Expect the Bearcats to come out and try to establish the run game to free up the likes of Josh Whyle, Lenny Taylor, Nick Mardner, Jadon Thompson and Tre Tucker on the outside and get some points on the board, but it starts with the run game for the Bearcats. The Bearcats have to control the clock as well to let their defense get some rest after being on the field nearly the whole first half.
The Bearcats would start with the ball in the second half and the Bearcats were looking to get that run game going after Jadon Thompson went down on the second play of the half and missed most of the opening drive after being looked at by trainers but seemed to be alright. The Bearcats would look to pull out all the tricks as they brought in Evan Prater for a zone read keeper in the endzone, after Bryant lined up out wide as Prater would scamper for a 9 yard gain down in the redzone to set up a 1 yard touchdown drive by Charles McClelland to give the Bearcats a 21-17 lead with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. The Blackcat defense would stand tall and force a three and out as the Bearcats were looking to bust this one open here to start the second half and create some momentum after a statement start to the second half.
The Bearcats would see the defense come alive after a 43-yard punt by Mason Fletcher pinned the Bulls at their own one-yard line after Tre Tucker made a heck of a play on special teams, that would end up forcing the Bulls to punt out of the back of their endzone and would give the Bearcats great field position as they started their drive at the Bulls 44 where they were looking to extend their lead and put this one away. The Bulls came up with a huge stop on 4th and 1 deep in the redzone and flip the momentum, after Gerry Bohanon would rip off a career long 59 yard run to get the Bulls deep into Bearcats territory as the Bulls were continuing to pound the ball inside and test the Bearcats rush defense as they trailed 21-17 heading into the 4th quarter.
The Bulls would take a 24-21 lead after Gerry Bohanon would find Xavier Weaver for his second touchdown of the day and the Bearcats 29 game home winning streak was in jeopardy, but could the Bearcats rally back.
The Bearcats would see quarterback Ben Bryant exit this contest after taking a late hit on a sliding attempt, and we would see Evan Prater the rest of the day after Bryant jogged off the field under his own power but was seen heading to the locker room with members of the training staff. Evan Prater would look to finish this one out for the Bearcats with a 29 game winning streak on the line, could the Cincinnati native lead the Bearcats to a comeback victory.
The Bearcats would start at midfield before Prater connect with Josh Whyle for a 15-yard gain, before Charles McClelland would rip off a 35-yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats a 28-24 lead with 9:24 remaining, his second touchdown of the day. The Bearcats defense would look to get a huge stop after a kick off out of bounds by Ryan Coe would set the Bulls up with great field position to start at their own 40.
The Bearcats defense would get a huge stop on fourth and 1 as Ja’Von Hicks blew up the screen pass in the backfield to get a huge stop for the Bearcats, that led to Evan Prater running out the clock after a huge 4th and 1 conversion by Charles McClelland would give the Bearcats a 28-24 victory over USF to make it thirty straight victories at Nippert Stadium.
Notables-
Charles McClelland finished with a career high 179 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.
Ty Van Fossen- Finished with a career high 16 tackles and played a huge role for the Bearcats defense today as USF did a great job containing Ivan Pace who still finished with 7 tackles.
Tre Tucker- Finished tied a career high 7 catches for 64 yards.
Ben Bryant– Finished the day 15-of-21 for 178 yards and two touchdowns. However, Bryant did leave with an injury after taking a huge hit on a sliding attempt late in the third quarter and was ruled out. Coach Fickell had no update on the senior quarterback post game.
Tyler Scott– The Bearcats leading receiver also left todays contest with an ankle or foot injury late in the first quarter and was ruled out. Coach Fickell had no update on him post game.
Ja’Von Hicks– Finished with nine tackles, including a huge tackle on fourth and one to give the Bearcats the ball back as USF was driving late in the fourth quarter.
Wil Huber– Finished with six tackles, and a team high 2.5 tackles for loss.
Luke Fickell ties Rick Minter for the winningest coach in program history at 53 games.
The Bearcats will be back in action on October 22nd where they travel to Dallas to take on SMU as they have a bye week coming up this week which may be a great thing with how many injuries popped up for the Bearcats today. The Bearcats are now (5-1) (2-0 AAC) on the season as they held on to make it thirty straight games at Nippert Stadium after a wild finish here today.
