Bearcats defeat Western Carolina 62-10, improve to 2-0

The Cincinnati Bearcats improved to 2-0 on the season following their 62-10 victory over Western Carolina. 

“I thought our offense was outstanding.” head coach Scott Satterfield told reporters. “I thought JC played outstanding again today. He continues to play with great poise and composure. He put us in positions for us to go out and make plays and execute.” 

The Bearcats were anchored by senior quarterback JC French who finished the night 21-24 for 245 yards and two touchdowns. The senior quarterback was able to showcase his ability to sling the ball across the yard for the first time this season following the victory over Boston College last week. 

Wide receiver JV Gibson led the Bearcats in receiving, recording six receptions for a game high 79 yards and touchdown. The Oklahoma transfer has clearly emerged as the team's number one receiver after the first two weeks to say the least. 

Cincinnati Rushing Attack

The Bearcats racked up a total of 690 yards on the night. However, 418 of those came on the ground as Cincinnati’s rushing attack continues to display why they may be one of the deepest running back rooms in all of the country, 

Senior Gi’Bran Payne anchored the attack, racking up 102 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Which for Payne, was the first time in his career that he has recorded two touchdowns in a game.  Now for the Cincinnati native, he has clearly proven to be the number one back for the Bearcats. 

However, Cole Tabb, Zylan Perry and Zion Johnson each found the endzone, in which was the first game in recent years that Cincinnati featured four running backs with touchdowns scores. Worth noting, the Bearcats 418 yards on the ground is 6th most in program history according to UC. 

“It’s hard to get all of those guys out there since they all continue to produce.” said head coach Scott Satterfield. “They are pushing each other. It is great a competition in that running back room. They all continue to make the most of their opportunities.” 

“I believe that we have the deepest running back room in the country.” said junior running back Cole Tabb. “I am playing behind the best offensive line in the country. We have some maulers up front and that makes my job really easy.” 

How it happened. 

The Catamounts opened the game with a 12 play, sixty-yard drive on their opening possession. The drive opened with a 25-yard completion from quarterback Lex Thomas to receiver Santana Carlos, giving the Catamounts great field possession seconds into this contest. However, the Bearcats defense was able to settle in and hold the Catamounts to a field goal, as Weston Carlo gave Western Carolina an early 3-0 lead with 8:57 to play in the first quarter. 

The Bearcats responded with a crucial twelve play drive, highlighted by a designed keeper from quarterback Samaj Jones, which extended the drive. JC French then connected with sophomore wide receivers Giyhani Kontosis and Cade Wolford for chunk size gains. French then capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown strike to JV Gibson to give the Bearcats a 7-3 lead over the Catamounts with 3:34 left to play in the first quarter. 

Cincinnati responded with a twelve play, 75-yard drive as they quickly led the Catamounts 14-3. Quarterback JC French connected with sophomore tight end Lyviel Waters for the one yard touchdown. For Waters, that touchdown was his first catch of his collegiate career. 

The Catamounts responded with a nasty eleven play drive, highlighted by a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Lex Thomas. Western Carolina anchored their offense behind the rushing attack as they continued to wear the clock and make the Bearcats defense play straight up. 

Cincinnati responded as junior running back Cole Tabb scampered into the endzone for a 36-yard touchdown on his first carry of the night. The run from Tabb highlighted a seven-play drive, as Cincinnati retained a 21-10 lead with three minutes to play in the first half. 

Cincinnati’s defense forced a three and out the ensuing possession, setting up French and the Bearcats offense for a two-minute drill opportunity. French quickly made the Catamounts pay, following a six-play touchdown drive, highlighted by a beautiful fifty-yard catch from JV Gibson down the right sideline to set the Bearcats up deep in the redzone. The following play, Zion Johnson punched it in to extend the Bearcats lead before the break. 

At the half, Cincinnati led Western Carolina 28-10. Cincinnati quarterback JC French, was absolutely dealing, starting the game 17-18 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. French had completions to ten different receivers, as Cincinnati was doing a great job spreading out the ball and moving the chains as they racked up 314 yards of total offense. 

Gi’Bran Payne punched in his first touchdown as a Bearcat on the teams opening drive of the second half. The Cincinnati native scampered in for a forty-yard touchdown run after breaking a few tackles to slip free. Which, for Payne, was the longest run of his collegiate career. Cincinnati now led the Catamounts 35-10 with 10:00 to play in the third quarter. 

JC French connected with Malachi Henry for a 56-yard gain, sparking yet another Cincinnati touchdown drive. The very next play, running back, Gi’Bran Payne marched in from seventeen yards out for his touchdown of the night, which marked the first time in his career, with two touchdowns scored. Just like that, Cincinnati led 42-10 with 5:03 left in the third quarter. 

Cincinnati continued to run all over the Catamounts. Literally, as the Bearcats eclipsed over 300 yards on the ground following a 40-yard touchdown run from Zylan Perry, his longest rush of his Bearcat career. Cincinnati was willing to live behind the offensive line, as the Bearcats continued to win the battle of the trenches creating unlimited opportunities for the Bearcats running backs. Following the 40-yard touchdown run from Perry, all four Bearcats have officially found the endzone. Just like that, Cincinnati led 49-10 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Liam O’Brian entered the game for Cincinnati in place of French to start the fourth quarter with the Bearcats up big. The Penn transfer wasted no time marching the Bearcats down the field for yet another touchdown drive. O’Brian led the Cats down the field for a eight play touchdown drive capped off with an eleven yard touchdown run on the designed quarterback draw. Cincinnati extended their lead to 55-10 with 12:00 to play. 

Junior quarterback Samaj Jones recorded his first touchdown of the season with just under a minute to play. A drive that started with the game's first turnover of the night following the interception from junior linebacker Quavo Saboor. Jones led the Bearcats on a 12 play drive resulting in the Bearcats ninth touchdown of the

night. 

Up Next

The Bearcats (2-0) travel to TQL Stadium on Saturday to take on rival Miami (OH) for the battle of the victory bell with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.