38,032 fans packed Nippert Stadium to watch Cincinnati Bearcats take on the UCLA Bruins Thursday night. The Bearcats came into this game looking to start out the season strong with their opener at home against UCLA. They have a lot of expectations and hype to live up to after their 11-2 season last year, which included beating UCLA 26-17 on UCLA’s home turf. The Bearcats were the favorite to win the game with a 3-point spread over the Bruins and proved themselves to be the better team.
The first quarter went well for the Bearcats. They had possession of the ball for 9:47, 113 pass yards, and 40 rush yards. They started the quarter with a 3-and-out, but redeemed themselves after safety Ja’von Hicks recovered a UCLA fumble on the UC 10-yardline. They capitalized on six play, 83-yard, drive by ending it with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Desmond Ridder to Josiah Deguara, putting the Bearcats up 7-0. The Bearcats had another scoring opportunity in the first quarter, a 32-yard field goal attempt that was missed by Sam Crosa. UCLA failed to put up any points on the board this quarter making the final score of the first 7-0 Bearcats.
The second quarter started off with a 44-yard field goal by Sam Crosa, putting the Bearcats up by 10, but that didn’t last long. UCLA responded with a 75-yard passing touchdown from Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Demetic Felton, making the score 10-7. The Bearcats start a drive down the field at the end of the second quarter hoping to put some last-minute points on the board; they got to the goal line and Desmond Ridder throws an interception and Jay Shaw runs it back 66 yards before being tackled by Josiah Deguara who sprinted down the field and kept Shaw from walking into the end zone. The quarter ends with a sack by Michael Pitts for a 10-yard loss. After this play and the one before, UCLA was awarded with two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. UC kept possession for 10:18, had 59 passing yards, and 50 rush yards in this quarter. The Bearcats take the lead going into the half with a score of 10-7.
UCLA received the kick off to start the second half and during their opening drive of the second half linebacker Perry Young intercepted Thompson-Robinson on the UCLA 30. The Bearcats capitalized with Michael Warren II scoring a 12-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 17-7 Bearcats. The next two drives for each team resulted in punts, but the following two resulted in touchdowns for both teams. UCLA had a 7 play, 59-yard drive ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Cota making the score 17-14, UC still in the lead. The Bearcats ended the quarter by marching down the field and setting themselves up for a scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats had the ball for 10:35, had 29 passing yards, and 61 rush yards. The final score of the third quarter was 17-14 Bearcats.
The fourth quarter started with a 21-yard catch and run touchdown by Michael Warren II, his second of the night making the score 24-14 and topping off a 10 play, 75-yard drive. UCLA starts their drive and 6 plays in Thompson-Robinson is intercepted by Ja’von Hicks, making that his second turnover of the night. UC did not capitalize on that turnover and gave it back to UCLA after a 6 play, 31-yard drive. UCLA is 12 plays into their drive when the Bearcats defense sacks Thompson-Robinson, he fumbles the ball and Curtis Brooks is there to recover it for UC. The Bearcats do not capitalize on that turnover either, but UCLA didn’t score the rest of the game. UC runs the clock out for the reminder of game, making the final score 24-14, Bearcats on top.
