Insights from the Cincinnati Bearcats vs. TCU football game

There was one last game on the last day of November.

Although the Cincinnati Bearcats held TCU’s prolific offense scoreless in the second half, their final drive failed at the TCU 39-yard line with 60 seconds left when Brendan Sorsby’s final pass left the end zone. TCU prevailed 20:13 and scored all of its points in the first half.

TCU’s Josh Hoover was 18 of 35 for 212 yards through the air but threw for just 10 yards in the second half. UC held running back/receiver Savion Williams to 10 yards rushing but couldn’t stop him from scoring two touchdowns.

“TCU has a very strong offense with some outstanding receivers and quarterbacks,” UC coach Scott Satterfield said. “They rank sixth in the country in passing and we held them to 20 points. Our defense did a great job giving us a chance.”

Unfortunately, the Bearcats were unable to capitalize on these opportunities and ended the year losing five games, with four of those five being night games. Three of those four losses came to Big 12 teams ranked in the final top 25 (Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State).

The weather plays a role in the Cincinnati Bearcats, TCU game

The snow and cold came as promised, but not until TCU had built a 20-7 lead late in the first half. The Bearcats had two late scoring chances, one of which ended in an end zone interception by TCU’s Channing Canada when UC had the ball second-and-10 at the Horned Frogs’ 12-yard line.

The other came with Brendan Sorsby’s 8-yard touchdown run with 5:12 left, which ended in a missed extra point. At this point, UC pulled within seven points, but they were the last points of the evening.

“I’m disappointed we couldn’t do it for the seniors, this team and the fans,” Sorsby said. “It was a crazy game. We have to find ways to improve and get better.”

By the end of the fourth quarter, the field was as white as TCU’s road uniforms. UC would again outscore a Big 12 opponent 373-336 but lose.

Sorsby was 21 of 34 for 160 yards and ran for 93 yards and a touchdown. Corey Kiner’s final appearance at Nippert was a 110-yard effort with a touchdown. He finished the season with a career-high 1,153 yards.

“Great night from Corey,” Satterfield said. “He worked his butt off all year long.”

Reported attendance was 30,021, the lowest of the season as many students were on Thanksgiving break.

UC finishes the season at 5-7 (3-6 Big 12), while TCU finishes at 8-4 (6-3 Big 12).

“We’re not far away,” Satterfield said. “I know we’re 5-7. Everyone hates it. I hate it. There’s shit about this thing and it’s completely different.

Insights from Cincinnati Bearcats vs. TCU Horned Frogs football

The Cincinnati Bearcats’ turnover against TCU is costly

The Bearcats forced the strong TCU offense into a three-pointer on the first drive of the game. But the punt was thwarted by Jamoi Mayes 52 seconds into the game. Seven plays later, TCU had scored its first points of the game.

With 5:42 left in the second quarter, UC had the ball down 17-7 and Kiner had just made the first pass. Instead of reducing the deficit before halftime, he was hit by Abe Camara on the next play and coughed the ball up to Caleb Fox. This eventually led to a 35-yard field goal by Kyle Lemmerman that gave TCU a 10-point lead on first-half turnovers.

Lemmerman managed a 38-yard attempt before halftime to keep the score at 20-7.

With 11:34 left in the game and UC was looking for a score to get back into the game. Sorsby’s seventh interception of the season landed in the hands of Channing Canada in the right corner of the end zone, wasting that chance.

Corey Kiner scores for the UC Bearcats in his final game at Nippert Stadium

With UC trailing 10-0 early in the second quarter, Kiner stormed down the TCU sideline for a 46-yard run and stumbled at the 1-yard line. On the next play he was initially stopped, but was able to fend off the play again and score the first goal for UC. Kiner finished the first half with 78 yards.

He topped 100 yards for the sixth time midway through the fourth quarter. He passed the century mark 13 times in his career with the Bearcats.

UC Bearcats tight end record by Joe Royer

The tight end had missed several passes in multiple games, just a few shy of Travis Kelce’s single-season record. He needed three to break the record on Saturday. At half-time he had scored his only goal from four meters away. Sorsby attempted just seven shots in the first half, compared to 28 shots by TCU’s Hoover.

On the second drive of the second half, Royer set the record with his 46th catch of the season. Royer finished with seven catches for 32 yards and finished with 50 receptions.

“Just seeing how my teammates and some seniors felt (after the game) really broke my heart,” Royer said.

Royer was grateful to make it to Nippert Stadium and mentioned how the move to Cincinnati revitalized his career. Towards the end of the year, the offense seemed to be struggling to get him the ball, but Elder’s 6-foot-1, 220-pound local hero stayed balanced.

“It’s a team sport,” Royer said. “Fans and other people were angrier than me because I didn’t get the ball. It’s not just about me. If I wanted to break the record, God willing, it would happen, and it did. “I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team.”

Snow at Nippert Stadium for UC Bearcats vs. TCU Horned Frogs

The snow showers began at Nippert Stadium 1:10 minutes before the end of the first half. At this point, TCU had already built a lead of 20-7. With both teams battling for points in the second half, Mother Nature may have come too late.

“We tried to establish the run,” Satterfield said of UC throwing for just 31 yards in the first half. “We felt like if we could do that (and keep their offense off the field), that would be our best defense. In the second half we knew we had to have more space, which we did. It was tough out there.” We had several drops, so did she.

Senior night for 31 Cincinnati Bearcats

Among the group were four who spent their entire careers at UC: defensive end Eric Phillips, wide receiver Evan Prater, tackle John Williams and punter Mason Fletcher. Prater came into the game and nearly completed a touchdown pass to fellow senior Jamoi Mayes. Unfortunately, it was broken up by TCU’s Cam Smith.

The list includes key defensive transfers like Derrick Canteen and Jared Bartlett.

“The relationships and connections I built with these guys meant a lot to me,” Bartlett said of his move to UC. “It was a great opportunity. I’m glad I made this decision.”

UC Bearcats transfer portal, NIL agreements, signing day

The fall transfer portal opens on Wednesday and runs until December 28th. It’s also signing day for high school athletes moving on to college football, and the Bearcats will be adding new players.

“The portal is going to open and it’s going to be fast and crazy for about three weeks,” Satterfield said. “This effort can make the difference between success and failure next year. We have already started with this. We have a very good feeling about the next three weeks.”

Would there be a 5-7 Cincinnati Bearcats team in a bowl?

If there aren’t enough teams with six wins, UC could be in talks to fill a 5-7 bowl based on their APR (Academic Performance Rate). These bids are offered based on APR numbers if there are vacancies. The Wisconsin Badgers of Cincinnati and Luke Fickell are at the top of this ranking.

“I wish we could keep going with these guys,” Satterfield said. “That will be something we look at and evaluate. I have no idea where that is. We would definitely like to play more ball.”

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