Cincinnati Football: Bearcats must slow down UCF’s high-powered rushing attack
By Charles Post
![Cincinnati Bearcats play the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Cincinnati Bearcats play the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d8caafc7ab283f0a94ceaf8ec20658ce44c44ecb66724f9e242b8e2e8537fa07.jpg)
Bryan Brown’s defense needs to slow down a high-powered rushing attack as the Cincinnati Bearcats prepare to play the rival UCF Knights on Saturday!
Cincinnati should be able to keep it competitive this week but it’s certainly not going to be easy for the defense to contain UCF’s up-tempo offensive unit.
Gus Malzahn’s offense currently leads the Big 12 with 227.0 rushing yards per game and is expected to pose a serious challenge for the Bearcats defense.
The Knights are fueled by veteran quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, star wide receiver Javon Baker, along with senior running back RJ Harvey and others.
#Cincinnati returns to action against UCF on Saturday at Nippert Stadium with a chance to snap the losing streak.https://t.co/y1a4zoB20S pic.twitter.com/nGxb3ZEWHP
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) October 29, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Bearcats must slow down UCF’s high-powered rushing attack
- Date: Saturday, November 4 at 3:30 PM
- Location: Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati
- Series History: Schools tied 4-4
- TV Broadcast: FS1 and fuboTV
Make sure to preview the annual rivalry versus UCF including the latest odds, players to watch, pregame quotes and more prior to kick off this weekend.
Players to watch in the upcoming matchup against UCF include defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, running back Myles Montgomery and safety Deshawn Pace.
The Bearcats opened as 4.5-point underdogs with the over/under currently placed at 58.5 total points against UCF according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
UCF was in position to secure the first ever Big 12 win in the conference home opener before allowing the Baylor Bears to mount a 28-point comeback.
Myles Montgomery had a touchdown to tie it before Oklahoma State scored 24 straight points. #Bearcatshttps://t.co/y1a4zoB20S pic.twitter.com/exAKZb97tw
— Cincy on the Prowl (@CincyOnTheProwl) October 29, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Players to watch in the Bearcats battle with Big 12 foe UCF
Harvey leads the Knights with 712 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 126 carries, while back up Johnny Richardson racked up 493 yards and one touchdown.
Plumlee has dealt with multiple injuries during his career but is a dangerous playmaker when healthy, totaling 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.
Stay tuned for coverage in the coming days as the Bearcats get ready to host UCF at home with both teams trying to take home a much-needed win.
The former AAC rivals are scheduled to face off for the ninth time in school history as each program is attempting to earn the inaugural Big 12 victory!
Next. Cincinnati Football: Preview for the Bearcats upcoming matchup against rival UCF. dark