UC FB Practice Report: Bearcats Hold “Pancake With Us” Event, Host Open Practice

CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati football team held its "Pancake With Us" breakfast on Saturday morning prior to an open practice at Nippert Stadium. The event celebrated one of the nation's premier offensive lines, led by preseason All-America guard Evan Tengesdahl alongside All-Conference standouts Joe Cotton and Taran Tyo. The trio anchors one of the country's most experienced and accomplished offensive line units entering the 2026 season.

Tengesdahl, Cotton, and Tyo served pancakes to more than 1,000 fans on Sheakley Lawn before hitting the field for practice. Their offensive line teammates joined them to mingle with fans, while the first 100 attendees received a custom syrup bottle featuring the Bearcat trio. Fan activations throughout the morning included photo ops with the mascot and cheerleaders, a bounce house, and a kids' football toss.

One of the pancake makers this morning was All-American offensive lineman Evan Tengesdahl who helped flip flapjacks on Sheakley Lawn before practice on Saturday.

"It was fun to see all the fans come out and support us," Tengesdahl said. "The turnout today was amazing. I can’t wait for the first home game."

The offensive linemen were some of the most popular players during Saturday’s event, with throngs of young fans getting their Cincinnati football schedule posters signed by linemen. Being a preseason All-American and one of the top returning players in all of college football has put a bit of a spotlight on Tengesdahl heading into the season. Attention makes some shrink away, but it hasn’t affected the Bearcats’ left guard.

“I like the pressure,” he said. “I like having something to live up to, it makes it fun in a way.”

Practicing in front of excited fans on a Saturday morning in August doesn’t quite replicate the energy of a fall Saturday in Nippert Stadium, but it was a welcome sight seeing Cincinnati faithful in any number in the stands.

Playing at Nippert has historically been quite the advantage for UC, which owns a .639 all-time winning percentage when playing there. The Bearcats were 5-2 at home last year, which includes wins over No. 14 Iowa State and Baylor on Homecoming.

There aren’t many places that get as loud as Nippert Stadium on the field, and that raucous environment has helped prepare the Bearcats for anything.

“We played in a lot of big games last year, so we’re used to that pressure,” Tengesdahl said. “It probably would have affected me more last year as a first-year starter, but I’m more seasoned this year with more reps under my belt. I feel very confident heading into the season because of the guys around me. We have a lot of great ballplayers.”

On the gridiron, it was Day 3 of fall camp for the Bearcats following a scheduled off day Friday. A lively crowd watched the two-hour, 15-minute session on a hot Cincinnati morning, observing notable play on both sides of the ball.

In team drills, quarterback JC French IV connected with tight end Ka’Maurri Smith down the left sideline for a big gain before later in team periods, finding senior wide receiver Malachi Henry deep for a 55-yard touchdown pass. French later missed a wide-open JV Gibson downfield, which would have resulted in another long score.

Gibson has showcased his speed and athleticism throughout camp and spring practice, emerging as one of French’s top targets since transferring to Clifton from Oklahoma. Gibson reached the College Football Playoff with the Sooners in 2025, recording 18 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown. That followed a 2024 campaign at FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff where he earned All-America honors after tallying 70 receptions for 1,215 yards (101.3 per game) and nine touchdowns.

Head Coach Scott Satterfield addressed the crowded wide receiver room and the ongoing battle for snaps following practice. The competition features Gibson, Henry, Giyahni Kontosis, Cade Wolford, and Larenzo Fenner, among others.

"I think Malachi (Henry) is a smart player," Satterfield said. "He can probably play multiple positions out there, which is very valuable when you get into the season. You don’t hesitate to put him in. He’s a physical guy, he’s got good strength, so we know he can block, and we saw (what he can do) on that play he ran right by the corner. Quite honestly, we are evaluating all the wideouts right now. In the first three days, they have been kind of average in my opinion, so who the six guys are that are going to step up and be in that rotation, we are still evaluating."

Defensively, junior transfer cornerback Kenny Worthy impressed by picking off a pass in team periods. The Washington State transfer brings key experience after appearing in all 12 games last season, recording 23 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.

"Kenny’s got a good feel for things," Satterfield said of Worthy’s growth. "He is a much-improved player from the spring, and I thought he did a great job this summer because you can tell he’s much more confident out there. He feels he can make these plays, he’s taken some chances, and it’s paid off."

Other cornerbacks competing for playing time include Jacob Finley, K.K. Meier, Daniel James, and Zay “Gravy” Johnson.

Following practice, Satterfield also confirmed that transfer safety Ty Goodwill suffered a season-ending injury earlier this week.

Exciting Schedule at Historic Nippert Stadium

Cincinnati hosts six games at historic Nippert Stadium in 2026, opening with Boston College (Sept. 5) and Western Carolina (Sept. 12). Big 12 home opponents include Kansas State (Sept. 26), Texas Tech (Oct. 24 – Homecoming), Utah (Oct. 31), and Colorado (Nov. 21).

PURCHASE TICKETS

Season ticket packages start as low as $300 and represent one of the best values for family entertainment in Cincinnati this fall. A three-month payment plan is available, too. Season parking can be purchased for $100 at Eden Garage here.

Spend your Saturdays with the Bearcats this fall. Purchase tickets and use Ticketmaster's interactive Nippert Stadium map to select your seats. 

Ticketmaster’s Step-By-Step Guide to purchasing tickets is available, as well.

 

For information, visit GoBearcats.com/tickets, call 1-877-228-7849 or email uc.tickets@uc.edu.