Cincinnati 35, Syracuse 24: George Winn ran for three touchdowns and threw for another as the host Bearcats held off the Orange in a back-and-forth affair at rainy Nippert Stadium.

Winn’s third touchdown run - a 2-yarder 38 seconds into the fourth quarter - put Cincinnati (6-2, 2-1 Big East) ahead by 11, all but sealing a crucial conference victory. He finished with 165 rushing yards on 30 carries.

Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, but 12 penalties and two costly fumbles prevented the Orange (4-5, 3-2) from executing its upset bid.

After a 5-yard touchdown run 1:47 into the game, Winn took a dive seven seconds into the second quarter. At the line of scrimmage, he jumped and threw the ball to Travis Kelce for a 37-yard touchdown, but Nassib found Alec Lemon for a 14-yard score with 5:22 left in the half as Syracuse took a 17-14 lead at intermission.

Winn and Jerome Smith traded 1-yard TD runs before Cincinnati backup quarterback Brendon Kay relieved Munchie Legaux and hit Kelce for a 13-yard score with 2:03 left in the third quarter to make it 28-24.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Smith finished with 116 yards on 21 carries - his third straight 100-yard game. He also scored his first touchdown of the year. … Lemon caught seven passes for a game-high 101 yards. … Legaux was 11-for-22 for 124 yards and an interception. … Syracuse and Cincinnati combined for 20 penalties and five turnovers.