Tech found a spark in the third quarter. Stone Harrington opened the half with a 42-yard field goal for the Bearcats, and then safety Peyton Morgan returned an interception 47 yards for the Red Raiders' first touchdown of the day. That cut the Cincinnati lead to 24-15 after a failed two-point try. Amier Boyd gave Tech another look when he intercepted JC French IV on the Cincinnati 37.
Cincinnati pulled away in the fourth. Harrington drilled a 33-yard field goal to make it 31-18. Running back Cole Tabb then broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown, and the Bearcats led 37-18. Brian Simms recovered a Coy Eakin fumble at the 4:43 mark, which handed Cincinnati the ball on its own 41.
Tech got late points. Hammond hit Quentin Joyner for 24 yards, and Joyner scored from 3 yards out with 59 seconds left. The two-point try failed, and Cincinnati recovered the onside kick.
The Red Raiders do not get long to stew. They face Arizona at 11 a.m. Next Saturday.