Halftime Analysis: Cincinnati Leads Houston 14-13 in AAC Title Game

The Bearcats offense exploded in the the opening half.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Dec 4, 2021 5:33 PM EST

CINCINNATI — UC is 30 minutes away from the College Football Playoff after carrying a SCORE lead into halftime of the AAC Championship game against No. 21 Houston.

Both offenses came out humming to start with plenty of fireworks in front of a packed Nippert Stadium. Here's instant analysis of the first half.

First Quarter Fireworks Show at Nippert

Cincinnati averaged 26.7 yards per play in the first quarter of the AAC Championship game. Desmond Ridder jolted the offense with a 25-yard strike to Tyler Scott, and Jerome Ford followed it up with a 79-yard touchdown run.

The run was Ford's fourth career 75-plus yard touchdown.

Clayton tune and Houston showed off a strong opening script, scoring 10 points on their opening two drives. The most points UC's allowed in the initial two drives all season.

Neither team punted until the 6:30 mark in the second quarter.

Eject the Kicking Game

Cincinnati is one of the worst field goal-kicking teams in the country, and that popped up again on Saturday. Christian Lowery missed a 23-yard attempt that would've given UC a 17-13 lead early in the second quarter.

UC hit 46.7% of its field-goal attempts during the regular season. They were one of six teams in the country under 50%. The red zone may need to be four-down territory at all times.

Dialing up Dell

Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell lit up one of the nation's best coverage units in the first half. He finished with 75 yards and one touchdown on seven catches.

Tune looked his way time and time again, and the shifty receiver kept delivering. Cincinnati needs to contain that connection in the second half.

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