A few plays cost the Cincinnati Bearcats a win over the long-time rival Miami Redhawks including a blocked field goal in the final minute of regulation.
Miami jumped out to an early lead as quarterback Brett Gabbert hit wide receiver Gage Larvadain for a 79-yard score on the first play from scrimmage.
The Bearcats quickly answered as Corey Kiner scored a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game but Miami continued to create havoc in the first half.
With a chance to regain momentum in the second quarter, Gabbert found Javon Tracy for a 17-yard touchdown to help the Redhawks regain the lead.
After 16 straight wins in the series, the #Bearcats came up short in a 31-24 overtime loss to Miami last night.https://t.co/A7VjvvfPyS pic.twitter.com/DUfZJYCZUD
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) September 17, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Turning point in the Bearcats overtime loss against long-time rival
Following a sluggish first half performance that included an interception, Jones slipped past the Redhawks defense to help put Cincinnati in front.
Jones connected with tight end Chamon Metayer on the ensuing 2-point conversion to extend the 24-21 lead with 13:52 left in the fourth quarter.
Miami responded with a field goal to tie it with 5:10 remaining and Yahsyn McKee blocked the Bearcats potential game-tying field goal in the final minute.
Overtime came to an end as McKee picked off Jones in the end zone to snap the 16-game losing streak against Cincinnati that dated back to 2005.
It was a sluggish performance as Miami played with more energy en route to breaking the losing skid. #Bearcatshttps://t.co/A7VjvvfPyS pic.twitter.com/txQaitLdBc
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) September 17, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Scott Satterfield reacts to the Bearcats loss against Miami in annual rivalry
In the postgame press conference on Saturday night, Satterfield explained his thoughts on the Bearcats disappointing loss via Cincinnati Athletics.
"“There were things that happened throughout the game that obviously if you do a little bit better, you have a chance to win and we didn’t get it done. You tip your hat to coach Martin and his staff for what they were able to do to get that win. It’s very disappointing obviously. We have to regroup and look at ourselves in the mirror, starting with me. I thought we had a good week of practice and really got after it. We talked about the importance of this game all week and our guys knew what we were coming into, we just didn’t play good enough to win. That is the bottom line. Red zone and blocked field goal is a couple of things that we can point to that would have gotten the win and it would be a lot different right now.”"