CINCINNATI — Two quick touchdowns settled Hayden Moore’s nerves.

The redshirt freshman threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score in his starting debut, and Cincinnati’s struggling defense held on for a 34-23 victory over Miami on Thursday night to end the Hurricanes’ streak of 10 straight wins over the Bearcats.

Moore followed up the best passing game in Cincinnati history with a solid performance. The Bearcats (3-2) surged ahead 14-3 and overcame a scoreless third quarter behind Moore, who was 22 of 33 for 279 yards with an interception.

“He grew up a lot tonight,” coach Tommy Tuberville said. “I saw his eyes. He was a little nervous going into the game. He knew what he was going to face. But he held in there good.”

Good enough to end Cincinnati’s streak of two straight last-minute losses and create a competition for the starting job when Gunner Kiel is healthy. Tuberville said Moore will get a chance to keep the job.

Moore filled in with Kiel sidelined by a neck injury suffered during a 53-46 loss at Memphis a week earlier. Moore took over in that game and threw for a school-record 557 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in only three quarters.

Kiel helped him get ready for the game and cheered him on.

“Literally nothing changed,” Moore said. “He was in the locker room beforehand. At halftime, he was pumping me up.”

Miami (3-1) was coming off a 36-33 win over Nebraska that featured five field goals by Michael Badgley. He made three more Thursday but missed from 51 and 53 yards as the Hurricanes repeatedly failed to reach the end zone.

Trailing by 11 points, the Hurricanes went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 5 instead of taking the field goal. Brad Kaaya’s pass was incomplete with 4:41 left. Kaaya finished 24 of 39 for 255 yards without a touchdown or interception.

Tion Green’s 41-yard run then put Cincinnati in position to finish it off. Green had 90 yards on 15 carries.

“Our offense has played well all year,” Tuberville said. “Our defense finally grew up a little bit.”

Moore got off to a solid start, leading the Bearcats to a 27-20 halftime lead.