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Hosey Williams' 1-yard touchdown run broke a scoreless tie with 4:55 to go, and self-destructive Cincinnati beat Miami of Ohio 14-0 on Saturday for its eighth-straight win in the rivalry.
Cincinnati (3-1) put together a 16-play drive - its only notable one of the game - that culminated in Williams' score. Quarterback Brendon Kay ran through a tackle to convert a third-down play and set up the touchdown.
After an interception, Kay went 1 yard on a keeper to put it away with 2:05 left.
The Bearcats kept it scoreless until the end by missing a field goal attempt, having another blocked and turning the ball over three times on a pair of interceptions and a fumble.
Miami (0-3) had another dismal game with its run-based option offense, managing only 1 net yard in the second half. The RedHawks' best play of the game was Zak Murphy's school-record 84-yard punt in the second quarter that helped keep Cincinnati at bay.
Kay had an inconsistent game, going 23 of 37 for 171 yards with two interceptions. He hurt the thumb on his passing had in the first half, came to the sideline to get it cleaned up and returned without missing a play.
The Bearcats extended the longest winning streak in the 118-game rivalry. Lately, Cincinnati had dominated the second-oldest rivalry among FBS schools, winning by scores of 24-10, 47-10, 45-20, 37-13, 45-3, 27-0 and 52-14. That 27-0 shutout two years ago was Cincinnati's first in Oxford since 1898.
In the return trip, neither offense did much of anything until the end.
Kay, a sixth-year senior, made his second straight start in place of Munchie Legaux, who tore ligaments in his left knee during a 45-17 loss at Illinois. Kay was the incumbent starter until a sore shoulder sidelined him during camp, giving Legaux the job.
Kay's hasn't fully recovered. The Bearcats have a bye next week, giving him a chance to rest and get treatment.
He was on-target in his first start, tying his career high with four touchdown passes in less than three quarters of a 66-9 win over Northwestern State last Saturday at Nippert Stadium. He was off on Saturday, repeatedly sailing throws.
He missed on a chance with the game scoreless in the fourth quarter, holding the ball too long before throwing an incompletion to Mekale McKay, who got behind the coverage.
With 10,000-yard passer Zac Dysert gone, the RedHawks switched to an option offense that hasn't gone anywhere. Miami lost at Marshall 52-14 and at Kentucky 41-7. After Williams' run for the game's only touchdown, Austin Boucher's next pass was intercepted by Deven Drane, sealing the win for Cincinnati.
Both teams flubbed scoring chances in the third quarter.
Miami drove to the 20-yard line, then lost 26 yards before turning the ball over on downs. Cincinnati got in range for Tony Miliano's 38-yard field goal try, but he pushed it wide right. His 36-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter was blocked by Austin Brown.
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Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay
