Cincinnati, OH — Nicco Marchiol threw a touchdown pass and added a rushing score, while West Virginia’s defense pressured Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby into three turnovers that resulted in 17 points, securing the Mountaineers’ 31-24 victory over the Bearcats on Saturday afternoon.
This marks West Virginia’s fourth consecutive win over Cincinnati. The Mountaineers (5-4, 4-2 Big 12) also prevented the Bearcats (5-4, 3-3) from securing bowl eligibility.
“It’s been a tough few weeks with some bad breaks,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. “Today, we got some lucky bounces, and we capitalized on them.”
West Virginia turned two of their defensive takeaways into scoring plays. Early in the second quarter, free safety Anthony Wilson Jr. intercepted a Sorsby pass and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown, putting the Mountaineers on the board and sparking a 24-point run that gave them a 24-7 advantage late in the third quarter.
Cincinnati responded with two quick touchdowns, cutting the deficit to 24-21.
However, West Virginia’s defense struck again to seal the game. Tyrin Bradley Jr. scooped up a backward pass from Sorsby and ran it 14 yards into the end zone, extending West Virginia’s lead to 10 points with 3:30 remaining. After a review, the touchdown was confirmed.
“I picked it up, heard no whistle, so I just ran,” Bradley Jr. said. “I even asked the ref if it was a touchdown, then heard coach yell, ‘extra point!’”
Cincinnati added a 29-yard field goal with 40 seconds left to make it a one-score game, but the Mountaineers secured the victory by recovering the onside kick.
Key Special Teams Steps Up
West Virginia’s special teams also played a pivotal role, helping generate 14 points. In the second quarter, Preston Fox returned a Cincinnati punt 29 yards to the Bearcats’ 41-yard line. Three plays later, Marchiol connected with Justin Robinson for a 10-yard touchdown, giving West Virginia a 17-7 lead.
“Our special teams have been consistent all year,” Brown said. “Field position was a big factor for us today.”
Late in the fourth quarter, after Cincinnati closed the gap to 24-21, Fox returned the kickoff to the Mountaineers’ 49-yard line. Though West Virginia went three-and-out, punter Oliver Straw pinned Cincinnati at their own six-yard line, setting up Bradley Jr.’s fumble recovery for a decisive score.
West Virginia scored twice on defense, while Cincinnati remains without a defensive or special teams touchdown in coach Scott Satterfield’s 21-game tenure.
“Looking at the stats is hard,” Satterfield said. “You can’t hand them 17 points on turnovers and expect to win.”
Next Games:
West Virginia: Hosts Baylor on Saturday.
Cincinnati: Travels to Iowa State on Saturday.
