UC football has a chance to reset in Morgantown.
After a bye week and a rough trip to Arizona, the Bearcats head into Saturday’s Big 12 matchup against West Virginia looking to get back in rhythm in their second road game of the season. Cincinnati is 4-1 overall and trying to shake off a 34-7 loss to Arizona on Oct. 3.
West Virginia comes in on a shorter turnaround after a 52-31 defeat to that same Arizona team on Oct. 10.
The setback dropped the Mountaineers to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 play, and it also underscored just how shaky their defense has been. Arizona piled up 482 total yards against West Virginia, which entered the game ranked No. 133 nationally in total defense at 456.6 yards allowed per game.
The Wildcats did plenty of damage through the air, too. Fifth-year Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 341 yards and found second-year receiver Isaiah Mizell for two touchdowns, including a 72-yard score in the second half.
Even with the loss, West Virginia moved the ball well offensively. The Mountaineers finished with 522 total yards, including 303 on the ground.
Fourth-year running back Cam Cook carried 34 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns, and redshirt second-year quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. added 98 rushing yards and a score. But Cook’s two first-half fumbles loomed large, helping Arizona build a 24-17 halftime lead.
That’s the opening Cincinnati is trying to exploit.
The Bearcats managed only 7 points against Arizona, and fifth-year quarterback JC French will need a steadier outing if UC is going to take advantage of a West Virginia defense that has already given up a long list of explosive plays. The Mountaineers allowed eight plays of at least 20 yards against Arizona, including six in the second half.
Cincinnati did have some encouraging moments on defense in its last game. Fifth-year safety MJ Cannon picked off Fifita for his second interception of the season and finished with a season-high 8 tackles. Veteran fifth-year safety Jasper Beeler added a season-high 12 tackles and came through with a stop on an Arizona fourth-down try in the red zone.
The Bearcats will need more of that kind of production if they want to slow a West Virginia offense that has shown it can break big runs. Saturday’s game will also serve as West Virginia’s homecoming, with Cincinnati trying to leave Morgantown with its second Big 12 win of the season.
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For Cincinnati, the most obvious path is on the ground, where GiBran Payne figures to be central against a Mountaineers defense that has had trouble keeping runners in check. West Virginia has given up steady yardage and has also been vulnerable near the goal line, so the Bearcats will have reason to keep leaning into that part of the game plan and see whether they can turn a tough road spot into a conference statement. [Read more 🡒]