UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas — All Rodrick Roberson could do was tilt his head and watch. The SMU safety had just missed the tackle of Desmond Ridder and laid face-down on the ground as Cincinnati’s quarterback jogged unencumbered toward the visiting fan contingent.
The 32-yard touchdown run served as the dagger, a 28-10 lead too big for SMU to come back from with three minutes left in the third quarter. But more importantly, the visual of Ridder putting the ball up on the railing, pleasing the Cincinnati fans who made the trip, subdued the hopes of an SMU team that lingered within striking distance but could never take a lead.