How it Happened
The Bearcats would strike first as they took an early 7-0 lead following an 11 play, 75 yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Montgomery. The drive was highlighted by three plays longer than 10 yards as the Bearcats averaged nearly seven yards per play on the opening drive. This was the Bearcats first opening drive touchdown since week three vs Miami of Ohio.
The Bearcats would hold an early 7-0 lead over the Cougars following the 7-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Montgomery. However, the Cougars forced a three and out the following drive resulting in decent field position. Donovan Smith would lead the Cougars deep into Bearcats territory following a huge 35-yard run to set the Cougars up at the Bearcats 17-yard line.
The Cougars would get into the red-zone following a 10-yard keeper from Smith that would eventually set up a 7 yard touchdown to Joseph Manjack IV. The Cougars missed Manjack the last few weeks while being out due to a concussion, but Smith wasted no time getting involved as the 7-yard touchdown capped off a 12 play, 83-yard drive to tie this game at 7 with 14:02 remaining in the second half.
Corey Kiner would then shift the momentum back to the Bearcats following a huge 63-yard run on the teams fourth drive of the game after starting the drive at their own seven-yard line. Brady Lichtenberg would connect with tight end Payton Singletary down the right sideline who hauled in a 20-yard gain despite the hard shot from the Cougars defensive back. The six-play drive would be capped off after Kiner found the end zone from one yard out to give the Bearcats a 14-7 lead with 8:04 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bearcats would get the games first turnover after Deshawn Pace jumped the route to intercept Smith’s pass, but would then fumble after trying to avoid the Cougars in hopes of a pick 6. However, Joseph Manjack would come in and strip Pace and recover the fumble resulting in a first down for the Cougars. A huge, missed opportunity for the Bearcats as it would’ve been first down inside the Cougars 15 yard line.
The Bearcats would then hold the Cougars and force a punt as they would start their first drive in opponent territory since Week 4 vs Oklahoma. However, the Bearcats would move the ball down the field with hopes of putting points on the board before the half. However, the Bearcats elect to go for it on 4th-1 instead of the field goal and Nelson Ceaser blows through the Bearcats offensive line and stops Corey Kiner short of the line to gain for the turnover on downs.
The Bearcats would take a 14-7 lead heading into halftime as they outgained the Cougars 225-125 in the first half. The Bearcats had a huge opportunity to put up some more points before the break, but elected to stay aggressive and ultimate costed the Bearcats. However, the Bearcats defense has done a great job containing Smith as he was held to just 32 yards on 7-of-15 passing in the first half.
Jordan Young would deflect Donovan Smith’s first pass of the second half as Dorian Jones comes away with the interception to set the Bearcats up with great field position at their own 46-yard line. The Bearcats offense would move the chains as they entered the red zone for the third time tonight. The Cougars would record a huge third down sack as Nelson Ceaser would beat John Williams off the edge for the sack of Jones. The Bearcats would settle for a 31-yard field goal, capping off a 12 play, 37-yard drive as they took a 17-7 lead over Houston.
Scott Satterfield would continue to rotate quarterbacks to start the second half despite Emory Jones leading the Bearcats on a 12-play drive that resulted in a field goal. Which was not expected as he alluded to earlier this week in his press conference, but Lichtenberg is looking to spread the ball around the yard here on his first drive of the second half. The drive would stall after, yet another Cougars stop on fourth and short.
The Bearcats held the ball for 12:30 seconds of the third quarter as they continued to wear down the Cougars defense this evening. Which was a huge emphasis heading into this one, especially with their ability to wear teams down and run the ball.
The Cougars would try to sneak one out on 4th-and-3, but Jordan Young came up with consecutive tackles to force the turnover just short of the sticks shortly after Houston entered Bearcats territory. Emory Jones would lead the Bearcats on a game sealing six play, 52-yard drive that was capped off by a five-yard touchdown run for Corey Kiner, his second touchdown of the night.
The Cougars would fire back with a 12 play, 75-yard drive resulting in a 2 yard touchdown catch from Joesph Manjack, his second touchdown of the night. The Cougars would trim the Bearcats lead to 10, trailing 24-14 with 3:22 remaining in this one. The Bearcats would get a huge interception as Ken Willis came away with a near pick six following a Cougars defensive stand.
Up Next
The Bearcats improve to (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) on the season and will now shift their focus to next week as they head to Morgantown to take on West Virginia.
