Final Huddle: Cincinnati Outlasts UCF Across Defensive Struggle

Cincinnati is now 5-5 all-time agains the Knights.

Oct 12, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown (11) avoids a tackle by Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Josh Minkins (0) during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bearcats took advantage of a disastrous UCF quarterback situation to get the 19-13 win on Saturday.

Cincinnati moved to 5-5 all-time against the Knights and has now won more games before Halloween than they did all of last season. Brendan Sorsby (25-of-38, 241 yards, 2 total TDs) was shaky across the afternoon, but the defense answered their rough Texas Tech showing by forcing multiple turnovers and terrorizing with TFLs and sacks (4).

The Knights played two different QBs in the game after benching K.J. Jefferson before the contest. 

Joe & Johnson

Cincinnati's offense relied heavily on the Joe Royer-Tony Johnson receiving combination to keep the offense afloat. Royer notched 8 catches for 84 yards while Johnson had the only receiving TD on the day (76 yards on 8 catches).

They consistently separated against a normally hapless UCF aerial defense. They were much better than normal, but still leaked big intermediate throw after big intermediate throw to UC. Their calming presence buoyed a rushing attack that was stifled by UCF to just 3 yards per carry.

The target distribution showed great awareness from Brendan Sorsby on Saturday. UC threw it 38 times and this duo got 20 of those targets, with 16 catches, 160 yards, and a TD to show for it.

Sorsby Struggles

Saturday was Brendan Sorsby's worst game at UC, but he still made enough plays around the goal line to pull off the win. His accuracy was off most of the day and it led to his first multi-interception game at UC. It resulted in a 117.2 passer rating, just a tick below the Miami game last month.

UCF did a nice job limiting big-chunk plays downfield and forcing the Bearcats offense to be methodical. Still, Sorsby settled in across the second half and started to dial up the accuracy.

Cincinnati should've scored at a higher clip in this game, but those turnovers and a lack of red zone execution nearly haunted them on the road. They scored just 16 points on five red-zone trips, and those two touchdowns were largely thanks to Sorsby. It was good to see him fight through struggles and not waste the best defensive/punting performance Cincinnati's combined for this season.

Golden Transfer Golday

Jake Golday has elevated his play each week over the past month and Saturday was no different for the UC linebacker. Golday notched 5 tackles, 2 for loss, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble. He was all over the field as part of that havoc creation on defense.

UCF ran the ball well at 4.9 yards a clip, but it would've been much worse without the transfer linebacker, and Dontay Corleone (four tackles, 2 sacks) who posted his first multi-sack outing of the season. Timely punch-outs and turnovers have become a staple of this defense and Golday's punch/recovery combo directly led to points.

Cincinnati played strong complementary football on offense and defense, but also within the defense as safety Logan Wilson (2 tackles, 2 pass breakups) notched a stellar day. Another transfer, like Golday, that's popping up with bigperformances when the Bearcats need it.

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