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Cincinnati looks to continue hot start at San Diego State

Sep 29, 2007 - 10:48 AM No. 24 Cincinnati (4-0) at San Diego State (1-2) 10:00 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Cincinnati has gotten off to a perfect start under Brian Kelly.

The 24th-ranked Bearcats look to extend their winning streak to eight games Saturday when they visit San Diego State in a non-conference matchup at Qualcomm Stadium.

Kelly, who took over at Cincinnati prior to the team's International Bowl win over Western Michigan, is looking to become the first rookie Bearcats coach to start 6-0 since Russ Cohen in 1935.

Cincinnati's seven-game overall tear is its best since Sid Gillman's 1954 squad started 8-0.

The Bearcats, who have not played in California in 49 years, have outscored their opponents by a combined 180-30 this season.

They are coming off a 40-14 home rout of Marshall last Saturday in which they passed for 219 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 217 yards and two scores.

In addition to ranking fourth nationally in scoring defense (7.5 points per game), the Bearcats lead the country in turnover margin (plus-3.75 per game), having already forced 19 takeaways - 12 interceptions.

After consecutive losses to Pac-10 Conference opponents Washington State and Arizona State, the Aztecs posted their first win of the campaign with a 52-17 rout of Football Championship Subdivision team Portland State last Saturday in their home opener.

Kevin O'Connell had a sensational game for San Diego State, throwing for 443 yards and five TDs.

In his second season at the helm of the Aztecs, Chuck Long is 4-11.

The teams are meeting for the first time.