University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Cincinnati
Football Edged By Cincinnati, 36-34
Nov 24, 2001 | Football
Nov 24, 2001
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Gino Guidugli threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jon Olinger with 4 seconds left as Cincinnati beat Memphis 36-34 Saturday, spoiling the Tigers' bid for their first winning season in seven years.
Olinger, who had 144 yards on six catches and another touchdown on the day, accounted for 70 of the 75 yards in the Bearcats' winning drive, which began with just over 2 minutes remaining. Olinger caught three passes in the winning march - all in the final 40 seconds - including a 36-yarder on fourth-and-27.
The win makes the Bearcats (6-4, 5-2 Conference USA) eligible for their third bowl invitation in the last five years.
Memphis (5-6, 3-4) came close to its first winning season since 1994 when Danny Wimprine connected with Antoine Harden on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 2:16 to play. The score gave Memphis a 34-30 lead.
As the Memphis faithful cheered on the defense, Guidugli struggled in the first part of the series. Only a pass interference call on the Tigers and an 11-yard run by Ray Jackson kept the drive alive, setting the stage for Olinger's last-minute performance.
The winning pass came as Olinger beat Anthony Harden, Antoine Harden's brother, in the left side of the end zone.
The Bearcats had 572 yards of offense in the game, including 265 yards on the ground. DeMarco McCleskey finished with 120 yards, while Jackson rushed for 110, marking the first time Cincinnati had two players rush for over 100 yards since 1991.
The teams exchanged leads through much of the second half. Cincinnati, which trailed 17-10 at the break, scored on five of its six second half possessions, including the opening drive of the half when McCleskey scored from 2 yards to tie the game at 17-17.
From there, each time one team scored, the other answered to tie the game.
Ruffin's 26-yard kick with just over four minutes left gave Cincinnati its first lead at 30-27, setting the stage for the final two touchdowns.
Guidugli was 18-of-36 for 348 yards, including 8-of-14 for 168 yards in the fourth period.
Wimprine was 16-of-33 for 295 yards.
