Sunday, October 01, 2000

Tulane 24, UC 19

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Too many field goals, not enough touchdowns

By Pierce Huff
Special to the Enquirer

Ray Jackson gains 23 yards on a catch. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        NEW ORLEANS — When the University of Cincinnati looks back on its loss to Tulane, the Bearcats will think of opportunities missed.

        The Bearcats rallied but fell to Tulane 24-19 in a Conference USA game Saturday night at the Superdome.

        The Bearcats drove deep into Tulane territory five times but had to settle for four field goals.

        “If you don't score touchdowns, you can't win,” UC coach Rick Minter said.

        Kicker Jonathon Ruffin, who grew up in New Orleans, was 4-of-4 to extend his UC record streak to 11 straight field goals.

        UC falls to 2-2 and 1-1 in C-USA. Tulane is 2-2 (2-1).

Tulane's Brant Hocke dives for 1-yard touchdown over UC's DeJuan Gossett (22). | ZOOM |

        UC came into the game short-handed on offense. Quarterback Deontey Kenner (abdominal strain) and tailback DeMarco McCleskey (hamstring) both missed the game.

        But their replacements played well.

        Adam Hoover, a junior-college transfer out of California, hit 18 of 32 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions. Ray Jackson ran 34 times for 137 yards and caught Hoover's TD pass.

        But by getting down 21-3, UC put a lot of pressure on Hoover.

        “You never want to put it in the quarterback's hands to try to win the game,” Minter said. “We did that tonight, and obviously we came up real short.”

        Hoover was sacked five times.

Ray Jackson rushed for 137 yards. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        The Bearcats traditionally have struggled against Tulane. The Green Wave are 4-0 against UC since the two joined Conference USA. Tulane is 10-2 overall against UC.

        The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead when Ruffin capped UC's opening drive with a 31-yard field goal with 7:32 to go.

        The problem was UC could not stop Tulane early.

        Quarterback Patrick Ramsey took Tulane on a six-play, 69-yard drive and ended it by hitting Adrian Burnette for 10 yards and a touchdown to make it 7-3.

        UC went three-and-out on its next possession.

        Tulane went right back down the field. The Green Wave marched 80 yards in nine plays. Matt Goff took it in from a yard out for the TD.

        Tulane made it 21-3 when Ramsey hit Zander Robinson with a 31-yard TD pass with 1:23 left in the half.

        UC responded. Hoover took the Bearcats 56 yards in nine plays. Ruffin hit a 36-yarder as time ran out in the half. It was Ruffin's ninth consecutive successful field goal attempt, a new UC record.

        Tulane ran up 305 total yards in the half. Ramey completed 10 of 11 passes for 153 yards and the two touchdowns.

        UC got back into the game with 13 points in the third quarter.

        Bearcats defensive end Antwan Peek intercepted a Ramsey pass at the Tulane 35 and returned it to the 14.

        But UC could not punch it in.

        “This is something we've had trouble with all year,” Hoover said. “We move the ball and can't put it in the end zone.”

        The Bearcats settled for a 26-yard field goal by Ruffin.

        The Bearcats got the ball back when Freddy Smith picked off a pass from J.P. Losman, who had replaced Ramsey, at the Tulane 36. This time, UC got seven as Hoover hit Jackson for 7 yards and the TD.

        Fuller leaning toward UC

       Cincinnati ....... 3 3 13 0—19

        Tulane ....... 7 14 0 3—24

        First Quarter

        Cin—FG Ruffin 31, 7:28

        Tul—Burnette 10 pass from Ramsey (Marler kick), 5:20
       Second Quarter

        Tul—Groff 1 run (Marler kick), 13:34

        Tul—Robinson 37 pass from Ramsey (Marler kick), 1:10

        Cin—FG Ruffin 36, :00
       Third Quarter

        Cin—FG Ruffin 26, 9:25

        Cin—Jackson 7 pass from Hoover (Ruffin kick), 7:40

        Cin—FG Ruffin 23, 1:43
       Fourth Quarter

        Tul—FG Marler 30, 12:41

        A—22,446.

        INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

        RUSHING—Cincinnati, Jackson 34-137, Spencer 11-37, Hoover 7-(minus 19). Tulane, Moore 15-114, Sanchez 5-10, Hocke 1-1, Losman 2-(minus 1), Ramsey 7-(minus 5).

        PASSING—Cincinnati, Hoover 18-23-2-195. Tulane, Ramsey 18-28-1-236, Losman 3-6-1-49, Moore 1-1-0-14.

        RECEIVING—Cincinnati, Keith 5-59, Chatman 4-37, Collins-Baker 3-29, Jackson 2-30, Smikle 2-24, Drewery 1-9, Wize 1-7. Tulane, Burnette 6-102, Cook 3-56, Robinson 3-55, Moore 3-32, Harris 3-26, Williams 2-6, Losman 1-14, Sanchez 1-8.

       

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Tulane 24, UC 19

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