CINCINNATI — Despite a strong first half from the Bearcats, UC fell to Pittsburgh 27-28 on Saturday in Nippert Stadium.
Both the Bearcats and Panthers were coming off Week 1 wins, but the Panthers were able to squeeze past UC with a last-minute field goal.
UC started strong in the first half of the game, with only one crucial mistake of a missed field goal.
The Bearcats defense — bolstered by star DL Dontay Corleone for the first time after health issues sidelined him — held Pitt to zero touchdowns until the very end of the third quarter when Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein connected with Konata Mumpfield.
From there, Cincinnati, who led Pitt by 21 points in the third quarter, allowed the Panthers to crawl their way back. The tides really turned on UC when Pitt running back Desmond Reid rushed 56 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who had a strong performance Week 1, threw 298 yards for three touchdowns. Sorsby first connected with Jamoi Mayes for a 52-yard pass to get Cincinnati on the board. He also hit wide receiver Tony Johnson and tight end Joe Royer, an Elder High School grad and Ohio State transfer, for touchdowns as well. Royer's 16-yard touchdown was the first of his career with UC.
THE CINCINNATI KID SCORES HIS FIRST TD AS A BEARCAT
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) September 7, 2024
📺ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/9ylhI72wbc
Cincinnati running back Corey Kiner also looked fantastic against the Pitt defense, with 20 carries for 149 yards despite never making it into the endzone.
The Bearcats will look to bounce back next week against the Miami University RedHawks at Yager Stadium in Oxford. It's the last non-conference game the Bearcats will see before they start Big 12 play against Houston Week 4.
