Alec Pierce
Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) runs for a first down against Cincinnati during the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Ridder, breakthrough Bearcats stall in 27-6 loss to Alabama

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 31, 2021 07:07 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati showcases names to keep in mind for NFL draft

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 30, 2021 02:05 AM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

East Carolina's Ryan Jones (13) runs the ball and is challenged by Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 4 Cincinnati stays unbeaten, beats East Carolina 35-13

Bob Sutton Nov. 26, 2021 07:31 PM EST

Cincinnati's Curtis Brooks (92) grabs the arm of East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Cincinnati at East Carolina 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Cincinnati defensive lineman Curtis Brooks yells after sacking SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Ridder does everything for No. 3 Cincinnati in rout of SMU

By Jeff Wallner Nov. 20, 2021 07:09 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs for a touchdown during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
SMU at Cincinnati 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:15 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa on aturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 2 Cincinnati aims to stay on course at South Florida

By The Associated Press Nov. 11, 2021 12:57 PM EST

UCF quarterback Mikey Keene (16) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Jerome Ford's four TDs lead No. 3 Cincinnati over UCF 56-21

By Jeff Wallner Oct. 16, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, left, attempts a catch against Temple cornerback Cameron Ruiz during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Ridder, Ford help No. 5 Cincinnati rout Temple 52-3

By Jeff Wallner Oct. 08, 2021 10:31 PM EDT

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) points skyward after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Temple at Cincinnati 10/8/2021

Oct. 08, 2021 08:35 PM EDT

Penn State returner Jahan Dotson (5) breaks away from Indiana's Jonathan Haynes (17) on a punt return during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten powers surge into October

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 04, 2021 03:14 AM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (9) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Cincinnati won 38-24. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 8 Bearcats take big step, next one looms at Notre Dame

By Michael Marot Sep. 19, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Jack Perry (10) fumbles as he is hit by Indiana's Ryder Anderson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ridder helps No. 8 Bearcats rally for 38-24 win at Indiana

By Michael Marot Sep. 18, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

Indiana's Peyton Hendershot (86) dives over the goal line for a touchdown against Cincinnati's Bryan Cook (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Indiana 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, left, and Ahmad Gardner (1) lead players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Murray State at Cincinnati 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 05:19 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass during the first half an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 04:57 PM EDT

Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny (96) and offensive player of the game, holds the championship tropy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia won 22-21. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Podlesny's FG lifts Georgia past Cincinnati in Peach Bowl

By Charles Odum Jan. 01, 2021 04:14 PM EST