Cincinnati Football: UCF snaps the Bearcats historic streak with last-second win

The Bearcats couldn’t hang onto a narrow lead as UCF scored the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute left to snap the 19-game win streak against AAC opponents. It was Cincinnati’s first loss in the conference since falling to Memphis in 2019.

Ryan Montgomery’s 39-yard touchdown run put the Bearcats up 21-18 with 3:04 remaining but the defense wasn’t able to get a critical stop. RJ Harvey scored with under a minute left and UCF eventually secured a 25-21 victory to take down Cincinnati.

After trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, the Bearcats managed two field goals before halftime to cut into the deficit. UCF was moving the ball with ease until senior quarterback John Rhys Plumlee was injured and ruled out for the game with a head injury.

Cincinnati Football: UCF snaps the Bearcats historic streak with last-second win

Ben Bryant found Josh Whyle for a 14-yard score to give the Bearcats a 13-12 advantage late in the third quarter. UCF trailed for a lot of the final period before scoring two touchdowns in the last five minutes to snap Cincinnati’s historic conference win streak.

After the heartbreaking loss, Luke Fickell’s team fell out of first place in the conference standings and is in jeopardy of missing the AAC championship game. It’s still possible to get back into contention but the Bearcats are on the outside with just four games left.

Cincinnati will try to bounce back next weekend as Navy comes to Nippert Stadium on Saturday. The Bearcats are likely going to be double-digit favorites but it will be important to get back on track and gain confidence before hosting East Carolina after that.