Cincinnati used a first-half lead to beat Arizona State 24-14, improving to 5-2.

CINCINNATI — CINCINNATI (AP) — Brendan Sorsby passed for 206 yards and two touchdowns, Corey Kiner added 102 yards rushing and Cincinnati scored 24 straight first-half points in a 24-14 win over Arizona State on Saturday.

Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) dominated the first half after the Sun Devils rushed 66 yards and scored a touchdown on their first possession. The Bearcats forced the Sun Devils to punt three times and turned them over twice before halftime.

“We continue to get more comfortable playing defense,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. “This is a new scheme. You have guys, players in new positions, and they’re really starting to understand what we’re trying to do.”

Safety Antwan Peake Jr., whose father Antwan Peake Sr. holds the Cincinnati school record for forced fumbles in a game (three), season (seven) and career (17), forced a fumble on the Sun Devils’ second possession. Two plays later, Sorsby ran 14 yards to tie the game at 7-all and start Cincinnati’s scoring streak.

Arizona State running back Cam Scattebo, who entered Saturday ranked fifth in the country with 773 yards rushing, was held to 75 yards on 17 carries for Arizona State (5-2, 2-2). His two touchdowns kept the Sun Devils within striking distance in the second half, but two missed Ian Hershey field goals in the fourth quarter prevented the Sun Devils from making it a one-score game.

“Our offense struggled due to lack of conditioning and scheme issues,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said. “We were defeated and outplayed.”

REVIVAL OF A WORKING GAME

After rushing for just 125 yards per game in their last three games, the Bearcats gained 191 yards on the ground, their highest total since Miami (Ohio)’s 215 in Week 3.

“That’s been the main focus we’ve had all week, we need to have the ball,” Bearcats offensive lineman Luke Kandra said.

Evan Piror’s 55-yard touchdown early in the second quarter was his third rushing touchdown of 50 yards or more this season. It was also the Bearcats’ 14th game of 40+ yards this season and 20th of 30+ yards.

ASU GAME IS LOADED

The Sun Devils averaged 211.2 yards per game, but were 20 yards below that average on Saturday. The Bearcats held Skattebo more than 50 yards below his season average. His fumble in the first quarter handed the lead to Cincinnati.

“He (defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt) always preaches toughness,” Peake Jr. said. “They really emphasize physicality, chasing the ball. It’s all in the hands and the little things matter.”

KICK YOURSELF

Although they struggled offensively most of the game, the Sun Devils had several chances to take the Bearcats’ lead in the fourth quarter. But Hershey missed wide left on two field goal attempts from 48 and 41 yards, respectively.

“You know you hope you can hit one of those kicks, but our kicking game is terrible,” Dillingham said. “If you can kick and are in Arizona, message me. We will have trial classes on Monday. Seriously, let’s go. We are going to publish it on social media (media).”

NEXT

Arizona State: Inactive ahead of Oklahoma State game on Nov. 2.

Cincinnati: At Colorado next Saturday.

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