Five Key Takeaways: Cincinnati 31 Kansas State 26

Cincinnati didn’t simply survive Kansas State on Saturday night. The Bearcats took control of the game in the second half by leaning on their running game, winning the line of scrimmage and making the critical defensive plays necessary to turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a 31-26 victory.

Here are five takeaways from Cincinnati’s comeback Big 12-opening win.

1. Cincinnati won the game in the trenches

If there was one defining statistic, it was Cincinnati’s 271 rushing yards.

The Bearcats produced two 120-yard rushers — Gi’Bran Payne with 126 yards on 16 carries and Cole Tabb with 124 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries — against a Kansas State defense that entered the game ranked second nationally in total defense and No. 11 in scoring defense (10.0 points per game).

“That’s winning in the trenches there. We rushed for 271 and they had 155, so we won in the trenches," head coach Scott Satterfield said following the win.

The Bearcats weren't simply accumulating yards. They were imposing their preferred style on a Kansas State team that wanted to establish the run itself.

The offensive line and perimeter blockers were a major part of that success. Satterfield specifically pointed to the blocking by Cincinnati's receivers and tight ends, while Payne credited the entire group after the game.

“Big shoutouts to the O-line, receivers, tight ends out there, they’re straining. We wouldn't be able to get the things that we get without them.”

For Cincinnati, the formula was clear: run the ball, stay ahead of the chains and make Kansas State defend the entire field.