The Bearcats fell to the Redhawks Saturday evening by a score of 31-24, marking the first loss in the series for Cincinnati since 2005, evening the all-time series at 60 wins a piece, and the first loss at home to the Redhawks since 2002.
Miami started the scoring off quickly, with a 79-yard touchdown strike from Brett Gabbert to Gage Larvadain. The Bearcats would answer right back however with a 4-yard touchdown from running back Corey Kiner, scoring his second touchdown of the year. From there the game would progress rather slowly, with Cincinnati kicking two field goals, both from 23 yards out, and Miami scoring one more touchdown to send them to halftime up 14-13.
Cincinnati would score first out of the halftime break with another 23-yard field goal, that would quickly be answered by a Redhawk touchdown. The Bearcats would answer back with an Emory Jones 17-yard diving touchdown run at the pylon, and a successful two-point conversion to make it 24-21 in favor of the Bearcats. However, Miami would march down the field and kick a game tying field goal with 5:10 left to go in the game.
On fourth and 9 from their own 26-yard line, Cincinnati tight-end Chamon Meteyer would be the lead rusher on a fake punt for 27 yards, crossing midfield and keeping the Bearcats’ hopes alive. However, with 9 seconds to go, Carter Brown’s 35-yard field goal try was blocked by Miami and would send the game into the first overtime of 2023 for Cincinnati, and first overtime game since a 26-20 win over SMU back in 2017.
Miami would receive the ball to start, marching down the field and scoring in no time at all, making it 31-24 in favor of the Redhawks. Cincinnati would have a slow and methodical drive, making it all the way to the Miami 2-yard line, before Emory Jones would throw an interception, to seal the game for the Redhawks.
Quarterback Emory Jones would finish the game 18/34, with 265 yards and two interceptions, as well as 20 carries for 101 yards and 1 touchdown. Corey Kiner would score the other touchdown for Cincinnati, as well as rushing for 31 yards. Ryan Montgomery would finish with 20 carries for 104 yards. Xzavier Henderson would bring down 12 receptions for a total of 140 yards.
The Bearcats open their first Big 12 Conference season this Saturday at noon against The #16 Oklahoma Sooners on FOX. Fans can catch FOX’s Big Noon Kick-Off as well, as the crew is making a trip to Cincinnati for the first time. Coverage will also be available on Cincinnati’s 102.7 WEBN and on Bearcast Sports Radio.
STAT LEADERS:
Emory Jones: 18/34 | 265 YDS | 0 TD | 2 INT
20 CAR | 101 YDS | 1 TD
Myles Montgomery: 20 CAR | 104 YDS | 0 TD
Xzavier Henderson: 12 REC | 140 YDS | 0 TD
Byron Threats: 6 TOT | 4 SOLO | 1 SACK | 1 TFL | 1 INT
Big 12 Conference Standings:
- TCU (2-1) (1-0)
- BYU (3-0) (0-0)
- Kansas (3-0) (0-0)
- #16 Oklahoma (3-0) (0-0)
- #3 Texas (3-0) (0-0)
- UCF (3-0) (0-0)
- Cincinnati (2-1) (0-0)
- Kansas State (2-1) (0-0)
- Oklahoma State (2-1) (0-0)
- West Virginia (2-1) (0-0)
- Bayor (1-2) (0-0)
- Iowa State (1-2) (0-0)
- Texas Tech (1-2) (0-0)
- Houston (1-2) (0-1)
Cover Image via Cincinnati Athletics
Stats and Standings via espn.com
By: Ethan Herzog