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Name: Desmond Ridder 
College: Cincinnati     Number: 9
Height: 6-3   Weight: 213
Position: QB  Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: rSr/2022

40 Low: 4.47
   40 Time: 4.52
  40 High: 4.58

> Projected Round: 1  Stock:   Projected High: Mid-late 1st  Low: Early 2nd

Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6033
Weight: 213

Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET):
 4.52
40 Yard Dash (HH): 4.50
20 Yard (ET): 2.59
20 Yard (HH): 2.57
10 Yard (ET): 1.54
10 Yard (HH): 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 
Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 10'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.29
3-Cone Drill: 7.15
Projected 4.64/-.12

Dates: 03/24/22
Hand: 10  Arm: 32 3/4
Wingspan: 79 5/8

Height: 6033
Weight: 213
40 Yrd Dash: 
20 Yrd Dash: 
10 Yrd Dash: 
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 
Vertical Jump: 
Broad Jump: 
20 Yrd Shuttle: 
3-Cone Drill: 

Pos Drills Only.
 

 



 Data Scout Notes: **2021: OPOYC/1stC...PManning/POBrien...**2020: ManningFinalist/OPOYC/1stC...MaxwellSemifinalist...OBrienSemifinalist...2019: POBrien...AAC ROY w/194-311-2468-20-5-62.4 pass, 150-573-3.8-5 rush in 12 sts, 13 gms in '18. Redshirted in '17.



 Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Player News

  12/01/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  2021 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GEICO OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati,...Ridder becomes the second player to repeat as American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, joining former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton, who won in 2017 and 2018. Ridder has led Cincinnati to a 12-0 regular season and a third consecutive appearance in The American Championship Game while improving his career record to 43-5 as a starter, the best of any active NCAA quarterback. Ridder has thrown for exactly 3,000 yards has accounted for 33 touchdowns (27 passing, six rushing) and is The American's career leader in total offense (12,072 yards) and touchdown responsibility (113). - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  11/26/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and No. 4 Cincinnati, aiming to maintain its position among the top four in the College Football Playoff rankings, completed a perfect regular season by beating East Carolina 35-13 on Friday. The Bearcats (12-0, 8-0 American Athletic Conference, CFP No. 4) are trying to become the first team outside of a Power Five conference to compete in the four-team CFP. They'll face Houston at home next week in the AAC title game. This outcome was largely achieved because of Cincinnati's defense. As a bonus, Arquon Bush blocked a field goal and Ahmad Gardner returned the ball 60 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 28-6. Less than four minutes later, Darrian Beavers intercepted a pass at the 7:27 mark, but the ensuing possession resulted in Cincinnati's second turnover inside the East Carolina 5-yard line. East Carolina (7-5, 5-3) had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Ridder finished 17-for-28 for 301 yards with two interceptions. Alec Pierce caught eight passes for 136 yards. Jerome Ford rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown. East Carolina closed within 21-6 and then drove to the Cincinnati 5 early in the fourth quarter. But after a penalty, the Pirates were ready to settle for Owen Daffer's third field goal before Bush disrupted those plans in what seemed like a game-clinching sequence with 11:07 remaining. The All-America cornerback Gardner grabbed the bouncing ball and was way out in front of the pack for a score. East Carolina's winning streak marked its longest string of success in AAC play in its eight seasons as a league member. Cincinnati also went 12-0 in the 2009 regular season. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: Cincinnati/AP College Football
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  11/23/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Cincinnati moved into position to make the College Football Playoff on Tuesday night, climbing a spot to fourth behind Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama. A team from outside the Power Five conferences has never been selected for the semifinals in the previous seven years of the College Football Playoff. Heading into the final full weekend of games, one loaded with playoff and conference championship implications, Cincinnati (11-0) seems to have a realistic path to a playoff spot no matter what happens around the Bearcats.

Cincinnati plays at East Carolina on Friday and then meets Houston (10-1), ranked 24th by the committee, in the American Athletic Conference championship game on Dec. 4. Before this season, no team from a so-called Group of Five conference had ever been ranked better than seventh by the CFP selection committee. Michigan is fifth heading into its game against Ohio State that should produce the Big Ten's best shot to make the playoff. Notre Dame (10-1) is sixth. The Fighting Irish's only loss is to Cincinnati. Oklahoma State (10-1) at seventh is the highest ranked Big 12 team. Big 12 rivals Baylor (eighth) and Oklahoma (10th) round out the top 10 with Mississippi in between. - AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: AP College Football
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  11/20/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes, ran for another score and even caught a TD pass to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past SMU 48-14 on Saturday. Alec Pierce had a pair of TD catches for the Bearcats (11-0, 7-0 American Athletic). They extended the nation's second-longest home winning streak to 26 games and keep alive hopes of becoming the first non-Power 5 team to reach the College Football Playoff. SMU (8-3, 4-3) managed 199 yards of offense after averaging 498 through the first 10 games. Tanner Mordecai, the AAC offensive player of the week last week for the fourth time this season, had only 63 yards passing and was sacked three times.

It was an emphatic start to the game for the Bearcats. After Cincinnati forced SMU to punt on its first possession, Ridder found Tyler Scott wide open for a 53-yard scoring pass on the first play from scrimmage. Ridder passed for 274 yards. Following a partially blocked punt by Wilson Huber, the Bearcats took over at the SMU 25 and Jerome Ford's 4-yard run made it 14-0 with 5:32 left in the first quarter. Ford had 20 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown after missing a game due to injury. After a fumble ended a promising drive for the Mustangs, Ridder scored on a 40-yard keeper on fourth-and-1 to make it 20-0 in the second quarter. Alec Pierce caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Ridder and the Bearcats led 27-0 at halftime. Pierce had two TD catches. Cincinnati's halftime lead could have been larger had it not been for a missed extra-point attempt and two missed field goal attempts, one which was blocked. The Bearcats defense forced six three-and-outs in the first half, tying a single-game season-high. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: Cincinnati/AP College Football
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  11/16/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 15 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Desmond Ridder, Sr., QB, Cincinnati,...Completed 31 of 39 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns and had 65 rushing yards with a TD in a 45-28 win at South Florida. Set Cincinnati's career record for touchdown passes (79). - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  11/12/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes to break the Cincinnati career record and ran for a score to help the No. 2 Bearcats beat South Florida 45-28 on Friday night. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 American Athletic, No. 5 CFP), one of four unbeaten FBS teams, has started the season with 10 consecutive wins for just the second time in school history. The Bearcats also did it in 2009, when they got off to a 12-0 start. "We know we're still climbing and when you're climbing a mound there's going to be struggles, there's going to be obstacles and we had some tonight," Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said. "I thought Desmond Ridder had a phenomenal night." Ridder broke the school record with this 79th touchdown pass, a 21-yard strike to Josh Whyle early in the third that made it 31-7.

Gino Guidugli, now Cincinnati's quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, had 78 scoring passes from 2001-04. "Something special, man," Guidugli said. "He's earned that. It just makes it that much more special if your record is going to broken, I'm extremely happy for him. I love him like a son." Ridder completed 31 of 39 passes for 304 yards, and ran for 65 yards on 13 carries. He brought the record-breaking ball to his postgame media session. "I told everyone in the locker room that this ball and this record wasn't just me," Ridder said. The Bearcats played without running back Jerome Ford due to a leg injury that happened during last week against Tulsa. Ford has 888 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Jaren Mangham had two rushing TDs for South Florida (2-8, 1-5), which has lost 19 consecutive games against teams ranked in the top 20 since upsetting Notre Dame on the road in October 2011. He has 15 touchdowns on the ground this season, tied for second-most in USF history. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: Cincinnati/AP College Football
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  11/02/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 1 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Desmond Ridder, Sr., QB, Cincinnati,...Completed 17 of 27 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns and an interception and added 47 rushing yards in a 31-12 win at Tulane. - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  10/30/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder twice connected with tight end Josh Whyle for touchdowns, and No. 2 Cincinnati remained unbeaten with a 31-12 victory Saturday over a struggling but feisty Tulane squad that kept the game competitive deep into the second half. Jerome Ford rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown - his 14th this season - for Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 American Athletic Conference), which briefly trailed in the second quarter and led by just two points at halftime. Ridder passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns to go with his 47 yards rushing, but also was sacked in the end zone for a safety and intercepted. Whyle caught four passes for 79 yards.

Tulane (1-6, 0-4), which was playing without starting quarterback Michael Pratt because of his concussion during last weeks loss at SMU, lost its sixth straight, but did have a few standout performances. Running back Tyjae Spears, coming back from a knee injury that wiped out his 2020 season, rushed for 106 yards on 19 carries, highlighted by his 47-yard touchdown in the first half. Third-string QB Kai Horton, a freshman, started for Tulane because backup Justin Ibieta also was hurt. He completed seven of 16 passes for 79 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked four times. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: Cincinnati/AP College Football
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  10/08/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns and No. 5 Cincinnati routed Temple 52-3 on Friday night for its 23rd straight home victory. Jerome Ford ran for a career-high 149 yards and two scores to help the Bearcats (5-0, 1-0 American) avoid a letdown after their big victory at Notre Dame last week. "First time really playing a complete game," Bearcats coach Luke Fickell said. "Not saying perfect by any means, but a complete game. We talked about keeping that pressure on." The home streak is the second-longest in the country, behind Clemson at 31. Temple is the last team to beat the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium, edging them 35-24 in 2017.

Temple (3-3, 1-1) has played Cincinnati tough in recent years with the previous three meetings decided by a combined 20 points, including a 15-13 victory by the Bearcats in the last meeting in 2019. The Bearcats figured to get off to a fast start against Temple, which was outscored 50-7 in the first quarter through the first five games. They took advantage of a Temple mistake when Jadan Blue's muffed punt was recovered by Ja'von Hicks at the 13. Two plays later, Alec Pierce caught a 9-yard touchdown pass for a 10-0 lead. Pierce had six catches for 93 yards. "I know he's a guy who I can trust to go up and get the ball," Ridder said. "We've had a great connection and it's starting to show up in games." - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  10/05/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  OCT 4 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Ridder, Sr., QB, Cincinnati,...Ridder had 323 yards of total offense and three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to lead Cincinnati to a 24-13 win at No. 9 Notre Dame to keep the Bearcats undefeated and give them their first road win in program history against a top-10 opponent. Ridder completed 19 of 32 passes for 297 yards and a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to stake the Bearcats to a 17-0 lead. He then led the Bearcats on scoring drives on its first two possessions of the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach after Notre Dame had closed to within four points. - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  10/03/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  The last pass of the day by Desmond Ridder was a celebratory heave way up into stands toward the Cincinnati fans who came to Notre Dame to see their Bearcats make a statement. Cincinnati wanted to use the first top-10, regular-season matchup in program history as a chance to show it belongs among the nation's best before heading into its American Athletic Conference schedule. Mission accomplished.

Ridder threw two touchdown passes and ran for score late in the fourth quarter as No. 7 Cincinnati capitalized on its big opportunity and beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13 in a game the Bearcats hope can be the centerpiece of a College Football Playoff resume. No team from outside the Power Five conferences has reached the playoff in its seven seasons. Never even came close. To break that barrier, the Bearcats almost certainly need to go undefeated and this trip to Notre Dame looked like the toughest test on their schedule. Not to mention the grandest stage they'll appear on this season. - AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  10/02/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and ran for score late in the fourth quarter as No. 7 Cincinnati capitalized on its big opportunity and beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13 Saturday in a game the Bearcats hope can be the centerpiece of College Football Playoff resume. Cincinnati (4-0) wanted to use its first Top 10, regular-season matchup as a statement game, heading into its American Athletic Conference schedule. No team from outside the Power Five conferences has ever reached the playoff. Never even came close. To break that barrier Bearcats almost certainly needs to go undefeated and this trip to Notre Dame (4-1) stood as the toughest test on the schedule. Not to mention the biggest stage they'll appear on this season.

The Bearcats were not quite dominant, but they were plenty good enough in their first trip to South Bend since 1900 to snap Notre Dame's 26-game home winning streak. When told how loud the crowd can be at Notre Stadium this week, Ridder quipped that it wouldn't be for long. The senior delivered, going 19 for 32 for 297 yards. He hooked up with Alec Pierce six times for 144 yards, and was at his best after Notre Dame cut the lead to 17-13 with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter. Ridder went 3 for 3, with a bullet down the middle for 36 yards to Leonard Taylor, on the ensuing drive. He capped it off with a 6-yard TD run around left end that made it 24-13. Cincinnati took advantage of three turnovers by Notre Dame in the first half to jump out to 17-0 lead. The miscues by the Irish were killers. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  09/18/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw the go-ahead touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, then scored on a 7-yard TD run to help No. 8 Cincinnati seal a come-from-behind 38-24 victory Saturday at Indiana. Jerome Ford ran for two scores and Tre Tucker scored on a 99-yard kickoff return as the Bearcats (3-0) won their first road game of the season. They've won 12 of 13 since the start of 2020. Indiana (1-2) lost despite taking a 14-0 lead - and playing in front of its largest crowd for a non-conference game since September 1987.

The turning point came when starting linebacker Micah McFadden was ejected for targeting late in the first half. The Bearcats, who struggled to move the ball, scored 10 points in the final 93 seconds of the first half and finally took the lead on Ford's 3-yard TD run in the third quarter. The Hoosiers regained the lead on D.J. Matthews Jr.'s 14-yard scoring run then gave it right back on the kickoff return. A missed extra point opened the door for Indiana, and the Hoosiers grabbed a 24-23 advantage on Charles Campbell's 49-yard field goal late in the third. Then Ridder got hot. He made it 30-24 with the scoring throw to Pierce before the scoring run and a succesful 2-point conversion pass. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  09/06/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  SEPT 6 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Desmond Ridder, Sr., QB, Cincinnati,...Completed 20 of 25 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns and had a rushing TD in a 49-14 win against Miami (Ohio). - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  09/04/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder was 20 of 25 for 295 yards and four touchdowns and No. 8 Cincinnati beat Miami of Ohio 49-14 on Saturday in the opener for both teams. The Bearcats tied the series that began in 1888 at 59-59-7. Ridder threw an 81-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Scott on the second play from scrimmage. It was the longest TD toss of his career. "I saw them go into a two high like they did on film," Ridder said. "There was a smile on my face when they did. I just threw the ball up for Todd to go get. I was able to see things a lot better. I think a lot of guys saw things a lot better." Ridder also ran six times for 31 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown carry. The fifth-year senior had one interception. "Desmond was really poised," Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said. "He was ready. It isn't only he has improved as a player but he's improved as a leader." Jerome Ford added 121 yards rushing yards on 12 carries, scoring on a 21-yard run in the second quarter. - Cincinnati/AP College Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: Cincinnati/AP College Football
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  08/22/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder looks more confident and has more control of the offense UC's fifth-year senior is noticeably different. He's calm. He's relaxed. The 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year is as comfortable as he's been since arriving at Cincinnati in 2017. "Yeah, he's a different guy, for sure," wide receivers coach Mike Brown said of Ridder. "He's really, really confident right now, as he should be. They (Ridder and the receivers) put in a lot of work this summer and it's showing. Those guys are really on the same page."

The Bearcats had seven new receivers last season. With a year with that group under his belt, Ridder has looked both mentally and physically sharp, keeping his turnovers down and his completion percentage high. "I've seen a lot more confidence in him," senior wide receiver Alec Pierce said. "He's really taken control. I think he's understanding the game and just making the smart play. Say if you've got pressure, you'll get the ball out quick just to check down. That's not the glamorous throw but it's the smart and right thing to do. I've seen that a lot from him this year." - Cincinnati Enquirer


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  08/16/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Expectations for the University of Cincinnati football team are high. Even college coaches around the country believe the Bearcats are a top-10 team. Cincinnati, after finishing last season No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings, entered the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll released Tuesday as the 10th-ranked team in the country. The poll is voted on by a panel of 65 coaches from the 10 FBS conferences plus independents. The No. 10 ranking is the highest preseason ranking in program history. The Bearcats, the preseason favorite to repeat as American Athletic Conference champions, received 979 total points. North Carolina garnered 999 points to enter the poll at No. 9. Top-ranked Alabama led the way with 1,621 points.

Cincinnati will face No. 17 Indiana (573) on Sept. 18 in Bloomington, followed by No. 7 Notre Dame (1,139) on Oct. 2 in South Bend. The lofty expectations for the Bearcats, who have won 31 games over the past three seasons, are due in large part to the play and leadership of Desmond Ridder. After leading Cincinnati to its first AAC championship, the 2020 AAC Offensive Player of the Year elected to return for a fifth season in January. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior quarterback will enter the 2021 campaign as the winningest active signal-caller in the FBS. - Cincinnati Enquirer


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  07/26/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder, the University of Cincinnati's most well-known current student-athlete, is dipping much more than just his toes into the name, image and likeness pool. The Bearcats' senior quarterback, who is on the watch list for both the 2021 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award, has signed an exclusive NFT (non-fungible token) deal with digital collectible company Candy Digital, the company announced Friday. Ridder, who announced earlier this month that he had signed a NIL deal with sports agency Vayner Sports, will be featured in several NFT collectibles that will be available for purchase in September. "Pumped up to be able to expand my name and brand, while also representing the best school in America," said Ridder in a July 13 social media post announcing he was joining Vayner Sports. Ridder is just one of many college student-athletes who have seized financial opportunities since the NCAA Board of Directors suspended the NCAA's antiquated rules prohibiting student-athletes from profiting off of their name, image and likeness. - Cincinnati Enquirer

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  04/18/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  With 11 practices this spring for the Bearcat's football program, the team will get a glimpse of their 2021 team through a scrimmage on Saturday. After finishing No. 8 overall following a Peach Bowl appearance and a 9-1 season, the doubts against the Bearcats haven't eased. ESPN ranked them as the 27th best team heading into the 2021-22 season, the highest of any non-power five conference, despite 16 starters returning. As head coach Luke Fickell begins his fifth season with the Bearcats, one box already checked for the upcoming season is their offensive leader, quarterback Desmond Ridder.

As the 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Ridder will be the winningest quarterback in 2021 college football. Over his last three seasons with the Bearcats, Ridder has averaged 2,302 passing yards per season, with popular targets returning out wide. In the wide receiver room, returners include senior Michael Young Jr., Junior Tre Tucker, graduate Jordan Jones and Senior Alec Pierce. Tucker, Pierce and Young Jr. were among the top five leading receivers for the Bearcats in 2020, with No. 1 overall returning to tight end Josh Whyle. - The News Record


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  01/09/21 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  University of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder will return to school next season. Ridder, a redshirt junior who earned his degree in sports administration in December, announced on Twitter Friday that he will not enter the 2021 NFL Draft. The 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year led the Bearcats to an undefeated regular season, the AAC title and a Peach Bowl bid. Ridder will be the winningest quarterback in college football in 2021. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Louisville St. Xavier product is 30-5 as a starter. - Cincinnati Enquirer

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  12/19/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Cole Smith made a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Cincinnati a 27-24 victory over No. 20 Tulsa on Saturday night in the rainy American Conference Championship game. Alec Pierce had a career-high 146 yards receiving on five catches, Desmond Ridder passed for 269 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score, and Jerome Ford added a 42-yard scoring run for the Bearcats (9-0, No. 9 CFP).

Tulsa (6-2, No. 23 CFP) reached the conference championship game following three straight losing seasons. It was the Golden Hurricane's first appearance in the AAC title game. Tulsa tied it with 3:41 remaining on Zach Smith's 13-yard touchdown pass to JuanCarlos Santana. But the Golden Hurricane defense jumped offside on a hard count on fourth-and-2, giving the Bearcats a first down at the 19 to set up Smith's kick. - AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  12/17/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  2020 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati,...Ridder is the first UC player to win the offensive honor since Isaiah Pead was BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2011. Ridder was AAC Rookie of the Year in 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree on Dec. 12 and is a semifinalist for the Maxwell and O'Brien Awards. Ridder passed for 1,821 yards and 16 TDs while rushing for 526 yards and 11 scores. - Cincinnati Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  12/15/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  2020 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati,...Ridder, who is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award as the nation's most outstanding player, has been instrumental in Cincinnati's 8-0 record. He has passed for 1,821 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 526 yards and 11 TDs, engineering an offense that averages 40.9 points and 473.1 yards per game. He has accounted for 21 touchdowns in the Bearcats' last five games, throwing 10 touchdown passes and rushing for 11 scores. Ridder, who was The American Rookie of the Year in 2018, is the first Cincinnati player to be chosen as the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. - American Athletic Conference Football

(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
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  12/11/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco called the College Football Playoff selection committee's decision to drop the University of Cincinnati football team to No. 8 in its latest rankings "indefensible." The 13-member selection committee on Tuesday elected to replace the 8-0 Bearcats with 8-2 Iowa State at No. 7. UC had sat at No. 7 in the previous three playoff rankings. No team outside of the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) and independent Notre Dame has received a top-four ranking to be eligible for the playoff since the format was introduced in 2014.

The selection committee's move Tuesday all but erased any chance Cincinnati had at becoming the first Group of Five team to crash the playoff party. "It really can't be defended. It's indefensible," Aresco told The Enquirer on Wednesday. "This team (Iowa State) has two losses. Why do we bother to play the games? The team ahead of (Cincinnati) lost by 17 points, 31-14, to Louisiana. That team also lost another game to Oklahoma State." - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  12/08/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  2020 DAVEY O'BRIEN AWARD SEMIFINALIST: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr.,...Ridder has helped lead UC to an 8-0 start to the season and a No. 7 ranking in all three national polls. The junior has passed for 1,821 yards and 16 TDs while rushing for 526 yards and 11 scores. He was also tabbed a semifinalist for the 84th Maxwell Award. - Cincinnati Football

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  12/08/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  2020 MAXWELL AWARD SEMIFINALIST: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati,...Ridder has helped lead UC to an 8-0 start to the season and a No. 7 ranking in all three national polls. The junior has passed for 1,821 yards and 16 TDs while rushing for 526 yards and 11 scores. He was also tabbed a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. Ridder has 21 career rushing TDs, most ever for a UC QB and tied for No. 9 all-time. Over the past five games, Ridder has accounted for 21 TDs, passing for 1,224 yards and 10 TDs while running for 455 yards (8.8 YPR) and 11 TDs. - Cincinnati Football

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  11/25/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  The last time Cincinnati played at UCF, Ridder completed just 42% of his passes (11 of 26), lost three fumbles and failed to get into the end zone in a 38-13 loss. Two years later, Ridder put that game way back in his rearview mirror, completing 21 of 32 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Ridder added two more scores on the ground. The former Louisville St. Xavier standout now has accounted for 21 touchdowns (10 passing, 11 rushing) in the last five games.

"The guy never ceases to amaze us," Fickell said. "I love it when people start to doubt him or start to question what he is doing or how good he is or can he really throw the football. All those things, all that does for him is just make him better because it locks him in, it focuses him." Ridder completed a pass to eight different teammates on Saturday, including a combined 11 receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns to his two tight ends, Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle. But most importantly, Ridder, again, had zero turnovers. - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  11/23/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 23 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr., QB, Louisville Ky.,...Ridder was responsible for four touchdowns and had 395 yards of total offense to help Cincinnati remain unbeaten with a 36-33 win at UCF, which had won 23 of its last 24 home games. Ridder completed 21 of 32 passes for a season-high 338 yards and two touchdowns and added 57 rushing yards with two TDs on the ground. Ridder, who leads the Bearcats with 16 touchdown passes and 11 rushing scores, has accounted for 21 touchdowns in the Bearcats' last five games. - American Athletic Conference Football

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  11/21/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder three two touchdown passes and ran for two scores as No. 7 Cincinnati defeated Central Florida 36-33 Saturday to head into the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings unbeaten. The Bearcats (8-0, 6-0 American) fell behind 14-3 in the first quarter against their toughest opponent yet, but grabbed the lead by halftime. Dillon Gabriel threw for 243 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the Knights (5-3, 4-3) lost at home for the second time this season. UCF took a 25-22 lead in the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Marlon Williams. The interception Gabriel threw was costly for UCF.

Bearcats safety Darrick Forest picked off Gabriel's pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 20 yards to the Knights' 16. Four plays later, a 1-yard sneak by Ridder gave UC a 29-25 lead with 13:07 remaining. Rider passed for 338 yards and ran for 57. Cincinnati used 10 plays to go 71 yards on its next possession to go up two scores. The Bearcats converted a fourth-and-1 at the UCF 26 and three plays later Ridder threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Taylor for a 36-25 lead with 7:15 remaining. UCF made it 36-33 with 4:27 remaining on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Jaylon Robinson and a 2-point conversion pass to Jacob Harris The Bearcats ran down all but one second of the clock, trying not score down near the goal line. Cincinnati was cutting it close and then an errant snap on fourth down gave everyone a jolt, but was recovered by Ridder. The Knights got one play from their 8 that went nowhere. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


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  11/16/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 16 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr., QB, Louisville Ky.,...Ridder was responsible for four touchdowns and had 402 yards of total offense to help Cincinnati remain unbeaten with a 55-17 win against East Carolina. Ridder completed 24 of 31 passes for a season-high 327 yards and three touchdowns (33, 45, 12) and added a team-high 75 rushing yards including a 7-yard TD. Ridder, who leads the Bearcats with 14 touchdown passes and nine rushing scores, has accounted for 17 touchdowns in the Bearcats' last four games. - American Athletic Conference Football

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  11/13/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score to help No. 7 Cincinnati rout East Carolina 55-17 on Friday night. Cincinnati (7-0, 5-0 American Athletic) extended its school-record home winning streak to 19 games, the fourth-longest streak among FBS schools, and kept its hopes alive for a College Football Playoff berth. Ridder has accounted for 17 touchdowns in the past four games, including nine rushing TDs.

In Cincinnati's three-point victory over East Carolina last year, the Pirates scored 43 points and piled up 638 yards. The Bearcats were motivated to prevent a repeat. The offense got off to a fast start with Ridder's 33-yard touchdown pass to Michael Young to cap a 79-yard drive on their opening possession. Cincinnati had second-and-goal at the Pirates 3, but lost a fumble at the 5. Six plays later, however, Bearcats linebacker Jarell White returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. After punting on three of its first four possessions, East Carolina (1-6, 1-5) drove 58 yards in three plays, pulling to 14-7 on Keaton Mitchell's 18-yard run. Ridder's 16-yard scramble on third-and-12 set up Jerome Ford's 24-yard touchdown run, and Tre Tucker's 45-yard touchdown reception highlighted a 28-point second quarter. - AP College Football


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  11/09/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 9 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr., QB,...Accounted for four touchdowns and 265 yards of total offense in a 38-10 win against Houston. Rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries and completed 17 of 27 passes for 162 yards and a TD. - American Athletic Conference Football

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  11/04/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  On the offensive side of the ball for Cincinnati, quarterback Desmond Ridder continued to prove he's the man for the job, building on his impressive performance from last week against Southern Methodist University. "The game has slowed down," Ridder said. "I'm just going out there an being me. Playing football, enjoying the game and just really having fun with it. From the offensive line, to the wide recievers and to the DB's. All people on the field, we're just out there having fun." Ridder was relied upon to throw the ball much more than usual in this week's affair. To close out the first half, he completed 14 out of his last 16 pass attempts.

Ridder's decision making with the ball in his hands has appeared to improve greatly over the past two weeks after making many questionable decisions through the first three games of the season. Another criticism of Ridder's has been his consistency in hitting receivers down field. Against Memphis, he completed two 40+ yard receptions; one to Alec Pierce for the opening touchdown of the game and one to Jayshon Jackson in order to set himself up for a 9-yard rushing touchdown in the redzone. Ridder finished his day 21-26 with 271 passing yards and 2 touchdowns and one interception through the air, as well as 41 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. - The News Record


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  11/03/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  This season is just weird enough to find a non-Power Five team in the College Football Playoff. Cincinnati could be that team. A large factor in that possibility is the play of Ridder. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback completed 21 of 26 passes for 271 yards and accounted for five total touchdowns (three passing and two rushing). Ridder last week was named the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week, Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week and the AAC Offensive Player of the Week after running for a career-high 179 yards and three touchdowns and completing 13 of 21 passes for 126 yards and another score at Southern Methodist University.

The key for the Bearcats in both games was Ridder took care of the football. He had zero turnovers last week, and outside of an interception on a deep throw at the end of the third quarter, Ridder held on to the ball against the Tigers (3-2, 2-2 AAC). "The game's just slowing down," Ridder said. "I'm just going out there and being me, just playing football, enjoying the game, really just having fun with it." Ridder lost a fumble, threw an interception and missed several open receivers Sept. 26 against Army. He followed that by throwing three interceptions against South Florida. But it appears Ridder has turned a corner, and that is huge for his confidence and for Cincinnati's lofty aspirations. "It starts up front," Ridder said. "Up front, all the big guys are doing a heck of a job moving the guys. I think once we keep it on them and keep it going, it's really hard to stop us." - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  11/02/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  NOV 2 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr., QB, Louisville, Ky.,...Ridder earns Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after he was responsible for five touchdowns in Cincinnati's 49-10 win against Memphis. Ridder completed 21 of 26 passes (80.7%) for 271 yards and three touchdowns (43, 6, 21) and rushed for two TDs (13, 9) and 41 yards on 10 carries. Ridder has figured in nine touchdowns in Cincinnati's last two games. - American Athletic Conference Football

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  10/31/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and ran for two and Jerome Ford also scored twice as the seventh-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats remained undefeated with a 49-10 win over the Memphis Tigers on Saturday. Playing in a Nippert Stadium nearly empty due to COVID-19 protocols, the Bearcats (5-0, 3-0 AAC) decisively snapped a five-game losing streak against Memphis (3-2, 2-2), including two losses by a combined 15 points over a span of eight days last season - the second in the AAC championship game. Ridder, who set a program record for quarterbacks with 179 yards rushing while throwing three touchdown passes a week earlier at Southern Methodist, finished 21-of-26 for 271 yards with an interception.

The stingy Cincinnati defense, ranked 18th in the nation in total defense going into the game, sacked Memphis quarterback Brady White six times while holding the Tigers to their fewest points since scoring 10 in a loss to Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 30, 2015. Ridder threw touchdown passes of 43 yards to Alex Pierce and six yards to Michael Young and scored himself on a 13-yard run to help Cincinnati open up a 21-10 halftime lead. Pierce made a leaping catch at the goal line and tumbled between two defenders into the end zone for his first touchdown since returning from a knee injury to make his season debut at SMU. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


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  10/26/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  OCT 26 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Jr., QB, Louisville, Ky.,...Ridder, who was chosen as the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, led Cincinnati to a 42-13 win against then-No. 16 SMU. Ridder accounted for 305 yards of offense and four touchdowns against the previously unbeaten Mustangs. He rushed for 179 yards and and three touchdowns and was 13-of-21 passing for 126 yards and a TD. He capped his performance with a 91-yard touchdown run, which ranks as the fifth-longest rushing play in American Athletic Conference history and the second-longest by a quarterback. - American Athletic Conference Football

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  10/25/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  OCT 25 WALTER CAMP NATIONAL FBS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DESMOND RIDDER, CINCINNATI, Junior, Quarterback, Louisville, KY/St., Xavier,...Desmond Ridder accounted for four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 passing) as ninth-ranked Cincinnati defeated 16th-ranked SMU, 42-13. Ridder passed for 126 yards and one score, while rushing for 179 yards and three more scores, including a 91-yarder, to lead the 4-0 Bearcats. Notes: Desmond Ridder is the first Cincnnati player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since the award started in 2004. - The Walter Camp Football Foundation

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  10/25/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder ran for 179 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 126 yards and a score to help No. 9 Cincinnati beat No. 16 SMU 42-13 on Saturday night in a showdown of unbeaten teams. Cincinnati (4-0, 2-0 American) played its first game since Oct. 3. The Bearcats had an open date the following weekend and then had their scheduled Oct. 17 home game against Tulsa moved to Dec. 5 because of positive COVID-19 cases at Cincinnati and the quarantining of athletes at the school. Ridder completed 13 of 21 passes. He had scoring runs of 15, 32 and 91 yards, and threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Josh Whyle to open the scoring. Gerrid Doaks ran for 105 yards on 20 carries, with touchdown runs of 1 and 35 yards. Shane Buechele threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, and Chris Naggar kicked field goals of 26 and 22 yards for SMU (5-1, 2-1). The Mustangs fell short of opening with six straight wins for the second straight season. - Cincinnati/AP College Football

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  10/05/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  For the second consecutive week, Ridder started the game with a turnover. On the fourth play of the Bearcats' first drive against USF, Ridder had a miscommunication with running back Charles McClelland. On a scramble play, Ridder pointed to McClelland to move to his left and get away from the Bulls' defense. But USF safety Mac Harris also saw Ridder point, and he picked off the pass. At one point in the middle of the second quarter, Ridder had 40 passing yards and two interceptions. "I'm concerned with the turnovers," Fickell said. "But I think we've got to do a better job as a staff to find some ways to give him some opportunities." Fickell added, "Sometimes his head is down and (he) played (his) butt off."

According to Fickell, there's always competition between Ridder and backup quarterback Ben Bryant for the starting spot. But in all likelihood, Ridder will remain the starter for the foreseeable future. The Bearcats will likely need Ridder's best to win the American Athletic Conference title this season. In three weeks, UC will travel to face Southern Methodist University and early Heisman Trophy candidate Shane Buechele. Seven days later, the Bearcats play No. 25 Memphis, the reigning AAC champions. A matchup against No. 11 UCF looms in November. With seven games left in the regular season, Ridder still can redefine his junior season. "He knows he can do better," Fickell said, "and he wants to do better." - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  10/05/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  With backup quarterback Ben Bryant unavailable for undisclosed reasons, Ridder had his second straight rocky start after committing two turnovers in the first half of last week's win over Army. The junior quarterback threw two great back-corner fades Saturday. One connected for a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Josh Whyle, while the other resulted in an interception that was simply just better defense by USF cornerback Christopher Townsel. Ridder completed 16 of 26 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, including one on the opening drive.

Fickell said Ridder had his head down in the locker room following the win. Senior running back Gerrid Doaks noticed. "I definitely gave him words of encouragement," Doaks said." "That's just one game, bruh, you can't live in the past. On to the next. Everybody doesn't play to their best potential every week. Just look forward to the next game." Despite his struggles, which continued to persist on deep passes, Ridder did have a solid 35-yard strike over the middle to Jayshon Jackson that set up a 3-yard score to Bruno Labelle. "I'm not as worried about Dez as I am about us just making sure we can get a better plan to continue to keep his confidence in what he's doing," Fickell said. "He's still a unique kid." - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  10/03/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder now has more than 5,000 career passing yards after a 258-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Bearcats' 24-10 win last week over then-No. 22 Army. The junior quarterback's 5,063 career yards rank seventh in program history. Ridder is only the eighth Bearcats quarterback to eclipse the 5,000-yard mark. Ridder's play has caught the eye of first-year South Florida coach Jeff Scott. "I think their quarterback has a chance to be an NFL guy, looking at his arm and accuracy and those type of things," Scott said of the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Ridder. Scott knows NFL-caliber talent. The former Clemson wide receiver was the co-offensive coordinator at his alma mater until December, when he was hired by USF. At 38, Scott became the youngest head coach in the American Athletic Conference. In his five seasons at the helm of the Clemson offense, the Tigers made five straight College Football Playoff appearances, advanced to four CFP championship games and won two national titles. - Cincinnati Enquirer

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  10/02/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  The Bearcats' 24-10 home win Saturday against then-No. 22 Army might have been more lop-sided had it not been for veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder's shaky first half. The 6-foot-4 junior fumbled a pitch on a misread option play (returned for a scoop-and-score) and threw an interception on two of Cincinnati's first three possessions. He also struggled with his downfield accuracy before settling down and posting solid numbers (18-for-33, 258 yards, two TDs, one INT). Ridder's top targets Saturday, juniors Michael Young and Jayshon Jackson, combined for nine receptions for 135 yards against Army. - Tampa Tribune

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  09/28/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  If Cincinnati (2-0) is going to have a special season this year, it can't be in spite of Ridder. It has to be at the very least in part because of him. After an up and down 2019, the 2018 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year separated himself from sophomore backup Ben Bryant during the final week of fall camp to become the Bearcats' starter this season. But the distance between the two quarterbacks may have gotten a tiny bit tighter on Saturday. Ridder started the game with a bad read on an option play on UC's opening drive. The mistake resulted in a fumbled pitch that went 41 yards the other way for an Army (2-1) touchdown. It was the first of two turnovers for Ridder in the opening quarter.

"I think it's about getting into a rhythm," Fickell said. "I don't think early on we were in that rhythm." Ridder threw a pass intended for Michael Young Jr., but the ball sailed high and wound up in the lap of a Black Knights defender. It was one of several miscues, batted balls at the line and inaccurate throws to open receivers for Ridder in the opening half. "I'm sure if you ask Michael Young, he'll tell you that he's got to come down with some of those things," Fickell said. "Their No. 1 job sometimes is to make the quarterback look good. If the ball's not perfect, you've got to come down with it. That's why it's a team." - Cincinnati Enquirer


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  09/26/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder passed for 258 yards and two touchdowns as No. 14 Cincinnati defeated No. 22 Army 24-10 in the first matchup of ranked teams at Nippert Stadium since 2008. Army's vaunted triple-option offense came in averaging 389.5 rushing yards, but the Bearcats held them to 182, including 81 by junior QB Christian Anderson who also passed for 94 yards on nine completions. Army (2-1) hasn't defeated a ranked opponent on the road since 1958, but the Black Knights shocked the Bearcats with a defensive touchdown just 51 seconds into the game. Ridder ran an option to the left, but his pitch to running back Charles McClelland was deflected by Army defensive back Jabari Moore who recovered the ball and ran 42 yards for a touchdown to put the Black Knights ahead 7-0.

Moore also had an interception in the first quarter. But the Bearcats bounced back when Ridder completed a 45-yard pass to Jayshon Jackson and two plays later found Michael Young for a 12-yard TD, putting the Bearcats ahead 10-7 in the second quarter. Young had five catches for 60 yards. The Bearcats (2-0) made a big special teams play late in the half when Ethan Tucky blocked an Army punt giving them possession at the 7-yard line. But the Black Knights held on fourth-and-goal from the 1. The Black Knights defense, which ranked fifth nationally in rush defense, held the Bearcats to only six rushing yards in the first half. - Cincinnati/AP College Football


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  09/03/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  American Athletic Conference media members pick the Cincinnati Bearcats to finish second behind Central Florida in the conference's preseason football poll. Cincinnati garnered 201 overall votes, including seven first-place votes in the poll announced Tuesday. UCF led the way with 204 votes and 10 votes for first place. UCF coach Josh Heupel said after the poll's release that 10 of his players, including two projected starters, are opting out for the 2020 season because of concerns around the coronavirus pandemic. Memphis (192/2) finished third, followed by SMU (146), Navy (125/1), Tulane (118), Houston (114), Temple (88), Tulsa (49), ECU (42) and USF (41). It is the second year in a row the Knights and Bearcats have been picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the preseason media vote. UCF defeated Memphis for the AAC championship in 2017 and again in 2018. Cincinnati won the AAC's East Division for the first time last season, only to lose to Memphis in the conference title game. - Cincinnati Enquirer

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  08/25/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  The biggest question mark on the field for the Bearcats is who will be under center when Cincinnati opens against Austin Peay. Junior quarterback Desmond Ridder, a two-year starter and the 2018 American Athletic Conference rookie of the year, and sophomore quarterback Ben Bryant split reps with both the first and second teams during camp. Fickell said Ridder has shown growth both on and off the field and has a greater command of the offense. "Right now, if we had to start today, the leadership that Desmond Ridder brings in all that we do is really, really good," he said. "I think that's probably going to be the deciding factor as we roll into the start of the season." - Cincinnati Enquirer

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  05/28/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  The University of Cincinnati Bearcats football team is set to resume voluntary workouts in small groups on campus on June 8, according to multiple reports. The team is scheduled to start the 2020 season against Austin Peay at Nippert Stadium on Sept. 3. The Enquirer's Bobby Nightengale wrote Thursday that playing football games without fans will be painful for some schools' budgets. - Cincinnati Enquirer

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  03/10/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Cincinnati football has canceled the spring game scheduled for April 10 as a precautionary measure due to the new coronavirus, UC announced Tuesday. The decision came hours after Gov. Mike DeWine provided recommendations Tuesday for high school, collegiate and professional sports events at indoor facilities in Ohio take place without spectators. Additionally, UC will limit outdoor events to crowds of 150 spectators or less until May 31, 2020. The basketball team plans to travel to Fort Worth, Texas this weekend for the American Athletic Conference Tournament. - Cincinnati Enquirer

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  01/02/20 - QB Desmond RidderrSr/2022, Cincinnati, 6-3, 213 (DS#3 QB) + More +

  Desmond Ridder ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns and threw a scoring pass to lead No. 23 Cincinnati to a 38-6 victory over Boston College on Thursday in the weather-delayed Birmingham Bowl. The Bearcats (11-3) reached 11 wins for the second straight season and fourth in program history, bouncing back from two straight losses to No. 15 Memphis. The Eagles (6-7) were outgained 459-164 in total yards to finish a turbulent postseason. Coach Steve Addazio was fired after seven seasons and star tailback A.J. Dillon declared for the NFL draft and skipped the bowl game. Dillon was clearly missed. Wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell led the team through the bowl game, while newly hired Jeff Hafley was on hand as a spectator after finishing his duties as Ohio State's co-defensive coordinator.

The game was interrupted by a weather delay of about 1 1/2 hours midway through the first quarter. Boston College got its only points on special teams. Mike Palmer blocked a field goal and Brandon Sebastian scooped it up and returned it 67 yards in the third quarter. Ridder had two 13-yard scoring runs and a 14-yarder, setting a Cincinnati bowl record for rushing and total TDs. He had 21 carries and also passed for 95 yards with an 8-yard score to Malick Mbodj before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter. Michael Warren Jr. also had 105 yards on 21 carries. - AP College Football


(DS#3 QB) rSr/2022 QB Desmond RidderCincinnati
News Source: AP College Football
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