UC quarterback Kiel leaves game with injury to ribs

CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati sophomore quarterback Gunner Kiel suffered an injury to his ribs on the last play of the first half against Memphis Saturday night in a 41-14 loss at Paul Brown Stadium. UC head coach Tommy Tuberville said more will be known about the injury on Sunday but that Kiel could miss significant playing time.

"It don't look good," said Tuberville. "He got hit hard underneath the (right) arm and hit between the pads... Gunner's probably going to be down for a while."

UC officials said Kiel was taken for x-rays after taking a hit from Memphis linebacker Tank Jakes while throwing a final pass downfield as time expired on the first half. Memphis led 27-7 at halftime.

Senior Munchie Legaux took over for Kiel in the third quarter and played the rest of the game. Legaux led UC to a touchdown drive on its first possession of the second half but finished 5-of-13 passing for 39 yards in his most extensive action since suffering an ACL tear at Illinois in the second game of last season.

Kiel threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Mekale McKay on the first play from scrimmage to give UC a 7-0 lead 17 seconds into the game but Memphis dominated play the rest of the half. It was the 11th touchdown drive of 90 seconds or less for UC this season.

Kiel finished the half 11-of-27 for 216 yards. He was intercepted once and also lost a fumble. Both turnovers led to Memphis touchdowns.

Kiel, who was the top-rated quarterback prospect when he came out of high school three years ago, has thrown 15 touchdown passes in his first four collegiate games and entered Saturday's game ranked No. 6 nationally with a 185.8 passer rating.

The loss in their American Athletic Conference opener was the second in a row for UC and evens their overall record at 2-2. The Bearcats next play at Miami (Fla.) next Saturday before returning to conference play at SMU on Oct. 18.