The Cincinnati Bearcats traveled down to Tulsa, Oklahoma to start their last AAC season against foe Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The Bearcats came in 3-1 and the Golden Hurricane came in 2-2. Tulsa’s quarterback Davis Brin and wide receiver Keylon Stokes both gave it a go after suffering injuries last week against Ole Miss. Cincinnati had the services of cornerback Arquon Bush who suffered an injury against Indiana last week and running back/kick returner Ryan Montgomery gave it a go for the first time since Arkansas. The battle between these two foes is normally a tight battle as two games have been settled by a total of 11 points, would this game be as tight?
Cincinnati struck first as Deshawn Pace took one to the house from 18 yards off the arm of Davis Brin. The next drive Tulsa answered with a 2 yard score by backup quarterback Braylon Braxton to tie the game at 7. After a few defensive stands Ben Bryant hit Tyler Scott for a 61 yard touchdown to push the lead to 14-7. After a dominate defensive series, penalties and big drop led to a 34 yard field goal attempt by Ryan Coe that was missed. The defense forced a punt which Montgomery had a nice punt return, after Lenny Taylor was just short of a first down on third down and Corey Kiner scored from 19 yards out on fourth down to take a 21-7 lead. Deneric Prince scored from 8 yards out in an uptempo drive to cut the lead to 21-14. After a reversed of a Bryant and Nick Mardner touchdown, Coe hit a 39 yard field goal to put Cincinnati up 24-14 at the half.
Halftime Stats:
Cincinnati out gained Tulsa 253 to 163
Kiner finished the half with six carries for 92 yards and touchdown
The defense had five sacks (Bryon Threats 0.5, Ivan Pace, Jr. 1.5, Ty Van Fossen 0.5, Deshawn Pace 1 and Jabari Taylor 1.5)
To start the second half Tulsa had a nice 75 yard drive, capped by 2 yard touchdown by Prince, to cut the lead to 3, 24-21. Cincinnati answered with a big drive, Charles McClelland had a 60 yard run. The drive finished with a 2 yard touchdown when Bryant hit Josh Whyle. A big targeting call on Bryon Threats, he was disqualified, but a few plays later Ja’von Hicks picked a Brin deep attempt to stall the Tulsa drive. In the fourth quarter deep in their own territory Bryant to an interception to Jaise Oliver to put Tulsa in prime position to score. Multiple penalties by Cincinnati is kept Tulsa alive, but Pace, Jr. made a heck of a play on 4th and goal to force a turnover on downs.
Cincinnati ended up winning 31-21 to make it 17 in a row in the AAC and also taking the series lead against Tulsa. Penalties and sacks were the name of the game for Cincinnati as they had a season high 11 sacks, but also had 11 penalties for 109 yards. Going 2-of-14 on third down was rough for Cincinnati, but they did go 3-of-3 on 4th down.
Bryant went 15-of-27 for 166 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Kiner finished with 106 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Pace had a team high 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Now, 4-1 (1-0) Cincinnati will face USF at home at 2:30 pm for Homecoming. Tulsa is now 2-3 (0-1).
