The Bearcats would make a switch at quarterback to start the second half as Brady Lichtenberg replaced Evan Prater, as the Bearcats were looking to open things up in the passing game to start the second half. However, things didn’t go as planned as Lichtenberg fumbled on the second play of the drive giving the Cardinals an opportunity to extend their lead right out of the gate to start the second half. The Bearcats defense would get a huge stop and the Bearcats would quickly transition back to Evan Prater.
The Cardinals would add to their lead after a 47-yard field goal would give them a 24-7 lead with just under 4 minutes remaining in the third quarter, with the chance to add to their lead after a three and out from the Bearcats. However, the Bearcats defense would stand after Armorion Smith comes up with a huge interception on a failed trick play, and the Bearcats would look to find a way to capitalize off the turnover and cut the deficit. However, the Cardinals defense stood tall like they have all day and continued to give the Bearcats troubles.
The Bearcats would get another turnover as this time it was Ja’Von Hicks who would get the interception deep in the Bearcats territory and give the Bearcats another shot to put some points on the board as time was starting to wind down in this contest here in the fourth quarter where they trailed 24-7. The Bearcats just couldn’t get anything going on offense as the Cardinals defense would continue to keep their foot on the gas and get home to Evan Prater.
The Bearcats would get a huge stop in the redzone after a Jaheim Thomas unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set the cardinals up at the eight yard line, the Bearcats defense would get their fourth turnover of the day after a fumble by Maurice Turner would be recovered by Ryan Mullaney, his second recovery of the day, but the Bearcats couldn’t get anything out of it, once again.
The Cardinals would hold on and defeat the Bearcats 24-7 as the Cardinals retained the Keg of Nails as they have now made it three straight versus the Bearcats. The Bearcats would be slowed on offense as the Cardinals defense was just too much for the Bearcats as they finished with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, as they held the Bearcats to just 138 yards of offense on the day compared to the Cardinals 419. The Bearcats defensive line just couldn’t handle the Cardinals run game and a huge part of that was due to Dontay Corleone being unavailble due to injury, but the Cardinals rushed for 287 yards behind huge days from Maurice Turner and Jahwar Jordan. Turner, finished with a game high 31 carries for 160 yards while Jordan finished with nine carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns, including two runs of 40 or more yards.
On the positive side, the Bearcats got a great look up close and personal of what a Scott Satterfield defense could look like as we saw what the Cardinals defense liked to do, and they showed why they were one of the top defenses in the country in terms of sacks and tackles for loss, as they are within the top five nationally in both respected categories
However, the Bearcats finish the season 9-4, despite all the adversity they have faced throughout the season, from losing Ben Bryant, Malik Vann and more to injury to seeing coach Fickell depart for Wisconsin and seeing a lot of members opt out and declare for the draft or elect to enter the transfer portal, the Bearcats were basically without their top four receivers heading into this contest in Tre Tucker, Tyler Scott, Josh Whyle and Lenny Taylor.
The Bearcats will now turn their focus to the 2023 season as they prepare for the Big 12, and what new head coach Scott Satterfield has planned for the Bearcats as he finishes building his staff and looking forward to what is next for the Bearcats heading into next season.
