TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati football team won its Big 12 opener against Kansas State on Saturday, defeating the Wildcats by a score of 31-26.
Despite a slow start offensively, UC was able to overcome a 10-point deficit to stay perfect on the season, the program’s first 4-0 start since 2021. It also marks the first 4-0 start of head coach Scott Satterfield’s career.
“I appreciate everybody showing up tonight,” Satterfield said. “I thought it was a great atmosphere, particularly our students. They have been great all four games for our four-game stretch here in Cincinnati, but they were awesome tonight. Our guys feed off of it. I appreciate the atmosphere. You know, Nippert at Night is real, and I think obviously Kansas State felt that this evening.”
Cincinnati trailed 10-0 in the first half and 17-10 at the break, but stormed back to grab the lead in the second half. Running back Cole Tabb scored all three of UC’s touchdowns after halftime, finding the end zone from 30, 14, and 2 yards out. Defensively, UC came out of the break and thwarted Kansas State on its first two drives, forcing a fumble followed by a three-and-out. Both of Cincinnati’s ensuing drives turned into touchdowns.
It was Tabb’s 30-yard rushing TD that gave Cincinnati its first lead of the night midway through the third quarter, and UC was able to withstand a late K-State touchdown to hold on to win.
The Bearcats boasted one of the nation’s best rushing attacks entering the game and they once again had a phenomenal day on Saturday. Tabb (124) and Gi’Bran Payne (126) both eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, the first Cincinnati running back duo to do that since 2023. It was the third 100-yard game of the season for Payne and the first for Tabb.
“I think Gi’Brian [Payne] and Cole [Tabb], both of those guys have great vision,” Satterfield said. “We have seen that since they both got here in the spring of just recognizing the blocks from our guys. Our offensive line did a really good job of creating some holes, and they have done a great job of finding those holes and then making some cuts.”
Wide receiver Malachi Henry caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from JC French in the second quarter, the longest passing TD of the season for UC.
On the defensive end, Antwan Peek Jr. had seven tackles and a forced fumble, the ninth of his career. He now stands alone in second place in school history with nine forced fumbles, trailing only his father Antwan Sr. (17) in the Cincinnati record book.
First Quarter
Cincinnati fast-started on the opening possession as running back Gi’Bran Payne ripped off a 22-yard run, followed immediately by a 15-yard rush from quarterback JC French. However, the drive stalled near midfield, forcing a Bearcats punt.
Kansas State responded with a 16-play, 88-yard drive that consumed 7:59, led by veteran quarterback Avery Johnson. The Cincinnati defense came up big inside its own 5-yard line, holding the Wildcats on third-and-2 from the 4 to force a 22-yard field goal for the game's opening points.
On the Bearcats second offensive possession it appeared the Bearcats had a big play when French hit wide receiver Isaiah Johnson wide open deep down the right sideline for a 42-yard gain to the Kansas State 20-yard line. However, the play was negated by a controversial offensive pass interference penalty on JV Gibson, negating the play and killing the drive.
Second Quarter
Kansas State extended its lead when running back Rodney Fields Jr. burst up the middle for a 19-yard touchdown run with 9:09 remaining in the period, capping the Wildcats' drive to take a 10-0 lead. The score capped a five-play, 69-yard scoring drive that took just 2:19.
Cincinnati, needing to respond, responded as running back Cole Tabb sparked the Bearcats offense on back-to-back plays, breaking free for an 11-yard gain before busting loose for a 30-yard run to the Kansas State 39-yard line. On the very next play, French then capped the quick drive by connecting with wide receiver Malachi Henry on a 39-yard touchdown strike to the right side with 6:36 remaining to get within three, 10-7 and spark the Bearcats sideline and crowd.
Nate Woody’s defense forced a quick three-and-out and UC’s offense continued as Gi’Bran Payne broke free for a 53-yard run to set UC up with a scoring opportunity. The Bearcats stalled but were able to tie the game at 10 a piece as Stephen Rusnak booted home a 45-yarder with 3:44 to go in the half. K-State answered with a 10-play scoring drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown toss from Johnson to Derrick Salley Jr., making it 17-10 with 15 seconds to go in the half.
Third Quarter
The Cincinnati defense delivered a massive shift in momentum on the second play of the second half. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson connected with Derrick Salley Jr. over the middle for a 34-yard gain, but Antwan Peek Jr. knocked the ball loose at the KSU 36-yard line. MJ Cannon pounced on the loose ball at the Cincinnati 45 to secure the turnover for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats seized the momentum and French connected with French connected with Larenzo Fenner over the middle for a 32-yard gain on a third-and-2 that got down to the Kansas State 5-yard line. On the very next play, Cole Tabb punched it in around the left side for a 5-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 55-yard drive that took 3:49 which tied the game at 17 following Rusnak’s extra point.
The defense forced a quick three-and-out and Malachi Henry set up the Bearcats offense with prime field position at K-State's 36-yard line after a 36-yard return. Three plays later, Tabb broke free up the middle on third-and-4 for a 30-yard touchdown run, his second of the quarter to give Cincinnati its first lead as the home crowd erupted with 7:26 left in the period. It was the fifth and sixth touchdown of the season for Tabb.
Later in the quarter, French connected with JV Gibson over the middle for an explosive 64-yard gain to the Kansas State 17. The drive stalled on the next play when running back Zion Johnson lost a fumble that was recovered by K-State.
The third quarter came to a close with Cincinnati hanging onto a seven-point lead, 24-17.
Fourth Quarter
K-State's Luis Rodriguez drilled a 36-yard field goal with 9:30 remaining to cut the Bearcats lead to four points, 24-20 as the Cincinnati defense held strong in the red zone.
On their next drive, the Bearcats were facing a fourth-and-four near midfield when French’s hard count got a K-State defender to jump offsides, leading to a first down. Five plays later, Tabb sliced his way through the defense for a 14-yard TD, his third of the game, giving UC a 31-20 lead. Kansas State scored a late touchdown to make it 31-26 with 1:15 to play and got the ball back after forcing a three-and-out, but couldn’t put anything together in its final drive of the game.
UP NEXT
For the first time this season, the Bearcats will leave the city of Cincinnati next Saturday to head to Arizona. UC’s contest in Tucson will kick off at 11:00 p.m. ET on FOX.