Orlando, FL – Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby managed to throw for 241 yards, highlighted by a crucial four-yard touchdown pass to Tony Johnson late in the fourth quarter, leading the Bearcats to a hard-fought 19-13 victory over their rivals, UCF. Jared Bartlett sealed the win with a decisive sack on the last play of the game.
The Bearcats’ strong defensive performance played a key role in their triumph over UCF’s (3-3, 1-2) typically high-scoring offense. Despite some early setbacks, Cincinnati’s defense kept the Knights at bay, not allowing them to accumulate more total yards until their final possession. They began a drive from their own 19-yard line, reaching the Bearcats’ 25 before quarterback Jacurri Brown succumbed to pressure, resulting in Bartlett’s fourth sack of the day.
This defeat marks UCF’s third consecutive loss, continuing a trend from last season where the team experienced a streak of three losses or more. Although Cincinnati had its challenges early on, including two interceptions in the red zone, Sorsby and the offensive unit steadied themselves to maintain the lead, with the defense effectively stifling UCF.
The Bearcats’ defense was able to contain UCF’s potent rushing attack, limiting them to just 196 yards. Star running back RJ Harvey was held to 94 yards on 17 carries, marking the third game in a row he has been kept below the 100-yard mark after a five-game stretch of surpassing this milestone. Before this match, UCF had led the Big 12 in rushing with an impressive average of 282.4 yards per game.
Complications arose for UCF’s offense after they decided to bench quarterback KJ Jefferson, who had started every game of the season. In his absence, Brown stepped in, passing for 207 yards and adding another 94 yards on the ground. He connected on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Hudson early in the third quarter, with Hudson finishing the game with five catches for 82 yards.
The Knights faced difficulties early on, turning the ball over twice during their first two possessions, with running back Johnny Richardson fumbling on both occasions—once in the red zone and again within the UCF 20-yard line. The second fumble allowed Cincinnati to score their first field goal and gain an early advantage.
In summary, this result gives Cincinnati a significant victory over a former AAC foe, positioning them as a potential dark horse in the conference title race. The Bearcats are also inching closer to bowl eligibility as they face tough opponents in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, UCF has to confront serious concerns after their third straight loss, particularly regarding their offensive strategy after replacing KJ Jefferson. The Knights have struggled to surpass 20 points for the second week in succession.
Looking ahead, Cincinnati will host Arizona State next week, while UCF will travel to Ames, Iowa, for a matchup against No. 11 Iowa State.