Sept. 30, 2000

Box Score

By BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Patrick Ramsey threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns as Tulane beat Cincinnati 24-19 on Saturday.

Tulane's defense, which had only three sacks in its first three games, caught Cincinnati quarterback Adam Hoover in the backfield five times, the last coming on a fourth-and-6 with 2:31 to play.

Defensive back Lynaris Elpheage had two interceptions for Tulane, the first in the end zone after Cincinnati drove to the 9. The second, near midfield came in the fourth quarter with Tulane holding a 24-19 lead. Tulane also forced a fumble deep in Cincinnati territory, setting up Seth Marler's field goal.

Tulane (2-2, 1-1 Conference USA) has won two straight. Cincinnati (2-3, 1-1) has lost three straight, all on the road.

Tulane jumped out to a 21-3 lead with an attack mixing a variety of passing routes with solid running from Mewelde Moore, who had 86 yards in the first half and finished with 114.

On Tulane's second drive, Moore ignited the Green Wave attack on a third-and-25 play as he broke a tackle at the line and swung outside for a 58-yard gain. That set up a 10-yard strike over the middle from Ramsey to Adrian Burnette to give Tulane a 7-3 lead.

On Tulane's next possession, coach Chris Scelfo inserted backup quarterback J.P. Losman, who led Tulane on a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive that ended on a 1-yard plunge by Brant Hocke.

Tulane's final touchdown came late in the second quarter when Zander Robinson hauled in a 37 pass from Ramsey as he backpedaled into the end zone, capping a 92-yard drive that lasted only 1:41.

Cincinnati climbed back into the game with interceptions by Antwan Peek and Freddy Smith on Tulane's first two possessions of the second half. Both came in Tulane territory, setting up a field goal and Cincinnati's only touchdown, a 7-yard strike from Hoover to Ray Jackson.

Cincinnati scored on five of six trips inside the Tulane 20, but had to settle for four field goals from Jonathon Ruffin.

Jackson led Cincinnati's ground game with 137 yards on 34 carries. Hoover, filling in for injured starter Deontey Kenner, hit 18 of 32 passes for 195 yards.

Ruffin has hit 11 straight field goals, breaking the school record of eight straight. His four field goals in a game also set a school mark.