Cincinnati’s 70-point scoring bonanza sends Bearcats into bye
BY KEEGAN NICKOSON | BEARCATJOURNAL.COM
Very rarely is there just nothing you can take from a 70-point win. But that was the case on Saturday as the Cincinnati Bearcats walloped, demolished, spanked – really any descriptor synonymous with complete domination – the Northwestern State Demons 70-0.
From the first snap, it was clear the Bearcats would easily control the line of scrimmage. Tawee Walker and Even Pryor gained yardage with ease, making multiple Demon tacklers miss on just about every play. Brendan Sorsby’s deep balls landed in the hands of his receivers time after time, with the average completion going for 17.2 yards.
“ We talked about our standard of practice throughout the week and our standard of play once we get out on the field. I thought they did that,” Cincinnati Head Coach Scott Satterfield said.”
“They did a really good job of focusing, executing the game plan, and making plays. Human nature could say, ‘We’re playing a team maybe not as talented as us. Just go through the motions.’ But our guys did not do that.”
Sorsby started the game 15-for-15, one completion short of the school record, as he sat tied with Gunner Kiel. After Sorsby was pulled, sideline correspondent and former Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike let Sorsby know he was a reception short. The Bearcats gunslinger lobbied Satterfield for another snap.
“ I said, ‘Satt, come on, one more. Just let me get one more.’ Because Goodie was at 99 yards, We wanted to throw a pop pass to Goodie, let him get a yard for the hundred and let me get the record. Didn’t happen that way, but it’s fine. I guess it is what it is,” Sorsby laughed.
He was also close to the single-game passing touchdowns record, previously held at six by Tony Pike and Gunner Kiel. The Bearcats’ first five scores were passing touchdowns, and they all came in the first quarter. However, Sorsby’s sixth score came via his legs after bobbing and weaving through the defense and absorbing contact to find pay dirt.
Cincinnati’s running backs have been getting on Sorsby about poaching touchdowns in the red zone, but the Bearcats’ signal caller isn’t going to avoid scoring to appease his ball carriers.
“ I said, look, guys, it’s not my fault, I gotta earn my touchdowns too. I’m not just walking in the end zone every single time. So maybe you guys gotta make some guys miss. This is my shot at the running backs to get in the end zone, or else I will.”
The only real thing that might change in this game is the usage rate of wide receiver Isaiah Johnson. He scored his first touchdown as a Bearcat in the first half, receiving a pop pass from Brendan Sorsby, cutting back toward the goal line, bouncing off a tackle and falling in for a score.
In the fourth quarter, Samaj Jones threw a quick pass out left to Johnson, who turned on the jets and outran multiple tacklers for a 42-yard score, his second of the day.
“ Yeah, he’s got talent, he can really run,” Satterfield said of the receiver out of Western Carolina. “He has not played very much football. He played one year, last year, and one year of high school prior to that. His best football is ahead of him. He’s gonna continue to get better and better. It’s good for all of us to see him go out and make some plays today. He’s certainly a guy we gotta get more involved in the offense. I think he’s a guy, one catch, and he can turn the game upside down with the way he can run. I think he really helped himself out today.”
“ He’s still a young player, so we’re always trying to coach him up, knowing how special he can be, and he was able to showcase that today,” Sorsby said. “Definitely really happy and impressed with how he performed.”
Cincinnati came out of the game healthy, but missed multiple starters. Dontay Corleone was seen on a scooter before the game, and Jack Dingle did not dress. Satterfield said Dingle was very close to being able to play, but given Saturday’s opponent and the ensuing bye week, the Bearcats’ starting linebacker didn’t play.
Montay Weedon started in his place, with Isaiah Gunn and Elijah Rogers giving support in the middle of the defensive line, given Corleone’s absence. Perhaps the most notable change was Ethan Green taking over as the starting right tackle, replacing Deondre Buford. Green took 46 snaps to Buford’s nine against Bowling Green last week. When asked on Tuesday if there could be a change at that spot, Satterfield deflected. Apparently, Green showed enough in practice last week to give his coaches the confidence to start him.
The Bearcats start conference play on Sep. 27, visiting Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks. Led by quarterback Jalon Daniels, KU is 2-1 with its lone loss coming to Missouri on Sep. 6. The Jayhawks take on West Virginia next week before hosting the Bearcats.