The Associated Press

OXFORD - Josh Betts passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns, leading Miami (Ohio) to a 44-16 victory over Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

Betts, a senior who missed the game's first series for violating an unspecified team rule, completed 22 of 35 passes with one interception against a freshman-laden defense.

Martin Nance had eight receptions for 119 yards and two TDs, and Ryne Robinson caught six passes for 127 yards and another score for the RedHawks (2-2).

Brandon Murphy rushed 27 times for 120 yards and scored on an 11-yard run for the RedHawks, who totaled 539 yards on offense.

The win enabled Miami to reclaim the Victory Bell, the prize that goes to the winner of the annual series the schools bill as the oldest Division I-A rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains. The series began in 1888 and Miami holds a 59-44-7 lead.

Miami, which had been giving up 440 yards and 27.3 points a game, didn't have any trouble with the Bearcats' offense. Dustin Grutza threw five interceptions, got sacked three times and finished 22-of-39 for 199 yards.

The Bearcats (2-2) were held to 66 yards rushing on 27 carries.

The RedHawks scored 24 consecutive points after the Bearcats cut a 17-3 halftime deficit to 20-10 midway through the third quarter.

Nance caught a 16-yard TD pass 53 seconds before halftime to make it 17-0 and a 21-yarder for a 30-10 lead with 12:09 remaining.

Betts and Robinson connected for a 35-yard score with 6:32 to play.

Todd Soderquist kicked field goals of 34, 38 and 24 yards for Miami.

Bradley Glatthaar had a 1-yard TD run for Cincinnati and led the Bearcats with 36 yards on 12 carries.