Defense stops Big East skid (Cincy Enquirer)

[Jim Johnson]

Defense stops Big East skid

Safety, fumble return give Bearcats the points they need

BY BILL KOCH | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

If the University of Cincinnati football team is ever going to be a force in the Big East Conference, the Bearcats are going to have to develop an offense.

But on Sunday night all they needed was their stout defense.

The UC defense not only limited South Florida to one meaningless touchdown with 50 seconds left, it also produced the game's first nine points to lead the Bearcats to a 23-6 victory before 15,889 fans at Nippert Stadium.

"I wish we could have kept them out of the end zone that last series," said UC head coach Mark Dantonio, "but we'll take it."

UC (4-4 overall, 1-2 in the Big East) was denied its second shutout of the season but still snapped a five-game Big East losing streak. USF is 5-3, 1-2.

Read More...