A Big East rivalry has officially been renewed as the University of Cincinnati traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers. A rivalry that has so much history between both programs dating back to their time in the Big East. However, for Bearcats fans, there’s one certain play that comes to mind when they think Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati, Pike-To-Binns.
The Bearcats are looking to improve to 2-0 on the season, but have a huge test for them this evening, vs a very experienced Pittsburgh team that is currently sitting 31st in the latest AP Polls after receiving eight first place votes this week.
However, some significant news heading into this one as Bearcats starting defensive back Sammy Anderson Jr, would be unavailable for the Bearcats this afternoon. “We are still evaluating Sammy. I know he really wanted to be out there tonight and play. He is such a competitor, He’s day-to-day right now. We will continue to evaluate and hope to have an update early next week,” Satterfield said following the Bearcats 27-21 victory.
Final Stats
Emory Jones finished 18-of-26 for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception.
Corey Kiner had a career day finishing the evening with 20 carries, for a career high 153 yards and a score. Kiner’s, previous career high was 106 vs Tulsa last year, but was broken tonight after rattling off a new career long 68 yard run early in the first quarter.
Braden Smith led all receivers with five receptions on eight targets, for 59 yards, and an acrobatic touchdown. Smith also completed a 30-yard competition to Dee Wiggins on a little trick play early in the first half.
Jack Dingle led the Bearcats matching his career high seven tackles, including the game sealing sack on 4th-9 to seal the deal for the Bearcats late in the fourth quarter. Dingle, also recorded two huge tackles, for loss, also a career high.
From Scott Satterfield
“Give props to Pittsburgh, we knew when we were up 27-7, I knew it wasn’t going to be over. They have a lot of pride in their program. You’re playing at their place; they had a great student section that was loud tonight. They didn’t quit, they kept playing, conversely our guys didn’t either. I am really proud with how our guys played. It was a complete team win tonight against a very good football team on the road. Pittsburgh has a great defense, they limited us to some things we would’ve liked to do in the pass game. However, I’m very excited, that is a very excited, that’s a huge road win for the Bearcats. I know its early in the season, but that’s a solid win.”
How it Happened
The Bearcats defensive came ready, after a quick three-and-out, the Bearcats wasted no time finding the endzone. A four play, 64-yard drive set up by a huge 40-yard run by Aaron Turner, following a 15-yard penalty after the play to set the Bearcats up in the red zone. Emory Jones would find Payten Singletary for an easy 12-yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead with 13:06 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bearcats wasted no time moving the ball downfield, after Corey Kiner rattled off a career long 68 yard run on the opening play of the second drive to give the Bearcats prime position to strike an early lead. However, the Panthers defense held strong, holding the Bearcats to a field goal after Carter Brown connected from 22 yards out to make this a 10-0 game with 8:57 left in the first quarter.
Pittsburgh would strike back, following a huge 30 yard gain as Phil Jurkovec lofted one up for grabs after Deshawn Pace laid a boom to find Konata Mumpfield open downfield. A roughing the passer penalty turned that into a 45-yard gain, setting the Panthers up deep in Bearcat territory. Mumpfield would then beat Taj Ward for a three-yard touchdown catch on the jump ball to make this a 10-7 game with 4:17 remaining in the first quarter.
Emory Jones and the Bearcats found a way to turn the momentum to start the second quarter, after Braden Smith connected with Dee Wiggins for a huge 30-yard gain setting the Bearcats up at the Panthers seven. Smith has a history of throwing the ball in those trick play situations as he is now 6 for 11, for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his career. Corey Kiner would then finish the job after a seven-yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats a 17-10 lead with 13:20 left in the 2nd quarter. Kiner, was a key piece for the Bearcats offense to start this one as the junior rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on just six carriers in the first 18 minutes of play.
The Bearcats would look to go 99 yards after Pittsburgh downs their own punt at the Bearcats one yard line. However, the Bearcats would drain the clock and move the chains looking to put some points on the board before halftime. Emory Jones would connect with Ryan Montgomery in hopes to move the chains, but the Bearcats would look to settle for a field goal to make this a 20-10 game heading into the break.
The Bearcats would create the games first turnover of the night following a forced fumble and recovery by Taj Ward on Panthers quarterback Phil Jurkovec at the Panthers 36-yard line. Emory Jones wasted no time shortly after faking the keeper finding a streaking Braden Smith in the back end zone for a 21-yard touchdown to give the Bearcats a 27-7 lead. Just like Pike-Binns a couple years ago, that play was very similar after Smith’s acrobatic catch, in the same spot the historic play happened in just over 10 years ago.
Pittsburgh would find some momentum to start the fourth quarter as Jurkovec stood strong in the pocket with an untouched Dontay Corleone in his face, connects with Konata Mumpfield for his second touchdown of the game. Pittsburgh finds momentum on 4th and-9 as Jurkovec dropped it in the bucket as the Panthers were looking to claw back into this one in the final minutes.
Pittsburgh would respond shortly after with a 4 play, 84-yard drive highlighted by a 60-yard reception from tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Jurkovec would continue to utilize his tight ends after finding Bartholomew just 30 seconds later for a 16-yard touchdown strike. In a matter of seconds, the Panthers scored 14 unanswered points to make this a 27-21 game with 11:43 remaining behind a roaring Acrisure Stadium crowd.
The Bearcats would get a crucial stop late in the fourth quarter on 4th-9 after linebacker Jack Dingle jumped the hole and came away with a huge sack for the Bearcats to seal the victory. The Bearcats fifth sack of the game, was also Dingle’s 7th tackle of the game, matching his career high.
Up Next for the Bearcats
The Bearcats (2-0) will be back in action at Nippert Stadium next Saturday at 7 pm vs Miami (OH) for the annual Battle of the Victory Bell.
