TicketsCINCINNATI — A week after sending shockwaves through college football with an upset victory over No. 8 Texas Tech, Cincinnati (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) could not recapture the magic in a 49-25 loss to No. 6 Utah (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) on Halloween Saturday at Nippert Stadium.
Utah scored two defensive touchdowns in the first half, and quarterback Devon Dampier threw for two more to push the lead to 42-6 by halftime. The Bearcats did close the gap the bit in the second half, scoring three touchdowns, but the early deficit proved to be too much. Cornerback Jacob Finley’s 79-yard pick six and running back Cole Tabb’s 48-yard rushing touchdown highlighted the third quarter.
Tabb rushed for 131 yards on 14 carries, his third straight 100-yard rushing game and fourth overall this season. Finley led Cincinnati with a season-high 10 tackles.
“We knew Utah was a good football team coming in, and they certainly played like it there in the first half,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “We didn't help ourselves at all. You get down, and then we shot ourselves in the foot with a couple penalties that knocked us out. We didn't get any points there, missed a field goal. We knew going into it, if you get an opportunity when you get down close to the goal line, you have to punch it in and get touchdowns. Their red zone defense has been very, very good.”
Cincinnati moved the ball in the first half but was outgained by Utah 328-287, unable to overcome the Utes’ sudden strikes and missed scoring opportunities. Trailing 21-3, the Bearcats reached the Utah 7-yard line with a chance to cut into the lead with a touchdown, but consecutive penalties and a sack pushed the offense backward before a missed field goal left Cincinnati empty-handed. The Bearcats outscored the Utes, 19-7, in the second half thanks to Finley and Tabb's big plays.
First quarter
Cincinnati’s offense hit the field first after Utah won the toss and deferred to the second half. A false start penalty on third-and-1 set the Bearcats back, forcing a punt.
Utah struck first by capitalizing on its opening offensive possession. Quarterback Devon Dampier connected with tight end Hunter Andrews on a 4-yard touchdown pass to cap a 12-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 6:19 off the opening quarter clock. The score was set up when Dampier found Andrews for 15 yards on third-and-6 several plays earlier to reach the Cincinnati 2-yard line.
Stephen Rusnak drilled a 47-yard field goal to put Cincinnati on the board, capping an eight-play, 46-yard drive. On the drive, Cole Tabb broke loose for a 23-yard run to set up the field goal.
Utah extended its lead to 14-3 with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that took 3:47, capped by a 13-yard touchdown run from running back Wayshawn Parker. Earlier in the drive, Dampier moved the chains on third-and-5 with an 11-yard scramble before hitting Andrews for an 18-yard completion.
Second quarter
Disaster struck early in the second as Bearcats running back Gi’Bran Payne fumbled and Utah’s Rabbit Evans scooped up the fumble and returned it 51 yards for a score to push the Utes out to an early three score lead, 21-3.
Cincinnati squandered a prime scoring opportunity on its next possession. JC French IV kickstarted the drive by connecting with wide receiver Malachi Henry deep down the right sideline for a 63-yard gain to the Utah 7-yard line. However, consecutive penalties and a sack backed the Bearcats up to the 27 before Rusnak missed a 35-yard field goal wide right.
Utah capitalized on the momentum shift with an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 30-yard touchdown run from Daniel Bray to extend the advantage to 28-3.
Cincinnati added another field goal as Rusnak connected on a 39-yard field goal to make it 28-6 with 2:58 remaining in the half.
However, The Utes poured it on making the game virtually out of reach, striking back-to-back scores rapidly in the closing minute of the half. Dampier hit Bray on a 3-yard touchdown pass to cap a six-play, 90-yard march and make it 35-6 with 58 seconds to go. Just 24 seconds later, Utah corner back Elijah Davis intercepted French and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown, sending the Bearcats into halftime trailing 42-6.
Third quarter
Bearcats' cornerback made a stellar play, intercepting Dampier and returning it 79 yards for a Cincinnati touchdown to make the game 42-13. Cincinnati answered with another flash of life second half as Cole Tabb broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 42-19 late in the third quarter. Cincinnati went for two and failed to convert.
Utah responded, as Dampier connected with Andrews again for another score, a 59-yarder to push the Utes' lead to 49-19.
Fourth quarter
The Bearcats opened the first 3:12 of the quarter with a seven-play, 75 yard drive capped by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from French, limiting the damage 25-49. Utah responded with a 24-yard drive, but was quickly stopped through a fumble recovery from Patrick Bauer.
The Utes had an opportunity to find one more touchdown in the final two minutes, but the Bearcats stopped them on fourth down for the second time in the game with 1:17 to play.
UP NEXT
Next week, Cincinnati will travel to No. 18 Houston. Kickoff and television network for that game is to be announced early this week.