Kay set personal marks for passing yards as Cincinnati rips Rutgers 52-17

Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen watches his players warm-up before an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Cincinnati wide receiver Shaq Washington (19) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Rutgers defensive back Lorenzo Waters (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Brendan Kay threw for a career-best 408 yards and four touchdowns, Mekale McKay caught three TDs and Cincinnati rolled to its fifth straight win with a 52-17 thrashing of Rutgers on Saturday.

The Bearcats (8-2, 5-1 American Athletic Conference) gained 619 yards in total offense, including 422 in the first half when they jumped to a 38-7 lead behind Kay and couple of trick plays.

Kay hit McKay on touchdowns plays of 24 and 66 yards in the first quarter. He added a 41-yarder to Shaq Washington in the second and a 15-yarder to Chris Moore in the third quarter. McKay got his career-best final touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 34-yard pass from Jordan Luallen, who also had a 9-yard TD run.

Gary Nova threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Coleman for Rutgers (5-4, 2-3), which lost for the third time in four games.