearcat freshman DeMarco McCleskey to rush 33 times for a career-high 124 yards, but only once did UC come close to scoring. Its closest penetration was stopped on downs at the Miami 3-yard line late in the third quarter.

It was 24-0 entering the fourth period, and then Miami threw on the gas. A field goal, a TD pass, and then a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown by J. Baker of Princeton High School made it 41-0.

"This is my last game here at home (Cincinnati)," Baker said. "I can rest easy for the rest of my life, knowing I got the (Victory) Bell back."

Walker, Miami's even-keel boss, maintained his composure but was obviously elated.

"I'm really excited about our program," he said. "We played a complete game for 60 minutes. We're going to rejoice in this victory tonight, then we're going to come back Sunday night and get one day better. We're still not a finished product."

UC's 0-8 record matches its worst start since 1980. Coming off the program's first bowl season in 47 years, the Bearcats are looking for answers.

Miami 10 14 0 17 - 41
Cincinnati 0 0 0 0 - 0

First Quarter
Mia - FG Scott 22, 10:13.
Mia - Gaylor 40 pass from Bath (Scott kick), 5:34.
Second Quarter
Mia - Prentice 55 run (Scott kick), 2:04.
Mia - Prentice 1 run (Scott kick0, :15.
Fourth Quarter
Mia - FG Scott 20, 9:20.
Mia - Monk 3 pass from Bath (Scott kick), 5:08.
Mia - Baker 91 interception return (Scott kick), :43.
A - 23,165.

Mia UC
First downs 15 21
Rushes-yards 42-198 45-139
Passing 192 267
Comp-Att-Int 9-16-1 21-43-2
Return Yards 107 134
Punts-Avg. 5-47.0 3-39.7
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 2-20 3-30
Time of Possession 26:36 33:24

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Miami, Prentice 29-127, Bath 10-54, Little 3-6. Cincinnati, McCleskey 33-124, Cooper 2-8, Smith 2-4, Garden 3-2, Wize 1-(minus 2), Kenner 3-(minus 16).

PASSING - Miami, Bath 9-16-1-192. Cincinnati, Kenner 19-40-2-244, Bertucci 2-3-0-23.

RECEIVING - Miami, Gaylor 4-144, Hall 3-40, Johnson 1-5, Monk 1-3. Cincinnati, Bonner 6-75, Collins 5-60, Plummer 3-40, Hunt 2-17, Wize 2-8, Smikle 1-33, Dorsey 1-22, Archie 1-12.

It can't get worse for UC -- can it? Tim Sullivan column
UC-MIAMI NOTEBOOK

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