No. 5 Bearcats send playoff message in blowout win over SMU

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The fifth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats put on a show against Southern Methodist on Saturday with a 48-14 blowout win to send a message to the college football playoff committee.

Desmond Ridder completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns on senior day. Ridder also had a 40-yard rushing touchdown and a 5-yard receiving touchdown.

Desmond Ridder having a nice senior day.

2 passing touchdowns.
1 rushing touchdown.
1 receiving touchdown. #Bearcats @fox19
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) November 20, 2021

The Bearcats defense held SMU (8-3, 4-3) to just two scores and 199 total yards. The Mustangs came into the game scoring more than 40 points a game.

#Bearcats 27, SMU 0.

Halftime at Nippert Stadium. pic.twitter.com/9tDnP5MOhj
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) November 20, 2021

UC tallied 544 total yards on offense with 249 yards rushing.

Jerome Ford had 19 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in his return to action. Tre Tucker led all receivers with seven catches for 114 yards. Tyler Scott had five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Alec Pierce added three catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bearcats (11-0, 7-0) clinched a fourth consecutive undefeated season at home and earned a spot in the AAC Championship game with the win.

If UC wins their final regular-season game Friday at East Carolina, the Bearcats will host the AAC championship game at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 4.

#Bearcats clinch a spot in the AAC championship game and a 4th consecutive season without a loss at Nippert Stadium (could host AAC title game with a win against ECU).
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) November 21, 2021

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