University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Cincinnati
Memphis Drops Heartbreaker In Overtime To Cincinnati, 13-10
Nov 11, 2000 | Football
Nov. 11, 2000
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Jonathon Ruffin kicked a 37-yard field goal in overtime to give Cincinnati a 13-10 victory over Memphis on Saturday.
Memphis had an opportunity to tie or win, but the Bearcats' Kirk Thompson intercepted Scott Scherer's pass on a first-and-10 from the 15.
The Bearcats (6-4, 4-2 Conference USA) have won four of their last five games, while Memphis (4-6, 2-4) has lost four straight.
Cincinnati, which managed only 14 yards offense in the first half, tied it at 10 on Ruffin's 30-yard field goal with 10:01 left.
Memphis had taken a 10-7 lead on the series prior to Ruffin's field goal after an 82-yard punt return by Ryan Johnson gave the Tigers the ball at the Cincinnati 1. Sugar Sanders scored on the next play.
Cincinnati led 7-3 at halftime after two quarters of mistakes, fumbles and penalties.
Memphis committed four turnovers in the half, including losing three of four fumbles. Twice Memphis fumbled deep in Bearcats' territory. For the game, the Tigers turned the ball over seven times, including four interceptions to go with three first-half fumbles.
Cincinnati's only score in the first half came on the first of the Tigers' turnovers as Sanders bobbled the ball at the Bearcats' 18.
Bearcats cornerback Ivan Fields grabbed the ball and returned it 82 yards for a 7-0 lead with less than five minutes gone.
Later in the first quarter, Memphis drove to the Bearcats' 1 before fumbling again on a fourth-and-goal play. Fields again recovered.
Memphis' only first-half score came on a 46-yard field goal by Ryan White with 4:49 left.
