UCF interim head coach Danny Barrett reacts in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) - Gunner Kiel completed all 15 of his passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns as Cincinnati spoiled for Bearcat Danny Barrett's debut as the head coach at Central Florida with a 52-7 win on Saturday.
Barrett, who was the Cincinnati quarterback through 1982, was named interim head coach after George O'Leary resigned after UCF's 59-10 loss to Houston at home. Barrett was the Golden Knights' quarterback coach under O'Leary.
Kiel was 7-for-7 for 158 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter, then turned the offense over to freshman Hayden Moore, who ran the Bearcats' offense for two games while Kiel recovered from a concussion.
Shaq Washington caught eight passes for 72 yards and set a new Cincinnati (5-3, 2-2 American Conference) reception record with 206 career catches.
Moore was the victim of a roughing the passer penalty late in the second quarter. Kiel returned to hand off to Tion Green for his seven-yard touchdown run that capped the first half scoring.
The Knights (0-9, 0-5) had a first and goal from the Cincinnati 5 with two minutes left in the half but turned the ball over on downs with 35 seconds left and entered halftime trailing 35-0.
Moore and Kiel also split the playing time in the second half with a quarter each. Moore was 11-for-15 for 154 yards and a touchdown. Moore's interception by Shaquill Griffin was the lone turnover for Cincinnati.
Matthew Wright had two field goal attempts hit off the goal posts uprights, one in each half for the Knights, who managed 313 yards of offense for the game.
It was 52-0 when C.J. Jones scored from the 1-yard line for the Knights. Jones led UCF with 123 yards on 18 carries, including a 51-yard run that set up his touchdown.
Justin Holman completed 12 of 23 passes for 101 yards and an interception.
Cincinnati had 237 yards rushing and 489 passing for the game. Walk on sophomore Chad Banschbach was the leading rusher for the Bearcats with 75 yards on 18 carries. Luke Wright completed a 16-yard pass to Banschbach.
Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel throws a practice pass before the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Associated Press
Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel, right, hands off the ball to running back Hosey Williams in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Moore runs for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Moore (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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UCF quarterback Justin Holman throws in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati wide receiver Johnny Holton (3) catches a pass before breaking away from UCF defensive back Shaquill Griffin (10) for a touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel (11) looks over to his sideline before a play in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati tight end DJ Dowdy (81) catches a touchdown pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Cincinnati wide receiver Johnny Holton spins away after an interception by UCF defensive back Shaquill Griffin (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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