Don’t look now Bearcats fans, but your football team just won the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championship. Playing in their first game since November 21 and in front of their largest crowd of the season (5,831), the No. 9 Bearcats defeated the No. 23 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, 27-24.
After going three and out on their initial possession of the game, the Cats’ struck first when tailback Jerome Ford took the handoff and sprinted 42 yards to the end zone giving them a 7-0 lead. The Bearcats defense then rose up on the ensuing Tulsa drive and came up with a huge stop, when Cats’ senior linebacker Jarell White intercepted Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith’s pass.
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder then found his rhythm connecting with junior wideout Alec Pierce multiple times, including a one handed reception for 31 yards which would make Cleveland Browns wideout Odell Beckham smile. The Cats’ later added a field goal extending to a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Tulsa countered on their next offensive possession with an eleven play drive, culminating in a 43 yard field goal at the 11:08 mark of the second quarter. The Cats’ would continue to let Tulsa back into the game on their next drive, after Desmond Ridder was sacked and stripped by Tulsa’s Cullen Wick. The fumble was recovered by the Golden Hurricanes’ Jaxon Player at the Cincinnati 34 yard line. Five plays later Tulsa tailback Corey Taylor would visit the end zone via a 10 yard run, following the extra point the game was tied 10-10.
Both teams traded punts on their following possessions before the Cats’ would break the tie, when Ridder connected again with wideout Alec Pierce for a 36 yard passing touchdown putting Cincinnati up 17-10. The Cats’ missed an opportunity to create more distance before halftime, when wideout Tre Tucker’s fumble in Cincinnati territory was recovered by Tulsa. However Cats’ defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman’s unit stood tall, holding Tulsa to an unsuccessful field goal attempt, and the Cats’ went to the locker room up 17-10.
Tulsa opened the second half continuing to pound away at the Cats’ AAC number one ranked run defense. Tulsa back up tailback Deneric Prince entered the game and rushed three times for 56 yards, finishing it off with an 8 yard rushing touchdown tying the score at 17-17.
The Cats’ offensive line started to make it’s imprint on the game in the third quarter opening holes for both tailback Jerome Ford and quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder finished off a seven play drive, by calling his own number scampering for a 10 yard rushing touchdown giving the Cats’ a 24-17 lead.
A crucial point in the game took place at the 13:01 mark of the fourth quarter, when Cat’s head coach Luke Fickell opted to pass on a field goal from the Tulsa 5 yard line on 4th and 2. The gamble was unsuccessful as Tulsa was up to the task, stopping tailback Jerome Ford for a three yard loss turning the ball over on downs. Junior defensive end Myjai Sanders bailed Coach Fickell out by sacking Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith on third down at 3 yard line.
The Cats’ were threatening to put a stranglehold on the game and extend to a two score lead with a little over six minutes remaining in the 4th quarter when they attempted a 37 yard field goal. Tulsa not to be vanquished easily blocked the field goal leaving the score 24-17.
Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith took a shot throwing up a 54 yard pass into double coverage, which bounced off a Javon Hicks hands before ultimately being hauled in by Tulsa wideout Sam Crawford, Jr. at the Cincinnati 15 yard line. Tulsa would score 4 plays later when Smith connected with wideout Juan Carlos Santana for a 13 yard passing touchdown tying the game 24-24.
The Cats’ drove the length of the field down to the Tulsa 28 yard line, and on fourth down Desmond Ridder’s hard count got Tulsa’s defensive line to jump off sides giving them a new set of downs. The Cat’s ran the clock down and called a timeout with three seconds remaining on the clock, setting the table for Cincinnati kicker Cole Smith’s game winning 34 yard field goal as time expired.
My game ball goes to Bearcats wideout Alec Pierce who finished the game with five receptions for 146 yards and one receiving touchdown. The Bearcats are now 9-0 and have undoubtedly proven they are worthy of their Top 10 ranking. Whether they get selected for a bid in the College Football Playoff or not remains to be seen, but they are definitely headed to a New Year’s Six Bowl Game at the very least. With that said #BearcatNation and Cincinnati football fans in general, should never take for granted any championship which comes their way in this city. Congrats to head coach Luke Fickell and his Cincinnati Bearcats.
