Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats Big 12 Football's win over UCF on Saturday

ORLANDO, Fla. (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER) – In a game both teams desperately needed to stay relevant in the Big 12, the Cincinnati Bearcats needed a stoppage against the Knights of UCF in a finals series, according to our media partners -Investigator.

UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown started at their own 19-yard line with 58 seconds left and drove the Knights to UC's 25-yard line. A touchdown and an extra point would make the home fans happy.

With three seconds left, Florida native Jared Bartlett and fellow linebacker Jake Golday sacked Brown to secure the victory as the Bearcats beat the Knights 19-13 on the road.

“It was a great performance by our defense,” Bartlett said. “We did a really good job today and played complementary football with the attack. In the middle of the season, good teams get better. Teams that don't take this step forward fall apart. It was very important for us to go out and play today.”

The Bearcats are 4-2 (2-1 Big 12). UCF falls to 3-3 (1-2) and has lost three straight.

UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby was 24 of 37 with a touchdown to Tony Johnson and 241 total yards through the air. Corey Kiner ran for 83 yards and tight end Joe Royer and Johnson each had eight catches. UCF outscored UC 397-338. The Bearcats gained 40 more yards through the air, while UCF had nearly 99 more yards rushing and held UC to an uncharacteristic 97 yards on the ground.

“I did what I could and the defense did what they could and we won,” Kiner said. “It was a good team win.”

Mission accomplished as RJ Harvey remains under the century mark

Harvey was a thorn in UC's side in last season's loss, coming into the game rushing for 600 yards. Harvey was held under 100 yards for the third straight game when UC checked him out at 94. In all three UCF losses, Harvey failed to reach triple figures.

“That was the main focus for us this week, finally shutting down the run game,” UC’s Jake Golday said. “That’s what they fall back on and that’s what we had to stop so they could start passing the ball so we could go after them in the passing game.”

Golday had five tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery (all on a play that set up an early UC field goal).

The Bearcats come home with a road win

They played to less than capacity because Hurricane Milton forced many students from the area. Still, FPC Mortgage Stadium, also known as “The Bounce House,” is a loud venue, with real and loud noise echoing off the aluminum seats. The announced number of participants was 42,611.

UC held UCF to 13 points, the same number it scored against Florida last week. It was UC's lowest offensive point production of the season.

“What a ballgame!” said UC coach Scott Satterfield, wiping his forehead with his cap. “This is a great win for our boys, a very resilient win. When we had a bye week, we were completely confused. We had a great offensive rhythm in the first five games, which we didn't have tonight. A good team is characterized by one side not doing their best and the other side supporting you. I thought our defense did a great job of containing us.”

UCF is starting a new quarterback

After two straight losses, UCF coach Gus Malzahn substituted starter KJ Jefferson in favor of 17-year-old freshman EJ Colson. Colson was not listed on UCF's two-deep roster and had not played a down all season.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound player transferred from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia, and came out after his junior season. His stay was short, as he went 1-for-4 passing for minus-6 yards in the first quarter and had three runs for six yards.

Midway through the first quarter, the Knights substituted Brown, who had been listed as Jefferson's backup. Brown finished the game 13-for-20 for 207 yards and a touchdown and ran for 84 yards.

“We just felt like we needed a spark,” Malzahn said. “EJ had two or three really good weeks of training and we felt he deserved the start. We also wanted to play against JB (Jacurri Brown). He's done some really good things. At the moment we have to play clean football to win and we haven’t played clean enough to win.”

Brown was sacked three times and Colson once.

Who weathered the storm best?

Even though Hurricane Milton left Florida early Thursday morning, UCF players had to adjust their training plans and weather the storm.

The Cincinnati Bearcats had nothing to hide from, but still had some uncertainty about whether the game would take place. The Bearcats realistically could have been up 27-3 at halftime instead of 10-3, as Sorsby threw two red zone interceptions and Nathan Hawks missed a 36-yard field goal before halftime.

The missed points hurt as UCF scored early in the third quarter to tie the game. Luckily, UC survived the Knights' football onslaught in the final seconds.

“The defense really stepped up tonight,” Sorsby said. “They played a really great game. I think we passed the ball really well. There were a few stupid throws on my part. We just have to finish the rides. I have to be smarter with the ball.”

Was it the luck of the Irish?

The Bearcats wore the same jersey combination as seventh-seeded UC's win at No. 9 Notre Dame in 2021 en route to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Red helmets, white jerseys, black pants prevailed and they held UCF to 13 points, the same number of points as Notre Dame in 2021. Granted, UCF is not Notre Dame, but they started the season with 57, 45 and 35 points. In their last three games, all losses, they had scores of 21, 13 and 13.

How did the Florida Bearcats do?

Offensive starters Xzavier Henderson (Miami) and Tony Johnson (Ocala) are from Florida, as are defensive starters Jared Bartlett (Miami) and Jordan Young (Tampa). Running back Manny Covey is from Starke. Defensive back Kye Stokes reunited with his brother, UCF receiver Kason Stokes, both of Tampa.

Bartlett caused a fumble that prevented UCF's first scoring opportunity and resulted in a sack later in the first half. He tied with Antwan Peek Jr. in tackles with seven and recorded two sacks. Johnson reached tight end Joe Royer on eight balls and reached the end zone shortly after going down injured inside the 10-yard line.

“I didn’t want to let one game get me down,” Johnson said. “I have all week to recover. It's that bearcat mentality. I won't be able to get those minutes back. I want to be there for my team.”

Johnson came into the game with 12 receptions in the last five games. UC was missing Tyrin Smith and Aaron Turner due to injuries.

The case for (Deshawn) Pace

UC's leading tackler came to UCF via the transfer portal last year and came into the game against his old teammates, who led the Knights in tackles and with two interceptions. Pace walked across the field before the game and greeted some of his old teammates.

He finished the game with just one tackle.

Defensive back Bryon Threats also transferred to UCF, but ended his Knights career after four games and returned to the transfer portal. Running back Myles Montgomery joined Pace and Threats. Montgomery made a quick play with three runs for six yards.

Next on the Big 12 menu?

The Bearcats return home where they will host Arizona State for Homecoming on Saturday, October 19th at noon at Nippert Stadium. The annual Homecoming parade along Clifton Avenue begins at 8 a.m. The Sun Devils are coming off a 5-1 thriller on Friday night in which they beat No. 16 Utah 27-19 as Cam Skattebo ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. As per the preseason polls, Arizona State was picked to finish last by the Big 12 media.

UCF travels to No. 11 Iowa State, which played at West Virginia on Saturday night.

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