TicketsCINCINNATI – Quarterback Brendan Sorsby connected with wide receiver Xzavier Henderson for two first-half touchdowns and the Bearcats' defense forced three turnovers as the Cincinnati football team raced past Houston, 34-0, to open Big 12 Conference play on Saturday inside a sold-out Historic Nippert Stadium.
The Bearcats became the first team to shut out a "Power 4" opponent in 2024, and it is UC's first shutout since Nov. 3, 2018 against Navy. Cincinnati's last shutout of a major-conference opponent was in 1995 at Virginia Tech.
The Bearcats improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Cougars dropped to 1-3 and 0-1 in Big 12 play.
"I want to thank the fans and the students that showed up here today," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "We knew it was going to be hot, and it was, but we had a sellout. It was an awesome atmosphere. I really appreciate those guys and everybody coming out. We're celebrating our team today with this great victory and it's our first Big 12 win. So, I want to make sure I recognize them [Cincinnati fans]. We can't do it without them. Obviously, one of our goals this year is to defend Nippert, and we want to make this a great home field event. It was incredible today. All three phases today, I thought, played outstanding. It was a complete game out of all three."
After missing on his first attempt of the game, Sorsby completed 12 straight passes as Cincinnati scored the game's first 31 points. He finished 12-of-15 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third-quarter rushing score. He was 10-for-11 for 136 yards and those two scores to Henderson at halftime.
"I felt really poised out there in seeing the field really well," Sorsby said. "It's about trusting my eyes, my reads and the scheme and the offense. I felt really good out there. You have to stay in that rhythm and take what the defense is giving you."
Senior running back Corey Kiner added 78 yards on 16 carries, scoring on a 44-yard touchdown, which was the longest touchdown run of his career.
Junior linebacker Jake Golday and redshirt sophomore safety Antwan Peek Jr. tied for the team lead with seven tackles, a career-high total for the latter. Sixth-year safety Derrick Canteen tallied four stops, including 1.5 TFLs and a forced fumble.
Sixth-year safety Josh Minkins returned after missing the Miami (Ohio) game due to injury and immediately made his presence felt. The transfer from Louisville picked off Houston quarterback Donovan Smith less than three minutes into the game, giving UC the ball at midfield.
After a 20-yard laser completion to Jamoi Mayes, Sorsby was tackled after his throw, resulting in a roughing the passer penalty that gave the Bearcats the ball inside the red zone.
Sorsby capped the quick drive by lofting a perfect fade to Xzavier Henderson for his seventh touchdown pass of the season to give Cincinnati a 7-0 lead at 10:46 in the first quarter.
The Bearcats extended the lead to 14-0 when Kiner took a first-down draw play 44 yards to the house at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougars threatened at the start of the second frame, but the UC defense was ready for the challenge. Smith completed a 52-yard pass to Joseph Manjack IV to move Houston into scoring territory, but linebacker Jared Bartlett broke up a third down pass before kicker Joseph Kim was wide right on a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Houston didn't advance to the red zone again in what was the finest defensive performance of the Satterfield era and a benchmark performance for first-year defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt.
Sorsby found Henderson again for a touchdown in the second quarter, this time for 15 yards, to cap a methodical 12-play, 80-yard drive that ate of seven minutes of clock time. Cincinnati led 21-0 with 6:27 remaining.
"[Henderson] gets after it every day," Satterfield said. "[Brendan] Sorsby feels comfortable throwing them up to him. We really didn't throw many fade balls to him last year. We threw two today and got two touchdowns. That's a great aspect of growth. I think for him to be able to get some confidence in the red zone, to be able to throw it up and get some touchdowns. I think he'll continue to have a good season because he's going to get his opportunities. But I just like where his mind's at, because I know how hard he works."
Senior walk-on placekicker Nathan Hawks drilled a 46-yarder at the end of the second quarter to lift the Bearcats to a commanding 24-0 lead at the half.
Houston received the ball coming out of halftime, but Canteen's diving tackle forced a fumble by Cougars running back Re'Shaun Sanford II. Junior safety Trevon Gola-Callard recovered the fumble, giving UC the ball back.
Sorsby immediately found junior receiver Sterling Berkhalter for a 47-yard catch and then called his own number for an 8-yard keeper to the end zone, running over Cougars safety AJ Haulcy on his way to paydirt and a 31-0 lead.
Junior cornerback Jordan Robinson forced and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter and Hawks added a 34-yard field goal for the final score.
NEXT UP
Cincinnati travels to Texas Tech to take on the Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 28, for its first game outside of the state of Ohio. Kickoff time is still to be determined.
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The Bearcats became the first team to shut out a "Power 4" opponent in 2024, and it is UC's first shutout since Nov. 3, 2018 against Navy. Cincinnati's last shutout of a major-conference opponent was in 1995 at Virginia Tech.
The Bearcats improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Cougars dropped to 1-3 and 0-1 in Big 12 play.
"I want to thank the fans and the students that showed up here today," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "We knew it was going to be hot, and it was, but we had a sellout. It was an awesome atmosphere. I really appreciate those guys and everybody coming out. We're celebrating our team today with this great victory and it's our first Big 12 win. So, I want to make sure I recognize them [Cincinnati fans]. We can't do it without them. Obviously, one of our goals this year is to defend Nippert, and we want to make this a great home field event. It was incredible today. All three phases today, I thought, played outstanding. It was a complete game out of all three."
After missing on his first attempt of the game, Sorsby completed 12 straight passes as Cincinnati scored the game's first 31 points. He finished 12-of-15 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third-quarter rushing score. He was 10-for-11 for 136 yards and those two scores to Henderson at halftime.
"I felt really poised out there in seeing the field really well," Sorsby said. "It's about trusting my eyes, my reads and the scheme and the offense. I felt really good out there. You have to stay in that rhythm and take what the defense is giving you."
Senior running back Corey Kiner added 78 yards on 16 carries, scoring on a 44-yard touchdown, which was the longest touchdown run of his career.
Junior linebacker Jake Golday and redshirt sophomore safety Antwan Peek Jr. tied for the team lead with seven tackles, a career-high total for the latter. Sixth-year safety Derrick Canteen tallied four stops, including 1.5 TFLs and a forced fumble.
Sixth-year safety Josh Minkins returned after missing the Miami (Ohio) game due to injury and immediately made his presence felt. The transfer from Louisville picked off Houston quarterback Donovan Smith less than three minutes into the game, giving UC the ball at midfield.
After a 20-yard laser completion to Jamoi Mayes, Sorsby was tackled after his throw, resulting in a roughing the passer penalty that gave the Bearcats the ball inside the red zone.
Sorsby capped the quick drive by lofting a perfect fade to Xzavier Henderson for his seventh touchdown pass of the season to give Cincinnati a 7-0 lead at 10:46 in the first quarter.
The Bearcats extended the lead to 14-0 when Kiner took a first-down draw play 44 yards to the house at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougars threatened at the start of the second frame, but the UC defense was ready for the challenge. Smith completed a 52-yard pass to Joseph Manjack IV to move Houston into scoring territory, but linebacker Jared Bartlett broke up a third down pass before kicker Joseph Kim was wide right on a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Houston didn't advance to the red zone again in what was the finest defensive performance of the Satterfield era and a benchmark performance for first-year defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt.
Sorsby found Henderson again for a touchdown in the second quarter, this time for 15 yards, to cap a methodical 12-play, 80-yard drive that ate of seven minutes of clock time. Cincinnati led 21-0 with 6:27 remaining.
"[Henderson] gets after it every day," Satterfield said. "[Brendan] Sorsby feels comfortable throwing them up to him. We really didn't throw many fade balls to him last year. We threw two today and got two touchdowns. That's a great aspect of growth. I think for him to be able to get some confidence in the red zone, to be able to throw it up and get some touchdowns. I think he'll continue to have a good season because he's going to get his opportunities. But I just like where his mind's at, because I know how hard he works."
Senior walk-on placekicker Nathan Hawks drilled a 46-yarder at the end of the second quarter to lift the Bearcats to a commanding 24-0 lead at the half.
Houston received the ball coming out of halftime, but Canteen's diving tackle forced a fumble by Cougars running back Re'Shaun Sanford II. Junior safety Trevon Gola-Callard recovered the fumble, giving UC the ball back.
Sorsby immediately found junior receiver Sterling Berkhalter for a 47-yard catch and then called his own number for an 8-yard keeper to the end zone, running over Cougars safety AJ Haulcy on his way to paydirt and a 31-0 lead.
Junior cornerback Jordan Robinson forced and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter and Hawks added a 34-yard field goal for the final score.
NEXT UP
Cincinnati travels to Texas Tech to take on the Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 28, for its first game outside of the state of Ohio. Kickoff time is still to be determined.
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