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Stars of the Game: SMU
MACON — The Cincinnati Bearcats beat SMU 29-27 for their sixth straight win on the season, and record-tying 19th straight win in American Athletic Conference play.
Several players had standout performances, but three stood out above the rest. Here are this week's three stars of the game.
1. Charles McClelland - RB (R-Sr.)
The Bearcats' fifth-year running back is starting to clamp down on the role of lead back. McClelland delivered his second straight 100-yard rushing performance and third of the season, highlighted by a 76-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.
It really is great to see McClelland do what he is doing after all he has been through. Coming off two ACL tears, one in each knee, we didn't know how McClelland would look this season. His health was and still is, a key to the success of this year's team. So far, he has stayed healthy and is running incredibly well.
2. Ivan Pace Jr. - LB (Sr.)
No secrets here, but it's not the stats that make him one of my stars of the game. It's his sportsmanship. In the fourth quarter, replays showed Pace helping an SMU player up off the turf and then tucking his shoulder pads back underneath his jersey. It's one thing to be a great player doing anything to help your team win. But it's another thing when that great player also respects his opponents and helps make sure they're good to go.
As for the game, Pace once again led the Bearcats in tackles with nine and also contributed 1.5 sacks and tackles for loss each. The Bearcats will need every bit of his greatness next Saturday in Orlando.
3. Jaheim Thomas - LB (R-So.)
The highest-rated defensive recruit for the Bearcats in the 247Sports era had the best game of his Bearcats career.
Thomas posted two sacks and tackles for loss, and he finished second on the team in seven tackles. Thomas is part of a deep linebacking corps, and this performance could be the one that catapults him to a significant role within that room.
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