Cincinnati looking to air it out against Northwestern State

Field Level Media|published: Thu 11th September, 13:17 2025

NCAA Football: Bowling Green at Cincinnati

Sep 6, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) runs with the ball as he looks to pass against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Cincinnati looks to continue its improvement in the passing game on Saturday against visiting Northwestern State.

Brendan Sorsby threw for 333 yards with three first-half touchdowns for the Bearcats (1-1) last weekend in a 34-20 victory against Bowling Green. He was limited to 69 passing yards in the season-opening loss to Nebraska.

Sorsby also ran for a touchdown and receivers Jeff Caldwell (109) and Joe Royer (104) both reached triple digits in receiving yards against the Falcons. The Bearcats rushed for 106 yards versus Bowling Green after piling up 202 yards on the ground against the Cornhuskers.

Hosting an FCS team in Northwestern State (1-1), which lost 66-0 at Minnesota last week, should give Cincinnati a chance to flex its offensive muscles. But the Bearcats aren't looking past the Demons.

"You can't overlook a team like Northwestern State," Bearcats center Gavin Gerhardt said. "I am going to do my best to make sure nobody on this team overlooks them on Saturday. They just got their first win in nearly three years in Week 1. They are going to be hungry, but you can't overlook this team just because it is an FCS opponent."

The Demons beat Alcorn State 20-10 on Aug. 28 for their first win since Nov. 5, 2022. Quarterback Abram Johnston has thrown for 95 yards and a touchdown through two games, while adding 60 rushing yards.

Northwestern State's game at Minnesota last week was its first against a Big Ten opponent.

"Success is defined by improvement," head coach Blaine McCorkle said. "Even with the score today -- opponent aside -- we're an improved football team. Last year, we played a much lesser FBS team than this and got beat a whole lot worse. The sideline didn't feel like it did today. The energy didn't feel like it did today. We've come a long way from those things last year."

This is the third meeting between Cincinnati and Northwestern State. Cincinnati has won both of the previous meetings, including a 66-9 romp in 2013.

--Field Level Media