FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner introduced himself to college football on a Friday night in October 2019, when he scored on a 16-yard interception return that changed everything for himself and Cincinnati's program.
Facing 18th-ranked Central Florida, Gardner -- a freshman backup -- played "off" coverage at left cornerback, baiting quarterback Dillon Gabriel into throwing a hitch. Gardner broke quickly, reached up with his 33 1/2-inch arms to snare his first interception and cruised into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown. The Bearcats pulled off the upset, starting a streak of 29 straight games as a ranked team.