Groot and Morrano Lead Racers Past Cluckers

Riley Kade — JRSports One

Heath Groot threw for three touchdowns and Esteban Morrano ran for two, and Indianapolis cruised past Cincinnati 42-6. The Racers led from the first quarter on, and the Cluckers did not score until the fourth quarter.

The decisive stretch began at 0:15 of the first quarter, when Morrano's 3-yard touchdown run gave Indianapolis a 7-0 lead. The Racers never trailed again. Morrano's 2-yard run at 7:22 of the second quarter made it 14-0, and Groot's 4-yard pass to Travis Wortmore at 4:21 pushed the halftime lead to 21-0.

Groot's 36-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brulford at 12:09 of the third quarter made it 28-0. Morrano's 2-yard touchdown catch at 13:39 of the fourth quarter put Indianapolis ahead 35-0. Amaury Muenena's 48-yard field goal at 10:07 got Cincinnati on the board at 35-3. Groot's 4-yard run at 4:13 made it 42-3, and Muenena's 33-yard field goal at 0:21 closed the scoring at 42-6.

Cincinnati lost three fumbles, and Indianapolis lost none. The Racers finished with 440 total yards and 29 first downs, against 234 yards and eight first downs for the Cluckers.

Groot completed 24 of 31 passes for 259 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and he added a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Morrano carried 26 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 40 yards and another score.

Wyatt Farkley completed 14 of 23 passes for 159 yards for Cincinnati without a touchdown or an interception. Enmanuel Gantez carried 13 times for 74 yards, and Hao Yun caught six passes for 95 yards. Dario Rind led the Cincinnati defense with 13 tackles and a forced fumble, and Jack Pin had three sacks.

Dylan Blainrick, the Cincinnati left tackle, was out for the game with a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss three weeks. Miles Heas, the Indianapolis cornerback, was also out for the game with a rib injury.

The 36-point margin moved Indianapolis to 5-3. Cincinnati fell to 3-5.