Final Huddle: UC Rolls Eastern Kentucky 66-13 Behind Strong Emory Jones Outing

The Bearcats quarterback accounted for over six touchdowns in the blowout win.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Sep 2, 2023 6:51 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — UC football got off to a quick start in the Scott Satterfield era with a 59-13 beat down of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Quarterback Emory Jones (19-of-23 passing for 345 yards, five TDs, nine carries, 26 yards, and two TDs) was the star of the show through the air and on the ground in a performance showcase of why he was so highly touted at times during his Florida run.

His connection with fellow former Gator Xzavier Henderson (seven catches, 149 yards, one TD) was palpable all game long. It marked UC's sixth straight season scoring at least 50 points in a game.

Cincinnati has now won 22 season openers in a row as they turn attention to a formidable ACC opponent in Pittsburgh. It marked the seventh-highest single-game total yards mark in program history (667 yards).

Hello Henderson

Jones looked for Henderson early and often in this game as the duo combined for career individual days. The long weapon really showed his elite skillset with a 50-50 catch over the middle resulting in a 30-yard gain in the first half.

He was creating separation on a variety of routes and had fantastic ball timing with Jones. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Eastern Kentucky had no one that could slow down Henderson physically.

It resulted in a career-high in catches and receiving yards. His great start helped open things up for other versatile weapons like Braden Smith (four catches, 72 yards, one TD) and Dee Wiggins (one catch, 39 yards, one TD). It's a testament to this recruiting and coaching staff how quickly they were able to identify those three players in the portal and get them ready on the field this summer to instantly make big plays.

Now, they'll take a big step up in competition against Pitt cornerbacks MJ Devonshire (75.3 2022 PFF Grade) and Marquis Williams (84.2 Grade).

Emory Evolved?

Arizona State was the basement and these 60 minutes showcased the ceiling for a player like Jones who's now on his third school in as many years. This time around, he has a tailor-made system and weapons to complement his skill set.

Now, the real test comes against Pitt. Jones should get all the earned praise for this career day, but it did come against a terrible FCS defense in 2022 that returned just three starters for this season.

The consistency was great and they took care of business.

Now, can Jones string great performances together? He should earn an 80-plus PFF grade from this outing, something he's never done in consecutive games as a starter. Jones got off to a fantastic start as a Bearcat, now we'll find out how consistent he's become.

Kool Kiner, Grading Gresziak

It wasn't all Emory Jones on the way to 50-plus points for the Bearcats. Corey Kiner (13 carries, 105 yards) posted his second career 100-yard rushing outing as he led the way among five-plus Bearcats to carry the football.

Kiner flashed that four-star ceiling with fantastic vision in the middle of the line and he knew how to be patient as UC's road graders opened up a few MAC truck holes in the wide-zone scheme.

On the flip side of the ball, UC plucked multiple interceptions and a few forced fumbles. Daniel Gresziak (team-high seven tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss) had his hand on one of those punchouts and recoveries. He was a menace off the edge as EKU couldn't send many double teams his way with all of UC's depth in the front.

Cincinnati made EKU completely one-dimensional as the front seven gave up just 177 passing yards on 25 attempts.

It was a fantastic start to the Satterfield era as they look to win their first road game under the coach in a big step up in competition next Saturday at 6:30 ET against Pitt.

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