Cincinnati, OH—–The Cincinnati Bearcat headed into the Battle for the Victory Bell on a two game winning streak, holding on late to beat the Pitt Panthers 27-21.
RB Corey Kiner rushed for a career-high 153 yards with a career long 68-yard dash. The Bearcat defense dominated the Redhawks with 8 TFL’s and 5 sacks, led by LB Jack Dingle recorded 7 tackles and crucial sack in the 4th quarter to help seal the win.
Since 2013 the Bearcats have an 81% home winning percentage with a 52-12 home win record over the last 10 years. UC Head Coach Scott Satterfield has a 78-48 record, 4-1 record in bowl games looking to make his presences felt in their 1st season in the Big 12 conference.
The Bearcats was without junior CB Sammy Anderson Jr. 14 total tackles, 1 FF, and 1 PD on the season as he is getting prepped for the Big 12 conference play.
The Redhawks is coming off a huge victory over UMASS Minutemen, led by junior QB Brett Gabbert was 12/22 302 yards and 4 TDS for a solid road win. A victory for the Redhawks would be program changer, but that will be a tall task for the underdogs from the down the road Rival.
Gabbert threw an 8-yard touchdown dart to Joe Wilkins Jr. in overtime and the Miami Redhawks beat its oldest foe the Cincinnati Bearcats 31-24 on Saturday night, breaking a 16-game losing streak in the series.
The Redhawks first play from scrimmage was 79-yard bomb from Gabbert to speedster receiver Gage Larvadain. Miami showed no fear of the Big 12 power Bearcats. Senior QB Emory Jones confidently marched his Bearcats down the 6 plays 75 yards, going 3/3 for 57 yards. The drive capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run for hometown hero junior RB Corey Kiner, looking to go over the century mark on the ground for the third week in a row.
The game tied 7-7 with an action packed in the first four minutes. Its feast or famine for the Redhawks QB Brett Gabbert first pass a 79 yard touchdown, 2nd attempt over throw and pick by UC safety Bryon Threats returned to the 1-yard line. The Miami’s Defense showed tremendous cachet, holding the UC offense to no points on four straight downs from the 1-yard.
The Bearcat’s secondary were feeling the affects of starting CB Sammy Anderson Jr. not being in the lineup, giving up big plays in the passing game early on—– 92 yards in the air half way through the first quarter.
UC QB Emory Jones was pen point accurate, connecting on his first 6 attempt 6/6 for 86 yards. The red-zone inefficiencies continued for the Bearcats with two trips to the red-zone and only three points to show as UC regains the lead 10-7 with 1:40 in the 1st quarter of play.
The Redhawks were the aggressor in today’s matchup going up on the favorite Bearcats, Gabbert hit Javon Tracy for a 17-yard touchdown strike to regain the lead 14-10 in this see-saw battle for the Bell. Senior WR for the Bearcats was on pace to have a career game with 9 receptions for 105 yards in the 2nd quarter.
Cincinnati three trips in the red-zone could only muster up six points, the Redhawks defense has tighten up in the second quarter and took a 14-13 in the quarter. Late in the 2nd quarter UM LB Corban Hondru picked off Emory Jones to setup a field goal before the break. UC’s defense stood tall forcing a crucial fumble to stop the Redhawks putting points on the board going into halftime.
The Bearcats red-zone woes continued settling for three field goals in a row to regain the lead 16-14 in a close nail bitter of a game. The Redhawks responded with masterful drive led by Gabbert displaying pure poise on the road capped off with a 1-yard end around touchdown run by RB Kevin Davis pushing Miami lead up to 21-16 late in the third quarter.
Cincy QB Emory Jones look like he was shot out of a cannon calling his own number, scoring a 17-yard touchdown on a QB draw to take the lead in this instate rivalry 24-21. UC’s WR Xzavier Henderson displayed his full repertoire catching 11 passing for 125 yards on only 12 targets, accounting for 75% of the Bearcats receiving yards as the Bearcats protects their slim lead 24-21 with 8:19 left in the game.
The Redhawks offensive coordinator took full advantage of one-on-one coverage on the outside, going over the top of the defense with little resistance. Multiple defensive pass interference penalties helped move the ball inside of the 5 yard line. The Bearcats didn’t break forcing a field goal to tie the game up at 24-24. A Gutsy fake punt by Cincy with under 3 minutes in a tie ball game had UC at mid-field and chance to win a close one in front of their home crowd.
UC running attack gashed Redhawks’ defense with 255 yards on the ground setting up the Bearcat kicker with a chip shot field goal to win the game. The ensuing field goal was blocked and the game went into overtime.
The Redhawks opened the 1st overtime period with a dart from Gabbert to Joe Wilkins Jr from 8 yards out to go up 31-24. On 4th and 2, the Redhawks’ defense pick Emory Jones off in the end zone to seal the game and won the Battle of the victory Bell for the 1st time in 16 years.
Next UP:
Cincinnati Bearcats, the Oklahoma Sooners come to town in a Big 12 show down at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio 9/23
Miami Redhawks at home vs. the Delaware State Hornets. 9/23
