How it happened
The main question heading into this season was what would the Bearcats wide receiver room look like after just returning one receiver from the 2022 season? However, Emory Jones wasted no time introducing guys like Dee Wiggins, Braden Smith and Xzavier Henderson to the Bearcat fans after two miraculous drives to start the game.
Emory Jones and the Bearcats would strike first on the opening drive, after connecting with former Florida running mate Xzavier Henderson for a 49-yard touchdown on 4th-5. Henderson was making his presence known early hauling in four receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown on the Bearcats first two drives.
The Bearcats wasted no time as Emory Jones was dialed in as he completed his first seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Jones would connect on yet another beautiful deep ball, this time to a wide-open Dee Wiggins, for a 39-yard touchdown. The Bearcats wasted no time opening up the playbook this afternoon and the Colonels simply had no answer.
Emory Jones was absolutely locked in this afternoon after completing his first 10 passes for 206 yards following a 32-yard competition to Chris Scott on the Bearcats third drive. A reception that would eventually set up an Emory Jones 1 yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats an early 21-0 lead over the Colonials with 2:24 left in the first quarter.
Eastern Kentucky would look to have some momentum deep into Bearcats territory to start the second quarter before Parker McKinney would throw a costly interception over the middle of the field where safety Bryon Threats would come up with the Bearcats first turnover of the season. The Bearcats offense took advantage of the mishap, after Corey Kiner found a massive hole on the right side and rattled off a career high 54-yard rush on the very next play. Emory Jones would then connect with Payton Singletary for the 1-yard touchdown to give the Bearcats a 28-0 lead.
Eastern Kentucky solely had no answer for Emory Jones this afternoon, as the 6th year quarterback sliced and diced the Colonels defense, making multiple defenders miss en route to a 12-yard touchdown run that would give the Bearcats a 35-0 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first half. A scramble, that reminded many fans of his 2020 season at Florida. Ater putting his arm on display early, he showcased his running ability, in an absolute highlight reel, making multiple defenders miss, reversing the field and walking in for the easy touchdown.
Eastern Kentucky would find some momentum on offense late in the first half following a four play, 74-yard drive after Parker McKinney connected with tight end Hunter Brown for a 17-yard touchdown strike. The Colonels would look to build some momentum heading into the half, but Emory Jones continued to shred the Colonels defense on the other side. Jones would throw for his 4th touchdown of the afternoon after connection with Braden Smith down the sideline for a 48-yard score right before the half to give the Bearcats 42-7 lead at the break.
The Bearcats wasted no time out of the half, after Daniel Gresiak laid a massive boom stick on Parker McKinney on the first play of the second half, forcing the Colonels turnover. Easten Kentucky would lock in on defense though, and keep the Bearcats to just a field goal, as Carter Brown would bury one home from 46 yards out to give the Bearcats a 45-7 lead with 13:21 remaining in the first half. However, the Bearcats had the opportunity to add to their lead after a huge, forced fumble by Eric Phillips on 4th-1 deep in their own territory gave the ball back to the Bearcats. However, Emory Jones was hit off the edge and stripped giving the ball back to the Colonels. Patrick Nations would then make this a 45-10 game quickly after, knocking down a 42-yard field goal.
Aaron Turner would find the end zone after Emory Jones found him wide open for the 6-yard score to make this a 52-10 game with 2:42 left in the 3rd quarter. That would be the 7th touchdown on the afternoon that Jones has accounted for, tying a single game record at the University of Cincinnati. Jones was connecting with all of his receivers as four different Bearcats recorded touchdowns through the first three quarters.
Brady Lichtenberg would make this a 59-10 game with 13:39 remaining in the fourth quarter after a four-yard touchdown run. That would be Lichtenberg’s first career collegiate touchdown after replacing Emory Jones to start the 4th quarter. Lichtenberg would then connect with true freshman Barry Jackson for a 65-yard touchdown to make this a 66-13 game. Jacksons first career reception, and touchdown.
Next up for the Bearcats
The Bearcats improve to 1-0 on the season, but know the challenge ahead of them as they prepare for a really good Pittsburgh team next Saturday with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
