Cincinnati Football: Live coverage as Bearcats begin conference play at Tulsa

Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Deshawn Pace dives for a touchdown agains the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. USA Today.
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Deshawn Pace dives for a touchdown agains the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. USA Today.

After finishing the non-conference schedule with a resounding win over Indiana, the Bearcats will try to keep the momentum going at Tulsa tonight. Make sure to check back during the game to keep up with the latest news as conference play starts!

On the opening drive, the Bearcats picked up two first downs including a fourth down conversion but the possession eventually stalled when Ben Bryant was sacked for 10 yards. Mason Fletcher pinned Tulsa near the goal line with a 41-yard punt.

  • Date: Saturday, October 1 at 7:00 PM
  • Location: Chapman Stadium in Tulsa
  • TV Broadcast: ESPNU and fuboTV
  • Pregame Spread: Cincinnati (-10)

Despite going down with a sprained right ankle last week, senior quarterback Davis Brin started for the Golden Hurricane. Just a few plays into the drive, Brin was picked off by Deshawn Pace and returned for a touchdown to give the Bearcats an early 7-0 lead.

Cincinnati Football: Live coverage as Bearcats begin conference play at Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane answered with a 14-play drive that resulted in a touchdown run from second string quarterback Braylon Braxton. After both teams were forced to punt, the Bearcats regained momentum with a deep shot to junior receiver Tyler Scott.

Bryant dropped back and saw Scott streaking down the seam wide open for a 61-yard score to take a 14-7 lead. Tulsa’s secondary has struggled with consistency all season and Scott was able to take advantage of the error with an easy touchdown.

Cincinnati nearly extended the lead when Scott came down with another touchdown but it was reversed after replay. A few plays later, Bryant hit Josh Whyle for a touchdown but it was called back for holding.

Later in the second quarter, Corey Kiner sprinted up the middle and scored a 19-yard touchdown to take a 21-7 lead. After missing a 34-yard field goal earlier in the half, Ryan Coe successfully connected on a 39-yard kick to put the Bearcats up 24-14 at halftime.

After jumping out to an early lead due to Pace’s pick six in the first quarter, the Bearcats outlasted Tulsa 31-21 in the AAC opener. With the win, Cincinnati extended its win streak against conference programs to 17 games dating back nearly three years ago.

Tulsa cut the deficit to one possession in the third quarter before the Bearcats put together a 70-yard drive, ending with Ben Bryant hitting Whyle for a short touchdown to push the lead back to 31-21.

Mike Tressel’s defense made a point to put pressure on Tulsa senior quarterback Davis Brin and it led to the most sacks since 2007. The Bearcats tied the conference-record with 11 sacks as Jowon Briggs, Jabari Taylor and others created havoc in the win.