Expect offensive fireworks as Cincinnati visits Texas Tech

Field Level Media|published: Wed 25th September, 16:47 2024

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) reacts with Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyrin Smith (4) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the College Football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Towson Tigers at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Two teams with bolstered confidence on defense and offenses capable of keeping pace with anyone lock horns Saturday in Lubbock, Texas, when Cincinnati visits Texas Tech in Big 12 Conference action.

Both teams opened league action with victories last week that strayed from their calling card -- offense.

The Bearcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) blanked Houston 34-0, the first shutout of a Power 4 team of 2024, while the Red Raiders (3-1, 1-0) also leaned on defense by limiting Arizona State to 99 rushing yards in a 30-22 triumph.

As impressive as those performances were, both defenses will be tested Saturday.

Cincinnati and Texas Tech enter the matchup ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the Big 12 in total offense and neither has had much trouble putting points on the scoreboard. Both rely on balance to move the ball, with two of the best running backs in the conference and two quarterbacks who have thrown the ball well.

The Bearcats feature quarterback Brendan Sorsby (1,055 passing yards, eight TDs, zero interceptions) and running back Corey Kiner (404 rushing yards, two TDs) in the backfield, while receiver Xzavier Henderson is tied for fourth in the conference with 25 receptions and ranks sixth in yards (326).

The Red Raiders counter with dynamic signal-caller Behren Morton (1,175 yards and Big 12-best 12 TDs) and bulldozer back Tahj Brooks (126.3 yards per game). Josh Kelly has hauled in 31 passes (second in the Big 12) for 376 yards. The result is an offense generating 41.0 points a game, second in the league.

"Offensively, we're trending in a good direction, where this is the most points that we've averaged since we've been here," third-year Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said.

Cincinnati has similar confidence in an offense directed by Sorsby that is averaging 467.5 yards a game.

"He's had a great four games so far and we just need him to keep it going," said Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield. "You love to have guys like Brendan who are mobile and who can get out of the pocket if they need to so they can decipher defenses, make accurate throws and make third-down plays when we need him to."

This is the first meeting as conference opponents. The last time the Bearcats and Red Raiders played was in the 1968 season opener, a game in Lubbock that ended in a 10-10 tie.

--Field Level Media