As the losing skid continues, the Cincinnati Bearcats should consider playing several underclassmen with the regular season starting to wind down soon.
Cincinnati freshmen Rayquan Adkins, Barry Jackson Jr and Ken Willis, plus sophomore Brady Lichtenberg could earn increased playing time moving forward.
Jackson showed off intriguing potential and speed in the regular season debut with a 65-yard touchdown reception but he hasn’t played since that game.
Lichtenberg came into replace Bearcats quarterback Emory Jones in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss at the Oklahoma State Cowboys this weekend.
Colerain product Ken Willis impressed in his first career start in the Big 12 opener last weekend. #Bearcatshttps://t.co/TRokLCsbVL pic.twitter.com/PZNxV6O8XJ
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) September 26, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Bearcats should consider playing underclassmen amidst losing skid
Cincinnati returns to action against the UCF Knights on Saturday afternoon at Nippert Stadium with an opportunity to snap the six-game losing streak.
Following a one game suspension of defensive back Deshawn Pace, Willis was thrust into a starting role and played well in the Big 12 opener last month.
The Cincinnati native was a 3-star recruit coming out of Colerain before committing to the Bearcats over Miami, Toledo, West Virginia and others.
Willis recored nine total tackles and one tackle for loss against Oklahoma and should see an uptick in playing time as Cincinnati wraps up the campaign.
Myles Montgomery should earn more carries moving forward after finding success against Baylor. #Bearcatshttps://t.co/0yvlCRWBwa pic.twitter.com/JPlxkxJhGk
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) October 25, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Myles Montgomery finding success despite the Bearcats losing streak
Bearcats running back Myles Montgomery scored a 63-yard touchdown to tie it in the opening quarter before Oklahoma State posted 24 straight points.
Montgomery finished with a team-high 90 rushing yards and one touchdown but it wasn’t enough to help propel Cincinnati to the first ever Big 12 win.
Oklahoma State racked up an impressive 601 total yards including 315 rushing yards, while Cincinnati failed to move the ball consistently after halftime.
Scott Satterfield’s team continues to struggle in Big 12 play with a sixth consecutive loss and the longest losing streak for the program in over two decades.