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The Bearcats marched into UCF after a bye week to take home a 19-13 road win. Both teams entered the game with 3-2 records. Cincinnati’s loss to Texas Tech in week five left many banged up. Kiner left the game, and most of the team, including Sorsby, took some big hits. Luckily, last week’s bye gave them the best opportunity to rest and heal.
The defense started the game strong, forcing a fumble on UCF’s first drive. The offense didn’t follow their lead. Kiner had an explosive 46-yard burst to start the drive. But a penalty and more lost yardage led to an intercepted pass. UCF didn’t even run one play before the UC defense knocked the ball out. Back to back to back turnovers were a crazy watch to open the game.
Luckily, the Bearcats snapped the scoreless turnover streak with a field goal after two incomplete passes. UCF remained stagnant for most of the first half, as UC continued their ruthless defensive coverage.
Cincinnati’s first touchdown drive was slow. Moving sluggishly down the field just a few yards at a time. UCF helped, providing three penalties to move the Bearcats close enough for Sorsby to run in for a touchdown.
The trend of turnovers continued with Sorsby’s second interception of the half, just out of reach and tipped by Royer. UCF was finally able to capitalize on this and scored a field goal. Earlier in the season, Sorsby was praised for going so many games without an interception, breaking his streak just last game. And in the first half, he already had two.
A common theme for Cincinnati football this season is missed field goals. There have been numerous, sometimes game-deciding missed kicks in almost every game so far. And that is how the first half ended, a missed field goal from 36 yards out keeping the score at 10-3.
UC started the second half with the ball and dug themselves into a hole with Kiner running for a loss of nine followed by a penalty. Sorsby and the offense quickly found themselves back on the sideline after a quick three-and-out. The defense can only hold a team for so long, and UCF scored their first touchdown halfway through the third quarter to tie the game.
This game was a mixture of sloppy plays and defensive grit. Most of the second half was consumed by punts. UC broke it up scoring another touchdown but missing the extra point. The UC defense sounded off, only allowing a field goal for the rest of the game.
The star of the game was the defense. Dontay Corleone made himself relevant again with two sacks. The trio of Antwan Peek Jr., Josh Minkins, and Derrick Canteen continued to swarm the UCF offense. At some points, it felt like the Bearcat defense was sucking the life out of them, not allowing them to score in the red zone, or get out of their own territory on multiple drives.
As for the offense, they didn’t seem like themselves. Sorsby’s two interceptions and multiple dropped passes set the tone for the game. Special teams were just confusing. Nathan Hawks has made multiple field goals from 40 plus, yet routine chip shots and extra points are missed. Luckily, this game didn’t come down to a field goal like it has in the past. Hopefully, special teams put in the work this week to be a bit more consistent. I’m optimistic that the offense can recuperate and match the incredible job the defense is doing, and we can see some of Sorsby’s early-season dominant form in Saturday’s homecoming game against Arizona State at noon.
Charlie Jaeb heads up Bearcat Football coverage for Cincinnati Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @CharlieJaeb.
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