Cincinnati shuts out Houston in Big 12 opener

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st September, 15:22 2024

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Marquaze Parker (98) tackles Houston Cougars wide receiver Devan Williams (8) in the second quarter of the College Football game at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Brendan Sorsby completed 12 of 15 passes for 188 yards, including a pair of touchdowns tosses to Xzavier Henderson, to lead the Cincinnati Bearcats (3-1, 1-0) to a 34-0 shutout of the visiting Houston Cougars (1-3, 0-1) in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Cincinnati recorded its first shutout win since Nov. 3, 2018 when the Bearcats blanked Navy, 42-0, at Nippert Stadium.

Corey Kiner ran for a 44-yard touchdown and finished with 78 yards on 16 carries. Cincinnati walk-on kicker Nathan Hawks, who kicked a pair of 50-plus yard field goals in last week's win over Miami of Ohio, converted another two chances Saturday.

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith completed 11-of-16 passes but for only 73 yards.

Cincinnati capitalized on an early turnover to break out on top in the first quarter. Cincinnati safety Josh Minkins picked off Smith at the Cougars 45.

Three plays later, Sorsby threw the first of his two touchdown passes, a 19-yard connection with Henderson that put UC ahead 7-0. Corey Kiner doubled Cincinnati's lead late in the first quarter when Kiner ripped off his 44-yard touchdown run.

Another Sorsby-to-Henderson connection of 15 yards with just under seven minutes left in the second quarter made it 21-0 Cincinnati.

Houston put together their best drive to open the second half. But Derrick Canteen forced a fumble at the end of a 20-yard run by Re'Shaun Sanford II. Tre Gola-Callard recovered at the Cincinnati 11 to end the Houston threat. The 20-yard run was Houston's longest play from scrimmage on the day.

Sorsby promptly answered by engineering an eight-play, 89-yard drive, highlighted by his 47-yard perfect pass on a post route to Sterling Berkhalter, putting the Bearcats at the Houston 8. Two plays later, Sorsby ran into the end zone on a delayed QB keeper, putting Cincinnati up, 31-0.

Sorsby, who opened the game completing 12 of his first 13 passes for 188 yards, was pulled in favor of back-up Brady Lichtenberg in the fourth quarter.

--Field Level Media