Official Athletic Site of the University of Cincinnati

Aug. 30, 2007

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CINCINNATI -- Ben Mauk threw for two touchdowns Thursday night in a triumphant comeback from injuries, and Marshwan Gilyard, caught a scoring pass in a comeback of his own, as Cincinnati beat Southeast Missouri State 59-3 in the debut of coach Brian Kelly's Cat Attack.

Cincinnati (1-0) had one of the top offensive showings in school history, setting up its most lopsided victory since a 63-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe in 1977. Mauk put the Bearcats in control, completing 18-of-27 for 244 yards with one interception in less than three quarters.

It was Cincinnati's first regular-season game under Kelly, who led the Bearcats to the International Bowl victory and then started installing his no-huddle scheme in its entirety.

Kelly needed a quarterback who could make his five-receiver sets work. He found one in Mauk, a former Ohio Mr. Football who kept the Bearcats on the move against Southeast Missouri State (0-1).

The Bearcats are now 7-0 against Ohio Valley Conference teams.

The opener drew 20,223 fans.

Mauk started Wake Forest's opener last season and suffered season-ending injuries while trying to recover a fumble.  He collected his undergraduate degree and came to Cincinnati for his graduate work and another chance to run an offense.

Mauk won a three-way competition for the starting job because of his comfort in the five-receiver sets. He smoothly blended down-the-field throws, shovel passes and quarterback draws. By halftime, the Bearcats had 373 yards and led 19-3 - a missed field goal and two missed extra points kept the score down.

Early in the second quarter, Mauk uncorked a 56-yard touchdown pass to Marshwan Gilyard, who beat a defender down the right sideline.

Butler Benton ran for 101 yards and scored twice, once on a 13-yard pass from Mauk. Cincinnati pulled away with the help of four fumbles and two interceptions.

Returning all-BIG EAST cornerback Mike Mickens intercepted Victor Anderson's pass in the end zone to end one early threat.  Mickens later picked off a pass by Houston Lillard - the Redhawks' other quarterback  - and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.

Bradley Glatthaar crossed the goal line from one yard out with 10:26 left in the third quarter to make it a 32-3 game.

Tony Pike relieved Mauk and quickly directed Cincinnati to scores on his first two drives.  Pike finished the night 6-of-9 for 57 yards and a touchdown when he hit Ben Guidugli on a bootleg from seven yards.

Jacob Ramsey carried the ball 16 times for 76 yards in the second half.  Ramsey scored on a one-yard run and a 15-yarder to cap the scoring for the Bearcats.