Going into the fourth quarter Saturday, University of Cincinnati was down by 17 points to No.24 Southern Miss.

        The Bearcats' offense looked overwhelmed by Southern Miss' strong and fast defense; UC punter Adam Wulfeck had just booted away his ninth ball.

        Half the crowd of 21,958 at Nippert Stadium had already fled as UC trailed 24-7.

        How bad might it get? Bad enough that the Bearcats might play themselves right out of the Motor City Bowl in Detroit?

        Somebody forgot to tell UC's defense the game was over:

        With 13 minutes to play, linebacker Troy Evans stripped the ball from running back Dawayne Woods and fell on the fumble at the Southern Miss 30-yard line.

        Result: UC touchdown on a Deontey Kenner 8-yard pass to Robert Drewery.

        On Southern Miss' next possession, defensive tackle Kirk Thompson drilled quarterback Jeff Kelly from the blind side and defensive end Antwan Peek recovered the fumble on the Southern Miss 15-yard line.

        Result: UC touchdown on a Kenner 15-yard pass to Tye Keith.

        On Southern Miss' next possession, Peek sacked Kelly for a 12-yard loss, forcing a Southern Miss punt. Antonio Chatman's 14-yard return put the ball on the Southern Miss 29-yard line.

        Result: Jonathan Ruffin's 41-yard field goal for UC.

        Three great field positions, three scores.

        All in 4:37.

        “We feed off our defense,” Kenner said. “They're just terrific the way they fly around the ball out there, making things happen.”

        And then, with under three minutes left in the game, UC defensive back Gerry Ruff intercepted a Southern Miss pass at the 50, to set up another great starting spot for the UC offense.

        On third-and-four, Kenner threw a 25-yard pass to Keith, who fought off the defender and caught the ball as he was falling at the Southern Miss 19.

        “I just didn't stop — I wanted to make a play bad enough that I made it,” Keith said.

        “I don't know how he caught that ball,” Kenner said. “He was running high-outside shoulder, and I threw it low-inside.”

        After three running plays, it was fourth-and-six at the Southern Miss 15 with 45 seconds remaining. Bring on Ruffin.

        “Coach (Minter) just winked at me,” Ruffin said. “He didn't say anything. It was just an understanding that he "knew.' I knew he believed in me.”

        UC 27, Southern Miss 24.

Bearcats 'bowl' over So. Miss UC's defense takes over UC 73, Boise State 61 Injured Jones counting on early return

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