No. 7 Cincinnati stays unbeaten with 36-33 win over UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Desmond Ridder three two touchdown passes and ran for two scores as No. 7 Cincinnati defeated Central Florida 36-33 Saturday to head into the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings unbeaten.

The Bearcats (8-0, 6-0 American) fell behind 14-3 in the first quarter against their toughest opponent yet, but grabbed the lead by halftime.

Dillon Gabriel threw for 243 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the Knights (5-3, 4-3) lost at home for the second time this season.

UCF took a 25-22 lead in the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Marlon Williams.

The interception Gabriel threw was costly for UCF.

Bearcats safety Darrick Forest picked off Gabriel’s pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 20 yards to the Knights’ 16. Four plays later, a 1-yard sneak by Ridder gave UC a 29-25 lead with 13:07 remaining.

Rider passed for 338 yards and ran for 57.

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1of9Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) is stopped by Central Florida defensive back Richie Grant (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 2of9Central Florida wide receiver Marlon Williams, left, scores a touchdown as he gets past Cincinnati linebacker Darrian Beavers, center, and safety Darrick Forrest, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 3of9Cincinnati running back Gerrid Doaks, center, is stopped just short of the goal line by Central Florida defensive backs Derek Gainous, left, and Davonte Brown (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 4of9Central Florida running back Greg McCrae (30) runs for yardages against Cincinnati safety James Wiggins, left, and defensive tackle Ethan Tucky, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 5of9Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 6of9Central Florida head coach Josh Heupel, right, has words with head linesman Jim Casey, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 7of9Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell shouts instructions to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 8of9Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel, far right, throws a pass against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less 9of9Central Florida wide receiver Marlon Williams (6) gains yardage in front of Cincinnati cornerback Arquon Bush after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.John Raoux/APShow MoreShow Less

Cincinnati used 10 plays to go 71 yards on its next possession to go up two scores. The Bearcats converted a fourth-and-1 at the UCF 26 and three plays later Ridder threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Taylor for a 36-25 lead with 7:15 remaining.

UCF made it 36-33 with 4:27 remaining on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Jaylon Robinson and a 2-point conversion pass to Jacob Harris

The Bearcats ran down all but one second of the clock, trying not score down near the goal line. Cincinnati was cutting it close and then an errant snap on fourth down gave everyone a jolt, but was recovered by Ridder. The Knights got one play from their 8 that went nowhere.

The first CFP rankings come out Tuesday night and the Bearcats are hoping to become the first team from outside the Power Five conferences to crack the top-10 in the selection committee’s first top 25 of the season.

THE TAKEAWAY

Cincinnati: The Bearcats are 8-0 for the first time since 2009, when they finished the regular season 12-0 and went to the Sugar Bowl.

UCF: The Knights have lost more conference games this season than the past three combined but they have come by a combined 12 points.

UP NEXT

Cincinnati is at Temple next Saturday.

UCF will close out its regular season at USF on Friday.